Regulatory Updates

FDIC: Public Comment Sought on Proposed Revisions to FDIC Statement of Policy on Bank Merger Transactions

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Board of Directors today approved a Federal Register notice seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the agency’s Statement of Policy (revised SOP) on Bank Merger Transactions. “This proposed Statement of Policy would update, strengthen, and clarify the FDIC’s approach to evaluating mergers under the Bank Merger Act,” said Chairman Martin…

Agencies Extend Applicability Date of Certain Provision of the CRA Final Rule

Federal bank regulatory agencies today jointly issued an interim final rule that extends the applicability date of certain provisions in their Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) final rule issued in October 2023. The agencies also requested comment on the extension. To promote clarity and consistency, the agencies extended the applicability date of the facility-based assessment areas…

ABA: ABA Sues CFPB Over New Regulation Restricting Credit Card Late Fees

The American Bankers Association today joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Longview Chamber of Commerce, Consumer Bankers Association, and Texas Association of Business in filing a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that challenges the CFPB’s new rule limiting…

CFPB: New Final Rule Bans Excessive Credit Card Late Fees, Lowers Typical Fee from $32 to $8

Final rule closes 2010 loophole exploited by credit card giants The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) finalized a rule today to cut excessive credit card late fees by closing a loophole exploited by large card issuers. The rule will curb fees that cost American families more than $14 billion a year. The CFPB estimates that…

CFPB: Guidance Issued to Rein in Rigged Comparison-Shopping Results for Credit Cards and Other Financial Products

Manipulative advertisements and kickbacks undermine competition and can violate federal law The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today issued a circular to law enforcement agencies and regulators explaining how companies operating comparison-shopping tools can break the law when they steer consumers to certain products or lenders because of kickbacks. Consumers use comparison-shopping tools to evaluate the costs,…

FFIEC: Statement Issued on Examination Principles Related to Valuation Discrimination and Bias in Residential Lending   

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council today issued a statement of principles related to valuation discrimination and bias for member entities to consider in their consumer compliance and safety and soundness examinations. The principles aid member entities in assessing whether their supervised institutions’ compliance and risk management practices are appropriate to identify and mitigate discrimination…

Federal Bank Regulatory Agencies Seek Comment on Interagency Effort to Reduce Regulatory Burden

The federal bank regulatory agencies today published their first of a series of requests for comment to reduce regulatory burden. The Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996 requires the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council and federal bank regulatory agencies to review their regulations every 10 years to identify any outdated or otherwise…

ABA: Trade Associations Sue Regulators for Exceeding Statutory Authority in New Community Reinvestment Act Rules

Groups ask court to vacate new CRA rules and will seek preliminary injunction to block implementation until case is decided. The American Bankers Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Independent Community Bankers of America, Texas Bankers Association, Independent Bankers Association of Texas, Amarillo Chamber of Commerce and Longview Chamber of Commerce today filed a lawsuit in the…

OCC: Comments Requested on Proposed Rulemaking and Policy Statement on Bank Mergers

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today requested comment on a proposal to update its rules for business combinations involving national banks and federal savings associations. The proposal also includes a policy statement to clarify the OCC’s review of applications under the Bank Merger Act (BMA). The proposed rulemaking is part of…

OCC: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Issued on Business Combinations Under the Bank Merger Act

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is proposing to amend its rules for business combinations involving national banks and federal savings associations in 12 CFR 5.33 and add as an appendix to 12 CFR 5, subpart C, a policy statement, titled “Policy Statement Regarding Statutory Factors Under the Bank Merger Act,” that…