“OCC’s Gould Details Regulatory ‘Reset’”
At the American Bankers Association’s annual convention, Comptroller Jonathan Gould outlined several steps, or “down payments,” the OCC has taken to ease burdens on smaller banks, including reducing certain exam requirements, cutting assessments, and creating a dedicated community-bank supervision group. He also previewed the agency’s work on CRA simplification, liquidity, CBLR, and third-party risk, and he said stablecoin policy shouldn’t be limited to the biggest banks.
“Should Banks Prepare For a Lighter Regulatory Load? The Signs Are Good”
The OCC and FDIC recently issued a proposal that would raise the bar for enforcement actions and limit when examiners can issue MRAs by tying them to “unsafe or unsound” practices with material impact. If adopted, healthy banks could see fewer findings that focus on immaterial issues.
“Smart Banks Aren’t Building Card Programs, They’re Launching Them”
Instead of spending years constructing full credit card infrastructures, forward-looking banks are partnering with turnkey providers to go from idea to launch in months. These plug-and-play platforms let institutions keep ownership of customer data and relationships while tapping new revenue from card programs that compete on rewards, experience, and speed to market.
“Warren, Kim Want FDIC to Halt ILC Charter Approvals”
Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-MA, and Andy Kim, D-NJ, asked the FDIC for a moratorium on commercially owned ILCs, calling the charter a loophole that blurs banking-commerce separation. Several large companies, including Nissan and GM, have applications pending. ICBA has urged the FDIC to reject GM’s bid, citing competitive threats and risk to the Deposit Insurance Fund.
“Fannie Mae CEO Exits As Trump Considers IPO”
Priscilla Almodovar has stepped down as Fannie Mae’s CEO just as the Trump administration weighs launching an IPO of the mortgage giant. Officials are reportedly exploring a timeline to sell shares this year, a move that could reshape oversight of the secondary mortgage market and influence liquidity for lenders nationwide.
“AI Adoption Starts In the C-Suite: What Business Leaders Need to Understand”
Artificial intelligence wins come when executives set strategy, choose specific high-value workflows (e.g., credit memo drafting, dispute handling), and measure gains that compound over time, according to one expert. He cautions against tool-first rollouts without context or governance.
“Jamie Dimon Wants Everyone In The Office. Is a $3 Billion Building the Answer?”
JPMorgan opened its new 270 Park Avenue headquarters, a 60-story tower with amenities meant to anchor in-person work for 10,000 employees. It’s a high-profile bet on office-centered culture as banks reassess space, collaboration, and recruiting.
In Other News
BBC has all the latest on the brazen Louvre jewelry heist case, the White House’s East Wing demolition for a planned ballroom continues to draw scrutiny, and Politico’s Morning Money newsletter takes a hard look at the “two-speed” economy.