Neil Haggerty

Five Republican senators want to cut off deposit insurance for banks that have stopped offering financial services to firms that operate detention facilities and private prisons on behalf of the federal government.

Both Democrats and Republicans aired concerns about controversial statements made by Judy Shelton on monetary policy, deposit insurance and other issues, raising doubts about her confirmation.

A study by the House Financial Services Committee on the industry’s efforts to hire and promote more women and minorities has sparked a dispute over whether banks should have to be more transparent about those efforts.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reaffirmed his agency’s skepticism of a Community Reinvestment Act plan proposed by other regulators, and said the Fed has an important role to ensure banks “are resilient against the longer-term risks from climate change.”

An intraparty rift went public Wednesday over legislation that would impose a 36% rate limit on all consumer loans. Critics are concerned it would cut off minority borrowers’ access to small-dollar loans and hurt some community banks.

The window to change beneficial-ownership rules or pass other measures will be narrow, but some legislative efforts from 2019 will carry over and House Democrats will resume inquiries of certain industry CEOs and Trump-appointed regulators.

The community bank lobby has said the recent deals are another reason to rein in the credit union sector. Some House members are beginning to take notice.

Impeachment continues to dominate Congress, but legislation the industry seeks is still pending and the bank regulators have a full agenda. Here are the figures who will drive the policy debate.

House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters said oversight of the bank will be a focus for the panel next year.

After Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo poured cold water on legislation enabling banks and credit unions to serve the marijuana industry, several key supporters of the effort are pushing back.