In response to the banking crisis of 2008, Congress has enacted the Dodd-Frank Act (DFA) which introduced hundreds of new regulations intended to help protect consumers. While improved consumer protections are necessary, they are not without cost. In fact, the DFA regulations require substantial upgrades and additions to financial institutions’ compliance processes that will come at a tremendous cost.

Complying with the DFA requirements will impose a significant financial burden on many banks, potentially leading to an increase in bank failures and consolidations. While these provisions will eventually result in more stable banks, this stability will come at the expense of a number of financial institutions. It appears that the DFA’s encouragement of institutional consolidation could actually enable the “too big to fail” banks to engulf all of the rest.

As in all profit-driven businesses, increases in costs that are not offset by increases in productivity or efficiency will eventually translate into an increase in fees. In fact, without changes to enable banks to maintain profitability while complying with the new requirements, we will end up with fewer bank options and increased fees for the same services.

Although seemingly bleak, these changes will motivate banks to seek solutions to efficiently meet client needs and remain competitive. With an influx of technological solutions being developed, banks that can act quickly to deploy flexible, cost-effective solutions will be able to thrive. Not only will these new solutions offset the costs of compliance, they will add new, revenue-generating services to enhance the overall client experience. Successful banks ultimately grow their market share by implementing and utilizing innovative solutions that satisfy the needs of existing clients as well as securing the business of new clients.

Learn more about NES Financial’s compliance for financial institutions.

Contact Us

NES Financial welcomes your questions and opinions.  Allow us to address your business’s needs by contacting us.  We look forward to hearing from you!

For more insights on NES Financial, follow us on Facebook and Twitter!