Opinions

House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling is planning to push legislation that would rein in the Federal Reserve Board.

The Treasury Department launched an inquiry into the marketplace lending industry on Thursday, seeking information on its business models, customers and whether such firms should be forced to keep some "skin in the game."

Final guidelines for dealing with failing institutions from the international Basel Committee include direct capital injections — something the Dodd-Frank Act tried to end in the U.S. — as a last-ditch option.

A recent CFPB study lays the groundwork to roll back financial firms' use of arbitration clauses. But rather than protecting consumers, such a measure could wind up forcing people into costly and time-consuming lawsuits.

Wall Street's favored bank-resolution strategy would virtually guarantee future bailouts while imposing the costs on taxpayers and ordinary investors. At the very least, the damage can be mitigated with three key reforms.

Although overall lending was a bright spot in the Federal Reserve Board's report on economic activity released Wednesday, some bankers surveyed said excessive regulation is crimping commercial lending.

Federal Reserve Board Chair Janet Yellen sounded at least open to the idea that new regulations have contributed to potential liquidity problems, but said more study is needed.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's massive collection of consumer data continued to raise concerns with lawmakers on Wednesday despite assurances from the agency's director that the data is anonymized. Lawmakers also voiced worries that the agency is inappropriately targeting auto dealers.

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats unveiled a bill Wednesday that would require banks and debt buyers to ensure that a consumer's credit report is updated when debt is extinguished through bankruptcy.

Federal Housing Administration endorsements continue to rise following the 50-basis point cut in January.