This office helps formulate policy on financial institutions and community and economic development, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection.
Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection
The Office of Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection coordinates the Department's efforts to enhance the security and resilience of financial services sector critical infrastructure and reduce operational risk. The office works closely with financial sector companies, industry groups, and government partners to share information about cybersecurity and physical threats and vulnerabilities, encourage the use of baseline protections and best practices, and respond to and recover from significant incidents.
- Cloud Executive Steering Group
- The Financial Services Sector’s Adoption of Cloud Services
- Managing Artificial Intelligence-Specific Cybersecurity Risks in the Financial Services Sector
- Project Fortress Brochure
- Financial Services Sector Roles and Responsibilities Report
Financial Stability Oversight Council
The Council is charged with identifying risks to the financial stability of the United States; promoting market discipline; and responding to emerging risks to the stability of the United States' financial system. The Council consists of 10 voting members and 5 nonvoting members and brings together the expertise of federal financial regulators, state regulators, and an independent insurance expert appointed by the President.
Financial Institutions Policy
The Office of Financial Institutions Policy develops, analyzes, and coordinates the Department’s policies on issues affecting financial institutions, including depository institutions, bank holding companies, broker-dealers and securities firms, financial technology (fintech) and payment companies, pension funds and other investment firms, non-bank mortgage and small business lenders, digital asset companies, and other regulated and unregulated financial companies. The Office’s principal focus is on regulation, financial infrastructure, and safety and soundness matters, including regulatory capital, resolution, liquidity, stress testing, and deposit insurance; industry competition, structure, and financial condition; and emerging forms of financial services through innovations in technology and business models. The Office also focuses on how the financial system impacts individuals and small businesses, including through analyzing legislative, economic, and regulatory conditions. In addition, the Office advises the Department of Treasury on its board responsibilities for the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). For more information contact the Office of Financial Institutions Policy at OFIP@treasury.gov.
- Artificial Intelligence Request for Information: Uses, Opportunities, and Risks of Artificial Intelligence in the Financial Services Sector (June 6, 2024)
- Assessing the Impact of New Entrant Non-bank Firms on Competition in Consumer Finance Markets (November 2022)
- The Current Expected Credit Loss Accounting Standard and Financial Institution Regulatory Capital (September 15, 2020)
Federal Insurance Office
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act established Treasury's Federal Insurance Office (FIO) and vested FIO with the authority to monitor all aspects of the insurance sector, monitor the extent to which traditionally underserved communities and consumers have access to affordable non-health insurance products, and to represent the United States on prudential aspects of international insurance matters, including at the International Association of Insurance Supervisors. In addition, FIO serves as an advisory member of the Financial Stability Oversight Council, assists the Secretary with administration of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program, and advises the Secretary on important national and international insurance matters.
Community and Economic Development
The Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) coordinates and advances community finance, affordable housing and place-based community and economic development policy across Treasury. OCED consists of:
- OCED Policy Team
- Emergency Capital Investment Program (ECIP)
- Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund)
OCED’s Policy Team authors policy papers and analyses; provides policy recommendations and technical assistance to other offices within Treasury regarding community and economic development policies and programs; plays a leading role in interagency coordination on community and economic development issues; engages with external stakeholders and financial regulatory agencies; and provides legislative technical assistance to Congress, as requested.
Resources:
- Treasury’s Approach to Community Finance Policy
- Analysis of Federal Community and Economic Development Investment in Communities
- Summary of Climate-Focused Community Finance Convening (May 10, 2023)
- A Framework for Climate-Focused Community Finance
Office of Consumer Policy
The Office of Consumer Policy leads the Treasury Department’s work to advance financial well-being for American consumers and households by promoting financial inclusion and education, consumer protection, and equitable and safe access to credit and asset-building opportunities. The office produces policy analysis on developments in financial services including emerging products and services provided by bank and non-bank institutions, payments, consumer and small business credit, financial technology, and related topics. Also, the Office of Consumer Policy coordinates the interagency Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC) on behalf of the Treasury Secretary, who by statute chairs the Commission.
Click here for more information on the Office of Consumer Policy.