Regulatory reform

Several Senate, House and gubernatorial battles are of interest to financial firms. Here is a spotlight on specific contests, with updates as they become available.

The federal agencies said in a recent statement that “guidance does not have the force and effect of law,” but two trade groups say that standard should be more binding.

The Federal Reserve Board plan to revise its post-crisis framework promises reduced compliance costs and other benefits. But some analysts see the removal of guardrails as increasing failure risk, which may spook investors.

The battle gaining the most attention Tuesday night will be which party controls the House next year. But other key races will help determine the makeup of the Senate Banking Committee.

The final rule aligns ratings with a supervisory program the Fed established in 2012 to emphasize capital, liquidity, and governance and controls.

Synchrony CEO Margaret Keane says plastic cards will be gone in five years; David Tyrie is succeeding the high-profile Michelle Moore as BofA's digital chief; Fed outlines a new approach for its post-crisis supervisory program; and more from this week's most-read stories.

The two allegedly helped to defraud a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund; Michelle Bowman is expected to bring a Main Street perspective to the central bank.

One of the biggest sticking points as regulators try to reform the Community Reinvestment Act is expanding the assessment footprint but ensuring banks continue to serve their direct communities.

Regional lenders would be subject to less regulation while the biggest banks would see no change; the insurance giant got hit with claims from several large natural catastrophes.

Regional banks were the ultimate winners in the Federal Reserve’s proposal to tailor supervision, but rules for the biggest banks remained largely unchanged.

The next downturn will come sooner rather than later, so bankers should press policymakers for several core improvements to the financial system before attitudes in Washington change.

In a highly anticipated proposal, the central bank outlined a new approach for its post-crisis supervisory program that divides banks into different tiers based on size.

Payday lenders scored a victory when the bureau committed to proposing changes next year, but they expressed disappointment that the revamp will not address a key payment-processing provision.

If approved, the Fed would consider risk factors besides size in how strenuously it oversees individual banks; Capital One's CIO on operating a bank as a technology company.

The Federal Reserve Board’s meeting to discuss supervisory standards for midsize institutions will be closely watched by regulatory relief advocates and those who want the Fed to maintain its firm hand.

The housing finance agency, which is increasingly at the forefront of reform discussions, has been without a permanent chief for almost two years.

Wells Fargo puts two top execs on leave as scandal's reach grows; regional banks freed from SIFI label lobbying regulators hard for more relief; FDIC to launch innovation office to help banks compete with fintechs; and more from this week's most-read stories.

The agency wants to change underwriting requirements in the regulation that lenders say will put them out of business, and give companies a break on the compliance deadline.

The central bank will hold an open meeting Oct. 31 to discuss changes to the enhanced supervisory regime as required by the regulatory relief bill passed in May.

Despite headlines touting a handful of populist candidates this election season, moderate Democrats will still have a significant role to play if the party takes the chamber in November.