Gold Monthly: All that glitters is gold

As we wrap up today's conference, I would like to thank all of the moderators and presenters on today's panels. And of course, Secretary Bessent for sharing his perspectives on community banks, and the many community bankers, and state bank regulators and others who attended today's event in person or virtually. I would also like to recognize our staff whose hard work made today's conference possible. Community banks drive local and regional economic growth, and they play a central role in the financial health of the customers and communities they serve.1 These banks often pursue unique business models—ones that are not easily replicated by larger banks, including the relationship banking model that is a central tenet of community banking. In today's environment, many community banks are embracing innovation and continuing to evolve to better serve their customers in the current and future financial system. The focus of today's conference has been on community banks, how they continue to innovate, and how they rise to the challenge to support their customers as the financial landscape continues to change. Legislators and regulators are also rising to the challenge to ensure that the community banking system continues to thrive, through the critical task of ensuring that supervision and regulation are appropriately tailored. Our support for community banks cannot just be lip service; it must translate into specific actions that right-size regulation and apply appropriate supervisory standards, specifically in identifying the appropriate definition of a community bank, in establishing appropriately tailored regulatory thresholds, and in approaching supervision focused on material financial risk. Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman emphasizes that community banks are vital for local and regional economic growth, and their unique business models require tailored regulatory and supervisory approaches. Bowman highlights the need to revise fixed asset thresholds and ensure regulations like the Community Bank Leverage Ratio (CBLR) provide the relief Congress intended, rather than imposing complex requirements meant for larger banks.

*LABOR DEPT'S BLS AIMING TO RELEASE SEPT CPI DATA BY MONTH'S END FOMC meeting on 29th, so may not be in time for the meeting... and no guidance on NFP BLS Preparing To Release September CPI Data Despite Government Shutdown: NYT