Regulation

The Federal Reserve and the New York State Department of Financial Services have ordered the Swiss bank’s U.S. arm to improve oversight and better monitor the activities of its customers.

Congress’s passage of a measure requiring startup companies — instead of their banks — to identify true owners was arguably the industry’s biggest legislative achievement in 2020. Now the industry is urging lawmakers to revisit proposals that would ease other anti-money-laundering reporting requirements.

The bank's release from a five-year-old enforcement action would mark progress in CEO Charlie Scharf's efforts to resolve its sprawling regulatory problems. But 10 more consent orders, including an asset cap imposed by the Federal Reserve in 2018, remain in place.

Under the Federal Reserve’s loosened restrictions, big banks can buy back a limited amount of their stock starting next quarter, but only JPMorgan Chase has announced detailed plans to do so.

A long-awaited COVID-relief package in Congress is expected to extend liquidity measures for the industry and provide assistance to consumers that could help lenders avoid rising delinquencies.

The Federal Reserve's “midcycle” assessment — conducted in light of the COVID-19 pandemic — said the path of the economic recovery is still uncertain even though the banks that were evaluated maintained adequate capital levels under hypothetical scenarios.

Speaking at a virtual event hosted by the Center for American Progress, Federal Reserve Gov. Lael Brainard said the agency is also seeking feedback on how the Community Reinvestment Act could be used to encourage lenders to invest in climate resiliency.

The spending plan passed in a party-line vote, but board member Todd Harper's objections indicate he could push for closer oversight if President-elect Joe Biden elevates him to the chairmanship.

The agency's rule outlines steps collectors must take to inform consumers about an outstanding debt, and prohibits companies from pursuing lawsuits after a statute of limitations has ended.

The agency said it may exempt certain institutions from having to file suspicious activity reports if they have “innovative solutions intended to meet Bank Secrecy Act requirements more efficiently and effectively." But in those circumstances, law enforcement may still require SARs.