BankThink

Reforms of recent years appear to be working and the Federal Housing AdministrationÂ's worst financial days appear to be behind it. Time for the agency to return to its mission.

The industry has moved from a traditional customer-oriented banking model to a transactional and counterparty-oriented model. This change has contributed to an operating environment in which the opportunity for abuse and deception has increased.

Receiving Wide Coverage ...

Yes, Virginia, There is a Volcker Rule: Columnists on both sides of the pond spent the weekend parsing the true meaning of the Volcker Rule, now that U.S. regulators have finalized it. Echoing a piece in American Banker last Tuesday, Gretchen Morgenson concludes in the New York Times that with so many aspects of the measure still open to interpretation Â-- like, um, is this activity an endeavor in approved market making...

Receiving Wide Coverage ... Efforts to Cool Bitcoin Fever: The European Banking Authority, which has previously raised concerns with risks tied to virtual currencies such as Bicoin, issued a statement on Friday warning of the possibility of "violent fluctuations in electronic currencies" value and the danger of "digital wallets" being hacked. European authorities argue that consumers should be aware the industry is unregulated and will not be protected. The warning comes after the Bank of ChinaÂ...

The challenge of how to responsibly extend small-dollar credit can be met, and it starts with knowing the needs of the borrower.