Consumer lending

Andrew Harmening, who oversaw Huntington's digital strategy, will succeed the retiring Philip Flynn as president and CEO of the Wisconsin regional bank in April.

In "Democracy Declined," Duke public policy professor Mallory SoRelle argues that policymakers should be more aggressive in combating unfair lending practices.

In the midst of the pandemic recession, banks have benefited from government stimulus payments to consumers, low interest rates and constraints on the supply of new vehicles. But intensifying competition and real concerns about borrowers’ ability to pay loans that went into forbearance could soon threaten profits and credit quality.

Rohit Chopra, President Biden’s nominee to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, has not minced words in calling out private companies for wrongdoing. He could get a grilling from Banking Committee Republicans and some opposition on the Senate floor.

As the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau slowed its pursuit of bad actors, state attorneys general vowed to pick up the slack. Here’s why they fell short — and why they are poised to get aggressive again.

Acting Director Dave Uejio said Tuesday that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will push back implementation of the qualified mortgage rule and may amend or revoke other Trump-era rules that have yet to take effect.

Unsecured personal lending has fallen as many consumers have stashed away cash and paid down credit card balances during the pandemic. The trend probably won’t reverse course anytime soon.

Origination volume hit a record high in 2020 as more borrowers tapped the equity in their homes and investors and second-home purchasers flocked to the market at levels unseen since before the Great Recession.

While the Mortgage Bankers Association hailed the move, some experts say it could negatively impact housing inventory.

Opportunity Financial, which offers consumer installment loans in partnership with banks, is merging with FG New America Acquisition Corp., a special-purpose acquisition corporation. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter.