Links in “Credit Unions”

Federal Reserve data show that lenders are easing their underwriting standards on real estate and auto loans in response to the increasing net worth and declining debt ratio for the average consumer; Alliance Bernstein in New York reports that household finances are in the best shape they’ve been in a decade. [8/6]

Not many surprises here: mortgage lending will continue to be a strong focus as the agency continues to tweak the new rules that are scheduled to go into effect in January 2014; also, the Bureau is gearing up to issue its final rule on the combined TILA/RESPA disclosure in October 2013 and amending Regs CC and HMDA. [8/5]

If your marketing plan doesn’t address or consider the following four items, you may be out of step with the direction financial services marketing is taking: Value Proposition, “Sheconomy,” Millennial Generation, Evolving Social Media Platforms. [8/5]

NAFCU and ABA argue that expanding act to cover other types of credit may make it increasingly difficult to prudently offer credit to servicemembers. [8/5]

Guidance on how to calculate reimbursements in the APR program for Windows if you discover reimbursable violations. [8/5]

Report shows nearly one-third of the homeowners who received permanent mortgage modifications under the HAMP loan program have since defaulted again; critics question whether the $815 million in taxpayer funding of the program was well-spent. [8/2]

Rick Metsger, a former Oregon state senator and former credit union board member, was confirmed yesterday by the Senate; he'll join fellow Democrat Debbie Matz and Republican Michael Fryzel on the NCUA Board. [8/2]

The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act would require any executive branch regulation with an economic impact in excess of $100 million to come before Congress for an up-or-down vote before it could be enacted. [8/2]

Dennis Dollar, former NCUA chairman and industry strategist, cites AffirmX's (formerly NeighborBench) tech-based solution as a best-in-class, affordable complement to a successful regulatory compliance program. [8/2]

While some might dismiss RBC as a whistle-blowing exercise designed to force institutions to air their dirty laundry just to make the regulator’s job easier, that knee-jerk reaction may be akin to throwing out the baby with the bathwater. [8/1]