Law and regulation

Small business investment companies offer bigger returns than traditional loans, along with the opportunity for new business relationships and even CRA credit. Now banks are rediscovering this SBA program as a way to make equity investments in startups, while avoiding the Volcker Rule vortex.

The deal’s approval following months of uncertainty represents a significant milestone in the DOJ’s controversial Operation Choke Point probe.

Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and David Vitter, R-La., filed a handful of "too big to fail" amendments Friday to a pending Senate Banking Committee bill to overhaul the housing finance market.

State regulators in South Carolina closed the $54 million-asset Allendale County Bank late Friday.

IMGCAP(1)]

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. took action against six lenders and ended orders against 14 firms in the FDIC's latest monthly roundup of enforcement actions.

Senate Banking Committee leaders want to win as much support as possible for their housing finance reform legislation before a panel vote on Tuesday, but it's possible that a failure to win over certain members could ultimately assist their cause.

Swift, the financial messaging service, has launched a new version of its Bankers World Online directory, which includes added information to aid international payments.

A House Financial Services subcommittee will hold a meeting Tuesday to authorize subpoenas against three officials at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau who previously declined to testify about employee allegations of discrimination and retaliation.

A recap of the informed opinions (and the discussions they generated) on BankThink this week.

Fears that the Federal Reserve's reduction in mortgage-backed securities purchases this year would cause rates to skyrocket failed to come true. That's partly because there's less mortgage paper to buy.

By addressing concerns about how distressed loans are resolved, banks and non-banks alike can make a virtue out of necessity and regain the trust of policy makers and the public.

The issue of serving so-called "underbanked" borrowers has taken on a new urgency since regulators began cracking down on payday and certain other low-dollar, high-interest loans, prompting fears of a credit crunch for low-income consumers. The FDIC is looking at banking by mobile phone and other possible solutions as a way of bridging the gap.

The National Credit Union Administration approved a final rule on capital planning and stress testing at its open board meeting Thursday that contained some changes — but maybe not enough to satisfy credit unions.

The Senate Banking Committee is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a stack of pending nominees to the Federal Reserve Board and other agencies, before it proceeds with a highly anticipated vote on a bill to overhaul the housing finance market.

Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., is urging the House Committee on Oversight and Reform to investigate why regulators abruptly ended the independent foreclosure review and settled with banks last year.

A key point of contention is the 10 basis point user fee that the proposed Federal Mortgage Insurance Corp. would charge to support affordable housing efforts.

New York's top financial services regulator Benjamin Lawsky has indicated he will hold individuals accountable in enforcement actions. But it’s imperative his agency – and others that plan to follow suit – adopt and follow defined procedures that consider an individual’s unique, more vulnerable position.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau unveiled a new pilot program on Wednesday designed to allow consumers the ability to electronically review and file mortgage closing documents.

The state is asking Google, Comcast and other companies to stop running ads for companies that can't lend legally to its residents. Bankers are also being urged to be on the alert for illegal loans to their customers.