InfoBytes Blog
Filter
Subscribe to our InfoBytes Blog weekly newsletter and other publications for news affecting the financial services industry.
CFTC commissioner seeks increased digital assets oversight
On August 19, CFTC Commissioner Kristin N. Johnson delivered remarks discussing digital asset policy, innovation, legislation, and regulation before a roundtable at the CFTC. In her prepared remarks, Johnson highlighted the “increasingly diverse crypto-investing community,” including historically underserved groups who are drawn to digital asset markets by “promises of financial inclusion” and opportunities to “increase income, wealth, and resources – a promise that, if realized, may enable them to transition from fragile financial circumstances to achieving the American dream.” Johnson noted, however, that instability in these markets have led the CFTC to examine closely “the specific implications of crypto-investing for diverse communities and the potential benefits of well-tailored, carefully crafted regulation.” Johnson referenced Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s April 7, 2022 remarks at American University’s Kogod School of Business Center for Innovation, which said that while regulations should be “tech-neutral,” they should also ensure that innovation does not cause disparate harm or exacerbate inequities.
Johnson also discussed President Biden’s March 9 Executive Order (covered by InfoBytes here), Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets, which stressed the need for “steps to reduce the risks that digital assets could pose to consumers, investors, and business protections” and mitigate “illicit finance and national security risks posed by misuse of digital assets,” including money laundering, cybercrime and ransomware, terrorism and proliferation financing, and sanctions evasion. While the E.O. “marked an important step towards greater cooperation and coordination among cabinet-level agencies, market regulators and prudential regulators,” Johnson called for an “increase [in] investor education and outreach to empower consumers and contemporaneously combat illicit activity and safeguard the integrity and stability of our financial markets.”
Johnson also discussed pending legislation intended “to better protect consumers and enhance market structure and market integrity in digital assets and cryptocurrency markets,” such as the Digital Commodities Consumer Protection Act of 2022 (DCCPA), which “seeks to give the CFTC jurisdiction over digital asset spot market transactions by expanding the definition of ‘commodity’ in the CEA to include ‘digital commodities.’” She further explained that the DCCPA, among other things, “would require the CFTC to conduct a study on the impact of digital assets on diverse communities.” Johnson also mentioned the Responsible Financial Innovation Act, calling it “a comprehensive reform measure that introduces the concept of ‘ancillary assets’ as a pathway for clearly defining oversight of digital assets and cryptocurrencies as securities or commodities.” Johnson emphasized that market participants have expressed heightened cybersecurity concerns regarding attacks on cryptocurrency exchanges or trading platforms, and stressed that “[i]t is vital for the U.S. to bolster its role as a leader in the global financial system by developing a strong regulatory framework for digital assets[.]”
NYDFS imposes $30 million fine against trading platform for cybersecurity, BSA/AML violations
On August 2, NYDFS announced a consent order imposing a $30 million fine against a trading platform for alleged violations of the Department’s Virtual Currency Regulation (23 NYCRR Part 200), Money Transmitter Regulation (3 NYCRR Part 417), Transaction Monitoring Regulation (3 NYCRR Part 504), Cybersecurity Regulation (23 NYCRR Part 500), and for failing to maintain adequate Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering (BSA/AML) obligations. According to a Department investigation, the platform’s BSA/AML compliance program contained significant deficiencies, including an inadequate transaction monitoring system. Among other things, the platform failed to timely transition its manual system to an automated transaction monitoring system, which was unacceptable for a program of its size, customer profiles, and transaction volumes, and did not devote sufficient resources to adequately address risks. The Department also found “critical failures” in the platform’s cybersecurity program, which failed to address operational risks, and that specific policies within the program did not fully comply with several provisions of the Department’s cybersecurity and virtual currency regulations. According to the press release, pursuant to NYDFS’s Transaction Monitoring Regulation and Cybersecurity Regulation, companies should only file a Certificate of Compliance with the Department if their programs are fully compliant with the applicable regulation.
