Key insight: Federal Reserve Gov. Michael Barr said in a speech Thursday that he fears the way tariff price increases are being passed on to consumers could result in an unmooring of inflation expectations, potentially leading to more inflation — and higher interest rates — down the road. Expert quote: “While, in principle, tariffs are […]
Fed’s Barr skeptical that inflation has been tamed Read More »
The lingering government shutdown has increased rate uncertainty, and cut off or curtailed some specialized mortgages while mainstream business moves forward, albeit at a slower pace in some cases. “Until key reports like payrolls and the CPI return, rates are likely to remain range-bound but vulnerable to sudden shifts,” said Sam Williamson, chief economist at
Shutdown hampers rates, rural, HECM and niche condo loans Read More »
What’s at Stake: A three-judge panel already ruled in August that the Trump administration can fire up to 1,500 employees of the CFPB. Forward Look: Allowing the Trump administration to dismantle the agency would represent “a blatant disregard for Congress’s constitutional role,” Democrats claim. Expert Quote: “Only Congress has the power to shutter the CFPB,”
Democrats urge full D.C. Circuit to hear CFPB court case Read More »
Key Insight: McKernan’s confirmation comes as the Trump administration’s deregulatory financial agenda begins in earnest, positioning a seasoned industry ally in a key Treasury post. Supporting data: McKernan was confirmed in a 51–47 vote. McKernan was nominated to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau earlier this year but his nomination was withdrawn in May. Forward
Former FDIC board member confirmed to top Treasury role Read More »
Minority homebuilding businesses grew noticeably in the years after the Great Financial Crisis, but their share still lags when compared to the total population of people of color in the U.S., new analysis finds. The percentage of newly established minority-owned homebuilders more than doubled between pre-crisis 2007 and 2022 from 6% to 14%, according to
Growth of minority builders collides with policy rollback Read More »
Key insight: Bank regulators typically offer supervisory relief for banks so they can offer credit during temporary hardships like shutdowns and natural disasters. What’s at stake: Thousands of government workers and contractors could go without paychecks depending on how long the shutdown lasts. Forward look: It’s not clear if the White House will try to
Exclusive: Waters presses bank regulators on shutdown relief Read More »
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is tapping Social Security Administration Commissioner Frank Bisignano to serve as the chief executive officer of the Internal Revenue Service, a new position at an agency that has undergone multiple leadership shakeups this year. Bisignano will continue to lead the SSA while managing day-to-day operations at the IRS. Bessent, who has
Bessent taps Bisignano as IRS CEO in latest agency shakeup Read More »
President Donald Trump called on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to boost homebuilders and help “restore the American Dream” in a Truth Social post on Sunday. The president said large homebuilders are sitting on 2 million empty lots, and compared the situation to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries keeping oil prices high before
Trump calls on Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac to boost homebuilders Read More »
Key insight: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is paring down nearly all community bank regulatory measures not required by law, leaving it up to examiners to determine applicable requirements. Expert quote: “Community banks have an outsized impact on lending and are vital to the strength of the U.S. economy. Today’s actions relieve
OCC to dramatically reduce community bank regulation Read More »
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could change how they approach affordable housing goals next year if their oversight agency’s new affordable-housing goal proposal moves forward. Some of the proposed benchmarks the Federal Housing Finance Agency published Thursday aren’t as high as those from a year ago and shift away from competitive efforts to serve low-income
FHFA floats new housing goals amid broader proposal review Read More »