Regulation

The Federal Reserve went down a dangerous road when it expanded its balance sheet with more than just Treasury securities in a bid to provide stimulus to the economy, Philadelphia Fed President Charles Plosser said.

Banks with less than $1 billion in capital are essentially locked out of the private equity market, due to existing laws such as the Bank Holding Company Act. A group of investment bankers, lawyers, and even some regulators want to make changes.

State regulators closed two banks on Friday, bringing the year's tally to 15. The two failures, in Georgia and Illinois, are expected to cost the Deposit Insurance Fund $ 95.6 million.

I am sad to see Cam Fine of the Independent Community Bankers of America resort personal attacks on me and my firm in response to my comment, "TAG Actually Gives Big Banks the Advantage." I can imagine that my comment stung a bit, but Cam and all of the people at ICBA know that I am one of the most vocal advocates for community banks in the U.S. Indeed, our firm is focusing a great deal of time and effort to help small banks raise capital and compete with the too-big-to-fail banks.

The consumer bureau's student-loan ombudsman told bankers this week that problems facing the sector could have long-lasting effects on the economy for years to come.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has accused Wells Fargo & Co. of failing to produce documents relating to an investigation of the bank’s mortgage-backed securities. Wells called the SEC's subpoena enforcement action "inappropriate and unwarranted."

Elizabeth Warren remains a big draw in the town she left last year to embark on her U.S. Senate campaign.

State bank regulators appointed Louisiana banking commissioner John P. Ducrest to serve as their representative on the Financial Stability Oversight Council.

The back-and-forth battle between banks and credit unions has been about more than tax status and business lending limits. It has also been about creative advertising.

John Walsh, who has been acting comptroller of the currency for nearly 18 months, made light of his situation Wednesday at an American Bankers Association conference.