Politics

Mortgage experts were expecting the first FOMC meeting under President Trump would have more significance in the long run than short-term, with some wild cards.

Experts say the Trump administration is waiting for Scott Bessent to be confirmed as treasury secretary and for other appointees to clear the Senate before naming acting heads at federal banking agencies.

Sunsetting the federal oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could ease the cost of renewing President Trump's 2017 tax act, but doing so is an uphill battle.

A one-page outline of priorities for Trump's inauguration day obtained American Banker includes financial policy items, including firing Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra, issuing a "reset" of that agency and designating crypto as a "national priority."

Scott Bessent, Donald Trump's pick to serve as Treasury Secretary, handled a policy-heavy confirmation hearing with poise, highlighting his preference for relaxed bank regulation, support of the 2017 Trump tax cuts and a hawkish approach to spending.

With the Federal Reserve touting a slower pace of easing, markets are expecting a longer pause. But Gov. Christopher Waller said the next interest rate reduction could come as soon as March because of inflation data.

The incoming Trump administration's 'agency review team' has landed and is expected to name an acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Republicans on the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. or the Federal Trade Commission are among the most likely candidates.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's research found that the majority of buy now/pay later users are subprime borrowers, holding high credit card balances and multiple loans, suggesting the offering is riskier to lenders than previously assumed.

A cohort of bank industry interest groups called for the incoming Trump administration to pause all pending bank regulation and litigation and extend the timelines for implementing final rules issued by the Biden administration.

In a speech outlining his priorities for the FDIC, Vice Chair Travis Hill stressed the need for a more flexible regulatory approach, addressing capital requirements, digital assets, climate policy, and bank oversight, while emphasizing transparency and timely action.