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Politics and policy

Fannie, Freddie reform outlook shifts as Pulte takes on new role

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Politics and policy, Secondary markets /

Bill Pulte’s new intelligence role is reshaping expectations for reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, industry experts said Wednesday.  Processing Content Experts on the panel focused in part on the precedent set by the government sponsored enterprises’ mortgage-backed securities buying, and addressed audience questions about the implications of their oversight chief’s new acting role. […]

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Bessent calls inflation ‘short-term blip’

Inflation, Market Risk, Politics and policy /

Key insight: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he believed the recent bout of inflation was temporary and that inflation would ease over time, saying inflation is overall better than it was under former President Biden.  Supporting data: Inflation rose by 3.8% in April on an annual basis, due to high energy costs related to the

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Fed’s Barr: Regulatory relief increased big bank profits, not lending

Consumer lending, Political Risk, Politics and policy, Regulation and compliance /

Key insight: As the Trump era banking agenda rolls on, a holdover appointee from the Biden administration says the benefits are not being evenly distributed.  Expert quote: “The share of executive compensation as a share of revenue went up by 18% from last year and the share buybacks are up 66%. That’s not benefiting communities

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Billions at stake as Supreme Court mulls interest on escrow

Billions at stake as Supreme Court mulls interest on escrow

Law and regulation, Politics and policy /

Firefighters battle flames during the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles on Jan. 7, 2025.Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg Processing Content Key insight: At least 12 states have passed laws requiring banks to pay interest on escrow accounts in a complex legal battle over federal preemption of state laws.  What’s at stake: The case deepens a federal circuit court

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Who really controls the Fed board?

Federal Reserve, Monetary policy, Political Risk, Politics and policy, Regulation and compliance /

Processing Content Key insight: The Federal Reserve’s bylaws — or lack thereof — mean that the Fed chair’s actual powers are largely undefined and based on precedent, norms and persuasion.  Forward look: The possibility of a Democratic appointee after the next presidential election could create the conditions for a power struggle on what has long

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Fannie, Freddie shares dip as Pulte’s added role raises questions

Fannie Mae, FHFA, Freddie Mac, GSEs, Mortgages, Politics and policy /

While President Trump is entrusting Bill Pulte with the nation’s biggest secrets, shareholders in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are losing some faith. Processing Content Shares for the government-sponsored enterprises dipped after the president’s announcement Tuesday that the Federal Housing Finance Agency director would be acting Director of National Intelligence. Pulte, also chairman of both

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FHFA’s Pulte tapped for acting director of national intelligence

FHFA’s Pulte tapped for acting director of national intelligence

Political Risk, Politics, Politics and policy, Trump administration /

Key insight: Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte will be President Donald Trump’s acting director of national intelligence.  What’s at stake: Pulte will remain at FHFA, where he’s used the agency’s resources and data to attack the Trump administration’s political enemies, including Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook.  Forward look:

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Mortgage groups urge FHFA to modernize appraisals

Appraisals, FHFA, Politics and policy, Secondary markets /

Multiple organizations in the mortgage industry sent a joint letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency expressing support in President Donald Trump’s March executive order and asking Director Bill Pulte to update the appraisal process. Processing Content The consortiums requested Pulte and the agency to consider expanding the use of hybrid valuation methodologies, increasing the

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Watchdog warns of failures in Fed and CFPB security programs

Watchdog warns of failures in Fed and CFPB security programs

Financial regulations, Law and regulation, Politics and policy /

Processing Content Key insight: Audits of both the Federal Reserve Board and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found each agency’s security systems had declined. What’s at stake: The findings come at a time when banks face an unprecedented wave of sophisticated cyber threats, raising questions about data protection. Forward look: The OIG also found lag

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Fed’s Bowman willing to look through war-driven inflation bump

Fed’s Bowman willing to look through war-driven inflation bump

Federal Reserve, FOMC, Inflation, Monetary policy, Politics and policy /

Bloomberg News Processing Content Key insight: As concerns about inflation take center stage for other monetary policymakers, Bowman’s perspective shows that some Fed officials are still willing to consider rate cuts in the near future. Expert quote: “It is appropriate to look through temporarily elevated inflation readings largely due to higher energy prices, provided that

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