**GAO-08-32**                      Published: Oct 12, 2007. Publicly Released: Oct 12, 2007.                  

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## Highlights

As the financial services industry has become increasingly concentrated in a number of large, internationally active firms offering an array of products and services, the adequacy of the U.S. financial regulatory system has been questioned. GAO has identified the need to modernize the financial regulatory system as a challenge to be addressed in the 21st century. This report, mandated by the Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act of 2006, discusses (1) measurements of regulatory costs and benefits and efforts to avoid excessive regulatory burden, (2) the challenges posed to financial regulators by trends in the industry, and (3) options to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the federal financial regulatory structure. GAO convened a Comptroller General's Forum (Forum) with supervisors and leading industry experts, reviewed regulatory agency policies, and summarized prior reports to meet these objectives.

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## Topics

Financial Markets and Institutions

Bank managementBanking lawBanking regulationFederal regulationsFederal reserve banksFinancial institutionsFinancial managementInternal controlsRegulatory agenciesReporting requirementsSecurities regulation