Policy & Regulation

A group of some of the nation’s largest merchants and retail trade groups asked a federal judge Thursday to reject the proposed settlement of a lawsuit over credit card swipe fees.

Parkmobile USA, which had drawn fire for suggesting the debit interchange cap was behind its fee increase for D.C. customers, on Thursday issued an apology for the statement.

Independent foreclosure reviews at the major banks were meant to compensate wronged homeowners and restore some faith in the integrity of mortgage servicing. Instead, the process has become mired in questions of objectivity.

Visa seems to have weathered the most severe effects of new rules that shook its hold on the U.S. debit card market, though the company still faces a government investigation into the methods it is using to recoup lost revenue.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Federal Housing Finance Agency said Thursday they are teaming up to create a first-of-its-kind mega-database of mortgages to track market trends and support policymaking research.

Former FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair sees little to criticize in the approach that regulators took toward private equity.

Subordinated debt could be an option for community banks that need to raise capital but want to avoid dilute existing shareholders. Still, naysayers point out that many community banks prefer the simplicity and liquidity that comes from equity.

Efforts should clarify recourse risk for originators and underwriters, help realign supply and demand in the housing market and assist homeowners.

The National Credit Union Administration has liquidated Women's Southwest Federal Credit Union in Dallas.

Few legislators will have much appetite for setting bank capital policy, but it would be a gross error to mistake that discretion for lack of interest in what those policies will do to local economies.