Law and regulation

Morgan Stanley will pay $63 million to settle a series of government lawsuits claiming the bank misrepresented securities it sold to banks that later failed.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac unveiled an appeals process Tuesday that will allow an independent arbitrator to resolve disputes between lenders and the government-sponsored enterprises over loan repurchase demands.

In a presidential race dominated by populists and even an aging socialist, the establishment candidates that bankers prefer — Hillary Clinton and Marco Rubio — had a good night in Iowa on Monday. But the race is far from over, and the Iowa results showed some ominous signs as well.

Lenders argue that the GSEs would be better off buying more loans that are already insured, rather than transferring credit risk after holding them for a time. But Freddie Mac's Kevin Palmer says certainty of reimbursement is more important than the timing of risk transfers.

A Federal Reserve task force has issued criteria for its faster payments initiative, part of a long journey to build a framework to securely and efficiently accommodate the near-real-time processing for digital commerce.

A Federal Reserve task force has issued criteria for its faster payments initiative, part of a long journey to build a framework to securely and efficiently accommodate the near real-time processing for digital commerce.

While most federal banking regulators use enforcement actions as a way to shape industry practices, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is taking that to a whole other level, frequently using orders as a substitute for new rules or guidelines.

The near future may find more banks ceasing to originate residential mortgages in an effort to stop the slide in stock prices.

The central bank should not delay putting in place a long-term plan that diminishes its outsized influence and allows the financial markets to work without interference.

WASHINGTON — Key Democratic lawmakers are urging the Department of Housing and Urban Development to tighten its program for selling nonperforming guaranteed loans to ensure servicers have exhausted all loss mitigation options before the loans are sold to private investors.

WASHINGTON – The House passed a bill Monday by voice vote that could make certain municipal debt securities more attractive to banks.

While most federal banking regulators use enforcement actions as a way to shape industry practices, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is taking that to a whole other level, frequently using orders as a substitute for new rules or guidelines.

Banks are pessimistic about the quality of commercial and industrial lending in 2016, according to a report released Monday by the Federal Reserve Board.

The marijuana industry is still hampered by its own banking crisis, but the rigidity of federal laws is not stopping all advances in financial services for the sector.

Presidential candidates are known for getting a few facts wrong on the campaign trail. When it comes to offering commentary on banking, this election cycle has seen a fair share of whoppers. Following are a collection of incorrect things asserted by candidates during the 2016 race.

Vantiv will stop processing transactions for its clients in daily fantasy sports amid government claims the sites are violating gambling laws, the New York Times reported Friday.

In an exclusive survey of bankers nationwide, American Banker found that regulatory relief and ensuring fintech companies faced banklike rules were the two top priorities for the industry this year — while taxing credit unions and restructuring the CFPB took a back seat.

Banks' vocal opposition to the National Credit Union Administration's proposal to ease field-of-membership rules overlooks why changes are necessary and long overdue.

Federal and state banking regulators are still struggling with how to come to grips with banks whose clients are heavily involved in digital currencies like bitcoin — and that may be curbing interest from many in the financial industry.

American Banker readers share their views on the most pressing banking topics of the week. Comments are excerpted from reader response sections of AmericanBanker.com articles and our social media platforms.