Dodd-Frank

The Obama admnistration voiced major concerns Wednesday with a Senate regulatory reform package up for a vote next week in the Banking Committee.

WASHINGTON — Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and David Vitter, R-La., have joined forces for a second time this month on legislation to reform the Federal Reserve.

With the release of Sen. Shelby's regulatory reform bill, the debate over the legislation is just beginning to take shape. We sort through the possibilities for how it will unfold.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chairman Martin Gruenberg, discussing progress in establishing big-bank resolution regimes, said the Federal Reserve is developing a rule "to codify" the swaps protocol involving termination rights.

WASHINGTON — A new mortgage disclosure regime due to take effect on Aug. 1 is unlikely to cause closing delays, according to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray.

The consumer watchdog agency, along with the Federal Communications Commission and state attorneys general, said the mobile carriers would refund $120 million in excessive third-party charges to consumers and pay another $38 million in fines.

Sen. Richard Shelby's bill isn't public yet, but sources indicate it could simplify capital standards for small banks, raise the $50 billion systemic threshold, alter the "qualified mortgage" rule and make some changes to the structure of the Federal Reserve Board.

Investor-owned ratings agencies would send a message to mutual fund shareholders, retirement plan participants and other investors that steps have been taken to avoid repeating the inaccurate ratings that contributed so heavily to the financial crisis.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Richard Shelby announced Friday he was pushing back a planned vote on regulatory relief until May 21. The move came just after panel Democrats said they would oppose the bill because they had not yet seen it.

Trading of securities backed by Fannie, Freddie and Ginnie is down sharply since the beginning of the year. Bankers' concerns about capital and rates are among the reasons, and the problem may ultimately make the underlying market for mortgages less liquid.

WASHINGTON — Sens. David Vitter, R-La., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., introduced legislation Thursday that would make several changes to the Federal Reserve Board and its powers.

A statement by a foreign regulator that it might penalize banks that drop businesses due to heightened supervisory risk has spooked U.S. institutions who worry domestic agencies could follow suit.

Vincent Delie, CEO of F.N.B., discusses the costs of and difficulty in complying with size-related regulations, his outlook for acquisitions and the Baltimore market.

WASHINGTON — Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wisc., introduced a bill Thursday that would require regulators to be more transparent as they negotiate global insurance standards.

The financial industry and the White House are gearing up for a fresh battle this spring over investment advice for retirement savings.

Executives from two insurance companies, Prudential Financial and Country Financial, warned Thursday that the Financial Stability Oversight Council should be more transparent with the institutions it oversees, despite recent reforms.

WASHINGTON — Senate Banking Committee Chairman Richard Shelby offered a few hints Wednesday about what bankers might be able to expect from pending regulatory relief legislation due next month.

The Senate Banking Committee kicked off the first of several hearings on the insurance industry this week, as companies brace for heightened oversight under the Dodd-Frank Act and other efforts.

A step-by-step look at GE Capital's breakup plan and its likely aftermath, including recent comments by bankers who may be looking to buy various parts.

Banking regulators will never conclude that regulation is actually hurting community banks until they study the issue and come to that conclusion on their own.