Regulation

As Congress struggles to determine the appropriate role for government in the mortgage market, affordable housing may prove a politically charged hurdle on the path to reform.

The decline of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could usher in a mortgage renaissance for community banks facilitated by their natural partner, the Federal Home Loan Bank System.

Sallie Mae has told shareholders that federal regulators were expected to penalize the company for violations of a federal law that offers special borrower benefits to members of the military.

President Obama belatedly weighed in Tuesday with a vision of how to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the future of housing finance. American Banker editors discuss how the White House’s involvement is likely to influence the debate.

The lower profits and new fees banks predicted when the swipe fee cap on debit cards was initially proposed never came to fruition. Why believe them now?

The Lamassu machine, a so-called Bitcoin ATM, is a rare device that makes it possible for the unbanked to obtain digital currency. It was invented by a pair of guitar-store proprietors who wanted to break into the payments industry — and are prepared to face the music when regulators take notice.

As financial services startups debate whether it is better to ask regulators for permission or beg for their forgiveness after acquiring customers, PayPal’s history might offer some lessons.

Would-be payments disruptor Aaron Greenspan says a California money transmission law forced him to choose between killing his startup and going to prison. Other financial services startups may face similar choices.

President Obama ended his administration's self-imposed blackout regarding housing finance reform on Tuesday, finally endorsing a specific approach after effectively punting on the issue more than two years ago.

New York state is asking more than 100 banks to choke off access to the automated payments system that unlicensed online lenders use to debit the checking accounts of consumers.