Economy

WASHINGTON — Two reports issued Thursday by the Treasury Department's Office of Financial Research suggest regulators have not considered all the potential risks from central swaps clearing and more steps may be needed to mitigate those risks.

Housing affects too many Americans to simply cast out government involvement, especially where the government-sponsored entities and Ginnie Mae are concerned.

Ocwen Financial failed a test to determine whether it had notified borrowers of missing or incomplete documents for loan modifications in a timely manner, according to the national mortgage settlement monitor.

The Fintech Sandbox — an accelerator of sorts for startups — has attracted ten data providers and eight fintech startups in two months. But it's still missing what it needs most: bank members.

Senator Bernie Sanders proposed legislation to break up the nation's biggest banks, including JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, setting up a contrast with Hillary Clinton as both seek the Democratic presidential nomination.

After the early exuberance surrounding Apple Watch, banks and vendors are ramping up testing of bank apps on other wearable devices and everyday objects, preparing for a day in which most everything is connected to the Internet.

Bolstered by higher originations, Freddie Mac reported Tuesday that net income was $524 million for the first quarter, up from $227 million a quarter earlier.

Vincent Delie, CEO of F.N.B., discusses the costs of and difficulty in complying with size-related regulations, his outlook for acquisitions and the Baltimore market.

Last month Western Union sharply cut its prices to keep pace with the retail giant, several months after MoneyGram took a similar step. The developments offer a reminder of why banks remain scared of Walmart's consumer finance ambitions.

Banks want all loans held in portfolio to be classified as ultrasafe regardless of the underwriting characteristics or of a bank's asset size. But consumer activists and independent mortgage lenders are raising red flags ahead of possible Senate Banking action.

Patricia Goldstein, the commercial real estate finance pioneer, veteran workout banker and mentor of many of today's top female executives, died Thursday in Highland Beach, Fla. She was 69.

The SAFE Transitional License Act would allow registered lending officers to work at independent mortgage banks for 120 days while they complete state testing and licensing requirements.

Executives from two insurance companies, Prudential Financial and Country Financial, warned Thursday that the Financial Stability Oversight Council should be more transparent with the institutions it oversees, despite recent reforms.

The compliance costs associated with the CFPB's proposed reforms to the payday lending would force many small businesses to close shop, reducing access to short-term credit for many Americans.

Wells Fargo has launched a tool that helps small business owners create and update business plans.

A House subcommittee approved a bill Wednesday that would redirect money from an affordable housing fund that receives money from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into another program run by HUD.

A step-by-step look at GE Capital's breakup plan and its likely aftermath, including recent comments by bankers who may be looking to buy various parts.

With low rates tempting more home owners to refinance and relaxed down payment requirements spurring more home sales, bankers are more optimistic about mortgage lending than they have been in some time.