Law and regulation

Because the size and structure of current private balance sheets depend upon low interest rates, it will be tough for the Federal Reserve to raise rates without upsetting the economic expansion.

Ocwen Financial's internal review group is "independent," and the Atlanta servicer is in compliance with the national mortgage settlement, settlement monitor Joseph A. Smith said Tuesday.

Exposing a new front in cybercrime, U.S. authorities broke up an alleged insider trading ring that relied on computer hackers to pilfer corporate press announcements and then profited by trading on the sensitive information before it became public, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Farmer Mac reported higher second-quarter profit, citing an increase in the value of financial derivatives and hedged assets.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is trying to "supercharge" its process for reviewing financial innovations in an effort to keep pace with a glut of new products inside and outside the banking system.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is raising concerns about a new financial services communications tool that critics warn could be used to get around compliance requirements.

A New York law that was invalidated by a federal judge was one of many efforts by big cities to pressure banks into making more investments in local communities after the crisis. Some municipal laws could be more vulnerable to bankers' legal challenges than others.

A federal judge has overturned a New York City law that would have required banks to make new disclosures regarding their investments in local communities.

Steven Antonakes, who just stepped down last month as the deputy director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, is joining the $9.6 billion-asset Eastern Bank in Boston to serve as a senior vice president and chief compliance officer.

Community banks are being crushed by burdensome rules and regulations. Policymakers should recognize their plight and scale back Dodd-Frank.

M&T Bank's disclosure that it is in settlement talks with the Justice Department for not complying with underwriting guidelines on FHA loans has renewed fears that more lenders will be targeted.

A recap of the informed opinions (and the discussions they generated) on BankThink this week, including a critical look at the Fed's post-crisis monetary policies and a bid to make the funding community groups receive from banks more transparent.

The number of banks has fallen just 18% nationwide in the five years since Dodd-Frank became law, far less than the 40% figure cited by Rubio in Thursday night's debate.

Democrats are demanding action for pending nominees before the Senate Banking Committee — here's what happens next and why it matters.

Heritage Financial in Olympia, Wash., has agreed to an early termination of its Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. loss-share agreements for its purchase of two failed banks in 2010.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., called for dismantling the Dodd-Frank Act Thursday night during the first Republican primary debate.

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.

Debit cardholders initiate an average of nearly 30 debit transactions a month for the top issuers, but the rate of activity can vary wildly — with those top issuers seeing about twice as many transactions as those without strong debit business.

Lending Club and Funding Circle are among the firms pledging to adhere to a range of self-imposed standards in small-business lending.

The New York Bankers Association is challenging the legality of a local law that is designed to cajole banks into making larger investments in poorer communities. The outcome could be an important precedent in relation to similar laws in other cities.