Compliance & Regulation

The National Fair Housing Alliance's claims that banks have failed to maintain homes in minority neighborhoods are based on shaky factual and legal ground. However, alliances between the nonprofit and its allies in government may leave bankers with little choice but to settle.

Will American oligarchs reap billions in stock profits by investing in non-governmental housing agencies?

Lenders need to boost their consumer education spending and watch out for “advertorial” content, according to the feds.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s history, structure and effectiveness during the financial crisis have helped guide the discussion of housing finance reform, inspiring Senate lawmakers to push an FDIC-like system for the mortgage industry.

The rapid increase in originations may be the problem. New-issue commercial mortgage-backed securities could total $87 billion in 2013, up 81% from 2012's $48 billion.

Former Washington Mutual chief Kerry Killinger and two other bank officials are talking with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the last chapter in the government’s probe into the financial institution's collapse.

For the second time in 2013, Charles Head was convicted by a federal jury in the Eastern District of California for operating a major mortgage fraud scheme.

The National Fair Housing Alliance has accused big banks of discriminating against minorities in the upkeep of foreclosed properties and is seeking millions in settlements—mostly for itself. Behind its demands are faulty data and grants overseen by a federal official with close ties to the group.

Rising interest rates next year will heighten both the term risk of new deals and the refinance risk of outstanding commercial mortgage-backed securities, but Moody’s ratings could remain stable.