Opinions

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s credit card industry actions since opening its doors July 21 so far appear to be relatively benign to many observers, who expect the agency to focus at first on ensuring that credit card agreements are clear and easy for consumers to understand.

If the debt ceiling isn't raised, the Treasury Department could give Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac payment priority. But without a spending deal, the threat of downgrades would loom.

While Martin Gruenberg's path to succeed Sheila Bair as FDIC Chairman seems assured, less clear was whether Thomas Curry would win bipartisan support as OCC chief.

Despite pressure from the Obama administration, banks are not going public with their concerns if the debt ceiling isn't increased, instead quietly urging members to wrap it up as they prepare contingency plans.

The former House Speaker opines on how small institutions were damaged by Dodd-Frank, and what he would do differently if elected president.

In an interview at his Washington office, Gingrich showed he hasn't lost his touch for a barbed one-liner as he attacked the Dodd-Frank law from every angle. Following is an edited transcript.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency definitely got the better end of its merger with the Office of Thrift Supervision. But among the downsides: The OCC is now on the legal hook for closing a thrift it never regulated.

Wells Fargo & Co. will have to pay an $85 million civil penalty for misleading borrowers into costly subprime loans, the Federal Reserve Board reported this week.

As we say in New York, the new agency is going to be a first-class “noodge” – pushing and cajoling the industry to simplify, clarify and and modify some of its practices.

WASHINGTON — Two failed banks in Florida went to one acquirer Friday, and regulators also shut a $1 billion-asset bank in Colorado, as the year's failure total reached 58.