Opinions

The new president will shape the direction of banking policy, but because financial regulators are more insulated from politics than many other areas, that transition will be gradual.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has moved to ban medical debt from appearing on credit reports, but its analysis relies on a sliver of consumer data from more than a decade ago.

For half a century, the Shadow Open Market Committee has been one of the Federal Reserve's sharpest critics. After years of seeing its public profile wither, the group is eyeing a return to prominence.

Four companies are fighting CFPB enforcement actions by claiming the agency cannot be funded by the Federal Reserve, which has not been profitable since 2022. The consumer bureau calls the new legal theory "meritless."

Federal Reserve Gov. Christopher Waller says the central bank is tracking research on financial stability risks related to payments, as well as blockchain and crypto developments.

Acima offers lease-to-own plans on consumer items, but the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and New York officials are calling those plans credit. The battles, playing out in separate courts, could trigger more expansive protections for customers.

Heritage Bancshares Group entered into a written agreement with the Federal Reserve, promising to address issues with cash flow and capital management.

Borrowing costs have fallen to their lowest level in more than a year as inflation metrics drop to 2021 levels, seemingly vindicating the Federal Reserve's decision to maintain their restrictive monetary policy.

Regulators have been working their way steadily down from the biggest players in the industry to regional firms in their quest to stamp out abuses of "off-channel" communications.

Sellers of contract-for-deed home financing deals must provide disclosures, financing terms and assess a borrower's ability to repay, the CFPB said in an advisory opinion.