Regulation

The Fed and Treasury fought fiercely to prevent Americans from learning that the Troubled Asset Relief Program was a giant bailout for banks-not homeowners-says the former Special Inspector General.

The Washington-Wall Street revolving door blinded policymakers to outside concerns and doomed the Troubled Asset Relief Program, says its former Special Inspector General.

The $2 billion loss not only helped proponents of a tougher Volcker Rule and punctured the myth of CEO Jamie Dimon's infallibility. It also strengthened calls from regulators like Tom Hoenig for stronger action against big banks.

As a former banker, I watched in amazement and disgust as the country's largest banks morphed from trusted fiduciaries of customer financial assets to unrepentant predators of consumer financial assets in just a few decades.

As the president challenged Republicans to support his refinancing initiative, his administration quietly backed away from a proposal to pay for the plan by imposing a tax on banks.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has dismissed one of the consultants overseeing a massive foreclosure review after it discovered a conflict of interest in outside work the company has performed.

Even before JPMorgan Chase announced its $2 billion trading loss, fewer than two out of five readers said CEO Jamie Dimon was "spot on" in declaring banks are healthiest when Washington doesn't meddle.

I guess I'm tired of reading and hearing banks and their managements cursed, ridiculed and extolled for causing the financial meltdown and economic crisis. It seems that most everyone from Washington to the "Occupy" groups wants a piece of banking's hide for the pain of this recent experience.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau outlined rules this week that would place new restrictions on mortgage origination points and fees, as well as originator compensation.

Donald H. Layton, formerly head of E-Trade, seeks to streamline operations at Freddie, cites strain of operating under conservatorship and describes his motivation as public service.