Despite the comparatively small staff of examiners at the CFPB – close to 500 – Deputy Director Steven Antonakes said in a speech last week that his staff is an “x-factor,” in that the bureau works closely with other state and federal exam teams to leverage its resources. In military terms, that’s known as a force multiplier. “The bureau does not have a safety and soundness mandate. Nevertheless, we very much care about the financial health of banks and nonbanks,” Antonakes said. “As a veteran of two banking crises, I can tell you unequivocally that, in my view, consumer protection is not in conflict with safety and soundness. Consumers benefit from a healthy, competitive, and diversified financial services system through greater access ...