Discusses a report that provides a framework for modernizing the outdated U.S. financial regulatory system. This report was prepared to help policymakers weigh various regulatory reform proposals and consider ways in which the current regulatory system could be made more effective and efficient. This testimony: (1) describes how regulation has evolved in banking, securities, thrifts, credit unions, futures, insurance, secondary mortgage markets and other areas; (2) describes several key changes in financial markets and products in recent decades that have highlighted significant limitations and gaps in the existing regulatory system; and (3) presents an evaluation framework that can be used by Congress to shape regulatory reform efforts.

The U.S. and other countries are in the midst of the worst financial crisis in more than 75 years. While much of the attention of policymakers has been focused on taking short-term steps to address the immediate nature of the crisis, these events have served to strikingly demonstrate that the current U.S. financial regulatory system is in need of significant reform. This report: (1) describes the origins of the current financial regulatory system; (2) describes various market developments and changes that have created challenges for the current system; and (3) presents an evaluation framework that can be used to shape potential regulatory reform efforts. An important and thorough review of the issues related to regulatory reform. Charts and tables.

This is a print on demand edition of a hard to find publication. In the midst of the worst economic crisis affecting financial markets globally in more than 75 years, fed. officials have taken unprecedented steps to stem the unraveling of the financial services sector. While these actions aimed to provide relief in the short term, the severity of the crisis has shown clearly that in the long term, the current U.S. financial regulatory system was in need of significant reform. This testimony discusses: (1) how regulation has evolved and the significant limitations and gaps in the existing regulatory system; (2) the experiences of countries with other types of varying regulatory structures during the financial crisis; and (3) how certain aspects of proposals would reform the U.S. regulatory system. Charts and tables.

The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act directed a study of the role of leverage in the current financial crisis and federal oversight of leverage. The objectives were to review: (1) how leveraging and deleveraging by financial institutions may have contributed to the crisis; (2) regulations adopted by federal financial regulators to limit leverage and how regulators oversee compliance with the regulations; and (3) any limitations the current crisis has revealed in regulatory approaches used to restrict leverage and regulatory proposals to address them. To meet these objectives, the auditor reviewed relevant laws and regulations and academic and other studies, and interviewed regulators and market participants. Includes recommend. Illus.