Regulation and compliance

Democrats want CFPB’s Vought to testify before Congress

Democrats want CFPB’s Vought to testify before Congress

Bloomberg News What’s at Stake: Acting CFPB Director Russell Vought is dismantling the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. He had refused to respond to any questions about his actions from Democrats. Supporting Data: The Dodd-Frank Act requires that the CFPB director appear twice a year before the Senate Banking Committee. Forward Look: The lawmakers acknowledge that […]

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OCC says banks may broker crypto assets for customers

Key insight: Banks may now execute crypto transactions on behalf of counterparties in the same manner as they execute trades through a securities brokerage. Supporting data: Interpretive Letter 1188 affirms that market risk is minimized through near-instant offsetting trades, leaving banks with only limited credit exposure. Forward look: Comptroller Gould has been highlighting the value

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Supreme Court doubtful on validity of independent agencies

Key takeaway: A majority of Supreme Court Justices appeared willing to undo a nearly century-old precedent underpinning the notion of independent regulatory agencies. Expert quote: “Humphrey’s must be overruled. It has become a decaying husk with bold and particularly dangerous pretensions. It was grievously wrong when decided and cases [in recent years] have thoroughly eroded

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Former Fed officials: CFPB’s Vought must ask for funding

Former Fed officials: CFPB’s Vought must ask for funding

Bloomberg News Key Insight: In a legal filing, the former Fed officials claim an opinion from the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel is factually incorrect.  What’s at Stake: The CFPB will run out of funding early next year and Vought claims that he cannot request funding from the Federal Reserve. Expert Quote: “The

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Manufactured housing may get lending relief in defense bill

A key housing provision in the government defense spending bill currently under negotiation in Congress will expand the federal definition of manufactured housing and ultimately ease lending for such units if adopted. Tucked within the latest National Defense Authorization Act are new regulations to remove “permanent chassis” language in current codes. In addition to striking

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CFPB’s enforcement chief resigns, citing ‘no path’ forward

CFPB’s enforcement chief resigns, citing ‘no path’ forward

Bloomberg News Key Insight: The CFPB’s enforcement chief called the November nomination of a permanent director a “technical maneuver,” with no plans for permanent leadership at the agency. What’s at Stake: Three enforcement directors have resigned from the CFPB this year, a sign of the massive upheaval created by the Trump administration. Expert Quote: “There

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GAO to investigate FHFA’s Pulte over mortgage fraud claims

GAO to investigate FHFA’s Pulte over mortgage fraud claims

Bloomberg News Key Insight: The Government Accountability Office agreed to investigate Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte at the request of eight Democratic senators, who claim Pulte used his power to target President Trump’s political opponents.  What’s at Stake: Federal government employees are trained extensively on issues related to the public disclosure of private

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Warren warns CFPB on its ‘half-baked idea’ for mortgage-rate data

Senate Democrats are warning the Trump administration not to cut an arcane but critical function of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that underpins the housing market as officials move to dismantle the agency.  At issue is the CFPB’s weekly publication of Average Prime Offer Rate tables, a key benchmark enabling the smooth operation of the

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In Congress, bank regulators defend Trump agenda

Key insight: Bank regulators plan to continue with tailoring exercises and other deregulation.  Forward look: The regulators should be back in the Senate Banking Committee in the new year per oversight requirements, but oversight hearings have been scarce in this Congress.  What’s at stake: Banks are watching as key rules like Basel III endgame and

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CFPB court battle with union continues with no end in sight

CFPB court battle with union continues with no end in sight

Bloomberg News Key Insight: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is going to run out of money early next year, putting the agency in violation of a preliminary injunction. What’s at Stake: Acting Director Russell Vought says that because he cannot request funding for the agency, he may have to furlough employees or be unable to

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