Policy & Regulation

The U.S. Treasury Department said it will cut its stake in Ally Financial Inc. (ALLY) by selling stock on the open market in its first divestiture since an initial public offering in April.

Several institutions said their underwriters already exclude paid and unpaid medical debt from their calculation, raising questions about what kind of impact the new model will have on lenders.

Regulators should be focusing on the greatest risks to the system and the safety and soundness of financial institutions, rather than pushing lawful businesses to the shadow banking system, says consultant and former California regulator Walter Mix.

Though leveraging credit prescreening can be complicated, organizations that are proactive in developing clear policies and processes can safely market themselves to desirable customers, according to consultant Rich Walker.

Banks that own broker-dealers need to hold more capital to withstand runs and other shocks, said Eric Rosengren, the head of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston said Wednesday.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency provided its first specifics Tuesday on how it intends to create a single security for mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

WASHINGTON — Amerisave Mortgage Corp. and its owner have been ordered to pay more than $20 million for allegedly overcharging borrowers and trapping them in higher interest rates than those advertised.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has proposed forcing banks to identify those standing behind legal entity accounts, but also made a slew of accommodations meant to make the rule more palatable.

Expanded reporting requirements under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act will give regulators access to a panoply of sensitive data. Banks should take steps to address any fair lending issues before the new rules take effect, according to Warren W. Traiger.

In a speech Tuesday, the director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network will argue that recent guidance for banks regarding the marijuana industry is working as intended. But it's unclear whether banks' concerns about the risks have been addressed.