REFinBlog

Editor: David Reiss
Cornell Law School

July 28, 2016

Freddie and Fannie Nightmare Scenario

By David Reiss

For a number of years, I have warned of the increased operational risk that results from leaving Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the limbo of their conservatorships. “Operational risk” refers to risks that a company faces from things like poor procedures, … Continue reading

July 27, 2016

Regulating Small Lenders

By David Reiss

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is often subject to a lot of criticism for imposing a heavy regulatory burden on small community banks and credit unions (together, community lenders). A recent Government Accountability Office report, Community Lenders Remain Active under New Rules, … Continue reading

July 20, 2016

The Republican Housing Platform

By David Reiss

The Republican Party adopted its platform earlier this week.  The short housing platform is worth reading in its entirety: Responsible Homeownership and Rental Opportunities Homeownership expands personal liberty, builds communities, and helps Americans create wealth. “The American Dream” is not … Continue reading

July 11, 2016

Does Housing Finance Reform Still Matter?

By David Reiss

The Milken Institute’s Michael Bright and Ed DeMarco have posted a white paper, Why Housing Reform Still Matters. Bright was the principal author of the Corker-Warner Fannie/Freddie reform bill and DeMarco is the former Acting Director of the Federal Housing Finance … Continue reading

July 8, 2016

Spreading Mortgage Credit Risk

By David Reiss

The Federal Housing Finance Agency has released the Single-Family Credit Risk Transfer Progress Report. Important aspects of Fannie and Freddie’s future are described in this report. It opens, Since 2012, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has set as a strategic objective … Continue reading

July 6, 2016

Violations of Law and Consumer Harm

By David Reiss

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) issued a notice and request for comment regarding the Uniform Interagency Consumer Compliance Rating System (CC Rating System). My comment letter reads as follows: The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) issued a notice and request for comment regarding … Continue reading

July 5, 2016

Dems Favor Land Use Reform

By David Reiss

The Democratic Party has released its draft 2016 Policy Platform. Its housing platform follows in its entirety. I find the highlighted clause particularly intriguing and discuss it below. Where Donald Trump rooted for the housing crisis, Democrats will continue to fight … Continue reading