Bank Services

Federal Reserve: Initial Findings from 2022 Triennial Payments Study Issued

The Federal Reserve on Friday issued initial findings from its 2022 triennial payments study. The information shows how consumers and businesses chose to make noncash payments, using checks, different types of cards, and the automated clearinghouse (ACH). Additional details will be available as analysis is completed. The data show that the average values of consumers’…

OCC: Acting Comptroller Discusses Open Banking

Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael J. Hsu today discussed the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s (OCC) approach to open banking in remarks at FDX Global Summit Spring 2023 in Raleigh, N.C. In his remarks, the Acting Comptroller highlighted the evolution of open banking and its potential impact on the OCC’s supervision in…

OCC: Office of Financial Technology Established

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today announced the establishment of its Office of Financial Technology and the selection of Prashant Bhardwaj to lead the office as Deputy Comptroller and Chief Financial Technology Officer, effective April 10, 2023. In October 2022, the OCC announced that it would expand upon its Office of Innovation and…

Federal Reserve: New FedNow Service Launch Scheduled for July 2023

The Service will Debut with Financial Institutions and the U.S. Treasury on Board The Federal Reserve announced that the FedNow Service will start operating in July and provided details on preparations for launch. The first week of April, the Federal Reserve will begin the formal certification of participants for launch of the service. Early adopters…

FDIC: New FIL Clairifies Financial Institutions are Required to Meet Contractual Obligations with Bridge Banks

In recent days, the FDIC has established two bridge banks, Silicon Valley Bridge Bank, N.A. and Signature Bridge Bank, N.A., to assume the deposits and obligations of two failing banks. All contracts entered into with banks before they failed, and their counterparties were transferred into the bridge bank by the FDIC as receiver. Accordingly, vendors…

CFPB: Research Uncovers Illegal Junk Fees on Bank Accounts, Mortgages, Student Loans, and Auto Loans

Many companies are updating practices and making consumers whole based on supervisory findings Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released a special edition of its Supervisory Highlights that reports on unlawful junk fees uncovered in deposit accounts and in multiple loan servicing markets, including in mortgage, student, and payday lending. These unlawful fees corrode…

ABA: Association Offers Congressional Testimony on Strength of Banking Industry

FirstBank CEO Jim Reuter appears on behalf of ABA members before House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy The American Bankers Association today provided testimony to the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy on the banking industry’s public policy priorities, new initiatives to foster innovation and competition in financial services,…

CFPB: Rule Proposed to Rein in Excessive Credit Card Late Fees

Proposed rule seeks to close loophole exploited by companies to hike fees with inflation Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) proposed a rule to curb excessive credit card late fees that cost American families about $12 billion each year. Major credit card issuers continue to profit off late fees that are protected by an…

FRB: Federal Reserve Board Policy Statement Issued to Promote a Level Playing Field for All Banks with a Federal Supervisor Regardless of Deposit Insurance Status

The Federal Reserve Board on Friday issued a policy statement to promote a level playing field for all banks with a federal supervisor, regardless of deposit insurance status. The statement makes clear that uninsured and insured banks supervised by the Board will be subject to the same limitations on activities, including novel banking activities, such…

OCC: Research on Emerging Risks in the Banking System Solicited

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is soliciting academic research papers on emerging risks in the banking system or related policy and supervisory issues for submission by March 3, 2023. The OCC will invite authors of selected papers to present to OCC staff and invited academic and government researchers at OCC Headquarters…