For various reasons, including recent problems with accounting and internal controls at the GSEs, a consensus appears to exist that the regulatory and supervisory framework needs to be strengthened, and the leaders of the banking committees in the Congress have expressed optimism that agreement on legislation can be reached this year.
For example, firms are now trying to collect useful customer information by offering discounts or rewards to customers who newly acquire loyalty cards, or provide additional information such as their age, hobbies and other characteristics in e-commerce transactions. As such, various companies will continue making efforts to collect customer information through providing economic incentives when payments or settlements are being made.