Policy: Financial Reform

Introduction 
Capital markets are most efficient in the long term when rules and regulations support robust markets, systemic risk protections and oversight of corporate directors and management. Investors need access to information about company environmental and social policies, practices and performance.  
 
Confidence in the US markets is damaged by the 2008-2009 financial crisis and the 2020 COVID-19 recession. According to an April 2020 Gallup poll, 55 percent of Americans currently have money in the stock market—just 3 percent above the lowest ownership rate in Gallup's 20-year trend. One of the highest ownership rates in recent years—65 percent of Americans—was reported in 2007, just before the global financial crisis. 
 
US SIF supports financial reform policies that protect against systemic risk, promote disclosure and transparency in financial markets, protect shareholder rights, and provide adequate funding for regulatory agencies to implement laws and regulations. 
 
Priority Areas of Action 
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act: The passage of Dodd-Frank was critical for sustainable and responsible investors. US SIF championed Dodd-Frank's efforts to combat the loopholes and weaknesses in the regulation of US financial markets that led to the financial crisis of 2008. Among other achievements, Dodd-Frank has improved the material information available to all investors by mandating key corporate disclosures, which in turn helps to maintain fair, orderly and efficient markets and facilitates capital formation.  

Letters and Statements
US SIF Statement on House Approval of the Financial CHOICE Act 06/2017
US SIF Letter to the House opposing the Financial CHOICE Act (H.R. 10) 6/2/17
US SIF Letter on Section 844 of the Discussion Draft of the Financial CHOICE Act 04/2017
US SIF Affirms Support For The Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform And Consumer Protection Act  03/2017
Statement By Lisa Woll, CEO, US SIF On The Anniversary Of The Signing Of The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform And Consumer Protection Act 07/2016
US SIF Letter to House-Senate Conference Committee on Priority Financial Reform Issues  06/2010
US SIF Letter to the Senate on Financial Reform Bill  04/2010
Lisa Woll and Joe Keefe Op Ed in Huffington Post on Financial Reform  04/2010
US SIF Letter to Senate Banking Committee on Financial Reform 02/2010
US SIF Letter to Congress on Financial Reform 02/2010