Regulation

Every banker is under scrutiny, but last year we pegged 10 executives as potential news makers for 2012. Some made big headlines; others seemed to get through the year without making much noise. Here is a recap.

A yearlong FDIC research project charts the impact of consolidation and other pressures on small banks, but suggests continued viability for the sector.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has realigned its Supervision Department into two groups: Supervision Policy and Supervision Examinations.

Although this initial phase of the program may seem beneficial as it seeks to keep European competitors honest, enforced convergence is a double-edged sword that raises worrisome issues for our country.

Hedge funds and private-equity firms are betting on delinquent home loans being sold by the FHA as the government agency accelerates debt sales to avert a bailout and stem foreclosures.

In its first-year progress report on community banks, the FDIC details how it is responding to specific complaints outlined by institutions at roundtables earlier this year.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson is pushing for a vote as early as this week on a bill that would allow the Federal Housing Administration to raise its mortgage insurance premiums to help the agency bolster is waning capital reserves.

To ensure compliance with applicable consumer financial laws, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released a manual on how its examiners will review private student lenders. The Student Lending Examination Procedures will be used to examine both banks and non-banks that offer student loans.

The Federal Reserve Board released a proposal that would overhaul the way regulators will supervise foreign banks within the U.S. This approach would be a significant difference from the board's current case-by-case method.

The role of the federal government in housing is the first question that needs to be answered, putting aside political rhetoric and preconceived notions about the subject.