All in Regulatory Update

On March 31, 2022, the FDIC issued the March 2022 edition of the Consumer Compliance Supervisory Highlights. The purpose of this publication is to enhance transparency regarding the FDIC’s consumer compliance supervisory activities and to provide a high-level overview of consumer compliance issues identified in 2021 through the FDIC’s supervision of state non-member banks and thrifts.

On March 29, 2022, the FDIC updated sections of the Consumer Compliance Examination Manual. The Consumer Compliance Examination Manual is a primary resource and reference tool for FDIC compliance examination staff when conducting Consumer Compliance and CRA examinations. It incorporates examination policies, procedures, and guidance and is available on the FDIC website as a resource for FDIC staff, bankers, and other members of the public.

On March 29, 2022, the FDIC, the Federal Reserve and the OCC issued reminders of their upcoming interagency final rule and provided clarification on the contact information banks must use to them when they experience a cyber notification incident. Starting May 1, 2022, banks regulated by the FDIC, Federal Reserve, or OCC (and their bank service providers) must comply with a new file rule that requires notification to regulators of certain computer-security incidents.

FinCEN has updated its “SAR Filings by Industry” webpage to include data from 2021. In addition to this webpage, FinCEN has an interactive map and and Interactive SAR Stats which allow BSA professionals to analyze what types of suspicious activity are being reported in their areas. As this data allows specific sorting of the data, BSA professionals are able to sort by many different fields including primary regulator, county, etc.

On March 24, 2022, the OFAC designated dozens of Russian defense companies, 328 members of the Russian State Duma, and the head of Russia’s largest financial institution. This is in line with OFAC’s actions to impose severe costs on the Russian Federation for its illegal, unwarranted, and baseless war against Ukraine. The European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada have also taken similar actions which reflects continued unity to hold Putin accountable for the war that he started.

On March 22, 2022, the CFPB issued policy guidance regarding potentially illegal practices related to consumer reviews. Through the guidance, the CFPB aims to ensure that customers can write reviews, including those posted online, about financial products and services that accurately reflect their opinions and experiences. The guidance also emphasized that practices such as posting fake reviews or inserting clauses that forbid a customer from publishing an honest review may violate the Consumer Financial Protection Act.

On February, 2022, the OCC issued a consent order against Craig Meader of the First National Bank of Kansas. This is one of the enforcement actions that OCC has taken against national banks, federal savings associations, and individuals currently and formerly affiliated with national banks and federal savings associations. The OCC issued a civil money penalty proceeding against Meader on the basis of his activities while serving as the President and member of the Board of the bank.