Policy & Regulation

The government-sponsored enterprises are going through a transition period. From proposals for rebuilding their capital cushions to tackling shortages in affordable housing, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac face a number of key challenges with wide-ranging consequences this year.

A group of state regulators has signed off on 14 recommendations, developed by the fintech industry, aimed at streamlining multistate licensing and supervision.

The administration’s choice to regulate the government-sponsored enterprises appeared to distance himself from speculation that the White House may try to overhaul housing finance without legislation.

A Senate confirmation hearing for Todd Harper and Rodney Hood focused on a recent scandal at the National Credit Union Administration, a controversial appraisal rule, regulatory consistency and more.

The National Credit Union Administration board was also briefed on a final interagency rule regarding private flood insurance during its regular monthly meeting.

Criticism of the National Credit Union Administration is unwarranted given the myriad of abuses banks commit.

Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo., told the mortgage giants' chief federal regulator that the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s new model for estimating loan losses could pose risk across the mortgage market.

Regulators should clarify rules around deposit-advance products so that banks can serve consumers seeking short-term loans, like those affected by the recent partial closing of the government.

Since the collapse of IndyMac in 2008, the agency has frequently helped to shield depositors over the $250,000 insurance limit from losses. But it’s a policy that was never formalized, and it remains to be seen whether the agency’s new head, Jelena McWilliams, will follow it.

The time regulators take to decide on prospective deals has dropped sharply; a report says the cyberthieves were looking for info to help recruit spies.