Opinions

The central bank and other agencies have come under pressure to be transparent about their use of funds authorized by the recent pandemic rescue law.

The bipartisan coalition of AGs said homeowners should be allowed to wait until the end of a loan term to make payments they skipped because of the coronavirus.

Bank trade groups from all 50 states have called on Congress not to lift restrictions on member business lending under the guise of aiding with coronavirus relief efforts.

The policy move will allow small institutions participating in the Paycheck Protection Program to pledge business loans as collateral to obtain advances.

Some say the agencies are exacting too high a price to buy loans from the cash-strapped lenders; some small banks hustled in dealing with the Paycheck Protection Program, others are accused of a hustle.

Financial institutions could testify before the bipartisan commission overseeing the unprecedented economic aid for industries hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. But without subpoena authority, the panel’s impact may be limited.

Banks had an opportunity to delay compliance with the new accounting standard, but many opted to move forward to get ahead of credit issues that could arise from the coronavirus outbreak.

The Federal Reserve’s Main Street Lending Program is meant to be a lifeline for midsize businesses, but two weeks after its unveiling, those firms and their lenders remain on edge about what strings will be attached.

The FHFA will allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, for a limited time, to purchase loans for which the borrower has sought to postpone payments because of the economic effects of the coronavirus.

The bill, which includes $310 billion in new funding, is expected to pass the House on Thursday; Chase has no timeline for returning but plans to bring back employees to offices in stages.