By John Alan James
On the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas), chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, and a panel of regulatory experts gathered at an American Enterprise Institute meeting to discuss the impact of the legislation on America’s economic system.
Hensarling has been successful in finding bi-partisan support in modifying some financial regulations, particularly where federal courts have contended that regulators have failed to prove the benefits of the suggested remedies. But in his recent speech at the Institute, he made it clear that his ultimate goal is the repeal of the Dodd-Frank Act.
Fines and legal fees paid by financial institutions have risen dramatically in the past five years. Violations of regulations covering money laundering and sanctions have been extremely costly to banks, with penalties negatively impacting balance sheets and shareholders’ equity.
The Dodd-Frank Act has expanded the role and power of the federal government in corporate affairs and created a new and growing need for compliance risk management. The job of chief compliance officer, responsible for the implementation of internal and external governance policies and procedures, has grown from a clerical position to a new type of professional often reporting directly to the board and primarily responsible to the chief executiv
