Financial regulations

Global regulators are considering a universal stress test for climate change that requires lenders to use a 30-year horizon, a difficult and speculative projection of the energy industry that could harm bank financials.

Default risks soar in minority neighborhoods during challenging economic times because, data shows, homes there are overpriced relative to incomes. Zoning and other changes could make loans more affordable by boosting housing stock and driving down prices.

The plan still lacks concrete details about standards banks must meet to earn high ratings, but the agency said the new methodology would end grade inflation and could penalize banks that underperform.

The biggest questions following the former chairman's resignation aren't about regulation but whether the agency can recapture a spirit of bipartisanship and collaboration.

The agency said federal thrifts must abide by the same rules as national banks pertaining to membership in payment systems and codified policies on acceptable derivatives practices among a slew of technical changes.

In an open letter, industry veteran Thomas Vartanian outlines the steps the administration can take to encourage innovation, better detect cyber threats and modernize regulation.

The former chairman recently butted heads with colleagues over the agency’s budget plans, and the Senate is expected to vote to confirm a successor early next month.

Some large banks have come under fire from the GOP for curbing services to firms in controversial industries, such as firearms and fossil fuels. A proposal by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency aims to block banks from taking such stances.

Jobs will be harder to find for graduates, and there are new underwriting platforms that can better predict students' future income in their chosen field.

The forthcoming measure could override staff opinions that helped certain deposit-gathering companies partner with banks.