The FDIC released guidance today with steps intended to provide regulatory relief to financial institutions and facilitate recovery in areas of Arkansas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding. The agency encouraged banks in affected areas to work constructively with borrowers experiencing difficulties due to severe weather, including extending repayment terms, restructuring existing loans or easing terms for new loans. The agency also said it would consider relief from certain filing and publishing requirements.
Housing starts fall in March
Housing starts decreased by 11.4% in March from the month prior to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.32 million, the Commerce Department reported.