In light of the program’s deficiencies, NYDFS stated that the platform’s 2019 certifications to the Department attesting to compliance with these regulations should not have been made and thus violated the law. The platform also “failed to comply with the Supervisory Agreement by failing to promptly notify the Department of (a) actual or material potential actions, proceedings, or similar process that were or may have been instituted against [the platform] or any affiliated entity by any regulatory body or governmental agency; and (b) of the receipt by [the platform], or any affiliated entity, of any subpoena from any regulatory body or governmental agency in which [the platform], or any affiliated entity, was the target of the investigation.” NYDFS determined that in addition to the penalty, the platform will be required to retain an independent consultant that will perform a comprehensive evaluation of its compliance with the Department’s regulations and the platform’s remediation efforts with respect to the identified deficiencies and violations.
A Buckley Special Alert is forthcoming.
U.S.-EU release statement on Joint Financial Regulatory Forum
On July 20, EU and U.S. participants, including officials from the Treasury Department, Federal Reserve Board, CFTC, FDIC, SEC, and OCC, participated in the U.S. – EU Joint Financial Regulatory Forum to continue their ongoing financial regulatory dialogue. Matters discussed focused on six themes: “(1) market developments and financial stability risks, (2) sustainable finance and climate-related financial risks, (3) regulatory developments in banking and insurance, (4) regulatory and supervisory cooperation in capital markets, (5) operational resilience and digital finance, and (6) anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT).”
The statement acknowledged that the Russia/Ukraine conflict, as well as “inflationary pressures”, exposes “a series of downside risks to financial markets both in the EU and in the U.S.” The statement notes that financial markets have so far proven to be “resilient” and stressed that “[i]nternational cooperation in monitoring and mitigating financial stability risks remains essential in the current global environment in light of the negative impacts on global energy and commodities markets.” During the Forum, participants also discussed recent developments related to digital finance and crypto-assets, including so-called stablecoins, as well as potential central bank digital currencies. Additionally, participants discussed various issues related to third-party providers; climate-related financial risks and challenges, including sustainability reporting standards; the transition away from LIBOR; and progress made in strengthening their respective AML/CFT frameworks.
ARRC recommends transition steps for legacy USD LIBOR cash product contracts
On July 11, the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (ARRC) released the LIBOR Legacy Playbook to help support the transition away from legacy LIBOR cash products. ARRC estimated that approximately $74 trillion in legacy USD LIBOR exposures will mature after June 30, 2023, when the remaining USD LIBOR panels will cease. Of this amount, roughly $5 trillion are in cash products, which do not carry the benefit of a protocol process that will allow market participants to adopt a uniform set of robust fallbacks or a simple mechanism to determine which contracts are covered by those fallbacks. Rather, cash products have a range of fallbacks, the ARRC said, explaining that “currently there is no simple way, other than in many cases manual effort, to determine what the fallback for each contract is. Careful work will be needed to communicate the associated rate changes to counterparties to these contracts.”
The Playbook includes a compilation of publications by the ARRC and other available reference material to assist market participants in ensuring that the transition from LIBOR is operationally successful. The Playbook also recommends steps for market participants to take to successfully implement fallbacks for cash products, including: (i) thoroughly assessing the fallbacks that are embedded (either contractually or through legislation) in every USD LIBOR contract; (ii) remediating these contracts where feasible to reference the Secured Overnight Financing Rate prior to June 30, 2023; and (iii) adopting plans to communicate each contract’s fallback with affected parties for remaining LIBOR contracts, and making sure sufficient resources are allocated to ensure that rate changes are successfully implemented. The ARRC stressed that its recommendations are voluntary and that market participants must make independent decisions about how best to transition existing contracts to an alternative rate upon the cessation of USD LIBOR.
Find continuing LIBOR InfoBytes coverage here.
