Opinions

The economy could “positively slow down in mid-2019” and consumer debt levels are a huge concern, but technology and lessons learned from the crisis could still create opportunity for small banks, says Beneficial’s Gerry Cuddy ahead of a big speech on current conditions.

National Credit Union Administration Chairman Mark McWatters called on lawmakers to further expand field-of-membership options for CUs and to permit the regulator to oversee third-party vendors, including fintech partners.

Financial regulators sought to walk a fine line Tuesday between reassuring Republican senators that they are quickly implementing regulatory relief and defending themselves against Democratic criticism that they are going too fast.

The senior Democratic lawmaker said the CFPB chief and the Trump administration "are doing everything in their power to roll back consumer protections."

The head of the National Treasury Employees Union said the appointment of Eric Blankenstein to a senior role “reflects poorly on CFPB management.”

The central bank is mulling measures to broaden the number of banks receiving reg relief; Lisa Stevens was a top deputy to the former retail chief during the phony accounts scandal.

The House Financial Services Committee is examining sexual harassment charges against FHFA director Watt. American Banker reporter Hannah Lang offers her take.

Fed Vice Chairman of Supervision Randal Quarles said in written testimony that the central bank plans to move quickly to determine how to regulate banks between $100 billion and $250 billion of assets, and that it may provide also relief for banks over the $250 billion threshold.

Seven Republican senators urged regulators on Monday to consider additional changes to the Volcker Rule's "covered funds" definition.

Eric Blankenstein, a political appointee overseeing fair-lending policy at the agency, said in an email to staff that his blog posts from 14 years ago that used a racial epithet “reflected poor judgment.”