Policy & Regulation

Mortgage lender Household International Inc., which is now HSBC Finance Corp., must pay an estimated $2.46 billion in a class-action lawsuit claiming it violated federal securities laws.

Timothy Geithner hasn't been Treasury secretary for months, but he gets his name on the new $100 bills that went into circulation last week.

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Jeffrey Lacker said bankruptcy without government support is "the first and most preferable option" in the event of a failure by a big financial institution.

Many payments companies see a conflict between innovation and regulation, with each side perceiving the other as out of touch with their needs, particularly when it comes to new technology.

Regulators are nearing completion of a landmark proposal that would institute a liquidity requirement for financial institutions designed to help buffer against a prolonged market crisis.

Similar to the changes already enacted in the mortgage industry, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is pushing policymakers for an overhaul of the disclosure requirements and modifications programs of private student loan servicers.

Even if these loans did harm consumers – doubtful as they were freely entered into – the harm would appear quite minor compared to that which has been repeatedly imposed upon the U.S. Native American population.

The U.S. Senate's leadership in resolving the government shutdown offers evidence that it’s also likely to lead the way in reforming mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. That's good news for the many bankers who favor the bipartisan Corker-Warner bill over a House alternative authored by Texas Republican Jeb Hensarling.

Where possible, regulators should avoid establishing static, prescriptive criteria that do not give lenders the ability to consider compensating factors in meeting the financing needs of qualified borrowers.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is urging policymakers to revamp the disclosure requirements and modification programs of private student loan servicers, similar to changes already enacted in the mortgage industry.