Fed’s Barr to step down as vice chairman of supervision

The OCC issued a proclamation allowing national banks, federal savings associations and federal branches and agencies of foreign banks to close offices in areas of California affected by wildfires.

The CFPB finalized a rule removing medical debt and medical bills from credit reports. The rule also prohibits lenders from considering medical information when making lending decisions.

Mortgage delinquency risk increased from 2.03% in the second quarter of 2024 to 2.12% for loans acquired in the third quarter, driven primarily by the projected slowing of home price appreciation, according to consulting and actuarial firm Milliman.

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced that the goods and services deficit was $78.2 billion in November, up $4.6 billion from $73.6 billion in October, revised.

Reading Cooperative Bank in Reading, Massachusetts, and Wakefield Co-operative Bank in Wakefield, Massachusetts, are planning to merge.

The ISM services index rose 2% from the prior month to land at 54.1% in December 2024, the Institute for Supply Management said. Readings over 50% indicate expansion.