WASHINGTON, D.C.— Shayna Olesiuk, Director of Banking Policy, issued the following statement in connection with today’s filing of a comment letter to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in response to its Interim Final Rule on bank merger oversight: “The OCC’s changes to its merger policy prioritize the interests of the banking […]
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Brady Williams, Legal Counsel for Better Markets, issued the following statement in connection with today’s filing of comment letters in response to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) Requests for Comment on its proposed rule amending the CFPB’s Procedures for Supervisory Designation Proceedings and its proposed rescission of the Registry of Nonbank […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Stephen Hall, Legal Director and Securities Specialist, issued the following statement on today’s decision in CFPB v. Townstone Financial, Inc., No. 1:20-cv-04176 (N.D. Ill.): “The court’s decision is a thorough, well-reasoned, and decisive rejection of a shameful effort by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, in league with an allegedly racist mortgage broker, to nullify […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Shayna Olesiuk, Director of Banking Policy, issued the following statement in connection with Better Markets’ new Fact Sheet, “Community Bank Funding Challenges and Opportunities.” “Community banks play a central role in ensuring that Main Street can thrive. More than 9 out of every 10 banks in the U.S. are community banks, serving every […]
As agency actions increasingly insulate SEC leadership from accountability, crypto scam risk grows for everyday Americans and older adults WASHINGTON, D.C.—Benjamin Schiffrin, Director of Securities Policy, issued the following statement on today’s filing of Better Markets’ Comment Letter to the SEC’s Crypto Task Force: “Today, the SEC is hosting a webinar about relationship investment scams […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Benjamin Schiffrin, Better Markets’ Director of Securities Policy, issued the following statement in connection with Better Markets’ new Report, “The SEC Must Hold Individuals Accountable for Corporate Misconduct”: “SEC Chair Paul Atkins recently reiterated his longstanding opposition to imposing civil money penalties on corporations in his first Congressional testimony as head of the agency. […]
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dennis M. Kelleher, Co-founder, President and CEO of Better Markets, issued the following statement ahead of Brian Quintenz’s nomination hearing for Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Better Markets has also released a related fact sheet: “Trump’s CFTC Chair Nominee Brian Quintenz’s Deregulatory Record Means Increased Dangers for Markets, Financial […]
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Cantrell Dumas, Director of Derivatives Policy at Better Markets, issued the following statement regarding the latest developments in KalshiEX LLC v. Martin, Case No. 1:25-cv-01283 (D. Md.), where KalshiEX is challenging the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission’s authority to regulate its sports gambling contracts under state law: “The betting platform KalshiEX […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Stephen Hall, Legal Director and Securities Specialist at Better Markets, issued the following statement on the release of an updated report, The Trump Administration Seeks to Paralyze Agencies with Burdensome and Unworkable Cost-Benefit Analysis, which highlights the resurgence of cost-benefit analysis as a weapon against rules meant to protect investors and markets: “Right […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Benjamin Schiffrin, Director of Securities Policy, issued the following statement in connection with Better Markets’ New Fact Sheet, “Private Market Assets Do Not Belong in 401(k)s,” and in advance of his participation on a panel discussing retail investors and private markets at an SEC conference on asset management on June 5, 2025: “There is […]
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dennis M. Kelleher, Co-founder, President and CEO of Better Markets, issued the following statement in response to a report that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) Acting Chair, Caroline Pham, is preparing to vote on whether to allow U.S. customers to clear yen interest rate swaps through a noncompliant foreign financial firm, […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Dennis Kelleher, President, CEO and Co-founder of Better Markets, issued the following statement ahead of this week’s Senate vote on Governor Michelle Bowman’s nomination to become Vice Chair for Supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Fed”). “Trump has nominated Fed Gov. Michelle Bowman to become one of the most […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Amanda Fischer, Policy Director and COO of Better Markets, issued the following statement in response to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) decision to formally drop its lawsuit against Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, and its founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ): “This decision marks a new low in the SEC’s already disgraceful recent history […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Shayna Olesiuk, Director of Banking Policy, issued the following statement in connection with the release of a new Fact Sheet: “The Fed’s Bank Stress Tests Protect Americans’ Jobs and Homes: They Need to Be Stronger.” “Stress testing the biggest banks is one of the most important regulatory developments since the 2008 Financial Crisis. Stress […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Dennis Kelleher, Cofounder, President, and CEO of Better Markets, issued the following statement on the sentencing of Tim Leissner today in United States v. Leissner, 18-CR-439 (E.D.N.Y.): “The good news is that the Goldman Sachs partner who orchestrated and led the bank’s central involvement in the 1MDB scandal is going to prison. The bad […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Dennis Kelleher, President, CEO and Co-founder of Better Markets, issued the following statement in response to a Bloomberg report that the Federal Reserve has disbanded its groups that examine climate-related financial risks for large banks: “Today’s report that the Federal Reserve (“Fed”) has disbanded its internal groups that assess the exposure of the largest, […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Stephen Hall, Legal Director and Securities Specialist of Better Markets, issued the following statement in response to the Department of Labor rescinding guidance warning managers of retirement plans of the risks of offering employees crypto assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum: “Today is another flagrant example of the Trump Administration putting crypto profits ahead […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Dennis Kelleher, Cofounder, President, and CEO of Better Markets, issued the following statement on the sentencing of Tim Leissner, scheduled for this Thursday, May 29th, and the release of the attached “Memo to Interested Parties” that Better Markets is issuing today: “Goldman Sachs, via partner and senior executive Tim Leissner and at least 30 […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Stephen Hall, Legal Director and Securities Specialist, issued the following statement on the Supreme Court’s hasty decision to allow the lawless firing of agency heads before the complex Constitutional issues are fully litigated on the merits, in Trump v. Wilcox, No. 24A966 (S. Ct.): “In yesterday’s order, the Supreme Court abruptly sided with President […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Benjamin Schiffrin, Director of Securities Policy, issued the following statement on SEC Chair Paul Atkins’s Congressional testimony earlier today: “Chair Atkins’s testimony reflected the SEC’s—and Congress’s—continued preoccupation with crypto. Following the Senate’s vote last night to send a bill legitimizing stablecoins to the floor, Chair Atkins said one of his top priorities is the […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Benjamin Schiffrin, Director of Securities Policy, issued the following statement in connection with Better Markets’ new Report, “Private Securities Offerings Should Be the Exception, Not the Rule”: “Our public capital markets are the envy of the world, but the ever-expanding exemptions from the requirement that most securities offerings be registered public offerings are bleeding […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Dennis Kelleher, Co-founder, President and CEO of Better Markets, issued the following statement in advance of tomorrow’s noticed FDIC Board Meeting, where the 2024 merger policy will be withdrawn and replaced with a weaker, outdated one: “At the meeting tomorrow, the FDIC plans to enact a politically motivated, irresponsible, baseless, and unnecessary merger policy […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Benjamin Schiffrin, Director of Securities Policy, issued the following statement regarding the withdrawal by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) of their July 8, 2019 Joint Staff Statement on Broker-Dealer Custody of Digital Asset Securities: “The SEC’s and FINRA’s decision to withdraw their joint staff statement regarding […]
Washington, D.C.—Dennis M. Kelleher, Co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Better Markets, and Adam Connaker, Director of Impact Investing at the Surdna Foundation, issued the following statement today announcing a new partnership: “Millions of Americans continue to face serious threats to their economic security,” said Mr. Kelleher. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Dennis Kelleher, Co-founder, President and CEO of Better Markets, issued the following statement in response to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) 3-0 vote to drop its appeal in KalshiEx LLC v. CFTC: “This would be funny if it weren’t so serious: the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) – not the Federal Election Commission […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Benjamin Schiffrin, Director of Securities Policy, issued the following statement in connection with Better Markets’ new Report, “Let’s Not Make the Same Mistakes With Stock Trading as We Made With Sports Gambling”: “Today is the seven-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision legalizing sports gambling. That decision has led to an epidemic of sports […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Ben Schiffrin and Phillip Basil, Directors of Securities Policy and Economic Growth & Financial Stability, issued the following statement on Better Markets’ new Fact Sheets, “Policymakers Must Bolster the Treasury Market” and “Weakening Bank Capital Will Not Help the Treasury Market but Will Increase Financial Stability Risks”: “Just last month, we avoided an economic […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Dennis Kelleher, President and CEO, issued the following statement in connection with the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (Committee) affirming the need to understand all risks to the financial system, including from climate events. “U.S. and global regulators are mandated to protect their citizens, financial system, and economy from financial risks regardless of source […]
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Cantrell Dumas, Director of Derivatives Policy at Better Markets, issued the following statement in response to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) failure to pause Coinbase Derivatives, LLC’s launch of 24/7 futures trading: “It’s deeply troubling that the CFTC allowed Coinbase to proceed with launching 24/7 futures trading while an active Request […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Shayna Olesiuk, Director of Banking Policy, issued the following statement in connection with the release of a new Fact Sheet: “Bank Mergers Require Robust Scrutiny to Ensure that Consumers’ Interests Are Not Sacrificed for Wall Street’s Profits.” “Main Street Americans benefit from a diversified banking system that includes community banks, regional banks, and large […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Dennis Kelleher, President, CEO and Co-founder of Better Markets, issued the following statement in response to Federal Reserve (Fed) Governor Michelle Bowman’s announcement of her new Wall Street staff: “Today’s reported announcement that Vice Chair nominee Fed Gov. Michelle Bowman—a vocal advocate for Wall Street’s preferred policies—has hired two Wall Street lobbyists and a […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Brady Williams, Legal Counsel, issued the following statement in connection with the CFPB’s decision to rescind dozens of prior agency interpretive rules, policy statements, and advisory opinions: “Today the CFPB announced its sweeping decision to rescind virtually all of its prior policy guidance—an alarming move that threatens the integrity of consumer oversight, erodes transparency, […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.— For the fifth year in a row, Washingtonian Magazine has selected Dennis Kelleher, Co-Founder, President and CEO of Better Markets, as one of the Most Influential People in Washington. “With a new administration now in place, these power players’ expertise and strategic insight are especially crucial as they navigate shifting priorities and relationships […]
