Regulatory reform

The new leadership of the House Financial Services Committee appears intent on subjecting Wall Street to a harsher spotlight, but banks shouldn’t be too sure the new minority has their backs, either.

The agency's acting director said he welcomes lawmakers' “insight and perspective” on how to end the conservatorships of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Banks say regulatory relief efforts should go even further, while public interest groups — and even one of the Fed’s regional offices — say the proposals to roll back supervisory standards go too far.

A White House spokeswoman said the administration wants to work with Congress on a housing finance reform plan, providing evidence that changes might not be imminent.

Fixing the housing finance system is "the last piece of unaddressed business from the financial crisis," according to a summary of to-do items released by the Banking Committee's chairman.

The hiring of a former GOP congressional aide suggests the bureau will continue to rely on political appointees in senior positions.

The acting head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency has promised substantial changes for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but the exact mechanics and timeline of an administration plan are still a mystery.

Recent comments attributed to the acting head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (who is also comptroller of the currency) have stoked speculation about the Trump administration’s housing finance policy.

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.

Several new members of the House Financial Services Committee with backgrounds in housing could use their experience to address Chairman Maxine Waters' top agenda items.