Dodd-Frank

RBS Moves to Spin Off Citizens; Fed Staffing Strains

Though Vice Chairman Thomas Hoenig and board member Jeremiah Norton must defer to Chairman Martin Gruenberg on setting the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s agenda, the two directors have still found ways to affect policy, particularly on new capital rules for the biggest banks.

Federal Reserve Board Gov. Daniel Tarullo endorsed dropping Basel II's internal ratings-based approach to risk-weighted capital requirements and specifically carving out exemptions for community banks from certain rules.

Two of the largest consumer debt buyers on Thursday agreed to halt lawsuits against borrowers and pay fines to settle allegations they violated New York law in pursuing debtors.

No company should be designated as a systemically important financial institution before the Financial Stability Oversight Council knows what "more stringent" prudential standards the Federal Reserve will apply to it.

The Financial Stability Oversight Council on Wednesday expanded its transparency policies in an attempt to address criticism that it is a secretive group with minimal oversight.

Collateralized loan obligations outperformed in the crisis. If regulators can exempt a vast swath of mortgages from risk-retention requirements, surely they can do the same for senior, secured corporate loans.

Alibaba's IPO Fees Windfall; Asian Hiring Probe Expands

Read alone, a recent report from the CFPB might suggest that arbitration clauses in banking contracts could disadvantage consumers, but it was only a preliminary look that failed to paint a complete picture of arbitration's costs and benefits.

Lawmakers are increasing pressure on the Federal Reserve Board to apply different capital rules to nonbank financial firms, like insurance companies, that are designated as a possible risk to the economy.

Confusion over regulatory jurisdiction and burdensome compliance costs are cutting into community banks' profits and forcing them to consolidate. But it doesn't have to be this way.

WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Board Chair Janet Yellen on Thursday emphasized the importance of tailoring new rules meant to curb risks by the largest banks to smaller-sized institutions.

A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers is pushing the Obama administration to nominate someone with community banking experience to the Federal Reserve Board.

Observers expressed alarm over Monday's announcement that Bank of America submitted incorrect information to the Federal Reserve Board for its stress tests, saying it raises doubts about the credibility of the test.

The OCC plans to increase examination fees for the first time in nearly 20 years for institutions with over $40 billion in assets, a step the agency says is necessary because of its expanded role under the Dodd-Frank Act.

WASHINGTON — The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency plans to raise supervisory assessments for large banks and thrifts by as much as 14% starting in the fall to account for the agency's added regulatory responsibilities following passage of the Dodd-Frank Act.

Small business investment companies offer bigger returns than traditional loans, along with the opportunity for new business relationships and even CRA credit. Now banks are rediscovering this SBA program as a way to make equity investments in startups, while avoiding the Volcker Rule vortex.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren's new book details the Massachusetts lawmaker's dramatic rise from humble Oklahoma roots to bookish Harvard law professor to liberal juggernaut, and includes some behind-the-scenes insights to the formation of the CFPB and its agenda.

Management is in the process of putting together a new capital plan designed to reduce the Salt Lake City company's risk profile while empowering lenders to do their jobs.

The place to debate whether payday lending or any other business should be allowed to operate and have access to the banking system is in the halls of Congress and state legislatures, not in the backrooms of government bureaucracies, Bill Isaac writes.