SIFIs

Other countries have already lowered interest rates below zero, and the financial stability concerns of such a policy taking shape in the U.S. should not be dismissed.

Federal Reserve Board Chair Janet Yellen faced tough questions Wednesday by House Financial Services Committee lawmakers over the central bank's regulatory treatment of big banks.

While the courts generally accord deference to regulators, Judge Rosemary M. Collyer of the D.C. District Court appeared highly skeptical of the Financial Stability Oversight Council's case during the first round of oral arguments on Wednesday.

Sen. Bernie Sanders' victory in New Hampshire will undoubtedly boost his campaign, but his plan to cap interest rates for credit card and other consumer loans at 15% won't help anyone in the short term and could potentially wreak havoc on low-income people in the long term. Here's how.

The proposal is unlikely to pass, but does shed light on the administration's plans for housing finance reform, how it views cybersecurity progress and a proposed tax on bank liabilities that could become a reality if a Democrat takes the White House in November.

The election of a Republican president could be the first prerequisite to repealing the financial reform law, but banks still need to argue their case for why repeal is necessary.

The House passed a bill Thursday 250-169 that would limit regulators' ability to force banks to cut ties with certain businesses despite Democratic fears that it could hamstring the Justice Department's ability to prosecute bankers responsible for the financial crisis.

Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton is increasingly on the defensive when asked why so many banks and hedge funds on Wall Street have given her money, insisting it doesn't influence her tough reformist views. But it raises the question what institutions hope to gain with all their money.

In a presidential race dominated by populists and even an aging socialist, the establishment candidates that bankers prefer — Hillary Clinton and Marco Rubio — had a good night in Iowa on Monday. But the race is far from over, and the Iowa results showed some ominous signs as well.

The central bank should not delay putting in place a long-term plan that diminishes its outsized influence and allows the financial markets to work without interference.