Politics

Recent data from the Federal Reserve suggests lenders are growing pessimistic about the credit environment. But is that a sign of trouble ahead, or just sound risk management?

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., BB&T’s primary regulator, has a history of going easy on the bank. The combined entity would be better supervised by the central bank, which already oversees SunTrust.

Depository mortgage lenders are optimistic the final version of a regulation designed to open up the flood insurance market will make it easier for them to comply with a rule requiring them to accept private carrier policies.

A recent joint analysis of large syndicated loans urged banks to improve their risk management, even though evidence suggests that nonbanks, not banks, hold the higher share of risky leveraged loans.

Readers respond to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's overhaul of its payday loans rule, debate reforms to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, consider regulatory exemptions for regional banks and more.

Despite recent chatter about a delay, there’s reason to believe the Current Expected Credit Losses accounting standard will go into effect next year. Regulators should do more to help smaller institutions prepare.

Proposals that would have financial firms monitor or refuse to finance certain firearms purchases are misguided, putting the onus on unelected corporations.

The bureau’s updated no-action-letter policy and “product sandbox” proposal are important steps in helping the industry adapt during this period of rapid change.

If Cain is chosen for the Federal Reserve Board, it would be starkly out of step with the administration’s other nominations and may reveal a drastic change in the president’s attitude toward the central bank.

As policymakers consider administrative reforms to Fannie and Freddie, they must address the problem of capital arbitrage to avoid overleveraging the mortgage system.

Readers weigh in on calls that regulators consider the financial risks from climate change, respond to Trump administration plans to overhaul the housing finance system, consider GOP strategy on the House Financial Services Committee and more.

It’s possible the G-SIB surcharge, an additional capital charge on large banks, contributed to market volatility at the end of last year, argues Sen. Thom Tillis.

There’s no reason for the central bank to prohibit nonbank financial firms from entering the payments system as long as appropriate rules are put in place to protect against risk.

Despite complaints about the slow pace of change within government, policymakers, including agency heads, are increasingly focused on modernizing regulation, an important step forward for the industry.

The leaders of the biggest U.S. banks are likely to be summoned to face questions from the Financial Services Committee, an early sign that the financial industry will endure tougher scrutiny under a Democratic-controlled House.

Proposals that would have financial firms monitor or refuse to finance certain firearms purchases are misguided, putting the onus on unelected corporations.

The Financial Services Committee also announced the head of a newly created subcommittee on diversity and inclusion.

The question of what banks are doing to aid government workers shows how the industry is still struggling to rebuild its image following the crisis.

There’s no reason for the central bank to prohibit nonbank financial firms from entering the payments system as long as appropriate rules are put in place to protect against risk.

The Federal Reserve has suggested it could join the market for instant interbank payments, but private-sector entrants would be better.