Tax reform, regulatory modernization, and changes to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are among the 2017 legislative priorities of the Financial Services Roundtable (FSR).
“FSR’s members finance the American economy and modernizing our regulatory system will help create greater financial opportunity for all Americans,” FSR CEO Tim Pawlenty said.
FSR supports tax reform that encourages economic growth, reduces income taxes on corporations and individuals, encourages retirement saving, and reduces tax-driven economic distortions.
FSR also backs regulatory changes that base regulatory standards on risk and remove arbitrary thresholds. Reducing red tape will free up resources and spur investment and job growth.
Regarding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), FSR supports creating a board to make key decisions rather than have them made by a single individual. It also would like to see Congress have oversight of the CFPB budget.
FSR is also in favor of repealing the Durbin Amendment, which limits fees charged to retailers on debit card purchases.
FSR supports the convergence of financial technology and financial services — also called fintech. It is actively involved in partnerships with technology companies to foster innovation and economic growth.
Cybersecurity is also on FSR’s legislative agenda. It supports policy and resources that ensure the financial infrastructure is secure without hampering growth.
FSR supports policies and legislation that encourages small businesses to offer retirement savings plans to their employees.
On housing finance, FSR urges reform that transitions the government sponsored entities — like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — from government conservatorship to a system that features more private capital.
FSR would also like to see the reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program and a limited federal role in certain types of insurance—such as terrorism risk insurance, uniform registration standards and fair tax treatment.
FSR supports trade that is free and fair and has lower barriers as well as patent reform that increases transparency and enhances patent quality.