Policy & Regulation

Investors drive up bank stocks on the promise of fatter dividends; Capital One bucks the trend on concerns over credit cards and auto loans.

Higher dividends and more aggressive repurchase programs are bound to attract more investors, which could boost stock prices and prompt more dealmaking, analysts said.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency made just incremental changes to two of the seven affordable housing benchmarks.

Both parties appear interested in a deal on housing finance reform, but tough fights are ahead.

The advanced approach has limited value, eliminating it has no downside risks and regulators have better tools at their disposal.

Six biggest banks set to return nearly $100 billion to shareholders; Capital One’s plan approved by Federal Reserve, but with conditions.

With lawmakers bracing for a major policy undertaking to reform the government-sponsored enterprises, they can take comfort that they don’t need to start from scratch.

The largest banks announced plans to distribute capital back to shareholders after the Fed gave passing grades to everyone following this year’s CCAR stress tests.

All 34 banks passed the Fed’s CCAR stress test, fueling industry calls to dial back the intensity of the stress tests. But many of the changes have already been internalized by banks.

The Main Street GSE Reform Coalition offered three principles: creating a capital buffer for Fannie and Freddie, continuing with reforms by their regulator and ending the conservatorship that began in 2008.