Hua Er Jie Jian Wen·2026-01-19 13:05Core Viewpoint - The Trump administration is shifting focus from the defense and real estate sectors to broader economic areas, increasing regulatory pressure on major U.S. banks, raising concerns among investors about potential restrictions on capital return plans [1][2]. Group 1: Regulatory Pressure on Banks - Major banks may become the next target for regulatory actions following Trump's pressure on defense contractors and homebuilders to limit stock buybacks, leading to heightened concerns about policy risks for bank stocks [1][2]. - The government's direct intervention tools over the banking sector are more pronounced compared to other industries, as banks' dividend payments and stock buyback capabilities are already constrained by regulatory limits and capital adequacy requirements [1][5]. - The potential restriction on buybacks could directly impact investor return expectations, as buybacks are a key reason many investors favor bank stocks due to their ability to return capital and support share prices [1][6]. Group 2: Historical Context and Precedents - The significant scale of stock buybacks by major banks, totaling over $500 billion in the past decade, makes them susceptible to populist policies, with political pressure mounting against such capital return behaviors [3]. - Trump's recent actions demonstrate a willingness and capability to intervene in corporate capital allocation, as seen with his executive order prohibiting defense contractors from paying dividends or repurchasing stock until they meet production standards [4]. - Similar pressures are being applied to the real estate sector, with scrutiny on homebuilders' buyback activities amid record profits, indicating a broader trend of regulatory tightening across industries [4]. Group 3: Federal Reserve's Role and Uncertainty - The Federal Reserve's regulatory authority over major banks provides Trump with a significant leverage point to disrupt capital plans, as banks' ability to pay dividends and conduct buybacks is contingent on regulatory capital rules [5][6]. - Trump's disregard for the independence of the Federal Reserve could enhance his influence over regulatory policies, potentially leading to shifts in the regulatory landscape that could affect banks' capital return strategies [6]. - Historical data shows that banks like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have achieved annualized returns of 22% from stock buybacks over the past decade, but these past performance metrics are now facing unprecedented policy challenges due to potential regulatory changes [6].