Regulatory reform

The hiring of a former GOP congressional aide suggests the bureau will continue to rely on political appointees in senior positions.

The acting head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency has promised substantial changes for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but the exact mechanics and timeline of an administration plan are still a mystery.

Recent comments attributed to the acting head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (who is also comptroller of the currency) have stoked speculation about the Trump administration’s housing finance policy.

Several new members of the House Financial Services Committee with backgrounds in housing could use their experience to address Chairman Maxine Waters' top agenda items.

The lineup of new members to the House Financial Services Committee includes several rising Democratic stars.

The Milken Institute's plan to address the housing finance system proposes a number of measures that could be carried out by regulators, after years of stalled legislative attempts.

The White House has officially nominated Mark Calabria as the next director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

The agencies are weighing a plan to reduce the scope of residential real estate transactions requiring an appraisal, but appraisers have warned that the proposal could have consequences.

With its bolstered fundraising cache, the Mortgage Bankers Association Political Action Committee should hold an increased influence over the industry's policy and regulation issues in the coming year.

After 10 years of conservatorship, the new year could finally usher in big steps toward housing finance reform.

The biggest question is whether new CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger will deviate from the pro-industry policies of her predecessor, or bring continuity.

The House Financial Services Committee held a hearing to examine the outgoing committee chairman's bipartisan GSE reform bill, but lawmakers were already looking ahead.

The process to confirm Mark Calabria as FHFA director could be lengthy, forcing the White House to consider how it will proceed with housing finance reform under Joseph Otting as acting head of the agency.

Kathy Kraninger's first official action as head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is to reverse course on acting chief Mick Mulvaney's effort to rename it the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, which consumer groups and others had sharply criticized as confusing and costly.

A proposal allowing more lenders to skip outside appraisals could remove a hurdle to quick closings, but appraisers say they could be collateral damage.

The newly sworn-in director’s first public remarks seemed to contrast with the approach of her predecessor, Mick Mulvaney, who at times questioned the role of the agency.

The Trump appointee officially took over for Mick Mulvaney as head of the agency following her Senate confirmation last week.

Kraninger's nomination was lauded by industry groups, but vigorously opposed by consumer groups and Democratic lawmakers.

Democrats on the House Financial Services Committee are expected to shine a spotlight on Trump-appointed regulators, but that light might shine brightest on one agency in particular.

Reps. Lacy Clay and Emanuel Cleaver, both from Missouri, have shown interest in running the panel that could be a focal point in efforts to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.