CEI has fought excessive regulation in the financial sector from laws such as Sarbanes-Oxley and Dodd-Frank. We have scored major bipartisan victories for deregulation. These include the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act, signed by President Obama in 2012, that lifted or relaxed some of the biggest burdens preventing small and midsize firms from raising capital and going public; and the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, signed by President Trump in 2018, that lifted some of Dodd-Frank’s crushing burden on community banks and credit unions. We continue to fight to remove regulatory barriers that limit choices and increase costs for entrepreneurs, investors, and consumers.
Banking and Finance Issue Areas
Featured Posts
The Cedar Rapids Gazette
Here’s how Iowa is involved in stopping controversial ‘debanking’
Many Americans have recently been exposed to the troubling reality that their government may be encouraging banks to withdraw financial services from people or firms…
Blog
CFPB Unfairly Targets Zelle
As part of a last-gasp effort by the Biden administration to punish legal businesses it disapproves of, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has sued…
Yahoo Finance
Consumer protection agency closes the Biden era taking big swings
Yahoo Finance cited CEI’s financial expert on bad regulations “I can’t speak to the merits of every lawsuit, they’re filing them so fast,” said…
Search Posts
Op-Eds
Retirees and Pensions Fuel GM’s Downfall
General Motors has declared bankruptcy as a result of a number of things — bad management, poor products and screwy labor relations. But in…
Op-Eds
An Unnecessary Insurance Burden
As it girds for the busy months of hurricane season, Mississippi has plenty to worry about. Homeowner’s insurance coverage remains difficult to find and…
Newsletter
Broadband Stimulus, Fiat Takes Over Chrysler and the UN’s World Oceans Day
Business and advocacy groups flood the Federal Communications Commission with comments on the agency’s proposed national broadband plan. Italian automaker Fiat…
News Release
Bank Chairman to Speak Out on Banking Crisis and Capitalism at CEI 25th Anniversary Gala
This Thursday evening John Allison, Chairman of BB&T Bank, will deliver the keynote address at the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s 25th Anniversary Gala. Allison will…
News Release
CEI Hails Supreme Court’s Freezing of Chrysler Bankruptcy
CEI Hails Supreme Court’s Freezing of Chrysler Bankruptcy Chrysler, GM bankruptcies on Collision Course with Constitution Washington, D.C., June 8, 2009— Statement of John…
Citation
Is Now the Time for the Time for the Optional Federal Charter?
Citation
The Best Protection Against Global Warming is Better Hurricane Insurance, says CEI
News Release
New CEI Report Explores Hurricanes, Warming
A new report from the Competitive Enterprise Institute questions alarmist predictions of increased hurricane damage resulting from human-caused global warming. The report recommends that…
Op-Eds
Bad Idea Blowing an Ill Wind for Insured
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association has ended up at the brink of insolvency paying Hurricane Ike claims. Insurers operating near the coasts have begun…
News Release
Crushing, Hidden Tax of Federal Regulation Soars
Crushing, Hidden Tax of Federal Regulation Soars Lawmakers Fail to Scrutinize the "10,000 Commandments" of Federal Regulations Washington, D.C. June 3, 2009 – Federal…
News Release
CEI Praises Appeals Court for Halting Chrysler Bankruptcy
Kudos to the judges on the Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals for putting a stay on the Obama administration’s nationalization scheme for the bankruptcy…
Study
Hurricane Damage and Global Warming
How bad could it get and what can we do about it today?…
Blog
How to Stop Another GM: Abolish Pensions
GM, of course, declared bankruptcy today. A number of things—bad management, poor products and screwy labor relations—hurt the company. But in the…
Newsletter
Chrysler’s Future, GMO Foods and the New Black Panter Party
A federal bankruptcy judge clears the way for Chrysler’s sale to Italian automaker Fiat. The government of Zimbabwe bans the sale of genetically modified foods,…
Citation
Congress Gets Flurry Of Insurance Bills
Citation
Permanent Replacement for Dinallo Likely Months Away
Citation
Tax, Environmental Groups Question Hurricane Bailout Plan
News Release
Obama Should Respect Role of Bankruptcy Court, Judge Should Put Brakes on Government Motors
Washington, D.C. June 1, 2009—Statement by John Berlau, Director of CEI’s Center for Investors and Entrepreneurs: Last week, in nominating Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the…
Citation
Legislature’s Continued Reliance on Catastrophe Fund a Disaster for Florida Finances
Op-Eds
Legislature’s Continued Reliance on Catastrophe Fund a Disaster for Florida Finances
When it announced recently that it would rely on the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund alone for its reinsurance, Florida Citizens Property Insurance Corp. placed…
Citation
Eli Lehrer: Legislature’s continued reliance on Catastrophe Fund a disaster for Florida finances
Citation
Hurricane Funds In Financial Trouble
Newsletter
Cybersecurity, Credit Cards and Hurricane Insurance
President Obama is expected to announce the appointment of a new cybersecurity czar. Credit card holders prepare for the changes recently passed by Congress. Congress…
Citation
Hurricane Funds In Financial Trouble
Citation
Hurricane Funds In Financial Trouble
Citation
Anticipated hurricanes fuel stormy insurance debate
Citation
Hurricane Funds In Financial Trouble
Newsletter
Ethanol, Mortgages and General Motors
Efforts to subsidize ethanol production as a remedy to global warming hit resistance. The mortgage industry struggles to improve disclosure guarantees. Legal observers critique the…
Study
Ten Thousand Commandments 2009
Wayne Crews' annual accounting of the hidden taxes of regulation.
