News Topic: De-risking

In a volume that is decades in the making, retired law professor Art Wilmarth tells the story of the Glass-Steagall Act — its origins, demise and aftermath. He also makes a case for restoring the separation between banks and securities firms, arguing that ... Read full article

It’s hard to time the next economic slowdown. But lenders, many with lingering memories of the financial crisis, are taking steps now to limit exposure in commercial real estate, construction and other loan segments. ... Read full article

U.S. banks accounted for nearly 40% of the financing worldwide to such firms, according to a report by Rainforest Action Network. ... Read full article

The objectives of a Financial Crimes Enforcement Network rule requiring financial institutions to collect “beneficial ownership” details are laudable, but the regulation can be subverted by unscrupulous customers. ... Read full article

Readers sound off on the CFPB's name change, whether the Post Office should be allowed to engage in banking services and the FDIC's call to revamp the de novo process. ... Read full article

Jelena McWilliams is responding to concerns from Republican members of Congress that FDIC staffers are discouraging banks from doing business with certain industries. ... Read full article

Top executives at Advance America acknowledged that anti-money-laundering concerns at banks were likely the cause of account terminations, even as they publicly blamed a stealth regulatory campaign. ... Read full article

Republicans on the Senate Banking Committee expressed concern that FDIC examiners are verbally discouraging banks from working with certain businesses. ... Read full article

Readers consider to new evidence regarding Operation Choke Point, debate the impact of Democrats taking control of the House in November, respond to concerns about weakening the Volcker Rule and more. ... Read full article

New court documents underscore the damage inflicted by the Obama administration’s de-risking initiative, argues Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer. ... Read full article

Some bankers spread the religion of this year's feel-good World Economic Forum, but others were more circumspect. The list of potential threats remains lengthy — including trade wars and the bursting of the bitcoin bubble — and all pose risks to banks ... Read full article

The bank has taken a decisive step to protect its asset quality, but the move also raises questions about what will drive loan growth in the future — and whether the company is on the block. ... Read full article

The banks fell in global regulators’ ranking of the institutions that pose the biggest threats to the financial system, and authorities recommended they face lower capital surcharges. ... Read full article

With online retailers beginning to challenge the dominance of brick-and-mortar grocery stores, CRE loans to strip mails anchored by them look riskier. ... Read full article

Payment processors and banks are being called on to cut off funds to white supremacist groups, but there are practical and legal limits to what firms can do. ... Read full article

Despite assurances that the Department of Justice crackdown on banks' third-party relationships is ceasing, lawmakers say it is still having an impact. ... Read full article

A judge has approved the inclusion of new payday lenders in a case seeking relief from the effects of Operation Choke Point, and denied defendants' motion for summary judgment against Advance America. ... Read full article

Money laundering in Latin America is said to be worsening and a corruption probe in Brazil adds to the worries, but Latin American banks are fighting hard to preserve business with U.S. banks. ... Read full article