Policy & Regulation

With economists fearing high unemployment stemming from the pandemic, the housing finance system is grappling with how it will recoup lost revenue from delinquencies, forbearance plans and other tremors.

Financial services personnel were among critical infrastructure groups that the Department of Homeland Security said were crucial for “public health and safety as well as community well-being” during the pandemic.

Financial services personnel were among critical infrastructure groups that the Department of Homeland Security said were crucial for “public health and safety as well as community well-being” during the pandemic.

If the new accounting standard poses too many risks during an economic crisis, then it's probably not a good idea at all.

The Fed announced several new lending facilities and virtually “unlimited” purchases of Treasury bonds; Ana Botín will donate the money to a coronavirus fund.

Regulators' decision to delay reporting for troubled-debt restructurings should allow banks and credit unions to be more nimble modifying loans impaired by the coronavirus outbreak.

The central bank's sweeping actions suggest a cash shortage gripping sectors directly hit by the pandemic. Banks were supposed to be protected by Dodd-Frank but are still vulnerable to a funding domino effect.

Congressional proposals could expand Federal Reserve liquidity support, delay a new credit loss accounting standard, provide certain accounts with unlimited deposit insurance and more to help businesses and consumers reeling from the coronavirus outbreak.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency authorized the government-sponsored enterprises to lend additional support to the mortgage-backed securities market and temporarily allow some flexibility in lending requirements to address coronavirus-related concerns.

The rush to unload mortgage-backed securities signals that a credit meltdown that began with corporate bonds is spreading to other corners of the market.