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Governor Miran Highlights Balancing Act in Bank Regulation and Federal Reserve’s Balance Sheet Management (November 2025)

NextFin news, Governor Miran, a key figure in the Federal Reserve, delivered important remarks on November 19, 2025, addressing recent and upcoming changes in bank regulation alongside the management of the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet. Speaking at a prominent financial forum in the United States, Miran outlined ongoing reforms aimed at reshaping the regulatory landscape that directly influences monetary policy implementation and banking sector dynamics.

Miran stressed the crucial balance regulators must achieve: ensuring the stability of the financial system while maintaining sufficient credit availability to support economic growth. He underscored a cautious approach toward regulatory reforms, warning against the pitfalls of regulatory overreach that typically emerge in reaction to previous financial crises, notably post-2008. Excessive regulation, he argued, tends to elevate credit costs and does not necessarily mitigate financial risks effectively.

Specifically, Miran advocated for strengthened support to community banks, acknowledging their essential role in local economies and credit provision. He advanced five guiding principles for future regulation: a rigorous cost-benefit analysis to impede adverse effects on financial stability; resistance to imposing draconian restrictions following crises; reduction of the Federal Reserve's direct involvement to minimize market distortions; enhanced transparency to bolster public trust; and openness to innovative regulatory approaches.

Turning to the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet, Miran revealed that, as of October 2025, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has paused further reductions due to sufficient reserve levels meeting current market demands. He emphasized how regulatory requirements significantly influence the necessary size of the balance sheet—capital and liquidity standards set by regulation affect how many reserves banks need to hold, which in turn impacts monetary policy tools and execution.

One ongoing debate Miran highlighted concerns interest payments on reserve balances. He noted that while such payments are essential for monetary control, they have fueled perceptions that the Fed disproportionately favors banks. Moreover, discussions are intensifying about extending interest payments to the Treasury General Account (TGA), a move that some analysts believe could enhance fiscal stability by smoothing Treasury cash management volatility.

Looking ahead, Miran called for a regulatory framework that is both balanced and adaptable. He suggested that refining regulations could allow for a further downsizing of the Fed’s balance sheet without compromising the effectiveness of monetary policy. This approach caters to addressing public concerns about undue favoritism towards financial institutions while stabilizing the broader financial system.

The context of Miran's statements is significant given the current U.S. administration under President Donald Trump, inaugurated in January 2025, which pursues a distinct economic agenda that includes deregulation and financial market promotion. His remarks also come amid global financial environment uncertainties, inflationary pressures, and evolving monetary policy challenges.

This regulatory recalibration seeks to reconcile the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate of price stability and maximum employment with the efficiency of the banking system and resilience against systemic risks. For example, by supporting community banks, the Fed can encourage more localized credit growth, vital for small and medium-sized enterprises’ recovery after pandemic-era disruptions.

Data from the past several years has shown a trend where balance sheet expansions have cushioned markets but also invited criticism regarding excess liquidity and asset bubbles. The halting of balance sheet runoff in October 2025 indicates a more cautious stance aligning with Miran's emphasis on measured regulatory impact assessments.

Forward-looking, investors and policymakers should monitor how these regulatory principles translate into finalized rules, particularly concerning capital buffers, liquidity coverage ratios, and reserve requirements. Additionally, the debate over interest on reserves and TGA modifications could meaningfully alter the Fed’s operational landscape and its interaction with fiscal policy.

In sum, Governor Miran’s address signals a pragmatic shift in Federal Reserve governance—one that channels lessons from past crises into a flexible framework that supports credit provision, avoids overburdening financial institutions, and optimizes the size and function of the balance sheet to sustain monetary and financial stability. These developments will be pivotal in shaping the trajectory of U.S. financial regulation and economic performance throughout President Trump’s current term.

According to El-Balad.com, these remarks form part of the broader discourse on strengthening U.S. economic resilience and enhancing public confidence in the banking system amid a complex macroeconomic environment in late 2025.

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