Two US federal financial agencies - the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency - have approved the text of a watered-down version of the so-called Volcker Rule. They and the Federal Reserve Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have agreed collectively to observe it.

After the financial crisis began in 2008, banks were obliged to take steps to recapitalize their balance sheets, restore liquidity and improve their management of risks. The restrictions on business that the prior version of the rule imposed are still there, according to the OCC. At the same time, the rule is now less complex and does not restrict as many "responsible banking activities."

The final rule will be published in the Federal Register after all the agencies approve it formally. The rule implements s13 Bank Holding Company Act 1956.