Op-Eds
Someone Has to Pay the Piper
As the cliché goes, the piper must be paid. And when the government decides that some folks are paying the piper too much,…
Citation
Anticipated Hurricanes Fuel Stormy Insurance Debate
Citation
Coalition Aims To Fight U.S. Cat Insurance Pool Proposal
Citation
Coalition Aims To Fight U.S. Cat Insurance Pool Proposal
Newsletter
California’s Budget Woes, Sotomayor’s Nomination and Insurance Information
State legislators in California face a multi-billion dollar budget shortfall. Political observers praise President Obama for his nomination of Sonia Sotomayor as potentially the first…
Citation
Group Formed to Oppose National Catastrophe Fund
Citation
Group formed to oppose national catastrophe fund
Op-Eds
Insurance Plan Won’t Work
James Lee Witt and James Loy are, quite simply, wrong to suggest that a ”national catastrophe backstop” would help reduce homeowners’ insurance rates for…
Newsletter
The Credit Card Bill of Rights, Chrysler’s Bankruptcy and Carbon Trading
President Obama signs the credit card “bill of rights” into law. A federal bankruptcy judge prepares to rule on Chrysler’s financial future. Carbon trading is…
News Release
CEI Fellow Praises Insurance Information Act
The head of the insurance project at the Competitive Enterprise Institute today praised Rep. Paul Kanjorski’s (D-PA) proposed Insurance Information Act (H.R. 2609). The bill…
Citation
Opponents Become Allies in the Face of a Storm
Op-Eds
Beach Plan Fix Requires Higher Insurance Rates on Coast
Full document available in PDF.
Newsletter
Energy Rationing, Credit Cards and Car-Sharing in Maryland
The energy rationing bill sponsored by Reps. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) is approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
News Release
New Credit Card Law Limits Consumer Choice, Leads to Less Credit, Higher Rates
Today President Obama signed a major new law regulating the credit card industry, a move that will likely hurt consumers. John Berlau, Director of CEI’s…
News Release
Florida Insurance Commissioner McCarty is Wrong In His Analysis of HB 1171
Analysts at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a free market think tank with offices in Washington, D.C. and Tallahassee, today criticized Florida insurance commissioner Kevin McCarty’s…
Newsletter
Unemployment Numbers, Mileage Rules and Computer Recycling
Unemployment reaches its highest level since 1983. President Obama announces an increase in auto mileage requirements for new cars. Computer giant Dell announces it will…
Op-Eds
Supreme Court To Hear Sarbanes-Oxley Challenge
A major government abuse of power is about to get much-needed scrutiny, thanks to the Supreme Court, which this week decided to hear…
Op-Eds
I’m All Right, Barack: The Perils of a Nationalized Car Maker
President Obama’s takeover of General Motors is a disaster in the making. Not only is it bad for GM, it also sets terrible legal…
Op-Eds
Florida flirting with fiscal hurricane disaster
When it announced last week that it would rely on the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund alone for its reinsurance, Florida Citizens Property Insurance Corporation…
Op-Eds
The way the political winds are blowing, coastal insurance rates could go up
As it girds for hurricane season, Texas has plenty to worry about. The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA)—which provides coverage for high risk coastal…
Letters
Lehrer Response Letter to Federal Insurance Regulation Not a Panacea
Full Document Available in PDF To: Congressional Staff and Members From: Eli…
News Release
Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Sarbanes-Oxley Accounting Board
The Supreme Court today announced it would hear a case brought by the Competitive Enterprise Institute and the Free Enterprise Fund challenging the constitutionality of…
Citation
TRIA revamp plan worries buyers
Study
Property and Casualty Insurance 2009 Report Card
Full Document Available in PDF For the second year in a row,…
Newsletter
Cap and Trade, Freddie Mac’s Losses and Hulu’s Success Story
Democrats push “cap and trade” global warming regulation in the House of Representatives. Housing giant Freddie Mac reports a $10 billion loss for the first…
News Release
Government-Run Insurance Company Foists Huge Burden on Florida Taxpayers
Government-Run Insurance Company Foists Huge Burden on Florida Taxpayers Citizens Property Insurance Corporations Decides to Forego Private Reinsurance in Favor of…
Newsletter
Europe Investigates Intel, Obama Explodes the Deficit and Minnesota Jumps on the Banned Wagon
