WASHINGTON, DC— Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) released the following statement regarding final approval of the Volcker Rule, a provision of the Wall Street Reform & Consumer Protection Act that restricts banks’ use of proprietary trading. Tuesday, the five regulatory agencies charged with implementing the legislation approved the final rule.
“I'm heartened by the regulators’ completion of the Volcker Rule, which is an important step in our efforts to ensure that we eliminate irresponsible behavior in the financial industry that could leave taxpayers holding the bag. Bankers should not be gambling for their own account, period. They should be providing capital to American families and businesses. I'm pleased that the Rule allows for the preservation of liquid markets while eliminating the overly loose exemption for ‘portfolio hedging.’ I am, however, concerned by exemptions for proprietary trading in certain kinds of bonds. The regulators would be well advised to carefully monitor those exceptions.”