Law and regulation

The Federal Housing Administration is facing a bailout for the first time in its almost 80-year history, raising a host of fresh questions about the potential for standalone legislation to the reform the agency.

The Federal Reserve Board has ordered SunSouth Bancshares of Dothan, Ala., to strengthen its board.

The number of foreclosures and "seriously delinquent" loans fell to their lowest levels since the financial crisis started while 90.6% of mortgage portfolios continued to perform well. Still, the number of loans past due by less than 60 days jumped slightly.

A bogus Florida bank is swindling consumers across the country with a fraudulent credit card scheme, according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

When it comes to financing the average middle-class American, our government-backed mortgage entities will accept nothing but the most pristine standards. Except when it comes to the millions of home loans for which the feds want lenders to toss standards out the window.

The Museum of American Finance on Wednesday opened its exhibit "The Fed at 100." It features artifacts and photographs that highlight the history, culture and social impact of the central bank, including this image of a New York Fed employee updating trading data on a giant chalkboard.

The problem isn’t evil prepaid companies and employers, but, rather, a lack of awareness and education about the products and options that are available.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren hinted at her views on GSE reform briefly Thursday, though it's still unclear whether she will support a bill introduced this summer by Sens. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and Mark Warner, D-Va.

American Banker's Regulatory Symposium in Washington included several top regulatory, legislative and industry officials, including Comptroller of the Currency Tom Curry, HSBC USA CEO Irene Dorner, and Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn. Following are the highlights of their remarks.

As payments technology evolves, some are urging the Federal Reserve Board to take a leadership role in establishing guidelines and standards — whereas others are quick to argue against the notion.

Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida (SBCF) in Stuart, Fla., has been released from all enforcement actions with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

The FHA is expected to announce at the end of this month that it will need a bailout for the first time in its 79-year history.

The Federal Reserve Board announced Tuesday that banks with assets of less than $50 billion will have one year before they must adhere to Basel III standards for their stress tests and capital plans.

Certain conclusions can already be drawn about the effort to unwind Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and set up an entirely new housing finance system, including whether it will include a controversial government guarantee.

The Justice Department is pressuring banks under investigation for their ties to online lenders to reach a settlement soon, according to four industry sources familiar with the matter.

For each step toward Wall Street reform, the government has taken at least a half-step back. And there are signs another Gilded Age may be upon us.

Banks can report suspected elder financial abuse to authorities without violating privacy provisions under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, according to guidance issued by seven federal regulators Tuesday.

Five years after the financial crisis, the new regulatory regime remains a work in progress but one that's created a major burden for the industry. Here are some of the main takeaways from banking leaders and policymakers who gathered this week to discuss the state of affairs at American Banker's Regulatory Symposium in Washington, D.C.

Irene Dorner, chief executive of HSBC USA, agrees with the frustrations of many bankers that regulators are taking too long to write the rules designed to prevent the next financial crisis.

Banks with assets of less than $50 billion will get a one-year reprieve from making their stress tests and capital plans adhere to Basel III standards, the Federal Reserve Board said Tuesday.