Law and regulation

Despite fears that increased compliance costs from new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rules could drive community lenders out of the mortgage business, a watchdog report found that smaller companies remain active.

Most banks are staying away from both the Republican and Democratic national conventions, in part because both parties are engaging in anti-bank rhetoric.

The decision throws out the anti-money laundering charges against Michell Espinoza, who was arrested after agreeing to sell $30,000 to an undercover detective who declared he would use it in an illegal credit card scheme.

Regulators sought to limit improper contact between lenders and appraisers, but policies of the two mortgage giants encourage the kind of practices that contributed to the housing crisis.

The United Kingdom's vote last month to leave the European Union could pose a lasting threat to the global financial system that could spill over into the U.S. economy, according to the Office of Financial Research.

Regulators are removing several items from call reports, including details on troubled-debt restructurings and loss-share portfolios. Bankers are pleased, but the absence of certain data could frustrate outsiders.

Federal regulators warned mortgage servicers Monday that they will still expect them to offer loan modifications to distressed homeowners even after the Home Affordable Modification Program expires at yearend.

Now is the time to correct the mistakes of interchange price controls that harm consumers and community financial institutions to the benefit of merchants.

Multifamily family construction is reaching the point where some markets can't absorb the new supply of units.

Banks typically respond to pending regulations with a mixture of fear and dread, but new cybersecurity requirements being developed by the banking agencies may be met with relief.

WASHINGTON — Federal regulators Friday issued proposals outlining methodologies for establishing how thresholds for certain exemptions to Truth in Lending requirements would be set.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's plan to rein in payday and other lenders has some noticeable benefits for consumers, but much of the proposal should be revised.

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.

It's been one hell of a Republican National Convention, complete with accusations of plagiarism and a hostile reception for a rival that refused to endorse Donald Trump, but two bank sponsors see it as an unqualified success in spotlighting their home area.

A progressive group is up in arms against Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., after the possible Democratic vice presidential nominee signed letters calling on regulators to tailor rules for community banks.

WASHINGTON — Two top Senate Democrats are calling on financial regulators to better examine the role of financial technology firms and how their activities interact with the existing regulatory structure.

Bankers are taking the unusual step of asking the government for additional regulations — ones that can be used to block the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from seeking more data from financial institutions.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's recent guidance on internal messaging software could impose significant hardships on banks and runs contrary to prevailing guidance on cybersecurity.

HUD reverses course and decides to investigate findings by Inspector General that some DPA programs don't comply with FHA rules.

How the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau controls the release of new proposals or rules undermines the public debate over consumer regulations.