Law and regulation

Fannie Mae overlooked chances to catch law firms illegally signing foreclosure documents and its government overseer did not take the correct steps to ensure Fannie was doing its job, a new report by a federal watchdog states.

Foreclosure prevention seems to work best when paternalism trumps profit motive.

Updates to the 20-year-old Americans With Disabilities Act means, for banks that need to bring their ATMs in line with compliance, there is a heavy chore ahead.

All around the Federal Reserve System, women are excelling. Does the Fed know something about women's career development that the private sector doesn't?

The feds are fighting five domestic banks over transactions Barclays arranged that allegedly exploited discrepancies in U.K. and U.S. tax laws to stiff Uncle Sam for billions, a joint investigation by the Financial Times and ProPublica found.

The Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint in U.S. District Court charging Christopher Mallett, a Texas resident, with multiple violations of the Federal Trade Commission Act for misrepresenting his affiliations with federal agencies, misrepresenting that the services advertised on his Web sites were government-approved and making deceptive debt relief claims.

Discover Financial Services more than doubled its third-quarter net income to $649 million as its customers increased their spending and its credit card loan portfolio grew for the first time in over two years.

These women — some newcomers, and some familiar faces in new roles — are on the rise and well positioned to shape the industry for years to come.

Whether they work in insurance, on Wall Street, or at credit card companies, these women are all making a mark on the industry.

State regulators closed a bank on each coast Friday, bringing the failure tally this year to 73.

Acting chairman stresses that the agency's own planning is just as important as plans submitted by companies.

Vikram Pandit, Citi's CEO, pushed for greater consumer regulation, including better disclosure by credit card companies and a significant shift in consumer lending.

New regulations reducing debit card interchange fees are causing some banks to charge customers more for using debit cards, which could drive consumers to increase their use of credit cards, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

Federal Reserve Bank of New York President William Dudley said Friday a surcharge on the world’s most important firms is necessary to avoid any potential future failures.

SunTrust Banks Inc. in Atlanta said Friday that it has repurchased more than 4 million warrants it issued to the Treasury Department three years ago as part of its participation in the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Alternative capital instruments would allow mutually held banks to become more vital providers of financial services.

Contrary to many community banks, Eagle Bancorp of Bethesda, Md., has strong loan demand and lacks sufficient deposits to cover the loans. Eagle CEO Ron Paul and analysts cite the relative economic health of the Washington area for Eagle's growth, leading to a need for creative solutions.

Chairman Bernanke and Secretary Paulson wrongly said they lacked the legal power to save Lehman. Then, they almost immediately turned around and saved other major investment banks — by waving a magic wand and making them bank holding companies, eligible for federal support. But Shakespeare's line applies: "If it were done…, then 'twere well it were done quickly."

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has issued cease-and-desist orders against Intercredit Bank in Miami and Border Capital Bank in McAllen, Texas, citing credit and capital concerns.