Law and regulation

A recent GAO report called for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to be involved in interagency discussions about virtual currencies, but others say the bureau's jurisdiction is murky, technology may move too fast for consumer rulemaking and too much regulation too early could kill innovation.

New federal requirements for private mortgage insurers aim to standardize coverage across the market. That's left some companies looking for ways to distinguish their products as they vie for lenders' business.

A disparate-impact ruling against a small Texas bank was supposed to lower the cost of small-dollar loans for Hispanic borrowers, but it has instead had the opposite effect, writes Attorney Peter Weinstock.

Regulatory requirements that bar homeowners with imperfect credit scores from receiving a mortgage are hurting minorities and the economy as a whole.

SunTrust Banks (STI) has agreed to pay as much as $320 million to settle an investigation into its administration of Home Affordable Modification Program loans.

SunTrust agreed to pay as much as $320 million to resolve federal allegations it mishandled applicants for mortgage modifications.

Last year's push by some lawmakers to rein in the big banks may have lost steam, but an imminent GAO report and committee leadership changes could give the issue new life.

American Express Co. drives a hard bargain with businesses that want to attract its affluent cardholders: treat the card like any other form of payment despite higher processing costs if you want those customers.

American International Group, Prudential Financial and General Electric Capital Corp. have completed their first round of "living wills" required for systemically important firms.

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's watchdog is estimating a total price tag of nearly $216 million for the bureau's renovation of its headquarters.

Greenlight Financial, a unit of Nationstar, will pay $48,000 to settle claim it denied or delayed mortgage loans to applicants on maternity leave.

Bank regulators on Wednesday released updated metrics used to evaluate compliance with interstate banking laws.

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen on Wednesday argued against using monetary policy to mitigate potential financial stability risks, saying that recent regulatory reforms were a better alternative.

Stress tests have a spotty record as a tool for identifying weaknesses and problem institutions.

If banks can develop processes that show their credit decisions are consistent, transparent, and easily auditable they will be in a better position insulate themselves from disparate impact judgments, writes Zoot Enterprises’ Eric Lindeen.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's effort to analyze the mortgage market has touched off a debate about privacy and whether the agency is going too far in its collection of financial data.

Federal and state regulators are putting more pressure on banks to take immediate actions to address looming defaults of home equity lines of credit.

Lenders hope to earn bigger profits by originating loans that fall outside the qualified mortgage guidelines, for which they can charge borrowers significantly higher interest rates. But legal risks remain.

Responding to warnings from U.S. regulators that banks are finding ways around new curbs on financial risks, Wall Street is mobilizing to defend its latest tactic to keep overseas derivatives beyond the reach of U.S. rules.

WASHINGTON — BNP Paribas on Monday became the second foreign bank this year to plead guilty to violating U.S. laws, but perhaps the biggest question about the Justice Department action against the French company is what it means for U.S. banks.