CFPB discusses expanding electronic payments access
On June 28, CFPB Deputy Director Zixta Martinez spoke before the FDIC Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Economic Inclusion to discuss expanding access to affordable payments, credit, and other financial products and services. In her remarks, Martinez first discussed electronic payments, which she considers to be “quickly supplanting cash and are now an essential part of the economy.” She then discussed the role of banks, noting that they have an “obligatory and leading role” in expanding electronic payments. Martinez stated that with “their obligations to increase banking access and reduce banking and financial inequities, banks can play a key role, for example, in reducing the persistent and growing homeownership gap between Black and white families and closing the economic gap between the banked and the under- and un-banked.” She also stated that having access to electronic payments will “low[er] monthly fees and further reduc[e] the cost of overdraft and non-sufficient fund fees” and will service banking deserts in rural areas and within communities of color. Martinez further discussed actions to build out banking access and described a recent proposal to update the Community Reinvestment Act’s (CRA) regulatory framework (covered by InfoBytes here). Martinez stated that the proposal will; (i) take steps to address problems with grade inflation on CRA exams (i.e., meaning that “almost every bank” passes”); (ii) “rely upon small business lending data, which will allow for a more in-depth understanding of small business lending issues,” race, and ethnicity; (iii) “increase incentives for banks to finance community development projects in areas experiencing persistent poverty”; and (vi) “recognize banks that assist low- and moderate-income communities with clean energy transition and climate resiliency.” Additionally, Martinez noted that the Bureau “is working to ensure that banking access and access to credit is not unfairly affected by algorithmic models.” In conclusion, she said the Bureau’s recently released guidance “confirm[s] that it is unlawful to use black box models that do not allow for clear understanding of adverse actions, such as denial of credit.” (Covered by InfoBytes here.)
Agencies release risk advisory for businesses operating in Sudan
On May 23, the U.S. Departments of Treasury, State, Commerce, and Labor issued an advisory, Risks and Considerations for U.S. Businesses Operating in Sudan, highlighting growing risks to American businesses and individuals associated with conducting business with Sudanese State-Owned Enterprises. According to the advisory, the risks outlined come from recent actions undertaken by Sudan’s Sovereign Council and security forces under the military’s control and could adversely impact U.S. businesses, individuals, other persons, and their operations in the country and the region. The advisory also noted that the U.S. recently imposed sanctions on the Central Reserve Police (CRP) for serious human rights abuse under Executive Order 13818. As previously covered by InfoBytes, OFAC noted that, the “CRP has used excessive force against pro-democracy protesters peacefully demonstrating against the military-led overthrow of the civilian-led transitional government in Sudan.” As a result of the sanctions, all property and interests in property belonging to the sanctioned person subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. OFAC also noted that its regulations generally prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons that involve any property or interests in property of designated persons.
SEC proposes climate risk disclosures
On March 21, the SEC announced a proposed rule to require registrants to disclose certain climate-related information in their registration statements and periodic reports. According to the proposed rule, a registrant must disclose, among other things, information regarding its direct and certain indirect emissions of greenhouse gas (GHG). The GHG emissions disclosure proposals “would provide investors with decision-useful information to assess a registrant’s exposure to, and management of, climate-related risks, and in particular transition risks.”
The proposed rule also establishes that accelerated filers and large accelerated filers would be required to include an attestation report from an independent attestation service provider covering certain emissions disclosures, with a phase-in over time, to promote the reliability of GHG emissions disclosures for investors. The proposed rule further noted additional disclosure requirements for registrants that have made a so-called net-zero commitment or adopted a plan to reduce their GHG footprint or exposures.
The same day, the SEC released a Fact Sheet on the proposed rule, which summarized the content of the proposed disclosure and presentation and attestation requirements, among other things. According to a statement released by SEC Chair Gary Gensler, the proposed rule will “provide investors with consistent, comparable, and decision-useful information for making their investment decisions and would provide consistent and clear reporting obligations for issuers.” However, a statement released by SEC Commissioner Hester M. Peirce took a different view, stating that the proposed amendments would “turn[] the disclosure regime on its head” and noting that some elements are “missing,” such as “[a] credible rationale for such a prescriptive framework when our existing disclosure requirements already capture material risks relating to climate change;[a] materiality limitation; [and] [a] compelling explanation of how the proposal will generate comparable, consistent, and reliable disclosures.” Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen also released a statement commending the proposal and the SEC, calling the effort “an important step to protect investors and strengthen the overall resilience of the financial system.”
