February 10, 2012
I'm writing in support of a strong Volcker Rule. My family and I were affected by the economic collapse of 2008, and we don't want it to happen again.
As you prepare the final rule, bear in mind the fundamental goal of the rule - to ban big banks from exposing consumers and taxpayers to risky proprietary trades.
Banks that break the rule should face swift, automatic penalties for violations. Violations of the Volcker Rule endanger the stability of our financial system. They should not be treated lightly.
Exemptions should only be allowed if they do not undermine this goal. If an exemption would result in exposing consumers and taxpayers to bank risk, it should be rejected.
Personally, I don't think that there should be ANY exceptions to the Volker Rule. I don't think that any bank should be allowed to "gamble" with it's client's money. If bankers want to take that kind of a risk, let them risk their own money, not depositor's money.
Also, the taxpayers should NOT be counted upon to bail out these institutions if they do something that puts them at risk. The taxpayers were not the ones to bring the global economy to a screeching halt, nor were they responsible for the financial collapse. The greed of the bankers caused the meltdown, and they should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. There needs to be federal investigations, and if found guilty, these Wall Street fat cats need to have their assets (all of them) confiscated and the people involved sent to prison!
Frances Vreman
Lincoln City, OR