He now faces renewed criticism over his agenda at the Fed, where he oversaw efforts to reduce regulations on regional banks.
U.S. regional banks are expected to pay higher rates to depositors to keep them from switching to larger lenders, leaving them with higher funding costs.
In 2008, regulators had to contend with billions of dollars in toxic mortgages and complex derivatives sitting on bank books.
Currently, regional banks below $250 billion in assets have simpler capital, liquidity and stress testing requirements.
"SVB is not a very complicated bank," said Dan Awrey, a Cornell Law professor and bank regulation expert.