GS is only doing this temporarily. Again, another genius move by those at GS, proving they are smarter than the rest of us. Essentially, we are all assuming they will be a permanent commercial bank. If anything this disguises their true motivation which is to: -Delay/fend off the Fed from creating permanent regulations on the I-bank business at a time where there is momentum to do so. -Get access to Federal funds. Ok, when things get calmer in the future I guarantee you that they will break off from this commercial bank label and reap I-bank profits once again. The Feds perhaps have no clue in this since they are so focused on the economy that they are assuming that GS truly wants to be part of the commercial banking system in the long run. Bad assumption. GS is basically taking advantage of this situation but I dont blame them.