Bank stocks rise following Barr's resignation

Investing.com -- Shares of the KBW Bank Index (INDEX:KBW) climbed 2.2% today, reaching their highest intraday level since December 16, following the announcement of Michael Barr's resignation as the Federal Reserve's vice chair for supervision.

The index, which includes 24 banking institutions, saw all its members trade higher, with notable gains from Citigroup (NYSE:C ), Western Alliance (NYSE:WAL ), and Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS ).

The departure of Michael Barr, effective February 28 or upon the confirmation of his successor, is seen as a factor reinforcing the current market sentiment that anticipates a degree of deregulation in the banking industry.

Barr is known for his stance on stronger industry regulations and capital rules, and his resignation is expected to avert a potential legal battle that could have ensued had former President Trump fired him, as per comments by Vital Knowledge's analyst Adam Crisafulli.

Crisafulli also noted, “Barr’s departure from the bank supervision role is positive as he’s considered an advocate of stronger industry regulations and capital rules.” This sentiment reflects the market's reaction to the news, as bank stocks have already been pricing in some expectations of deregulation.

As Barr will continue to serve as a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, his influence on broader monetary policy will persist, but his direct influence on banking supervision and regulation will conclude with his departure from the vice chair position.

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Source: Investing.com