European antitrust officials prepare to rule in an investigation of Intel’s microchip marketing practices. The White House estimates that the deficit will explode to $1.8…
Citation
Why Scaling Back TRIA Could Be Difficult
Newsletter
Chrysler’s Bankruptcy, Small Businesses Fight Back and New York’s War on Bottled Water
Financial analysts size up what Chrysler’s entrance into Chapter 11 bankruptcy means for customers and employees. Small business owners band together to oppose new union…
Newsletter
The War on Cockroaches, Consumer Credit Shrinks and the Future of Internet Gambling
New York State officials move to limit sale of anti-insect “bug bombs” to consumers. Economists chart a record drop in consumer credit. Rep. Barney Frank…
News Release
State-Mandated Insurance Rate and Form Filing System Does Not Work, Report Finds
State-Mandated Insurance Rate and Form Filing System Does Not Work, Report Finds Insurers, Consumers Hurt Under Current System Washington, D.C., May 8, 2009—The current system…
Op-Eds
Banks Aren’t Bridges
The logic of the recent bank stress tests seems unassailable — bridges may fail, so may banks. But bridges are physical constructs. Centuries of…
Newsletter
Chrysler’s Future, Chevron in Ecuador and Flex-Fuel Cars on the Road
A bankruptcy judge approves Chrysler’s request to start spending $4.5 billion in government loans. Ecuador sues Chevron for $27 billion over alleged environmental damage from…
Newsletter
Justice Souter, Global Warming Negotiations and Florida Insurance Reform
Justice David Souter announces his retirement from the Supreme Court. Leading up to global warming negotiations in Copenhagen, a new study calls for the elimination…
Newsletter
Consumer Credit, Social Security and Swine Flu
The House of Representatives votes to limit credit card fees and interest rates. President Obama endorses raising Social Security taxes. Vice President Biden advises Americans…
News Release
CEI Analyst Hails Florida Insurance Bill Passage
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Study
SERFF Liberation
The System for Electronic Rate and Form Filing Needs Competition…
Newsletter
Credit Card Rules, Obama’s First 100 Days and the Auto Bailout
The House of Representatives is expected to vote today on new regulations for credit card companies. Political observers judge the progress of Obama’s first 100…
News Release
“Credit Card Bill of Rights” Passed Today by the U.S. House of Representatives
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RealClear Markets
Fix Social Security, Ease the Credit Crisis
Remember the looming Social Security crisis? If you don’t, you’re not alone. The credit crisis and economic downturn have monopolized public attention to…
Financial Times
Fed’s policies contradict each other
Sir, Henry Kaufman frets that “libertarian dogma led the Fed astray” (April 28). Congress, not free-market ideology, is the real culprit. One reason…
Newsletter
Cybersecurity, Chrysler in Bankruptcy and Union Finances
A congressional investigation of security breaches at the Pentagon targets popular file sharing programs like LimeWire. After extensive bailout efforts, Chrysler moves to file for…
News Release
CEI Responds to McCarty’s Statements on SB 2036
The director of The Competitive Enterprise Institute’s insurance project responded today to Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) head Kevin McCarty’s statements about SB 2036 and…
Financial Times
GM vs. GGP: Bankruptcy the Way It Ought to Be
On the surface, given the economic turmoil we’ve had, there was nothing that remarkable about the bankruptcy of shopping mall owner General…
Newsletter
Freddie Mac, Solar Energy and an Insurance Debate
The suicide of Freddie Mac’s Chief Financial Officer raises further questions about the company and the federal bailout program. Texas is poised to increase the…
Financial Times
Dodd to revise CARD proposal
Newsletter
Online Privacy, Credit Cards and Organ Donation
Members of the House Technology & Internet Subcommittee hear testimony on alleged abuses of consumer privacy by internet marketers. President Obama meets with credit card…
News Release
CEI Responds to Commissioner McCarty’s “Overview” of the Florida Insurance Market
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News Release
Statement on Obama Meeting with Credit Card Execs
Statement from John Berlau, Director of CEI’s Center for Investors on President Obama’s White House meeting with Credit Card Executives. Instead of meeting…
Financial Times
Dinallo’s actions on Allstate ‘very likely illegal,” group says
Financial Times
State Insurance Programs Flawed
The Times argues that the federal government should provide a "backstop" for state insurance funds like the California Earthquake Authority. The Times is wrong. States like Florida…
News Release
Florida Lawmakers Urged Not to Weaken Property Insurance Overhaul
Florida Lawmakers Urged Not to Weaken Property Insurance Overhaul Provisions in House Bill Stronger, More Market-Freeing; Amendment to Senate Bill Questioned Washington, D.C.,…
Newsletter
Bailout Power Grab, Abuse of Power in New York and Rising Sea Level Panic
White House economic advisers plan to convert government holdings in bailed out banks to common stock, increasing direct government control. New York State insurance chief…
Letters
Letter to New York State Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo
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Newsletter
Hemispheric Diplomacy, Greenhouse Gases and Anti-Tax Protests
President Obama attends the Summit of the Americas with other leaders from North and South America. The Environmental Protection Agency declares greenhouse gases to be…
Financial Times
State insurance programs flawed
Re “Insurance assurance,” editorial, April 9 The Times argues that the federal government should provide a "backstop" for state insurance funds like…
News Release
CEI Analysts Blast New York Insurance Head
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Newsletter
CO2, Microsoft’s Antitrust Overseers and Anti-Tax Activists
The Environmental Protection Agency prepares to release a document that could require the federal government to regulate emissions of carbon dioxide. The Justice Department extends…
Financial Times
History offers an answer to piracy: bounty hunters
"If we have 100 American wannabe Rambos patrolling the seas, it's probably a good way of getting the job done," said Competitive Enterprise Institute's Eli…
Newsletter
Tax Day Protests, Small Car Safety and Union Organizing
People across the country gather to protest high taxes and excessive government spending. A new crash test study finds that smaller cars are especially vulnerable…
Financial Times
1,000,000 Tea Bags Find a Home
After park officials turned away Tea Party protesters' 1 million tea bags, the press conference was moved to the Competitive Enterprise Institute. We were happy…
News Release
April 15th Tax Burden Worsened by Hidden Taxes
April 15th Tax Burden Worsened by Hidden Taxes Americans Hit by Excessive Federal Regulations, Threatened by New Energy Rationing Washington, D.C., April 14,…
Study
Why Florida Should Not Receive a Pre-Funded Federal Bailout
Full Document Available in PDF Since early 2009, Florida state…
Newsletter
Somali Pirates, GM Executives and FDA Regulators
The U.S. military considers attacking Somali pirate bases. Treasury officials instruct General Motors to plan for bankruptcy. The Food and Drug Administration reconsiders its ban…
Financial Times
‘Backstop’ idea appears too risky: Catastrophe fund may have opposite effect
Texans have many reasons to worry about hurricanes. Two large storms struck the state last year, insurance rates have risen steadily in most coastal areas,…
Newsletter
Banning Bottled Water, Remembering Jack Dreyfus and Greenhouse Gas Legislation
Activists campaign for college campuses to ban sales of bottled water. Legendary investor Jack Dreyfus passes away at age 95. Reps. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and…
Financial Times
Geithner promises repeat of Bush’s regulatory mistakes
Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner’s testimony before Congress last weekrightly angered a lot of conservatives, small-government leftists, libertariansand other friends of the free market. And Geithner’s…
News Release
CEI Comment on Feds Rejecting Florida Insurance Bailout
FEDS RIGHTLY REJECT FLORIDA INSURANCE FIASCO Washington, D.C., April 9, 2009— The U.S. Treasury Department has rejected Sen. Bill Nelson’s (D-Fla.) request for…
Letters
Letter to Senators Dodd and Shelby, and Congressmen Frank and Bachus regarding National Regulatory Modernization
Full Document Available in PDF This letter written to Senators Dodd and Shelby, and…
Financial Times
Government’s Mistakes Have Deepened This Recession
Steven Gjerstad and Vernon Smith suggest one unexplored aspect of our financial crisis: the role of egalitarian policies. To see this, note…
Newsletter
Modified Mortgages, Unions Losses and Hurricane Insurance
The White House pushes mortgage companies to “modify” more home loans, while the number of defaults continues to rise. Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) announces she…
