On March 6, the member agencies of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) issued updated guidance specifying that financial institutions’ business continuity plans should address the threat of a pandemic outbreak and its potential impact on the delivery of critical financial services. The guidance identifies actions that banks should take to minimize the potential adverse effects of a pandemic. FFIEC Guidance.
On March 21, 2017, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) announced that the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (“FFIEC“) issued a “EGRPRA Joint Report to Congress,” which details a review of rules affecting financial institutions conducted under the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996, which requires federal banking agencies and the FFIEC to conduct a review of their rules at least every 10 years to identify outdated or unnecessary regulations. The review focused on the effect of regulations on smaller institutions, such as community banks and savings associations. The report describes joint actions planned or taken by the federal financial institutions regulators, including simplifying regulatory capital rules for community banks and savings associations, streamlining reports of condition and income, increasing the appraisal threshold for commercial real estate loans and expanding the number of institutions eligible for less frequent examination cycles. Release. Full Report.
On January 29, federal financial regulatory agencies in partnership with the State Liaison Committee (SLC) of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, issued guidance for financial institutions on private student loans with graduated repayment terms at origination. Graduated repayment terms are structured to provide for lower initial monthly payments that gradually increase. Financial institutions should provide disclosures that clearly communicate the timing and the amount of payments to facilitate a borrower’s understanding of the loan’s terms and features. Release. Guidance.
On January 29, the federal financial regulatory agencies (the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency), in partnership with the State Liaison Committee (SLC) of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, issued guidance for financial institutions on private student loans with graduated repayment terms at origination.
This guidance provides principles that financial institutions should consider in their policies and procedures for originating private student loans with graduated repayment terms which are structured to provide for lower initial monthly payments that gradually increase. The Agencies issued this guidance because they recognize that the competitive job market, traditionally low entry-level salaries, and higher student debt loads can contribute to some borrowers preferring greater flexibility with their payments as they transition into the labor market. Press Release. Published Guidance.
On December 2, the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) released the revised Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML) Examination Manual. The revisions clarify supervisory expectations and incorporate regulatory changes since the manual’s 2010 update. The revisions incorporate feedback from the banking industry and examination staff.
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, National Credit Union Administration, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and State Liaison Committee revised the manual in collaboration with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), the administrator of the BSA, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). FinCEN and OFAC collaborated on the revisions made to the sections that address compliance with the regulations and sanctions programs that FinCEN and OFAC administer and enforce. Manual. Release.
On, August 16, the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) released guidance on reverse mortgages. The guidance addresses the general features of reverse mortgage products as well as relevant legal requirements and consumer protection concerns related to reverse mortgages. It also addresses related policies, procedures, internal controls, and third-party risk management. FFIEC Press Release.
