Regulation

When faced with the need to conduct an internal investigations, bankers will do themselves a favor by pursuing them with the vigor. Otherwise, neither company directors or outside regulators are likely to buy the line that a bank is serious about addressing its flaws, says Neil Barofsky, an attorney who previously served as a prosecutor and inspector general for the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

In a report released Thursday, the Government Accountability Office urged the Federal Reserve Board and other regulators to finalize key provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act that are designed to decrease government support to big banks and improve bank oversight going forward.

The central bank is making clear it has doubts about the private sector's ability to implement a faster electronic payments system on its own.

Bill Ackman's hedge fund-firm took stakes in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-backed mortgage insurers that investor Bruce Berkowitz is seeking to restructure, and said it may seek talks with management, shareholders and the government.

Moody's downgraded the ratings of Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and Bank of New York Mellon by one notch on Thursday.

The central bank is making clear it has doubts about the private sector's ability to implement a faster electronic payments system on its own.

Despite a banner year for bank reform, prospective Fed chairman Janet Yellen would have to ensure Basel’s implementation, strengthen Dodd-Frank's living will requirements and form closer ties with regulators to ensure safety and soundness of our banking system.

Moody's downgraded the ratings of Morgan Stanley (MS), Goldman Sachs (GS), JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and Bank of New York Mellon (BK) Thursday.

The House Financial Services Committee passed several bills on Thursday, including regulatory relief legislation for community banks and credit unions.

Financial regulators acknowledged Thursday that the data they use to determine fair lending violations in certain cases could be improved, but said they would not stop using such information.