Comments on the proposal are due 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, or 60 days after the date of issuance and publication on sec.gov, whichever period is longer.
OFAC announces human rights abuse sanctions
On March 21, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced sanctions pursuant to Executive Order 13818 against the Republic of the Sudan Central Reserve Police (CRP) for serious human rights abuse. According to OFAC, the “CRP has used excessive force against pro-democracy protesters peacefully demonstrating against the military-led overthrow of the civilian-led transitional government in Sudan.” As a result of the sanctions, all property and interests in property belonging to the sanctioned person subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. OFAC also noted that its regulations generally prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons that involve any property or interests in property of designated persons.
OCC’s Hsu discusses climate financial risk management, diversity and inclusion
On March 7, acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael J. Hsu spoke before the Institute of International Bankers Annual Washington Conference to discuss climate-related financial risk and diversity and inclusion in the banking industry. In his remarks, Hsu described the agency as “laser-focused on the safety and soundness aspects of climate change risks.” Specifically, he noted that the OCC is concentrating on “large banks’ climate risk management capabilities: identifying, measuring, monitoring and mitigating climate-related exposures and risks.” He stated that “[w]eaknesses in risk management could adversely affect a bank’s safety and soundness, as well as the overall financial system.” Hsu also stressed the importance of cyber defense, saying “[h]eightened vigilance is clearly warranted.”
Hsu further discussed draft principles, which were released in December 2021, and are intended to support the identification and management of climate-related financial risks at OCC-regulated institutions with over $100 billion in total consolidated assets. (Covered by InfoBytes here). He noted that the principles will be finalized later this year when more detailed guidance will be developed in collaboration with the Federal Reserve Board and FDIC. After “an appropriate transition period,” Hsu noted that an assessment of large banks’ climate risk management capabilities would begin. He also noted that for midsize and community banks, it will be a number of years before OCC examiners conduct climate risk management examinations and suggested to bankers to use time “wisely.”
At the end of his remarks, Hsu compared “diversity and inclusion” to “safety and soundness,” in that it should be treated as a single idea, and without it, “diversity over time becomes a box to be checked, not a state to strive for or a value to be upheld.”
U.S.-EU release statement on Joint Financial Regulatory Forum
On March 1 and 2, EU and U.S. participants, including officials from the Treasury Department, Federal Reserve Board, CFTC, FDIC, SEC, and OCC, participated in the U.S. – EU Joint Financial Regulatory Forum to continue their ongoing financial regulatory dialogue. Matters discussed focused on six themes: “(1) market developments and current assessment of financial stability risks, (2) operational resilience and digital finance, (3) sustainable finance and climate-related financial risks, (4) regulatory and supervisory cooperation in capital markets, (5) multilateral and bilateral engagement in banking and insurance, and (6) anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT).”
While acknowledging that both the U.S. and EU are “experiencing robust economic recoveries,” participants warned that significant uncertainty and risks are created by the current geopolitical situation, as well as challenges stemming from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, high energy prices, and supply-chain bottlenecks. “[C]ooperative international engagement to mitigate financial stability risks remains essential,” participants stressed. During the meeting, participants also discussed recent developments related to crypto-assets, digital finance, and so-called stablecoins, as well as the potential for a central bank digital currency, and “acknowledged the importance of ongoing international work on digital finance and recognized the benefits of greater international supervisory cooperation with a view to promote responsible innovation globally.”
In addition, participants discussed various topics, including those related to third-party providers; climate-related financial risks and challenges, including sustainability reporting standards; the transition from LIBOR; and progress made in strengthening their respective AML/CFT frameworks.