Obama seeks ‘transformation’ of US financial regulation

Thursday 18th June 2009, 9:16AM BST.

Obama seeks 'transformation' of US financial regulationBarack Obama has unveiled sweeping, landmark reforms of the United States financial system in a bid to prevent such a powerful recession from striking again.

The US president said the reforms, which would create a regulator for the country’s banks and force them to put huge swathes of cash aside to prepare for emergent crises, were the most ambitious since the Great Depression.

“We did not choose how this crisis began. But we do have a choice in the legacy this crisis leaves behind,” Mr Obama said today.

As well as new regulatory powers for the Federal Reserve, the president is proposing a new treasury-led financial services oversight committee and a new watchdog focusing on consumer products.

“With the reforms we are proposing today, we seek to put in place rules that will allow our markets to promote innovation while discouraging abuse,” Mr Obama added ahead of the reforms going to Congress for debate.

“We seek to create a framework in which markets can function freely and fairly, without the fragility which in normal business cycles bring the risk of financial collapse, a system that works for businesses and consumers.”



Free e-Supplements

TWITTER

Shropshire Star on Twitter Shropshire Star on Twitter

Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.

Lifestyle

Interactive Dining Out map Interactive Dining Out map

Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.

Entertainment

All the film reviews All the film reviews

Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.

OUR NEW APP

Get the new Shropshire Star app Get the new Shropshire Star app

Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.