Engaging with state and local government partners

By Anthony Welcher – SEP 17, 2018

The Bureau has strong working relationships with state regulators and elected officials. To deepen and strengthen these ties, as well as expand the number of partners with which the Bureau coordinates, the Bureau rolled out its Strategic Plan and Objectives earlier this year emphasizing growing state and local governmental relationships.

As part of this expanded commitment, I recently spoke at the annual meetings of organizations including the:

National Association of Counties (NACo) Rural Action Caucus
National Conference of State Legislatures’ (NCSL) Communications, Financial Services, and Interstate Commerce Committee’s business meeting
American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force meeting

Each meeting presented opportunities to exchange ideas with over 600 local elected officials who want to engage more fruitfully in protecting their constituents while still encouraging access to financial services.

Paul Watkins, Director of the Office of Innovation, and I also participated in a Rule of Law Defense Fund Attorneys’ General Fintech Forum discussing developing open environments to build innovative technologies that will provide U.S. consumers greater access to financial services products.

The Bureau will continue direct engagement with state and local authorities over the coming months and welcomes invitations and ideas for potential opportunities to further that commitment. Watch this space for updates on how the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection continues to gather feedback.