Opinions

Mutual holding companies now must explain why they want to waive dividends from their thrifts. Observers fear the rule could repel prospective investors.

A small mutual thrift in Maryland has won approval from state and federal regulators to convert to a publicly traded company.

Efforts to reach a settlement that would end the long-running probe of foreclosure practices are snagged over whether banks will get broad legal immunity from state officials for mortgage-related claims.

Since U.S. legislators and regulators failed to learn how banks' shared delusions generate systemic risk, it's not surprising that European banking regulators also missed the point.

Regulators closed banks in Florida, Georgia and Illinois Friday, all in places were many banks have already met their demise. On Thursday, a bank failed in Pennsylvania, one of just a handful to fail in that state in the last few years.

Amid renewed fears that the euro-zone crisis could put fresh pressure on short-term funding, an unidentified bank made use of the Federal Reserve's swap facility via the Swiss National Bank, borrowing $200 million earlier this month.

A liberal blog charges that House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa hired a former Goldman Sachs executive helped thwart regulations that would affect the investment bank's bottom line.

Davis Polk announced Thursday that antitrust expert and Georgetown law professor Howard Shelanski is joining the firm's Washington office.

American Banker challenged the enforcement record of the FHA under the leadership of former commissioner David Stevens. During this period the program took important steps to reduce its risk.

Bank regulators have long kept state officials at arm's length, but the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is forging a close relationship with state attorneys general to enforce consumer banking laws.