Nonbank

The consumer agency alleges Townstone Financial's CEO and president made statements on a radio show discouraging applicants living in Black neighborhoods from seeking home loans.

A top Federal Reserve official is issuing a warning about fast-growing and largely unregulated shadow lenders: They were a big factor in why central banks had to save markets earlier this year, and much more needs to be done to assess the risks posed by the sector.

If it’s approved, the charter is expected to lower the fintech’s cost of funds and allow for more product offerings. It comes nearly three years after SoFi pulled the plug on an earlier effort to open an industrial bank.

Small banks have long led the campaign against industrial loan companies, arguing they can be used to violate the separation of banking and commerce. But now the industry’s heavyweights are also taking a hard line in response to an FDIC proposal that would give tech companies a smoother path into the lending business.

Former Comptroller of the Currency Gene Ludwig says making online lenders, credit unions and other nonbanks comply with the Community Reinvestment Act would be a powerful tool in addressing racial and economic injustices.

The agency is trying to get small lenders to help underserved businesses get the loans; although the British government is guaranteeing small-business loans, banks are required to collect on delinquents.

The Japanese e-commerce giant is taking another run at a U.S. banking charter after receiving feedback from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. about its initial application, which was withdrawn earlier this year.

The new regulation is intended as a workaround for banks affected by the 2015 decision that created legal uncertainty for loans sold across state lines.

The agency’s IG says the PPP failed to prioritize borrowers in underserved and rural markets; the firms, which lack deposits to cushion them, are vulnerable to borrowers defaulting on their loans.

Prosecutors charge two Rhode Island men with trying to rip off the program; the bank says it has received “inquiries” from state and federal officials on its offering of small business loans.

Mortgage lenders have imposed steep pricing adjustments for cash-out refinancing as more borrowers seek forbearance.

The online lender reported a hefty first-quarter loss on Thursday and said that a whopping 45% of its small-business loans are past due.

The Treasury secretary said recent government moves will help the firms get through the risk of millions of borrowers missing their loan payments.

After budget cuts and a strategic transition, the interagency body conceived by Dodd-Frank to identify systemic threats has largely been silent as the pandemic roils the economy.

Refinancing activity is surging, existing borrowers are inquiring about loan modifications, loan closings are being delayed by more complex credit checks — and banks are short on people to handle it all.

Many new artificial intelligence and machine learning methods used for underwriting are not fully equipped to predict defaults.

Banks may be protected from a direct hit, but they have invested in vehicles that include such loans, potentially exposing them to defaults.

State Farm struggled to make its bet on banking pay off and decided like other insurers to exit the business. U.S. Bancorp swooped in to add deposits and credit card accounts at little cost or risk.

The agency released two new manual supplements and other materials to help nonbanks and its own staff better understand application procedures.

Despite changes by the Federal Housing Administration, bankers remain reluctant to join the program for fear of legal liability. But that could change if it revamps servicing processes, experts say.