Banking Watchdog Steps Down to Avoid Trump Clash

The Federal Reserve's top banking regulator, Michael Barr, is leaving his supervisory role next month. This move comes amid speculation that President-elect Donald Trump wants a more bank-friendly candidate. Barr will stay on as a Fed governor until 2026, but his resignation as the vice chair for supervision is effective February 28. He cited potential disputes with the new administration as a reason for stepping down. Barr has been crucial in maintaining the stability of the U. S. financial system since 2008, including handling the recent crisis with Silicon Valley Bank. Bank stocks saw a boost after the announcement, with the SPDR S&P Bank ETF gaining over 1%. The Fed won't make major regulatory decisions until a new leader is appointed. Trump is limited to choosing from the current board members for the replacement. Barr's resignation comes after rumors that Trump might try to remove him. Recently, Barr was reportedly seeking legal advice due to these rumors. This position was created post-2008 financial crisis to oversee the industry more closely.