Politics

The Federal Reserve and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau moderately increased the minimum prices at which the Truth in Lending Act applies to loans and leases.

In their only vice presidential debate, Democratic nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz talked about how housing should not be considered a "commodity," while Republican Sen. J.D. Vance tied housing shortages to illegal immigration and government regulation.

Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook called for weighing the costs and benefits of artificial intelligence, and flagged bias and fraud as areas of concern.

Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell flagged a recent upward revision to income and savings data as a sign of economic strength. He said the information could factor into the central bank's monetary policy discourse during the Fed's next interest rate meeting in November.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency issued guidance to ensure the Federal Home Loan banks are lending based on the credit worthiness of the member bank, not solely on the quality of the collateral.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed measures designed to bolster consumer protection rules. The bills target several issues that have also been percolating at the federal level.

A letter from several U.S. senators asked Director Sandra Thompson to follow the lead of her counterparts at other government-housing departments with similar rules already in place.

Federal Reserve Gov. Michelle Bowman said a lack of banking experience among regulatory officials has led to unintended consequences. She flagged mergers, fintech partnerships and liquidity proposals as prime examples.

After cutting rates 50 basis points in September, the Federal Open Market Committee meets after Election Day to determine monetary policy. Gary Pzegeo, head of fixed income at CIBC Private Wealth U.S., provides his take on the latest move.

This week, Federal Reserve Gov. Michelle Bowman cast the first dissenting vote at an FOMC meeting in years. On Friday, she explained why the economic data she's seen didn't convince her of the need to cut rates as much as her fellow governors thought.

A Senate budget bill includes language regulating the use of mortgage trigger leads, legislation that much of the industry supports.

Biden cast the Fed's decision to lower rates as a vindication of his stewardship of the nation's post-pandemic economic recovery and a sign of progress in the fight against high inflation that has been one of his — and Harris' — biggest political liabilities.

Agencies must now provide clearer justifications for their interpretations, while Congress needs to draft more precise legislation. The decision could empower banks to challenge agency rules more frequently and potentially prolong regulatory processes, with courts giving less deference to agency interpretations.

The Federal Reserve chair said he supports the revised proposal outlined by Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr and said the new proposal would get a vote by the full Board of Governors early next year.

Short-term rate cuts often don't immediately translate to lower financing costs for 30-year home loans, and there are some unique circumstances this time.

The move signals the end of the Federal Reserve's battle against runaway inflation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fed officials expressed divergent views on further action this year.

Changes to the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards include allowing the building of two-to-four family units on a permanent basis.

Sen. Tim Scott's housing bill calls for Congress to play more of a role in reviewing public intervention in housing while reforming or expanding certain programs.

Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr conceded major points to the industry on last year's capital reform proposal. But how regulators will approach other reforms in light of that experience is uncertain.

A former housing regulator confirmed that he anticipates a release from conservatorship would occur if Trump's elected, adding to other signs a plan is brewing.