Law and regulation

Banks and debt collectors are taking over courtrooms to press consumers for payments. Local officials see these 'rocket dockets' as a way to cope with a deluge of collections suits. But their judicial appearance may also mislead debtors into believing they face offers they can't refuse.

MoneyGram plans to restructure its executive lineup and other aspects of its organization as it works to expand consumer-facing services and manage its investments in anti-fraud and compliance programs.

The collateralized loan market has backed off of deals involving bonds until lawmakers and regulators address the Volcker Rule's impact on such instruments. Most hope for clarification or grandfathering to stave off a massive sell-off.

There are a number of definitions included in the Volcker Rule that do not fully align to the definitions contained in the Federal Reserve Board’s market risk capital rule.

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley wants regulators to prohibit casinos from placing liens on homes of people with unpaid gambling debts.

The Consumer Bankers Association believes banks and retailers need to have constructive conversations on security following last year's Target security breach.

WASHINGTON -- A non-profit legal group said Monday that it is seeking judicial review of the landmark $13 billion settlement that JPMorgan Chase executives negotiated with top Department of Justice officials.

Action by federal lawmakers, not guidance from the Justice Department, is what’s needed to give banks comfort in providing services to marijuana businesses in states where pot is legal.

The payment system is unexpectedly the center of attention in the financial services policy world after spending years being overshadowed by the financial crisis and other pressing issues.

Regulatory intervention throws a monkey wrench into a mortgage servicer's growth plans -- and calls into question whether there are enough nonbanks to absorb all the servicing banks want to sell.

The Russian government has outlawed the use of Bitcoin.

Former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau boss Raj Date is lining up a seasoned team of banking executives to try to revive the subprime credit card market. For the banks his firm is seeking to partner with, the question is whether the potential profits justify the risks. American Banker staffers discuss.

While waiting for regulators to fully understand the effects, small banks should proactively take measures to prepare themselves from the Volcker rule, just like their larger counterparts.

Financial software company Misys has boosted its retail banking offerings by purchasing IND Group for an undisclosed price.

CUNA is confirming what several analysts have already told Credit Union Journal: that NCUA's proposed new risk-based capital rule will cost many credit unions a lot more to maintain healthy capital cushions needed for growth-in fact, a net $7.3 billion more.

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Banks are looking at a regulatory plan to dramatically expand the data collected on mortgages as a potential ally in their battle to ease separate rules that they say will curb access to credit.

Researchers for the U.S. Postal Service inspector general's office are making the case that an agency rooted in delivering mail and selling stamps can help Bitcoin go mainstream.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., continued her drumbeat this week to send bankers to prison, warning regulators that their lax enforcement is encouraging banks to keep breaking the law.

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