GSE reform

The regulator said the investment bank and financial services company will help in the process of strengthening Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s capital standing for their eventual exit from conservatorship.

The agency is sending a strong message that it won’t rush to end an exemption for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac while also signaling longer-term changes that will affect all lenders.

Director Kathy Kraninger has told lawmakers that the agency will delay the expiration of the so-called QM patch, now set for January 2021.

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mark Calabria discussed the possibility of having Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac operate under a consent order to allow the government-sponsored enterprises to be able to raise capital.

The FHFA’s attempt to move some of its balance sheet into the private sector could leave investors with greater liabilities than they were initially told.

A risk-based capital rule for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is expected to top the agenda in 2020 as the companies’ regulator executes plans for their release into the private sector.

The lawmakers say they need more information about the administration’s plans in order to conduct proper oversight.

The Wall Street bank to shed 1,500 spots ahead of an uncertain 2020; smaller and regional banks are lagging behind but expect to increase their focus next year

USAA won $200M from Wells Fargo in patent fight — will others be on the hook?; three takeaways from regulators' approval of the BB&T-SunTrust merger; don't believe the doom and gloom on Fannie, Freddie; and more from this week's most-read stories.

The $26 billion all-stock deal has the OK of the boards from both companies; the administration says it will move on privatization without federal backing.