Regulation

Acting chairman stresses that the agency's own planning is just as important as plans submitted by companies.

Vikram Pandit, Citi's CEO, pushed for greater consumer regulation, including better disclosure by credit card companies and a significant shift in consumer lending.

New regulations reducing debit card interchange fees are causing some banks to charge customers more for using debit cards, which could drive consumers to increase their use of credit cards, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

Federal Reserve Bank of New York President William Dudley said Friday a surcharge on the world’s most important firms is necessary to avoid any potential future failures.

SunTrust Banks Inc. in Atlanta said Friday that it has repurchased more than 4 million warrants it issued to the Treasury Department three years ago as part of its participation in the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Alternative capital instruments would allow mutually held banks to become more vital providers of financial services.

Contrary to many community banks, Eagle Bancorp of Bethesda, Md., has strong loan demand and lacks sufficient deposits to cover the loans. Eagle CEO Ron Paul and analysts cite the relative economic health of the Washington area for Eagle's growth, leading to a need for creative solutions.

Chairman Bernanke and Secretary Paulson wrongly said they lacked the legal power to save Lehman. Then, they almost immediately turned around and saved other major investment banks — by waving a magic wand and making them bank holding companies, eligible for federal support. But Shakespeare's line applies: "If it were done…, then 'twere well it were done quickly."

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has issued cease-and-desist orders against Intercredit Bank in Miami and Border Capital Bank in McAllen, Texas, citing credit and capital concerns.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should ease restrictions on sales of foreclosed properties and let individual investors buy up to 50 each, says Lewis S. Ranieri.