Dodd-Frank

Under an interim rule released late Tuesday, most small banks -- and some large ones -- would not have to take writedowns on consolidated debt obligations backed by trust-preferred securities.

Just a few days after it took effect, House lawmakers began a renewed push for amendments to the "qualified mortgage" rule, arguing it will unintentionally squeeze out key borrowers.

Senate Democrats' decision to invoke the "nuclear option" has shifted the composition of a powerful federal appeals court, a move that could bolster the banking agencies against future industry challenges to the Dodd-Frank Act.

Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Roger Wicker, R-Miss., introduced legislation Monday to address concerns about how collateralized debt obligations backed by trust-preferred securities are treated under the Volcker Rule.

Regulators' reviews of big banks' internal resolution plans will become more rigorous in 2014 as a debate grows over what parts of the plans can be seen by the public.

Members of the Senate Banking Committee and others are raising concerns about the credibility of a pending watchdog report analyzing whether some banks are still "too big to fail," suggesting some experts it relies on may be too closely tied to Wall Street.

The authors of banking law have shown a strong and recurring interest in name-identification with their work. Eponyms can provoke emotional reactions and facilitate the merger of persona and policy.

Chamber of Commerce CEO Thomas Donohue, addressing reporters following the group's annual "State of American Business" address, said the potential reach of the Volcker Rule into smaller, midsized banks was not the intended effect.

A group of lawmakers is stepping up pressure on regulators to adopt a narrow exemption for small banks under the Volcker Rule to address concerns over the treatment of collateralized debt obligations backed by trust-preferred securities.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau could consider expanding exemptions for small lenders from its qualified mortgage rule after it goes into effect on Friday, according to Richard Cordray, the agency's director.

Lawmakers are gearing up to intervene if regulators fail to resolve ongoing concerns about the treatment of collateralized debt obligations backed by trust-preferred securities under the Volcker Rule.

The Senate voted 56 to 26 late Monday to confirm Janet Yellen as the next leader of the Federal Reserve Board.

The Dodd-Frank financial regulatory reform bill included a provision creating Offices of Minority and Women Inclusion in all 20 federal agencies that regulate our financial system.