Financial regulations

Banks and other financial firms say the proposal to reverse restrictions on investment advisers does not go far enough. Meanwhile, investor advocates say it would loosen necessary protections.

The American Dream Down Payment Act would let states establish and manage accounts, which would be similar in structure to 529 college savings plans.

Many in the industry support the National Credit Union Administration’s attempts to streamline regulations governing corporate credit unions, but critics claimed some elements could make it tougher to compete with fintechs.

A proposal to expand credit unions’ access to subordinated debt drew plenty of fire from bankers, but there are also concerns the regulation could be problematic for the institutions it aims to help.

The credit union regulator can accomplish so much more when board members work in a good-faith, fair-minded manner.

Kyle Hauptman pledged to focus on capital reform and expanding access for the underserved if confirmed to the credit union regulator's board, but one senator questioned whether the nominee was even qualified to serve.

The credit union regulator can accomplish so much more when board members work in a good-faith, fair-minded manner. It needs to renew that attitude.

Trump-appointed regulators gave the industry the green light to offer installment loans during the pandemic. But with concerns that the light could turn red in 2021, bankers remain extra cautious.

The credit union regulator revised its summary of what examiners will focus on to reflect legal and regulatory changes that have taken place since the COVID-19 outbreak began.

Among other changes, the law allows state regulators to accept NCUA examination results in lieu of exams from local regulators.

The agency has proposed letting firms seek specific guidance, which can be applied to other institutions. But consumer groups worry the plan circumvents formal rulemaking.

The credit union regulator has not yet announced an agenda, but the meeting could potentially include mattes related to field of membership and risk-based net worth.

Business continuity plans should be used constantly, not just when the crisis is at its peak, says the New York Fed’s head of financial services.

A budget item establishing a new agency to protect consumers from predatory lenders has been put on hold as state officials deal with the coronavirus response and other priorities. But it could be revived in legislative talks later this summer.

The acting head of the agency says it cannot continue relying on web-based exams put in place during the coronavirus and will start sending staff into banks.

The Independent Community Bankers of America has asked NCUA's inspector general to review the agency's decision to change how low-income credit unions receive that designation.

The credit union regulator is adding line items to required quarterly reporting in order to better account for loan forbearance, CUs lending through the Paycheck Protection Program and more.

Banks would be wise to dust off their Great Recession playbook and shed nonperforming loans while growing through M&A.

Comptroller of the Currency Joseph Otting’s regulation reforming the Community Reinvestment Act lacks performance metrics criticized in an earlier proposal. But neither the FDIC nor the Fed is supporting the final plan.

Recent tweaks to Reg D have blurred the line between checking and savings accounts, opening up the possibility for new innovation in those products.