Policy & Regulation

Michael Barr, an Obama-era Treasury Department official, is no longer expected to be nominated to lead a regulator that oversees Wall Street’s biggest banks, according to people familiar with the matter.

Ten companies this week joined the American Fintech Council, which debuted March 3 after the Marketplace Lending Association and Online Lending Policy Institute combined.

The comments by Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chair Jelena McWilliams published in Politico reinforce optimism that the banking agencies could settle years of disagreement about modernizing the Community Reinvestment Act.

The industry saw deposits rise by nearly 20% last year, in part due to economic stimulus measures from the government. More of the same could be coming once President Biden signs the latest stimulus bill into law.

Nonbanks had worried the end of the Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility would hurt their ability to lend to small businesses. On Monday, the Federal Reserve announced the facility would be extended for three months.

For too long, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's rulemaking process has been informed by its director's political affiliation. The next leader must keep the agency focused on its mission: protecting consumers.

Some applaud the agency's recent delay of the mandatory compliance date for a new Qualified Mortgage standard. Others say it leads to more uncertainty for lenders, opens the door to additional changes and enables some companies to loosen their underwriting.

The Dallas company has given Summer Faussette, an external affairs executive, the additional role of national African American business development manager, with a special focus on networking with nonprofit organizations.

Regulations that merely reflect the beliefs of whoever’s in power undoubtedly get unwound by the next round of leaders. Policies will stand the test of time if they are focused on addressing inequalities in the financial system.

The industry wants regulators to extend a temporary measure making it easier to satisfy the supplementary leverage ratio. But Democrats’ control of the White House and Congress has given a bigger platform to those who say banks have had enough relief.