Regulatory Efforts May Stifle Prepaid Products

The Tower Group has announced research results indicating that multiple state and federal regulatory efforts could jeopardize the success of prepaid products.

"Regulatory oversight is being pursued in the name of consumer protection. But the primary impact could be just the opposite," said Ed Kountz, senior analyst supporting the Bank Cards and Emerging Technologies research services at TowerGroup and co-author of the research.

"The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Reserve Board, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and individual states are examining whether to reshape existing laws to regulate prepaid. But as they do so, the lack of accurate definitions and the failure to develop a harmonious regulatory framework around the valid consumer benefits of such products could unintentionally stifle the growth of certain payment products in this category," he said.