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Cantrell Dumas, Director of Derivatives Policy at Better Markets, issued the following statement regarding the release of a new fact sheet titled “Stop the Spread: Why the CFTC Must Shut the Door on Gambling in Derivatives Markets”: “Congress made it clear that contracts involving gambling, like betting on sports, do not belong […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Amanda Fischer, Policy Director & COO of Better Markets, issued the following statement in response to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) recent Internet Crime Report showing a surge in crypto-related crimes while Congress considers legislation to further import crypto risks to the mainstream financial system: “It’s boom times for crypto crime. The FBI’s […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Stephen Hall, Legal Director and Securities Specialist, issued the following statement on today’s decision by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to abandon its appeal in KalshiEx LLC v. CFTC: “The CFTC has just voluntarily surrendered its fight to overturn a dangerous lower court decision that allows gambling on the outcome of congressional elections. […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Dennis Kelleher, President, CEO and Co-founder of Better Markets, issued the following statement ahead of this week’s Senate Banking Committee vote on Governor Michelle Bowman’s nomination to become Vice Chair for Supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Fed”). “Trump has nominated Fed Gov. Michelle Bowman to become one of […]
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Brady Williams, Legal Counsel, issued the following statement in connection with the recently filed motion in Cornerstone Credit Union League et al v. CFPB, No. 4:25-cv-00016 (E.D. Tex.), which asked a federal court to vacate the CFPB’s long-awaited rule addressing medical debt on credit reports: “The CFPB today sided against consumers by joining […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Amanda Fischer, Policy Director and Chief Operating Officer, issued the following statement in connection with Better Markets’ new Fact Sheet, “The Dangers of Folding the PCAOB Into the SEC.” “Congress’s proposal to abolish the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and fold it into the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is dangerous and misguided. […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Dennis M. Kelleher, Co-founder, President, and CEO, issued the following statement in connection with Trump’s first 100 days and the release of a new Report: “Trump’s Wall Street Deregulation on Steroids is Going to Cause a Horrific Economic Crash on Main Street.” “While the financial industry claims it’s overregulated and that regulations are just […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Benjamin Schiffrin, Director of Securities Policy, issued the following statement in connection with Better Markets’ new Fact Sheet, “Proxy Advisory Firms Allow Shareholders to Effectively Oversee the Companies They Own”: “Tomorrow, Congress will hold a hearing that appears designed to attack proxy advisory firms. But the fact is that these firms are essential to […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Benjamin Schiffrin, Director of Securities Policy, issued the following statement in connection with Better Markets’ new Report, “ESG Investing Persists”: “Earth Day 2025 is a sad occasion for investors. The SEC, in the last few months, has turned its back on investors by retreating from several initiatives designed to give them information about how […]
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amanda Fischer, Policy Director and COO, issued the following statement in connection with Better Markets’ new Fact Sheet entitled, “On Earth Day, the Need to Address Climate-Related Financial Risks is More Urgent Than Ever:” “No matter how much policymakers try to minimize, disregard, or ignore it, catastrophic climate risk remains an enormous […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Cantrell Dumas, Director of Derivatives Policy, issued the following statement in connection with the release of Better Markets’ new Fact Sheet, “Origins of the CFTC: Protecting the Integrity of the Derivatives Markets.” “As the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) commemorates its 50th anniversary, it’s a moment to acknowledge the agency’s critical role in […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Shayna Olesiuk, Director of Banking Policy, issued the following statement in connection with the Federal Reserve’s and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s approval of Capital One Financial Corporation’s (“Capital One”) to acquire Discover Bank and Discover Financial Services (“Discover”), which will result in the largest credit card company and the 6th largest […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Shayna Olesiuk, Director of Banking Policy, issued the following statement in connection with the release of a new Report: “Community Banks: Vital to Main Street Families, Small Businesses, and the Financial System.” “Community banks are vital to Main Street America, providing a safe place for families and small businesses to safeguard and grow wealth and […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Dennis M. Kelleher, Co-founder, President, and CEO, issued the following statement regarding the unlawful firing of two Board Members of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)—Todd Harper and Tanya Otsuka. “Credit unions are vital to Main Street families, small businesses, communities, and the economy. The Trump Administration’s decision to illegally fire two of the […]
Washington, D.C.—Today, Better Markets announced the formation of its inaugural Academic Advisory Board. The new initiative will serve as a platform for leading scholars focused on economics, law, finance, and financial regulation, and enable collaboration across the range of related issues facing the country. The Better Markets Academic Advisory Board (BMAAB) will foster a dynamic […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Benjamin Schiffrin, Director of Securities Policy, issued the following statement on the filing of Better Markets’ Comment Letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in response to a proposed rule change filed by Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc., to list and trade shares of the BondBloxx Private Credit Trust: “A private credit exchange-traded product […]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Shayna Olesiuk, Director of Banking Policy, issued the following statement on a Comment Letter to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) on the proposed rescission of the 2024 Statement of Policy on Bank Merger Transactions. “In 2024, after years of prudent, judicious, and appropriate analysis, the FDIC implemented a policy (2024 policy) that strengthened […]
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