Monday's decision by the Federal Reserve's top bank regulator to step down from his job — but not from the Fed entirely — is simultaneously less and more than meets the eye. Why it matters: Michael Barr's self-demotion clears the way for President-elect Trump to appoint a vice chair for supervision.

Federal Reserve Vice Chairman for Supervision Michael Barr's resignation was tendered in order to avoid a possible clash with Trump over his role.

Michael Barr, vice chair for supervision for the Federal Reserve and the leader of the U.S. effort behind the so-called Basel III endgame proposal to lift capital requirements for banks, said he would step down by Feb. 28, or sooner if a successor is named.