Regulation

With the anti-globalism sentiment growing in parts of Europe and the U.S., a "my country first" approach to international bank regulation will hurt financial institutions and their local economies.

WASHINGTON – The House passed a bill Thursday 254-161 that would remove the strict $50 billion-asset threshold that subjects banks to tougher supervisory requirements, giving regulators more flexibility over what institutions are considered systemically important.

Democratic lawmakers introduced legislation Thursday that would prevent Wells Fargo from using arbitration agreements to settle claims made by victims of a fake account scandal that came to light in September.

American Banker readers share their views on the most pressing banking topics of the week. Comments are excerpted from reader response sections of AmericanBanker.com articles and our social media platforms.

Steven Mnuchin's confirmation hearing is likely to be dogged by stories of homeowners who claim his bank, OneWest, illegally foreclosed on them. While the stories are unlikely to prevent President-elect Donald J. Trump's pick from being confirmed, it could weaken Mnuchin politically and rehash grievances from the financial crisis.

Privatizing the government-sponsored enterprises is a priority for Treasury Secretary-designate Steven Mnuchin. Here's a look at what it will take to pull off and the potential implications for the mortgage industry of unwinding the conservatorship.

As the outgoing administration stresses the need for stricter regulatory requirements on new fintech companies, technology companies are urging President-elect Donald Trump to lower the barriers to entry for new financial industry players.

WASHINGTON – The debate over housing finance reform appears to have new life as both Democrats and the next administration appear ready to take up the issue.

Citi's Debby Hopkins is retiring at the end of this year and Fidelity's Abigail Johnson is taking over for her father as its new chairman. Beth Mooney, Morgan Cambern, Claire Calmejane, and other execs talk about the impact fintech has had in their jobs and why technology should be embraced and not feared. Meanwhile, Citi faces a suit from a former trader over its alleged "Bro's Club" practices.

Despite a robust anti-money-laundering regime imposed on banks and money services businesses in the U.S., a number of loopholes are allowing other companies to skate by without performing basic due diligence to curb the flow of illicit funds, according to a report by the Financial Action Task Force.