Suspicious activity reports (SARs) demand significant time and resources from financial institutions, far exceeding government estimates, according to a letter filed this week by the Bank Policy Institute, the Financial Technology Association, the Independent Community Bankers of America, the American Gaming Association, and the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. These organizations represent a wide range of institutions that file SARs and experience considerable pressure on resources.
The American Bankers Association, Bank Policy Institute, Institute of International Bankers, and the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association raised serious concerns today in a letter to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) regarding its plan to implement new cyber incident reporting laws. The proposed rule would require victims of cyber incidents, such as data breaches or other attacks, to report to CISA within 72 hours of determining that an incident has occurred.
Washington, D.C. – The Bank Policy Institute (BPI) issued a statement on the 2024 stress tests conducted by the Federal Reserve, highlighting several concerns about the process and its implications for banks.
Washington, D.C. — Bank Policy Institute Head of Research Francisco Covas will testify today at a House Financial Services Committee subcommittee hearing on the Federal Reserve’s stress tests. Covas emphasized in his testimony that the Fed’s stress test models and scenarios should undergo public notice and comment. He argued that the current opaque models, uncertain inputs, and volatile results impose economic costs, including fewer loans for small businesses, slower employment growth, less market liquidity, and inefficient capital allocation by banks.
Washington, D.C. — Recent proposals by the FDIC and OCC would effectively block healthy and legally authorized bank consolidation by adding to ongoing uncertainty a series of newly created and extra-legal presumptions against approval, BPI said in two separate comment letters. Rather than increasing clarity, the two agencies’ proposed changes to the merger guidelines would intensify uncertainty by rejecting longstanding legal standards. Both proposals should be withdrawn.
A recent issuance from the OCC, FDIC, NCUA, and FHFA attempting to revive a long-stalled proposal on incentive compensation practices under Section 956 of the Dodd-Frank Act does not include the full set of financial regulatory agencies required to propose such a rule and therefore has no legal effect, according to a joint letter from the Bank Policy Institute, American Bankers Association, Financial Services Forum, and SIFMA.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is hosting a hearing today to examine ways to streamline federal cybersecurity regulations and improve harmonization among the agencies tasked with enforcing these rules. The Bank Policy Institute (BPI) submitted a statement reiterating its recommendations to identify duplicative and conflicting regulatory regimes, establish common frameworks, and promote reciprocity.
Washington, D.C. — The American Bankers Association (ABA), Bank Policy Institute (BPI), New York Bankers Association (NYBA), and The Clearing House Association responded today to CFPB General Counsel Seth Frotman’s blog post regarding the state of New York’s lawsuit against Citibank over alleged wire transfer scams affecting some bank customers.
Washington, D.C. — John Partin will join the Bank Policy Institute (BPI) as a Vice President of Government Affairs, BPI announced today. Partin currently serves as a professional staff member for Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Tim Scott (R-SC) and has extensive experience on banking issues in both the House and Senate, including Basel Endgame and other regulatory topics. He will start the position on June 3, 2024.
Washington, D.C. — Several of America's banks and credit unions have urged the Federal Reserve to rescind its proposal to update Regulation II (Reg II). The plea was made in a comment letter submitted by the Bank Policy Institute, American Bankers Association, America’s Credit Unions, Consumer Bankers Association, Independent Community Bankers of America, Electronic Payments Coalition, Mid-Size Bank Coalition of America, National Bankers Association and The Clearing House Association.
The Bank Policy Institute (BPI) has submitted a statement to the U.S. Senate Banking Committee for a hearing on fees in financial services. The statement explores the numerous ways that banks support businesses and consumers by making financial services safe and accessible.
Heather Hogsett, Senior Vice President of Technology and Risk Strategy for BITS, testified before the House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection regarding the implementation of the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022 (CIRCIA). In her remarks, Hogsett called for significant changes to the proposed rule to enhance its effectiveness for both the government and industry.Hogsett emphasized the need for revisions in the proposed rule, stating, “CISA should rewrite its proposed rule to avoid collecting more data than necessary...
Washington, D.C. – The Bank Policy Institute (BPI) has emphasized the importance of clear and objective standards in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) for the benefit of bank customers and the economy. In a statement for the record presented at the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy hearing, the BPI highlighted the significance of a healthy M&A pipeline with defined timelines and expectations for merger approvals.According to the BPI, uncertainties created by recent federal proposals could have detrimental effects on the M&A...