Law and regulation

Bankers have become more uncertain about how to serve marijuana businesses owing to confusion about which states deem them essential.

Recent steps that would help nonbank lenders enter the traditional banking system, like a proposal clarifying the industrial loan company charter, are needed but face strong opposition.

The changes being sought would benefit both small businesses and banks, which would avoid the cost of servicing many low-yielding loans.

An interagency notice meant to encourage lenders to offer small consumer loans also provides federal agencies too much say on what constitutes “reasonable” pricing.

The credit union regulator is adding line items to required quarterly reporting in order to better account for loan forbearance, CUs lending through the Paycheck Protection Program and more.

Bankers have become more uncertain about how to serve marijuana businesses owing to confusion about which states deem them essential.

The panel shot down a proposed interim final rule regarding time limits for overdrafts, the first time in recent memory that an issue before the board did not have the votes to pass.

The credit union regulator has implemented a host of measures to help the industry manage the pandemic, but there may be only so much it can do without congressional action.

The Small Business Administration gave lenders some direction ⁠for closing out Paycheck Protection Program loans. Bankers say it's an encouraging start, but they want more protection from liability and a concession on nonpayroll expenses.

The government's latest stimulus package cleared the House on Friday but a number of key credit union priorities didn't make the cut.

Operation HOPE Chief Executive John Hope Bryant talks about how the Community Reinvestment Act influenced him at the age of 9 and eventually led to the founding of his nonprofit, which works with banks to help communities in need. But he says the 1977 law is outdated.

Bankers call credit unions’ latest efforts to ease limits on member business lending opportunistic. Credit unions say they're trying to help with the recovery effort.

The agencies produced an application process that includes favorable interpretation of qualifying expenses.

Lobbying lawmakers via videoconferencing has some advantages, but it's unclear if that format will continue to be used once social distancing requirements are eased.

The Independent Community Bankers of America would not rule out legal action if Congress doesn't address the National Credit Union Administration's recent decision expanding the low-income designation.

The group that worked with the Fed to devise an alternative rate to Libor rejects criticism that the index favors megabanks.

The Small Business Administration's inspector general also flagged a number of shortcomings in the implementation of the Paycheck Protection Program.

It's time for agencies like the Small Business Administration to stop playing catch-up and invest in state-of-the art technology.

Banks tend to pull back in times of crisis by tightening credit and focusing on collections efforts. But consumers, and not returns, must be the focus during the coronavirus pandemic.

Industry groups have called for a variety of measures to help CUs weather the pandemic’s economic fallout, including more money for funds that aid community development financial institutions.