Law and regulation

The Federal Reserve said Friday that it has appointed Eric S. Belsky to serve as director of its Division of Consumer and Community Affairs.

The battle over a likely criminal plea and fine against French-based BNP Paribas is raising fresh questions not just about "too big to jail," but about the efficacy of cross-border resolution plans for systemically important institutions.

A recap of the informed opinions (and the discussions they generated) on BankThink this week.

New York's top banking regulator Benjamin Lawsky is pressing BNP Paribas to dismiss one its top executives as part of settlement negotiations with the U.S. over alleged sanctions violations, according to a person familiar with the matter.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Housing Finance Agency is seeking public comment on the best way to set guarantee fees for loans bought by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Executives at private mortgage insurers expect the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to reduce some fees in the next year, which would make privately-insured GSE loans more competitive with government loans.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s first-quarter report on bank earnings said the ratio of loan-loss reserves to noncurrent loans rose for the sixth straight quarter, but some doubt the reserve "coverage ratio" is rebounding fast enough.

The federal banking agencies on Wednesday began an extensive effort — required by a law passed before the financial crisis — to gather feedback about which rules should be placed under the microscope for potential regulatory relief.

The Senate held two separate hearings on the issue on Wednesday, covering everything from bank ties to universities to trouble with student loan servicers.

Lenders across the country reported increased demand from consumers and businesses, continuing a prevailing trend from earlier this year, according to the Fed's Beige Book.

An appeals court on Wednesday voided a controversial decision in 2011 by New York Judge Jed S. Rakoff, saying he erred in scuttling a $325 million settlement between the Securities and Exchange Commission and Citigroup (NYSE: C).

The Senate approved a bill Tuesday night that would ease capital standards for insurance companies under the Dodd-Frank Act.

Californians picked Republican Neel Kashkari, a political newcomer who ran the federal bailout of the U.S. banking system, to challenge incumbent Democrat Jerry Brown for governor in November.

After a six-month wait, the Senate yesterday confirmed Timothy Massad to serve as chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as lawmakers moved to bring the derivatives regulator to a full roster by signing off on two additional nominees.

The Senate Banking Committee approved legislation Tuesday to extend the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, a program due to expire at yearend. It also considered making a legislative fix to the Dodd-Frank Act. Here's what happens next.

Subprime auto lender Consumer Portfolio Services has agreed to pay more than $5.5 million to settle government allegations that it used illegal tactics in the servicing and collection of loans.

Bitcoin entrepreneur Erik Voorhees will pay more than $50,000 to settle charges by the Securities and Exchange Commission that he failed to register a stock offering.

The Senate Banking Committee approved a bill Tuesday to reauthorize the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act for seven years.

Bank revenues from underwriting leveraged loans may decline as regulators step up scrutiny of underwriting standards, according to Keefe, Bruyette & Woods.

Lawmakers are ramping up pressure on the Department of Justice and banking regulators to curtail their efforts under Operation Choke Point, including prepping legislation that would grant institutions a safe harbor in certain circumstances.