In: Economics
Q. Would banking reform threaten the U.S. free-market economy?
A. Free Market Economy means an economy where government regulations are lesser and the forces of demand & supply determines the prices of goods & services in the economy.
Banking reforms may mean some relaxation in governament regulation for banking sector hoewever the forces of demand & supply will always determines the prices in an economy and may not be greatly affected by the reforms. US has been free-market economy since ages and banking systems co-exists without crossing ways or adversely affecting the price determination. An example to quote: the manufacturing and service sector produces goods & offers services and are allowed to set the prices or wages but at the same time there are regulation on the minimum wages, minimum number of days of employment etc that co-exists with these regulations.
Q. Do we really need reform in the banking industry?
A. The answer is definitely 'Yes'. Today, we need to see banks as business houses that offers financial products to customers and the offerings include schemes in mutual funds investment, influencing people to invest in stocks and bonds markets, covering health & life term insurances, offering standard automobile loans & home loans or mortgages. These financial services are designed to make money, but we should also remain aware about the facts these banking system work under many strict regulations.
They almost operate in fixed imposed conditions and have little room & flexibility. These constraints also pose restriction in their expansion, merger & collaboration. Some relaxation & reforms is needed in these areas to ensure they have enough financial space to operate an sustain in the market.
Prominently, the ability to offer variety of financial services & product is definitely as a result of reforms in the past however the fiscal & monetary policies govern the amount of sum left in their (banks) hands to lend general public.
Financially speaking interest, commission & agency function are the major types or modes of through which banks earns, but these are regulated by Federal policies and call for more relaxation or reforms.