Law and regulation

A House Financial Services subcommittee will hold a meeting Tuesday to authorize subpoenas against three officials at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau who previously declined to testify about employee allegations of discrimination and retaliation.

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

Fears that the Federal Reserve's reduction in mortgage-backed securities purchases this year would cause rates to skyrocket failed to come true. That's partly because there's less mortgage paper to buy.

By addressing concerns about how distressed loans are resolved, banks and non-banks alike can make a virtue out of necessity and regain the trust of policy makers and the public.

The issue of serving so-called "underbanked" borrowers has taken on a new urgency since regulators began cracking down on payday and certain other low-dollar, high-interest loans, prompting fears of a credit crunch for low-income consumers. The FDIC is looking at banking by mobile phone and other possible solutions as a way of bridging the gap.

The National Credit Union Administration approved a final rule on capital planning and stress testing at its open board meeting Thursday that contained some changes — but maybe not enough to satisfy credit unions.

The Senate Banking Committee is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a stack of pending nominees to the Federal Reserve Board and other agencies, before it proceeds with a highly anticipated vote on a bill to overhaul the housing finance market.

Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., is urging the House Committee on Oversight and Reform to investigate why regulators abruptly ended the independent foreclosure review and settled with banks last year.

A key point of contention is the 10 basis point user fee that the proposed Federal Mortgage Insurance Corp. would charge to support affordable housing efforts.

New York's top financial services regulator Benjamin Lawsky has indicated he will hold individuals accountable in enforcement actions. But it’s imperative his agency – and others that plan to follow suit – adopt and follow defined procedures that consider an individual’s unique, more vulnerable position.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau unveiled a new pilot program on Wednesday designed to allow consumers the ability to electronically review and file mortgage closing documents.

The state is asking Google, Comcast and other companies to stop running ads for companies that can't lend legally to its residents. Bankers are also being urged to be on the alert for illegal loans to their customers.

Wall Street banks — and the trade groups and law firms that represent them — are challenging the Federal Reserve Board's basis for restricting bank ties to physical commodities, arguing it is fundamentally flawed.

A Democratic coalition of nearly two dozen lawmakers is urging the Department of Education to change its rules to better protect students from unfair banking practices at colleges.

By buying more goods and services from businesses rooted in diverse communities, banks can build bridges with those communities and expand their customer base. And by expanding their networks of potential suppliers, banks can obtain better quality services at lower prices.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., continued her crusade against Washington insiders and big banks Tuesday night, promoting her new book on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart."

A coalition of more than two dozen conservative groups sent a letter to members of the Senate Banking Committee Wednesday, urging them to vote against a major bill to overhaul the housing finance market.

Being influential in the payments industry isn't just about positions or titles; it's about driving the course of business while also setting an example for others to follow in their careers and personal lives.

A failed Kansas bank is suing state regulators alleging that they had insufficient grounds to close it.

Those in the industry say customers aren't asking for specific same-day capabilities. Could it be that they aren't asking because they are finding solutions elsewhere?