Policy & Regulation

A protectionist banking policy could lead to reprisal from overseas regulators, financial instability and less cross-border business.

Yellen has good things to say about Volcker rule and CFPB, while Tarullo backs tighter reins on big banks; Trump said to be considering Mnuchin deputy as Comptroller of the Currency.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is seeking feedback on the benefits and risks of using alternative data sources, such as rent or utility payments, that would allow lenders to build a credit history for unbanked consumers.

The Basel III capital requirements are making it hard for banks to stay in the servicing business, said David Motley, president of Colonial Savings. Their exodus from the market indirectly hurts consumers, he argued.

Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, the chairman of the House financial institutions subcommittee, said Wednesday that he plans to reintroduce a bill that would change the way banks are designated as systemically important.

Some fintech firms are flatly rejecting the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's creation of a charter for such firms, citing fears that it will come with too many strings attached.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo said Wednesday that although he plans to begin working on housing finance reform and changes to the Dodd-Frank Act, the poor relationship between Democrats and Republicans will hinder any progress.

The Online Lending Policy Institute says it aims to fill a gap in fintech research.

Jan Owen, California's commissioner of business oversight, on Tuesday invited representatives of 13 fintech companies to a "frank, constructive dialogue" on the obstacles they face with state licenses.

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen appeared Tuesday before an uncommonly collegial hearing of the Senate Banking Committee, but the lack of outward drama masked the fact that lawmakers from both parties were using her testimony to lay the groundwork for a broader battle over the future of regulatory reform.