Senate vote moves Bowman forward for consideration as Federal supervision chief
Michelle Bowman, a seasoned banker with extensive experience in both state and federal regulation, has been nominated by former President Donald Trump and confirmed as the Federal Reserve's Vice Chair for Supervision in June 2025. Her confirmation vote, a close 48-46, reflects the contention surrounding her appointment.
As Vice Chair for Supervision, Bowman's focus is on bank supervision policies tied to community banks. She advocates for a pragmatic approach to bank regulation that promotes safety and soundness without stifling economic activity. In this role, she supports exempting well-capitalized banks between $10 billion and $25 billion in assets from stringent Basel III capital requirements and raising thresholds for regulatory interlocks, which would allow banks to share management to address succession challenges.
However, specific detailed positions on tariffs and climate change are not explicitly documented in the available search results. Her documented priorities as of mid-2025 revolve around regulatory relief for community banks, cybersecurity resilience, and improving interagency cooperation to strengthen small and regional banks.
Bowman's official role as Chair of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) also suggests a focus on making regulatory frameworks more consistent and transparent to help community banks compete more effectively.
Sen. Tim Scott, R-SC, the panel's chair, highlighted the importance of confirming nominees to fill critical government roles. The American Bankers Association CEO Rob Nichols praised Bowman's deep experience as a federal regulator, state regulator, and community banker. Financial Services Forum CEO Kevin Fromer urged swift action by the Senate to confirm both Bowman and Gould, another nominee awaiting a full-Senate vote for a crucial post at a financial regulator.
Despite some disagreements, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-MA, acknowledged Bowman's nomination, citing her advocacy for pragmatic oversight. However, Sen. Warren grew demonstrably frustrated at Bowman's responses regarding the potential effect of tariffs pushed by President Donald Trump on financial stability.
Independent Community Bankers of America CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey lauded Bowman's nomination, while at least one consumer advocate, Dennis Kelleher of Better Markets, expressed concern that Bowman might not effectively prevent another financial crisis.
Bowman, who believes the banking system is an important driver of business formation, economic expansion, and opportunity, replied at the hearing that she and her team are always watching the situation. If you need detailed viewpoints on tariffs or climate policies, these would require further research beyond available public statements or records from her Federal Reserve tenure to date.
References: [1] Federal Reserve Board (2025). Statement of Michelle Bowman on the Semiannual Monetary Policy Report. [online] Available at: https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/testimony/bowman20250616a.htm [2] American Banker (2025). Bowman vows to ease regulatory burden on community banks. [online] Available at: https://www.americanbanker.com/news/bowman-vows-to-ease-regulatory-burden-on-community-banks
- Michelle Bowman, in her role as Vice Chair for Supervision at the Federal Reserve, has been vocal about her support for a pragmatic approach to bank regulation that promotes safety and soundness in the financial sector without stifling economic growth.
- As the Chair of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC), Bowman has shown a focus on making regulatory frameworks more consistent and transparent to help community banks compete more effectively, but her specific positions on political issues such as tariffs and climate change remain undocumented in her available public records.
