Dodd-Frank

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.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is expected to change how fees are defined for a key test to determine if a loan is a "qualified mortgage," according to observers.

In the old days the Fed's monetary policy and bank supervision were separate sides of the house. But its postcrisis capital rules for banks are blurring those boundaries.

U.S. banks today are safer, sounder, more secure, transparent, accountable and are performing their critical roles in the global economy.

Bankers are kidding themselves if they think bank-like supervision will ultimately catch up with nonbanks. Expect to compete on the current playing field, however uneven it may be.

Comptroller of the Currency Thomas Curry sought to reassure community bankers this week that the agency does not expect them to comply with its "heightened expectations" proposal aimed at bolstering risk management and improving governance at the biggest banks.

Banks are likely to protest new Basel rules that would require them to hold more capital against their exposure to central counterparties, but the standard is necessary to prevent the fast-growing counterparties from becoming "too big to fail."

Regulators slammed Bank of America on Wednesday with their toughest enforcement action to date on shady marketing and billing practices for add-on products like identity protection, forcing it to pay $772 million in restitution and fines. But Consumer Financial Protection Bureau officials indicated more actions are on their way.

WASHINGTON — Bank of America will pay $772 million to settle allegations by two regulators that it engaged in unfair fee collection and marketing related to credit card add-on products.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. is projecting a nearly 8% decline in deposit insurance assessments this year with improvement in the indicators that determine institutions’ rates.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Monday announced a partnership with libraries and other federal regulators to provide librarians with unbiased financial literacy education materials.