PH FedACTion: Financial Regulatory Updates
Daily Financial Regulation Update -- Friday, April 17, 2026
April 17, 2026
Edited by Lawrence D. Kaplan, Jason Shafer and Kris Knabe
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Congress
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on Financial Services
Hearing: ‘Promoting Access to Credit for Everyday Americans’
April 16, 2026
The House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions held a hearing titled “Promoting Access to Credit for Everyday Americans.”
Federal Agencies
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
NY Fed President Gives Speech on Economic Outlook and Monetary Policy
April 16, 2026
Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John C. Williams gave a speech on the economic outlook and monetary policy titled “The Cosmos” at the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York 2026 Member Symposium in New York.
Business Leaders Survey — April 2026
April 16, 2026
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York released the Business Leaders Survey for April 2026.
Blog: ‘Bank Failures: The Roles of Solvency and Liquidity’
April 16, 2026
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York published a Liberty Street Economics blog post titled “Bank Failures: The Roles of Solvency and Liquidity.”
Securities and Exchange Commission
SEC Seeks Public Comment on Audit Trails and Data Sources
April 16, 2026
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a concept release soliciting public comment in support of a comprehensive review of the Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT) and other audit trails and related data sources currently used in the regulation of U.S. securities markets.
SEC Holds Options Market Structure Roundtable
April 16, 2026
The SEC hosted a roundtable to discuss listed options market structure, including facilitating competition in a quote-driven market, the customer experience, and opportunities and challenges for continued growth. Chair Paul S. Atkins, Commissioners Hester M. Peirce and Mark T Uyeda, and Division of Trading and Markets Director Jaime Selway gave remarks.
- Event
- Chair Atkins Remarks
- Commissioner Peirce Remarks
- Commissioner Uyeda Remarks
- Director Selway Remarks
SEC Chair Launches ‘Material Matters’ Podcast
April 16, 2026
The SEC announced the launch of Material Matters With SEC Chairman Paul Atkins, a new podcast that provides stakeholders and the investing public with exclusive interviews and insights around the agency’s policy and rulemaking agenda.
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FinCEN Releases Year in Review for Fiscal Year 2025
April 16, 2026
FinCEN has released its Fiscal Year 2025 Year in Review, highlighting continued efforts to safeguard the U.S. financial system and combat illicit finance.
Federal Housing Finance Agency
Foreclosure Prevention, Refinance and Federal Property Manager’s Report — January 2026
April 16, 2026
The Federal Housing Finance Agency released the Foreclosure Prevention, Refinance and Federal Property Manager’s Report for January 2026.
International
European Banking Authority
EBA Observes Increase of High Earners in EU Banks in 2024
April 16, 2026
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published its 2024 dashboard on high earners. The data shows an increase in the number of individuals in EU banks earning more than €1 million.
EBA Seeks Feedback on Reporting Framework Draft Technical Package
April 16, 2026
The EBA published a draft technical package for version 4.3 of its reporting framework, covering anti-money laundering and third-country branches reporting.
Bank of England
Report on Exercise of Relevant Sub-Delegated Powers
April 16, 2026
The Bank of England presented a report to Parliament on the exercise of relevant sub-delegated powers for the financial year ending Feb. 28, 2026.
External Minimum Requirements for Own Funds and Eligible Liabilities — 2026
April 16, 2026
The Bank of England published the external minimum requirements for own funds and eligible liabilities for 2026.
Artificial Intelligence Consortium Minutes — February 2026
April 16, 2026
The Bank of England released the minutes of the Artificial Intelligence Consortium meeting held Feb. 9.
Financial Conduct Authority
FCA Introduces Clearer and Simpler Short Selling Rules
April 16, 2026
The Financial Conduct Authority has finalized a simpler U.K. short selling regime that reduces reporting burdens for firms while maintaining regulatory oversight.
Administration Changes
Vacancies
Appointments
U.S. Department of the Treasury – Scott Bessent (effective January 27, 2025)
Federal Reserve Board – Jerome H. Powell (effective May 23, 2022)
- Vice Chair Phillip N. Jefferson (sworn in September 13, 2023)
- Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle W. Bowman (sworn in June 9, 2025)
- Governor Michael Barr (sworn in July 19, 2022)
- Governor Christopher J. Waller (sworn in December 18, 2020)
- Governor Lisa D. Cook (sworn in September 13, 2022 – SCOTUS hearing on purported termination to be held in January 2026)
- Stephen Miran (sworn in September 16, 2025)
Federal Reserve Bank of New York – John C. Williams (effective June 18, 2018)
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston – Susan M. Collins (effective July 1, 2022)
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Travis Hill (Acting Chairman effective January 20, 2025, nominated to be Chair September 30, 2025 and Confirmed December 18, 2025)
- Vice Chairman Vacant
- Director Vacant
- Director Jonathan Gould (Comptroller of the Currency)
- Director Russel Vought (Director of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency – Jonathan Gould (effective July 15, 2025)
Securities and Exchange Commission – Paul Atkins (effective April 9, 2025)
Commodity Futures Trading Commission – Michael Selig (confirmed December 18, 2025)
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Russel Vought (Acting Director effective February 10, 2025)
National Credit Union Administration – Kyle Hauptman (Chairman effective January 20, 2025)
Small Business Administration – Kelly Loeffler (effective February 19, 2025)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Scott Turner (effective February 5, 2025)
Federal Housing Finance Agency – William Pulte (effective March 13, 2025)
U.S. Department of Education – Linda McMahon (effective March 3, 2025)
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network – Andrea Gacki (effective July 13, 2023)
PH Client Alerts
Click here to read more from our Coronavirus series.
Legislation/Legislative Updates
Click here to view the full text of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), enacted March 27, 2020.
Click here to view the full text of the Paycheck Protection Program Increase Act of 2020, enacted April 24, 2020.
Click here to view the full text of the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, enacted June 5, 2020.
Click here to view the full text of theConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, enacted December 27, 2020.
Click here to view the full text of the American Rescue Plan of 2021, enacted March 11, 2021.
Click here to view the full text of the PPP Extension Act of 2021, enacted March 30, 2021.
Click here to view a running list of proposed legislation from the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, House Committee on Financial Services and House Committee on Small Business
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