Neil Haggerty

The backing from the Emergency Capital Investment Fund is meant to help financial institutions direct aid to lower-income communities struggling in the pandemic.

As the Federal Reserve continues to explore issuing a digital U.S. dollar, the Biden administration and key congressional leaders are endorsing the idea as a way to expand banking access for underserved consumers.

Rohit Chopra, President Biden's pick to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, told a Senate panel he would do more to protect veterans from foreclosure, empower consumers to dispute data on their credit records and crack down on student loan servicers that aren't helping troubled borrowers.

The Banking Committee will hold a confirmation hearing on March 2 for Rohit Chopra and Gary Gensler. They are the administration's picks, respectively, to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Election-reform advocates say the American Bankers Association and other organizations should take into account candidates’ commitment to democracy, not just their stances on issues, in directing donations.

Transportation and clean-energy upgrades could create significant new lending opportunities, but some observers fear the government will foot the bill through a special tax on banks and other financial firms.

House Financial Services Committee members were at odds over whether to have support for homeowners and the State Small Business Credit Initiative, both included the $1.9 trillion stimulus plan, expire when the pandemic ends or later.

Sen. Richard Shelby. R-Ala., served two stints as head of the committee. He announced Monday that he will not run for reelection when his term expires.

Banks weren't involved in the trading frenzy, but some observers say the regulatory response should address risks to all financial institutions.

The Senate’s confirmation of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen was notably bipartisan. But experts say congressional Republicans are poised to give nominees for the federal banking agencies heavier scrutiny.