Policy & Regulation

The Federal Reserve Board has terminated a written agreement with Farmers Bank in Ault, Colo. The May 2010 pact obligated the $232 million-asset bank's directors to strengthen oversight of management.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau gave banks and nonbanks four tips on how to minimize the risk that its investigations blow up into an enforcement action.

Sens. Bob Corker and Mark Warner on Tuesday introduced their much-discussed proposal for reforming the mortgage finance market. The effort has continued to win plaudits from fellow lawmakers, regulators and the industry.

Freddie Mac is preparing to market mortgage securities that will share with investors the risk homeowners don't repay their government-backed loans, according to a person with knowledge of the plans.

Senate Banking Committee members pressed regulators Tuesday about the extent of industry efforts to gain greater flexibility in modifying or delaying repayment of troubled student loans.

Replacing Fannie and Freddie with a federal catastrophic reinsurance agency is smart. Putting the wrong leader (like a politician) in charge of the new mortgage agency would be disastrous.

Filling this increasingly prevalent and critical position presents the perfect opportunity for a bank to bring a female executive into its C-suite.

The Supreme Court is set to hear the Noel Canning v. National Labor Relations Board case, which calls into question several recess appointments President Obama made last year. The Supreme Court's decision on the Canning case could have a significant impact on Richard Cordray, who was recess appointed as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on the same day that NLRB appointments were made.

Cyber-security has long been a technology and risk management challenge for banks. Recently, Washington policymakers have come to regard it as one of the most pressing issues financial institutions face.

Recapitalizing Fannie and Freddie while making sure they behave well is a path with far fewer risks of missteps and potential damage to the economy.