Law and regulation

Bank of America Corp.'s $2.4 billion settlement with investors who lost money as a result of the bank's acquisition of Merrill Lynch & Co. was approved by a federal judge.

Regulators have lifted an enforcement action against a unit of First Financial Northwest (FFNW) in Renton, Wash.

The United States has long resisted adopting the EMV smart-card standard to replace magnetic-stripe credit and debit cards. But the card networks report success in the years-long push to modernize plastic payments.

IMGCAP(1)]

If regulators have the will and the authority to resolve "too big to fail," now is the time to act. The prospect of several more years without resolution is terrifying.

The Bipartisan Policy Center released a report Thursday giving fodder to both sides in the political debate over the structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's enforcement actions against four of the nation's largest mortgage insurers is only the beginning as the agency will probe an alleged widespread mortgage insurance kickback scheme that involves several lenders.

The JOBS Act will allow broader marketing of private placements. Take great care when selling these to your bank's financial advisory and wealth management clients. Focus on what suits them.

Federal Reserve vice chair Janet Yellen criticized the aborted independent foreclosure reviews on Thursday, condemning the expenses of consultants involved in a process that the Fed helped set up.

WASHINGTON — A Senate Banking subcommittee will examine the role of independent consultants in the financial services industry, including Promontory Financial Group, at a hearing next week.

Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke called on business and finance students and faculty on Thursday to make improving the public's financial literacy a priority in their careers.

Fannie Mae and the Federal Housing Finance Agency's inspector general are taking a hard look at the bills the government mortgage giant receives from servicers who maintain foreclosed properties. If controls are found to be lax, servicers will likely face a clampdown.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced enforcement orders against four mortgage insurance firms that allegedly provided kickbacks to lenders, but the agency signaled additional actions are in the offing.

A think tank examines what's happened to the nominees for top jobs at financial regulators under both President Bush and President Obama.

Banks are increasing their research and monitoring of third parties as regulators take a closer look at outsourcing.

Regulators have ordered Germany's Nordbank to improve anti-money-laundering safeguards at its New York branch.

Four mortgage insurers have been ordered by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to pay $15 million in penalties and halt alleged kickbacks to mortgage lenders in exchange for business.

The Federal Reserve Board approved the final rule that outlines the standard regulators will use to determine if a nonbank is systemically important.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced four enforcement actions Thursday against mortgage insurers, ordering them to pay $15 million in penalties and stop "improper kickbacks" to mortgage lenders in exchange for business.

FHFA's decision to sell foreclosures in bulk is hindering the rising Hispanic consumer segment, along with other first-time buyers, from driving a healthy housing rebound.