The railing of industry representatives against DOJ investigations is out of proportion to the problem of illegal lending and discrimination observable in our banking system. ... Read full article
The two most notable differences between the CFPB and other regulatory bodies are the unusual and unprecedented funding mechanism provided and extent of the powers authorized for the director. ... Read full article
Unlike grading corporate credits, rating big countries is thoroughly ridiculous. We can all look at the same budget numbers and assess the political prospects as well as any rating agency. ... Read full article
The downgrading of the government to double-A-plus was not only correct but overdue. If anything, S&P should have taken Uncle Sam down to double-A-minus, given the deadlock over revenues and spending. ... Read full article
Changing the 7(a) rules to move commercial real estate loans exclusively to the 504 program would immediately free up millions of dollars in working capital and start-up loans for small businesses. ... Read full article
Banks must be encouraged to develop standardized methods of calculating risk and capital as a substitute for external credit ratings. ... Read full article
A change in leadership for the Financial Stability Board is a pointed opportunity for the G20 to better focus on the FSB's role in coordinating global regulatory efforts. ... Read full article
One early measure of the bureau's commitment to transparency and fairness will be how it approaches its own enforcement processes. ... Read full article
The considerable blanket of new regulations for banks will be a boost for the shadow system, which remains free to increase leverage. ... Read full article
The failure rate, and the loss-given-failure rate, have been steadily declining for over a year. The FDIC's chief focus now should be how to get those 800-plus banks off of the problem bank list and back to being prosperous partners in economic ... Read full article
California isn't TBTF because Washington has made utterly clear that it is not going to bail out any state. ... Read full article
With failures down, the FDIC chief should focus on getting banks off its problem list and back to building a prosperous economy. ... Read full article
Raising capital requirements too high will push banks to take greater risks or function as utilities. ... Read full article
Isn't there anyone left in government who understands the concept of loan classifications? ... Read full article
Obama should take a brisk stroll over to Pew Charitable Trusts and ask Shelia Bair to be the anti-foreclosure and future homeownership czar. ... Read full article
