Law and regulation

As the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau streamlines mortgage disclosure forms, banks worry that the proposed simplification may become a burden.

All mortgage lenders should voice their objection to the NMLS' efforts to include non-mortgage industries such as pawnbrokers, debt collectors and even used car financing companies in its registry.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York announced Tuesday that it would stop processing international wire transfers as a result of a new rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is "attempting an ambitious project required under Dodd-Frank to consolidate overlapping disclosures," writes American Banker's Joe Adler.

Citing several lawsuits as evidence, activists say the bank's "abusive" lending practices triggered waves of foreclosures in low-income neighborhoods.

Housing industry officials applauded the CFPB's bid to streamline mortgage disclosures, but they are now expressing concern about the more inclusive APR requirements and limits on changes in costs that can vary over time.

Assets held by money market funds, private equity firms and other entities that make up the so-called shadow banking system stood at $67 trillion worldwide at the end of last year, according to new report by the Financial Stability Board. Supporters credit shadow banks with providing valuable services; critics warn that their lack of oversight poses systemic risk. One certainty is that they're big, with half as many assets as conventional banks, by FSB's count. Here's a look at how it defines shadow banks.

Credit Suisse becomes the latest institution charged with fraud involving mortgage securities in an investigation that is expected to involve others.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s unlimited coverage of non-interest bearing checking accounts is coming to a close.

Providing a safe harbor for only some qualified mortgage loans will swing the stringent credit standard pendulum further in the wrong direction.

Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke on Tuesday warned policymakers not to delay taking steps to avert a fiscal shock that would cause the economy to fall back into recession.

The National Advertising Division, a 10-person shop that's based in New York, investigates allegations that companies are engaging in deceptive marketing, often after a competitor lodges a complaint. Just last week, the organization released its ruling in a big-money dispute between JPMorgan Chase and Capital One Financial.

Banks should seize the opportunity to shape the rule in a manner that helps policymakers achieve their AML goals without imposing needless cost and customer pain.

The Treasury Department will receive $62 million from its latest auction of stakes it owns in banks through the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Seeking to accelerate a process that results in taking someone's home should not be done lightly. Plus, a major driver of foreclosure time is not state law but who services the mortgage.

The CFPB and FTC sent warnings to 12 mortgage lenders this week, arguing their ads were trying to trick consumers with false and misleading information.

Starr International Co.'s lawsuit against the Federal Reserve Bank of New York over the government's bailout of American International Group Inc. (AIG) was dismissed by a federal judge in New York.

As it dissolves in the wake of anti-money laundering violations, First Bank of Delaware Owes $15 million to Uncle Sam.

Last week saw a sudden burst of activity as Congress returned after the elections. But lawmakers weren’t the only ones making news, as the CFPB, FHA and Fed also dominated headlines. Following is the most critical stories of regulation and reform

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission are investigating 51 nonbank firms involved in mortgage lending or other areas of the housing market.