Jerome Powell

The Federal Reserve Racial and Economic Equity Act would direct the Fed to consider racial inequality in employment, income and access to affordable credit when making monetary policy and in its regulation and supervision of banks.

For too long, nonbanks have been allowed to form industrial loan companies to operate as banks without Fed oversight. This regulatory pass should not be given during a crisis.

As Senate Republicans consider a new coronavirus relief package, the Federal Reserve chairman said easing the so-called Collins amendment would help financial institutions support the economy.

Many commercial property owners are locked out of existing coronavirus relief by financing terms that bar them from taking new loans. Under a House bill, they would receive government-backed equity investments.

The central bank is expanding its lending facilities meant to help businesses weather the coronavirus pandemic to organizations like educational institutions, hospitals and social service groups.

Many big banks say they will focus on existing customers in offering credit through the Federal Reserve’s emergency lending program for midsize businesses. Complex vetting and fear of being inundated are said to be among their concerns.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said about 300 lenders have signed on to the program and that the central bank is committed to making adjustments that could attract more borrowers.

The lawmakers argued in a letter to the Federal Reserve that suspending dividend payouts would be the "prudent course of action," allowing banks to build their capital cushions and continue lending during the coronavirus pandemic.

Worried about a lack of demand and that some of their customers are ineligible, community banks are still on the fence about participating in the effort to back loans for businesses recovering from the pandemic crisis.

At a congressional hearing, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell discussed steps to get the flow of coins to financial institutions back to pre-pandemic levels, as well as ways to ease other industry burdens.