Politics

Department officials pushed back on criticism that a banner on its homepage violated a statute meant to curb partisanship in government operations.

The first government shutdown since 2019 will slow flood insurance originations and new Small Business Administration loans, though self-funded banking regulators will continue operating as usual.

The Supreme Court said Wednesday that it would defer President Donald Trump's request for a stay until after oral arguments scheduled for January 2026, allowing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook to remain on the board at least until then.

The shutdown started with a flight into treasury bonds, putting downward pressure on financing costs, but several other developments slowed mortgage activity.

Hill, who has been serving as acting chair since January, has steered the agency toward deregulation and away from Biden-era priorities, with strong backing from big banks.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's union is appealing an appellate panel's ruling that allows acting CFPB Director Russell Vought to fire 90% of the bureau's staff.

Legal experts say the outcome of Slaughter v. Trump, which considers Trump's termination of a Federal Trade Commission member, could have profound implications for Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook's litigation, which in turn could determine the future autonomy of the central bank.

Adrienne Harris, head of the New York Department of Financial Services, will step down after four years in the job. She will be replaced by Kaitlin Asrow as acting superintendent beginning on Oct. 18.

Washington Federal Bank and Planet Home Lending are both off the hook for the remainder of their consent orders, which the bureau quietly terminated.

A bipartisan bill offered Monday by Senate Banking Committee member Katie Britt, R-Ala., and Andy Kim, D-N.J., would force the Securities and Exchange Commission to update a 25-year-old threshold that holds small financial firms to higher regulatory standards.