Law and regulation

Republicans say they will roll back regulators' ability to oversee nonbanks once they take full control of the government in January. But what does that mean for agencies' oversight into the eight financial market utilities that operate a key part of the financial system?

Deutsche Bank may reach a deal as early as Wednesday to settle allegations by the U.S. Department of Justice that it misled investors when selling mortgage-backed securities, Reuters reported, citing a person with knowledge of the matter.

One step the government can take is to create a unified office dedicated to housing finance and policy to streamline existing agencies and programs and make them more efficient.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Friday said Moneytree Inc. mislead consumers about the price of its check-cashing services, falsely threatened to repossess vehicles and withdrew funds from consumers' accounts without authorization.

The transition team for President-elect Donald Trump is considering several candidates to fill key spots at the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Federal Housing Administration, including a home builder and former lender.

Much of regtech focuses on automating compliance functions, but the human eye is still needed in some cases. Royal Bank of Canada and D+H have developed an assessment tool designed to help employees do their jobs better.

Although Steven Mnuchin has close ties to Wall Street and was involved in some contentious deals, Democrats face an uphill battle making the case that those connections disqualify him to serve as Treasury secretary.

A federal judge heard arguments from ICBA and NCUA on whether to dismiss the banking group's legal challenge to the credit union regulator's changes to the member business lending rule. A decision on the dismissal could come as early as January.

Borrowers served by the FHA program, particularly first-time buyers and minorities, have benefited from nonbanks' increase in lending. Those independent lenders should be commended for filling a gap.

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.

A regulatory 2017 scorecard for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac calls on the firms to transfer a significant portion of credit risk to third-party private investors on at least 90% of unpaid principal balance of newly acquired single-family mortgages.

With the completion of the final total loss absorbing capacity and bank regulators' decision this week to approve the living wills of all but one of the large banks, industry representatives are claiming victory in the battle to prevent future government bailouts. But some critics aren't so certain.

Prudential Financial said the relationship with Wells Fargo that led to a whistle-blower lawsuit and state probes over suspected sales abuses generated a tiny fraction of the life insurer's revenue.

It is not a clear-cut statement to say Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac need more capital, and it detracts from the real debate over long-term housing finance reform.

The question of how and why Wells Fargo failed its living will test is an issue the bank needs to address soon as it faces another deadline to fix problems identified by regulators.

Popular Inc. in San Juan, Puerto Rico, will absorb another hit to its earnings tied to a dispute with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

The Federal Reserve released the final version of its total loss absorbing capacity rule – one of the final elements of the post-crisis regulatory framework meant to provide a means of recapitalizing a failed megabank.

The National Credit Union Administration rule expanding member business lending introduces new risks and lacks legal basis.

WASHINGTON — Senate lawmakers are putting pressure on the Treasury Department's financial crimes unit to clarify to banks that businesses hired by marijuana growers and dispensers should not be treated like pot firms themselves.

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said she is advising the incoming Trump administration not to roll back the improvements in bank safety and soundness enshrined in Dodd-Frank, but acknowledged that recent scandals “certainly suggest there is room for improvement” when it comes to bank culture.