Policy & Regulation

A rising number of banks are looking to become community development financial institutions, emboldened by low-cost capital and an exemption from the ability-to-repay rule.

Wells Fargo has agreed to pay $187.5 million to settle claims by federal regulators that the megabank wrongfully opened unauthorized bank and credit card accounts for more than 2 million customers.

Wells Fargo has agreed to pay $187.5 million to settle claims by federal regulators that the megabank wrongfully opened unauthorized bank and credit card accounts for more than 2 million customers.

Banks are making it easier to get approved for a checking account. But once-banished customers may not be able to use some of the features that made having an account attractive in the first place.

It's the hot new address for an old Wall Street machine: 1209 North Orange Street. There, in Wilmington, Delaware, several giants of American finance have established powerful outposts.

Without incentives to shoot higher, banks usually settle for "Satisfactory" on their Community Reinvestment Act exams, but many find that not getting a better grade has consequences.

Though the Federal Housing Finance Agency has yet to provide full details about its new refinancing program to be launched next year, some analysts and industry observers are already convinced it will have only a limited impact.

Demand for lending services grew overall in the last six weeks but was more keenly felt in some regions while others remained stagnant, according to a report issued Wednesday by the Federal Reserve Board.

The trade group challenged the NCUA's member business lending rules enacted in February, but also hinted that it is prepared to file another lawsuit should the agency move forward with a separate regulation that would expand credit unions' field of membership.

The Federal Reserve’s structure and makeup – and even geographical locations – drew criticism from members of Congress and the public as favoring the wealthy and ignoring the conditions of ordinary Americans