Finance, investment and tax-related legislation

The legislative proposals backed by Republican members of congress seek to undo the latest cross-subsidized adjustments to loan fees that two large government-related mortgage investors charge.

The Georgia runoffs and resulting balance of power in Congress will help determine which bills on bankers’ wish list gain traction. But regardless, existing coronavirus relief such as the Paycheck Protection Program and a push for more economic aid will remain top of mind for lawmakers and the industry.

A pioneer in the commercial mortgage-backed securities market argues the HOPE Act would bail out savvy investors who don't deserve it. Barclays predicts that kind of attitude will make passage difficult.

One criticism of the CARES Act is that it provides relief only to borrowers with government-backed loans. Bills in New York and California would cover the remaining 30% of homeowners.

The Treasury secretary said he hopes lawmakers will back reforms of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac within three to six months.

Lawmakers still have a long way to go before enacting housing finance reform, but the testimony could signal how future legislative talks will play out.

There’s bipartisan consensus that the conservatorships of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are unsustainable, but that may not be enough for lawmakers to upend the current system.

The midterm elections virtually eliminate the chance that progress will be made on financial services legislation.

The New York senator offers legislation to empower U.S. post offices to take deposits and make loans.

The legislature has passed a bill that would allow lenders to make installment loans that, in many cases, would be more costly than payment loans. If Gov. Rick Scott signs it, Florida would become the first state to pass a law designed to blunt the impact of the CFPB’s crackdown on high-cost consumer loans.