Opinions

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Freedom Debt Relief and its co-CEO for allegedly deceiving consumers.

The Treasury Department on Wednesday named Kenneth A. Blanco, a longtime criminal prosecutor with the Justice Department, the director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.

Acting Comptroller of the Currency Keith Noreika said he thinks regulators can make a case for an exemption to carve out all small banks from the ban on proprietary trading.

New payments systems will allow everyday financial tasks such as paying bills, issuing invoices, making payroll, or settling insurance claims to be easier, faster, safer, and more efficient, writes Jim Aramanda, president and CEO of The Clearing House Association and Payments Company.

The Fed’s new chief bank regulator wants to change “the tenor of supervision”; Ron O’Hanley, who was named president this week, will also take over as CEO by the end of 2018.

Acting Comptroller of the Currency Keith Noreika called for reopening the debate over the barrier between banking and commerce, saying there is evidence removing it could benefit small banks.

Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer is calling on bank regulators to draw up a list of guidance going back 20 years to determine whether it should be submitted under the Congressional Review Act.

The new vice chairman of supervision at the Fed said the agency will seek comment on its rules for stress tests, capital and other areas, as well as look at how fintech has impacted the industry.

CUNA’s Jim Nussle and NCUA Chairman Mark McWatters were among the big speakers at Monday’s opening session.

The companies' recently launched partnership furthers the argument that the banking and fintech industries might be better served working together rather than competing.