AEI panel: GSEs have never paid for their guarantee
New questions about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s guarantee by experts who saw conservatorship start points to tensions in a stalled secondary offering.
Mortgage rates now at highest point since September
The 30-year fixed mortgage has increased by 40 basis points since February, while the 15-year is 14 basis points lower than a year ago, Freddie Mac reported.
Lenders: Chase affordability gains before rates climb further
Affordability improved in February as rates dipped below 6%, but March’s climb to 6.43% signals tougher months ahead. Lenders should act now on pockets of opportunity before rising rates erode recent gains.
De novo Valt bank gets swift trust charter approval
VALT, a digital-oriented small-business lender founded by U.S. Bank veteran Matt Gediman, received approval for its national trust charter application from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency 120 days after its application, clearing a key regulatory hurdle at a time when regulators are encouraging the formation of more startup banks.
Condo lenders push back on Fannie, Freddie rule changes
Some lenders and condo market stakeholders are raising concerns that new GSE rules ending limited reviews and tightening reserve requirements could raise costs.
Remarks by FDIC Director of Risk Management Supervision Ryan Billingsley, “Innovation at the Speed of Markets: How Regulators Keep Pace with Technology”
TESTIMONY | MARCH 26, 2026 Remarks by FDIC Director of Risk Management Supervision Ryan Billingsley, “Innovation at the Speed of Markets: How Regulators Keep Pace with Technology” The following statement was delivered before the Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Artificial Intelligence of the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services. Introduction Chairman Steil, Ranking […]
Bank of America gives Merrill Lynch an AI makeover
The bank is pushing wealth managers to use artificial intelligence embedded in Salesforce and Zoom to plan, summarize and follow up on client meetings.
There are lots of stablecoin risks that we haven’t been talking about
The systemic risks posed by stablecoins on public blockchains go further than deposit flight and market dislocation — there’s also technology risk. But Noelle Acheson argues that these should be incorporated into guardrails rather than used to stop progress.
Activist investor prepares for round two with Maryland bank
Diligence Capital Management’s proposals and board nominations for the beleaguered Eagle Bancorp won’t be put before shareholders. But the activist investor isn’t giving up the fight.
Mortgage order adds more rules to diminished CFPB’s load
A recent executive order encouraging changes to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Ability-To-Repay and Qualified Mortgage rules are adding to a packed agenda at a time when the agency has lost a third of its staff.