Welcome to the Compliance Cohort. We are a group of compliance professionals working to make compliance easier. Our goal is to take complex compliance concepts and put them in simple terms that apply to the real world. We are glad you have found us and look forward to collaborating in the future.
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In this Compliance Clip (video), Adam discusses options for reporting a SAR to the board of directors when the SAR is on a director. He also discusses what to do if the SAR is on a member of senior management, like the president of the financial institution. This is a must-watch video for any BSA professional.
On January 27, 2026, the NCUA announced its fourth round of proposed regulatory changes as part of its Deregulation Project. The Agency is requesting comments on four proposals that would clarify agency guidance or eliminate unduly burdensome or duplicative requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations.
On January 14, 2026, the NCUA announced its 2026 Supervisory Priorities, which it said would continue the agency’s policy of “No Regulation by Enforcement,” while prioritizing safety and soundness. According to the Agency, it will continue to focus on risk-based supervision, tailoring the examination scope to the credit union’s unique risk profile.
On January 16, 2026, the Regulatory Report reported that the CFPB will discontinue its email service for notifying users about changes to Home Mortgage Disclosure Amendment (HMDA) requirements, starting January 20, 2026. According to the report, the Bureau cited "operational constraints" as the reason for discontinuation but did not provide any details about what these "operational constraints" were.
On January 12-13, 2026, FinCEN hosted the first meeting of the Transnational Organized Crime Working Group (TOC-WG). The group brings together representatives from 16 financial intelligence units (FIUs) committed to enhancing cooperation to identify and disrupt transnational organized crime.
On January 14, 2026, the HUD issued a proposed rule to remove its discriminatory effects regulations and leaving to courts questions related to interpretations of disparate impact liability under the Fair Housing Act. The proposal to remove disparate impact liability aligns with E.O. 14281issued in April 2025 titled “Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy.”
On January 13, 2026, the NCUA Board released a third set of proposed rules as part of its ongoing effort to streamline regulations and reduce unnecessary compliance burden for federal credit unions (FCUs). The proposals would remove interpretations and regulations the Board views as outdated or duplicative.
On January 12, 2026, the CFPB and the DOJ withdrew their joint statement issued in October 2023 regarding the implications of a creditor's consideration of an individual's immigration status under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). The joint statement was issued to remind financial institutions that all credit applicants are protected from discrimination on the basis of their national origin, race, and other characteristics covered by the ECOA, regardless of their immigration status.
On January 9, 2026, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent announced several initiatives to combat rampant government benefits fraud in Minnesota, which has wasted billions of taxpayer dollars. The initiatives aim to protect Minnesota taxpayers and safeguard the financial system.
On January 7, 2026, the CFPB issued a final rule that adjusted the HMDA exemption threshold from $58 million to $59 million. The adjustment is based on the 2.5 percent increase in the average of the CPI-W for the 12-month period ending in November 2025. Therefore, banks, savings associations, and credit unions with assets of $59 million or less as of Dec. 31, 2025, are exempt from collecting data in 2026.
