Minimum capital requirements

Despite its commitment to change its stress testing program, the Federal Reserve is defending its current practices in court. That argument raises thorny legal questions about whether stress tests are more like rules or adjudications.

After building capital for years in anticipation of higher requirements, banks now face a lighter regulatory outlook under President Trump. But experts don't expect capital levels to come down quickly.

The Federal Reserve proposed a rule to average individual banks' stress test results over two years, a measure the central bank says would reduce volatility in bank capital requirements from year to year.

The Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency took a measured approach to developing the international capital standards, according to a Government Accountability Office report.

During congressional testimony, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said he supports changes to the supplemental leverage ratio to make it easier for banks to intermediate the Treasury market.

Known as a pragmatic moderate before arriving at the Fed, Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr is now synonymous with an aggressive and divisive approach to bank regulation. Can he still accomplish his goals under President Trump?

The revised edition of the Basel III endgame capital rules has been stuck in limbo at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. board of directors. The issue there seems to be about the process of reproposal — but the process dictates the substance of the rule.

The new chair of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision called for member nations to finish the job of implementing post-financial crisis regulations. He also warned them not to put economic goals over safety considerations.

Nellie Liang urges regulators to consider adjusting leverage rules to boost liquidity during stress periods, including leaving central bank reserves out of supplemental leverage ratio calculations.

Large banks welcomed regulators' proposed changes to last year's controversial reform package, but remain skeptical about the need for more capital.