The Red Tape Gets a Haircut
For decades, the CRA has essentially forced American banks to prove they are lending to the communities they operate in, especially the less affluent ones. A noble idea, certainly. The problem, as with many well-intentioned government schemes, is that it has morphed into a bureaucratic monster. Regional banks, the ones that are supposed to be closest to their communities, often complain they spend more time and money on paperwork to prove they are doing good than on actually doing good.
Now, the powers that be are proposing to simplify this whole affair. The goal isn't to let banks off the hook, but to make compliance more efficient. To me, this sounds less like a revolution and more like common sense. Freeing up capital that was previously earmarked for administrative headaches could mean more resources for what banks are supposed to do, lend money and generate returns.