Barack Obama · Democratic · Legislation
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act
Jul 21, 2010
Barack ObamaTrade & EconomyLegislationFirst term (2009–13)
📜 View the official record on federalregister.gov
What happened
The most sweeping financial regulation since the 1930s, creating the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Volcker Rule, and new oversight of systemic risk.
How it happened
Passed Congress after the 2008 crisis; signed July 21, 2010.
Documented impact
Positive impactsubstantiated
Strengthened financial oversight and created the CFPB.
Stress tests, higher capital requirements and the CFPB returned billions to consumers.
Negative impactcontested
Criticized for compliance costs and complexity.
Banks and Republicans argued it burdened smaller lenders; parts were later rolled back in 2018.
Sources
Every claim above links to its source. Primary record and cited reporting: