Opinions

The Federal Reserve's decision to reexamine the Durbin amendment's Regulation II raises a host of concerns for banks and credit unions over the processing of purchases made online.

As people more heavily use exchanges and other providers of digital-asset-related services, they're registering more beefs with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, too. Experts say it's only a matter of time before the agency invokes its broad authority to police the sector.

This year’s stress tests examined 23 banks including JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs, with the remainder of the firms on an “every other year” test cycle. The capital requirements for those remaining firms are unchanged from last year.

A problem caused by the pandemic appeared to be resolved, but has returned in recent months. Here’s what happened.

As the Federal Reserve mulls the idea of issuing a digital currency, some industry representatives are already sounding the alarm. Their main concern is a new regime for storing cash will reduce demand for bank deposits.

Sen. Patrick Toomey, the ranking Republican on the Banking Committee, has argued that research by the Federal Reserve into these topics could result in “mission creep.” Fed officials have said their job includes fostering inclusive economic growth and ensuring the banking system is girded against financial risks posed by climate change.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren praised Federal Reserve Gov. Lael Brainard on Wednesday for her approach to financial regulation while criticizing Chairman Jerome Powell as too protective of big financial institutions.

Banks should favor the development of U.S. data rules that let them freely share consumer information with, and receive it from, fintechs. The alternative, where banks merely send data to third parties for a fee, would be less competitive and less beneficial for all parties.

Sen. Patrick Toomey, the top Republican on the Banking Committee, criticized acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu and others in the Biden administration for advancing “social goals that are unrelated to banking.”

The industry had tightened up last year in the face of COVID-19. But as the economic outlook improves, banks are now easing criteria amid heightened competition, according to the Federal Reserve’s survey of loan officers.