There is an urgent need for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to bring its process for issuing civil money penalties and cease-and-desist orders in line with the other bank regulators. ... Read full article
A mature governance framework and risk culture that reaches all employees, are among the attributes of a high-functioning "risk organization." ... Read full article
Not only are widening credit spreads for both banks and the companies they lend to a red flag, but the financial sector is also feeling a hit from lower energy prices. ... Read full article
Preparing for the inevitable future credit crisis by setting aside more loss reserves is a step toward avoiding government bailouts. ... Read full article
Instead of focusing on the effect of swipe fee rules on banks and credit unions, retailers should ask why the Durbin amendment hasnÂ't produced the promised cost savings for their consumers. ... Read full article
With the stakes so high for compliance officers, their rights and responsibilities should be clearly defined, including a safe harbor for those who play by the rules. ... Read full article
With the Federal Reserve and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. poised to announce the results, it's not clear who should be the most nervous: banks, regulators or the American people. ... Read full article
Survey results of voter attitudes from competitive swing districts indicate that the 2010 financial law is ripe for reform. ... Read full article
Lawmakers opted for broadening the focus and makeup of the Financial Stability Oversight Council, but a more focused systemic risk regulator would have had a better chance of success. ... Read full article
Lawmakers' move to cap the Federal Reserve's capital surplus to help pay for highway improvements made the central bank one of the least capitalized financial institutions in the country. ... Read full article
The pressure on banks to become less risky backfires when they respond by curtailing services that are vital in a functioning financial system. ... Read full article
Compared to other countries with fewer banks, the faster payments initiative in the U.S. will require a far greater level of collaboration and participation. ... Read full article
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. ... Read full article
The Federal Housing Finance Agency's decision to exclude captive insurance companies from Federal Home Loan Bank membership makes the FHLB system like a private country club. ... Read full article
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 ... Read full article
The Federal Home Loan Bank System was designed to provide liquidity to community lenders and traditional insurers, not to unregulated lenders that circumvent the membership rules. ... Read full article
Overhauling the S&L crisis-era method for intervening in struggling banks, which did not live up to expectations during the 2008 meltdown, should be a higher priority. ... Read full article
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. ... Read full article
Housing policy focused on government guarantees and the 30-year mortgage hasn't done much to help low- and middle-income homeowners build wealth. ... Read full article
Despite their recent growth, too few marketplace lenders are reporting data to the consumer reporting agencies, which could negative repercussions on the financial system. ... Read full article
