PayThink

Financial institutions that do the same things should have the same oversight. Unfortunately, we're a long way from regulatory parity, even after Dodd-Frank.

Designating certain companies as systemically important accomplishes nothing more than putting them into a closer relationship with the government, making the designation itself a self-fulfilling prophecy.

If Congress fails to extend this 2007 law, millions of already-struggling families would face a substantial tax bill shortly after working out a deal with their mortgage lender – undermining short sales and other foreclosure prevention efforts.

Few things cut through the skepticism many folks hold toward a business (or even industry) as much as genuine, altruistic actions.

The all-inclusive APR that figures into the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's prosed mortgage disclosure forms has elicited a mixed reaction.

Among those calling for tighter money market fund regulations, one analyst says the Financial Stability Oversight Council's action (or lack thereof) on the matter will be a test of Dodd-Frank's effectiveness.

No one should be surprised that banks would suppress their posted rates in a funding crisis or that they might manipulate the BBA survey for gain. It was easy to see this coming.

Financial institutions with a long-term strategic interest in the credit card business should reap the benefits of the existing safe harbor and buy while it lasts. Those who don't should take advantage of the current environment and sell.

John Walsh, the former acting Comptroller of the Currency, has doubts about the Financial Stability Oversight Council, wishes Dodd-Frank mandated a single federal regulator for banking, but also says regulators need to be efficient in implementing rules required by the legislation.

Perhaps, given the wild ride of the past decade, banking can learn something from aviation, an industry that has posted an impressive and improving safety record over a similar time span.