Law and regulation

The OCC plans to increase examination fees for the first time in nearly 20 years for institutions with over $40 billion in assets, a step the agency says is necessary because of its expanded role under the Dodd-Frank Act.

The Justice Department is grabbing the spotlight with Operation Choke Point, a controversial investigation that's drawing U.S. banks deeper into the fight against consumer fraud. But below the radar, another federal agency is tiptoeing in the same direction, and again drawing stiff opposition from the banking industry.

Other payments fights are grabbing more headlines, but banks are pushing hard against the Federal Trade Commission's proposed ban on the use of remotely created checks by telemarketers.

WASHINGTON — The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency plans to raise supervisory assessments for large banks and thrifts by as much as 14% starting in the fall to account for the agency's added regulatory responsibilities following passage of the Dodd-Frank Act.

Institutions become comfortable with the nominal profit increases from higher risk and ignore the warning signs. It is hard to recognize a problem when you are paid not to see it.

The Federal Reserve Board on Monday asked Bank of America to resubmit its capital plan and halt any planned distributions.

Small business investment companies offer bigger returns than traditional loans, along with the opportunity for new business relationships and even CRA credit. Now banks are rediscovering this SBA program as a way to make equity investments in startups, while avoiding the Volcker Rule vortex.

The deal’s approval following months of uncertainty represents a significant milestone in the DOJ’s controversial Operation Choke Point probe.

Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and David Vitter, R-La., filed a handful of "too big to fail" amendments Friday to a pending Senate Banking Committee bill to overhaul the housing finance market.

State regulators in South Carolina closed the $54 million-asset Allendale County Bank late Friday.

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The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. took action against six lenders and ended orders against 14 firms in the FDIC's latest monthly roundup of enforcement actions.

Senate Banking Committee leaders want to win as much support as possible for their housing finance reform legislation before a panel vote on Tuesday, but it's possible that a failure to win over certain members could ultimately assist their cause.

Swift, the financial messaging service, has launched a new version of its Bankers World Online directory, which includes added information to aid international payments.

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.