Former Rep. Barney Frank Joins Bank Board

Former U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, an architect of a 2010 law that reshaped the financial industry, has joined a bank's board of directors.

The Newton Democrat — a namesake of the Dodd-Frank law — is now a member of the board of Signature Bank, a New York-based commercial bank, the company said in a press release Wednesday.

"With the banking landscape constantly changing, and the ways in which regulations continue to affect both financial services entities and the overall industry, I am confident I can make a positive contribution to the Signature Bank board," Frank said in the release.

The Wall Street Journal reported the news earlier Wednesday. Its headline: "Barney Frank–Yes, THAT Barney Frank–Joins a Bank Board."

Frank, 75, represented Massachusetts' 4th Congressional District for 16 terms. He was chair of the House Financial Services Committee from 2007 to 2011. He announced in late 2011 that he wouldn't seek a 17th term.