Powell's Testimony Suggests Softening of Controversial Bank Capital Proposal

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announced that U.S. regulators are nearing agreement on a revised plan for bank capital requirements, potentially easing the initially proposed 19% increase for big banks. This development suggests a significant shift in response to intense lobbying from major financial institutions, who argued the original plan could hinder lending. While specific changes weren’t detailed, Powell indicated that the revised proposal would likely be subject to a 60-day public comment period. This move represents a potential victory for Wall Street banks and highlights the ongoing balance regulators are trying to strike between financial stability and economic growth.