The proposal would make key changes to the definition of “deposit broker” with significant ramifications for banks, fintechs, bank-fintech partnerships, and other third parties in the financial services industry.

By Arthur S. Long, Parag Patel, Barrie VanBrackle, Pia Naib, and Deric Behar

The Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) recently approved a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“Unsafe and Unsound Banking Practices: Brokered Deposits Restrictions”) (the Proposal) to amend the agency’s brokered deposit

A recent bipartisan bill, if enacted, would particularly benefit small lenders and bank-fintech partnerships by promoting transparency, appellate rights, and examiner accountability.

By Arthur S. Long, Parag Patel, Barrie VanBrackle, Pia Naib, and Deric Behar

On December 14, 2023, a bipartisan group of senators introduced the Fair Audits and Inspections for Regulators’ Exams Act (FAIR Exams Act), which seeks to increase transparency in the bank examination process. The proposed legislation would require examining agencies to act quickly and transparently, while creating an independent review and appeals process under the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC),[1] which would allow banks to seek independent review of material examiner findings.

A new program addresses innovative banking activities such as bank-fintech partnerships and digital assets while reinforcing guardrails around stablecoin activity.

By Arthur S. Long, Parag Patel, Pia Naib, Ja Hyeon Park, and Deric Behar

On August 8, 2023, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB) issued guidance to the banking organizations that it oversees regarding its supervision of novel activities. The guidance also provides information on the process that state banks can follow to engage in certain stablecoin activities.

The guidance outlines principles and key considerations for banking organizations as they navigate risks associated with third parties, including fintechs.

By Arthur S. Long, Parag Patel, Barrie VanBrackle, Pia Naib, Ja Hyeon Park, Victor Razon, and Deric Behar

On June 6, 2023, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued final supervisory guidelines for banking organizations on managing risks associated with third-party relationships (Joint Guidance). The Joint Guidance replaces existing individual agency guidelines, and harmonizes the principles- and risk-based approach of the three agencies concerning risk management of third-party relationships.

Although the Joint Guidance applies to all banking organizations that the agencies supervise, it does not create any new legal obligations or offer prescriptive requirements. It does, however, provide important considerations for banking organizations and the third parties with which they engage, and will help banks develop tailored approaches to third-party risk management.

Banking organizations should ensure appropriate risk management, but regulators are skeptical of certain crypto activities as principal.

By Arthur S. Long, Pia Naib, and Deric Behar

On January 3, 2023, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) (collectively, the agencies) issued a concise joint statement on crypto-asset risks to banking organizations.

Relatedly, on January 7, 2023, Mark Van