The Dodd-Frank Act, in response to the preceding financial crisis of 2008-09, fundamentally changed the finance industry and greatly affected its biggest players. This technical note gives an overview of the Dodd-Frank Act, the most important parts of the act (and other regulatory reform), and the effect its reforms could have on the country's largest financial institutions. It is important to note that the Dodd-Frank Act does not necessarily create hard and fast rules but often provides only guidance for regulators to proceed with rulemaking activities.