Regulatory reform

Unilateral approaches to bank regulation are risky, but the OCC's plan to seek public comment independent of the other agencies could help shed light on a CRA debate that is now being waged internally.

The agency says it will act independently of other regulators to release a notice asking for public input on revamping the decades-old law.

Before the passage of the recent regulatory relief law, only banks with assets of less than $1 billion were on an 18-month exam schedule.

Credit union groups are praising the committee's approval of Kathy Kraninger's nomination to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in the face of strong Democratic opposition. Nominations for other positions also moved forward.

A top regulator has signaled that the banking agencies are receptive to extending the comment deadline, after banks raised concerns about a proposed revision to the ban on proprietary trading.

The committee approved the nomination of Kathy Kraninger to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, despite strong Democratic opposition, as well as President Trump's picks for Ginnie Mae, the Export-Import Bank and several other positions.

The regulation implements a recent legislative provision dealing with how banks comply with post-crisis liquidity requirements.

With strategic changes at key trade groups and attention shifting away from regulatory relief for community banks, the interests of large institutions have taken on more prominence.

The employee who made sexual harassment allegations against the agency’s director also claims Watt withheld her pay increase after she refused his advances.

The Community Reinvestment Act can lower — not increase — bank credit availability in some low-income regions, and the OCC should reconsider holding fintechs to the same standards with its new charter.

Lawmakers fear that regional banks could still get stung as the central bank implements a new law meant to ease their burden.

The Community Reinvestment Act can lower — not increase — bank credit availability in some low-income regions, and the OCC should reconsider holding fintechs to the same standards with its new charter.

The letter from lawmakers to the bureau follows a report that the agency does not view the exams as explicitly required by the law.

While the industry's trend of supporting Republicans continues, Senate Democrats who backed reg relief are drawing key industry support.

While bankers typically donate more to the political re-election campaigns of Republicans, their giving has shifted more to Democratic incumbents in the Senate for the upcoming midterms.

All five are Republicans and they include senior House GOP leaders, contenders to head the Financial Services Committee and strong voices in favor of regulatory relief.

The regulator of the government-sponsored enterprises has substantial authority to intervene as a legislative stalemate continues.

The Ohio special election is the latest sign that Democrats are well positioned to retake the House in midterm elections this fall.

The House Financial Services Committee has scheduled an FHFA oversight hearing for September in the wake of waste, fraud and abuse allegations.

The biggest impact may be to focus the administration’s efforts on selecting a nominee to succeed Director Mel Watt, whose term ends in January.