Regulation

While a merchant may choose to run a program incorrectly, it is our responsibility as professionals to fully understand what the rules are and communicate the impact if they are not followed, says Clearent's Phil Ricci.

Without rollbacks of existing anti-money-laundering reporting requirements, a measure designed to make Bank Secrecy Act enforcement more risk-focused would do little to ease banks' regulatory burden.

Three months into President Biden’s term, the White House has yet to select a nominee to run the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency or pick an acting chief. That inaction will make it more difficult for Democrats to unwind Trump-era policies, critics say.

The legislation, which takes effect in July, follows a 2019 law that modernized the state's credit union statutes.

The agency will hold an exercise this summer related to emerging fraud risks and one board member suggested Congress should once again consider allowing the NCUA to oversee third-party vendors — a measure that would cost the regulator roughly $2 million a year.

The 2020 elections buoyed hopes that Congress would finally make it easier for financial institutions to serve cannabis businesses. But Democrats’ push to decriminalize marijuana — a nonstarter for most Republicans — threatens the more targeted effort.

The legislation, led by Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., would qualify many farmers, ranchers and self-employed Americans for more Paycheck Protection Program funds.

If passed, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act introduced last week could spur development of 2 million rental units for low- and moderate-income households over the next decade.

The SAFE Banking Act would prohibit federal banking regulators from penalizing banks and other depository institutions for providing banking services to cannabis businesses. It passed Monday night on a 321-101 bipartisan vote.

Key legislation to protect banks and credit unions serving the legal marijuana industry looks set to move forward in the House this week.