Regulation

The Fair Housing Act bars only intentional discrimination, not all practices that have a disparate impact on racial minorities, a federal judge ruled in a victory for the financial services industry.

WASHINGTON — Banks have seen a mild uptick in retail small business lending applications in the past quarter, though most other demand indicators remain flat, according to a Federal Reserve Board report released Monday.

WASHINGTON — Federal regulators released a document summarizing their general findings from recent cybersecurity assessments at community-size financial institutions.

During the past week, consumer and industry groups have lobbied the agency in different directions, with consumer groups arguing the agency did not go far enough and lenders saying it went too far in seeking more data from lenders.

Fifth Third Bancorp has lowered fees and eased terms on short-term, small-dollar loans as it awaits clearer guidance from regulators on the product's future.

The state's superintendent of financial services has softened his stance toward bitcoin and other payment startups and has already shortened New York's money transmitter license application review process, which used to take nine months.

The New York Department of Financial Services will likely institute an on-ramp for new Bitcoin businesses — and possibly any other kind of money transmitting startups — as a way for them to launch without being burdened by costly licensing requirements.

Thanks to the rise of online and mobile banking, some banks now have significant customer bases in areas where they have little branch presence. The solution is to carve out a category of virtual banks that have tailored CRA responsibilities and examination standards.

New York may grant transitional licenses to small virtual-currency firms and startups to let them grow before facing the full burden of new regulation, the state's top financial watchdog said.

New York may offer transitional licenses to small virtual-currency firms and startups to let them grow before facing the full burden of new regulation, the state’s top financial watchdog said.