Neil Haggerty
ReporterNeil Haggerty is the Congress reporter for American Banker. He previously was a financial regulation reporter at MLex Market Insight.
Neil Haggerty is the Congress reporter for American Banker. He previously was a financial regulation reporter at MLex Market Insight.
Three Republicans joined Senate Democrats in voting to overturn a rule issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency that makes it easier for national banks to sell loans to nonbanks. A companion resolution has been introduced in the House.
Chairman Jelena McWilliams said the agency will issue a request for information "to learn more about what banks are doing, what banks are considering doing and what, if anything, the FDIC should be doing in this space.”
The heads of the biggest banks have a chance to tout the industry's community outreach during the pandemic. But they can also expect tough questions about the Paycheck Protection Program as well as what banks are doing to address climate change, racial inequities and other hot-button issues.
The industry has raised concerns about nontraditional bank owners, and some lawmakers have backed limits for industrial loan companies and cryptocurrency firms. But members of the House and Senate have been unable to reach a consensus on legislation.
The Senate Banking Committee chairman told an audience of community bankers that he supports legislation to close "chartering loopholes" for industrial loan companies and financial technology firms. He also pitched a plan to give all consumers a free digital wallet backed by the Federal Reserve.
Three months into President Biden’s term, the White House has yet to select a nominee to run the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency or pick an acting chief. That inaction will make it more difficult for Democrats to unwind Trump-era policies, critics say.
The 2020 elections buoyed hopes that Congress would finally make it easier for financial institutions to serve cannabis businesses. But Democrats’ push to decriminalize marijuana — a nonstarter for most Republicans — threatens the more targeted effort.
The agency's new policy requires collectors seeking to evict tenants to provide written notice of their rights under a federal moratorium.
Federal standards “are apt to gum up the works,” says Sen. Cynthia Lummis.
Sen. Cynthia Lummis, a Republican, leads a new congressional caucus aimed at educating members about fintech issues. She says her state could serve as a model for regulating digital assets.