House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA) issued the following statement to clarify comments made in today’s New York Times that he would consider a financial consumer watchdog housed in the U.S. Federal Reserve.  This is not the case. 

“I do not support housing the Consumer Financial Protection Agency in the Federal Reserve.  I continue to vigorously support the House-passed bill that establishes an independent agency with strong rule-writing authority and enforcement powers to implement consumer protections.  I could, if necessary, support housing this important function in the Treasury Department, provided that the entity has sufficient independence and broad regulatory scope to accomplish the mission of protecting consumers.

“My main objection to housing this critical function in the Federal Reserve has been the central bank’s historical failure to implement consumer protection as a central part of its mission and role.”

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