Welcome to Fintech Takes! I’m Alex Johnson, and today we’re heading straight into the belly of the beast—Washington, D.C.—where regulators, banks, and fintechs are jockeying for position. Joining me is Rob Blackwell, a 20-year American Banker veteran, Intrafi’s Chief Content Officer, and host of the Banking with Interest pod.
Today, we're diving into the big four: CFPB, OCC, FDIC, and the Fed. Regulatory shifts are moving fast, so by the time this airs, this could all be outdated—but hey, c’est la vie!
First up, the push to gut the CFPB is gaining ground in some circles, but even banks and credit unions see value in maintaining a referee. Will the CFPB be sidelined (to, ahem, crypto’s benefit) or bounce back with a vengeance? Rob’s take is that it’ll be weakened, not wiped out—it’s too useful politically.
Next, the FDIC's tailored supervision shouldn’t mean loosening oversight, especially where fintech partnerships are involved. Small banks aren’t JPMorgan, but they still need scrutiny. Same goes for the OCC, where new leadership is prioritizing collaboration with banks while pushing for targeted regulation to keep things fair. No wild cards here; Trump’s picks are pragmatic, not radical.
Finally, the FDIC and Fed are pushing for clearer rules and more transparency, aiming to rein in overreach without forcing banks into unwanted partnerships. The challenge: giving banks discretion while preventing regulators from nudging them into silent exclusions.
Bottom line? The rules are changing, but power plays never do.
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