Treasury Department

Banks should ensure that their employees are nimble enough to react when unexpected situations arise, just as many had to do during the 2008 crisis.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions made headlines in January when he tightened federal marijuana enforcement. But the good news for financial institutions looking to service the pot industry is that the rest of the government has responded with a shrug.

News that the GSEs need an infusion from Treasury to cover quarterly losses underscores problems with the government’s 2012 decision to “sweep” the housing giants’ profits.

As government officials reconsider how best to wind down large financial institutions, they should ensure the banking agencies have flexibility to act without disrupting markets.

Banking and affordable housing advocates are encouraged by a provision in the tax reform legislation that could increase investment in underserved communities by allowing investors to defer capital gains taxes when they reinvest in federally chartered Opportunity Funds.

A top Treasury Department official on Monday said the administration's forthcoming report on regulating nonbanks will tackle questions around financial technology companies and whether they need to be regulated more like banks.

As Congress considers new rules for digital currencies, lawmakers should consider putting responsibility in the hands of the Treasury Department, given its role in handling traditional currency.

A recent report from the agency settles a long-running debate about whether bankruptcy should replace Dodd-Frank’s “orderly liquidation authority.” The financial system needs both.

It’s unlikely a new chapter of the bankruptcy code for banks would be used in times of crisis or strengthen market discipline.

The Treasury Department struck a middle ground in recommendations for Dodd-Frank Act wind-down powers, resisting calls to repeal those powers but still addressing concerns that they are too generous to large firms.

The Trump administration on Wednesday refrained from proposing the elimination of authority to clean up failed financial behemoths, but the Treasury Department still wants substantial reforms to the resolution powers.

The Supreme Court dealt hedge funds and other big investors a blow Tuesday by refusing to revive core parts of lawsuits that challenged the federal government’s capture of billions of dollars in profits generated by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Freddie Mac posted a fourth-quarter net loss of $3.3 billion and will request $312 million from the Treasury after recent tax reform legislation forced it to write down the value of deferred tax assets.

Tax reform caused Fannie Mae to burn through retained earnings that had been approved just two months ago and to post a fourth-quarter loss. CEO Timothy Mayopoulos argued it was a one-time event that overshadowed strong fundamentals.

More than one-third of the Office of Financial Research’s staff could soon be laid off, but the agency seems to lack the political clout needed to block the move.

As conservator, FHFA Director Mel Watt has substantial leeway to remake the government-sponsored enterprises without congressional input. Here's one way he might do so.

Problems with the IRS-managed Income Verification Express System, or IVES, have stoked concerns about delayed mortgage closings when volume picks up this spring.

The government must continue to provide support for the mortgage market in any new housing finance system, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday.

The Financial Stability Oversight Council should ignore two recent Treasury Department recommendations regarding the labeling of systemically risky nonbanks.

Financial firms have mostly shrugged off the government's budget woes, but Washington's gridlock might pose a bigger risk than they think.