Federal Banking Regulations

As a public service, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis tracked and provided these summaries of current regulations and provided links to published material and federal agency websites. This included significant rules and interpretations affecting U.S. depository institutions and their holding companies.

While the St. Louis Fed updated this information regularly, updates correlated with official publication in the Federal Register or agency press releases, where appropriate.

This page attempted to capture significant rulemakings; it did not include all federal guidance, proposals, studies and reports. For example, the following were not included: Federal Register notices pertaining to meetings, roundtable discussions, data collections, studies and reports.

For questions, contact fedbankingregs@stls.frb.org.

Rulemaking is the process by which federal agencies implement laws passed by Congress and signed into law by the president. Since these statutes are broadly drafted to establish basic principles and objectives, agencies must further refine this legislation to ensure that the intent of Congress is carried out in specific circumstances. Here's an overview of the journey from start to finish:

1. Optional: Request for Information
   The rulemaking process usually begins with a rule proposal, but sometimes an issue is so unique or complicated that the agency seeks public input on which, if any, regulatory approach is appropriate. A concept release is then published, which often seek the views of the public in deciding the best approach.
2. Open for comment
   The regulatory agency publishes a detailed formal rule proposal for public comment in the Federal Register. Defined objectives and requirements to implement the law are defined. The public is encouraged to submit its comments during this period, which is usually between 30 and 60 days after the posting of the rule. The ability to gather comments from the public during this period is considered a vital part of effective rulemaking.
3. Proposed
   Once the open-for-comment period ends, the rule moves into proposed rule status until it is acted upon during the fourth leg of the journey.
4. Final rule
   Incorporating the input of comments from the public, the regulatory agency then publishes the final rule in the Federal Register. It becomes applicable to those covered by the rule on the dates specified.

Key Legislation

Dodd Frank Act | Public Law 111–203, which passed July 21, 2010. View the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

EGRRCPA | Public Law 115-174, which passed May 24, 2018. View the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (PDF).