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Rhode Island amends and adds provisions to financial institutions code
On June 25, the Governor of Rhode Island signed into law H 7282 (the “Act”) amending certain provisions of the state’s Title 19 on Financial Institutions and adding new consumer protections. Among other things, the amendments to the Act (i) updated the term “Federal Office of Thrift Supervision” to “Federal Reserve System,” (ii) clarified that the term “Tangible net worth” meant “the aggregate assets of a licensee excluding all intangible assets, less liabilities” in accordance with GAAP, and (iii) increased the minimum capital requirements for currency transmission licensees. The Act further restricted student loan servicers from withholding student transcripts from delinquent borrowers, removed a provision allowing deposit of securities in lieu of bonds, and added provisions on permissible investments for licensees, including cash, certificates of deposit, obligations of the United States, letters of credit with stipulations, or surety bonds.
Acting Comptroller Hsu addresses AI integration risks and advocates for consumer financial health measures
On June 6, Acting Comptroller of the Currency, Michael J. Hsu, delivered two statements addressing distinct concerns regarding both artificial intelligence (AI) and consumer financial health.
In the first statement at the 2024 Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Financial Stability, Hsu said that AI was capable of being a tool for innovation or a weapon that could undermine the financial system. Hsu detailed potential risks arising from AI’s deployment, such as rapid adoption without adequate controls. He advocated taking a cautious approach, with “risk management control gates” at different stages of AI integration to ensure innovations are beneficial rather than harmful. Hsu stressed the need for a shared responsibility model for AI, where accountability would be defined clearly across different stakeholders, particularly in cases of AI-enabled fraud and cyberattacks.
In the second statement, made at the Financial Health Network Emerge Conference, Hsu discussed the OCC’s engagement in enhancing consumer financial health as part of its broader goal to foster a fair and inclusive economy. Comptroller Hsu described three possible results given “clear and objective measures of consumers’ financial health”: (i) product offerings could better align with consumer needs; (ii) banks that support their customers’ efforts to improve their financial health would have better customer relationships and build trust; and (iii) improvements in mental well-being for individuals and communities.
Hsu presented the concept of Financial Health Vital Signs (FHVS) as a set of metrics—positive cash flow, liquidity buffers, and on-time payments—that could indicate consumer financial health. The OCC’s report, “Community Development Insights: How Banks Can Measure and Support Customer Financial Health Outcomes,” was introduced as a resource for banks to understand and improve their customers’ financial well-being. Hsu encouraged banks to pilot these metrics, which could lead to better product alignment with customer needs, improved financial decision-making, and reduced financial stress among consumers.
NYDFS pens guidance for vetting key senior officials within financial institutions
On January 22, NYDFS issued an industry letter titled “Guidance on Assessment of the Character and Fitness of Directors, Senior Officers, and Managers” for banks and other financial institutions (Covered Institutions) to notify them of NYDFS’s expectations. The final guidance came after a review process conducted over the past year where twenty comments indicated the need for Covered Institutions to build “robust character and fitness” policies. NYDFS asked that these Covered Institutions develop and maintain a framework to vet senior officials’ character and fitness during onboarding and on a regular basis.
According to the guidance, each Covered Institution is expected to “define sensitive issues, warning signs, and other indicators” that would be cause for concern. The depth and nature of each Covered Institution’s assessment is tailored to each institution, and the guidance does not demand a defined period for the review, but NYDFS supplied a list of suggested questions for Covered Institutions to use as best practices for vetting key individuals. (These questions are not mandated, however.) NYDFS noted that Covered Institutions are expected to review materials related to the character and fitness assessment of key persons. The guidance’s appendix lists suggested questions, including whether the key person has reviewed and understood pertinent policies and whether the interviewee has ever been charged or convicted of a crime or has previously been sanctioned or censured by a securities regulator.
FSB report addresses financial risk concerns with third-party relationships
On December 4, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a report titled “Enhancing Third-Party Risk Management and Oversight: A Toolkit for Financial Institutions and Financial Authorities,” as summarized in this press release. The report provides a toolkit that: (i) defines common terms to improve consistency among financial institutions, including “third-party service relationship,” “service provider,” and “critical service,” among others; (ii) outlines tools for financial institutions to identify critical third-party services and manage potential risks throughout the service lifecycle, onboarding and monitoring of service providers, and reporting incidents, among others; and (iii) outlines tools for financial authorities to manage third-party risks, including how to identify third-party dependencies and potential systemic risks. In preparing the report, the FSB received public feedback over the past summer regarding risk concerns stemming from outsourcing and third-party service relationships.
Michigan regulator urges institutions to protect stimulus payments from overdrafts, fees
On March 15, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services issued a bulletin “strongly” encouraging financial institutions to protect payments made to customers under the American Rescue Plan from overdrafts and fees. The bulletin further instructs that if a financial institution’s system automatically applies such a payment to a preexisting overdraft, the institution should reverse the application of the direct payment as promptly as possible.
Virginia issues modified stay at home order identifying banks and financial institution as essential retail businesses
On December 10, the governor of Virginia issued a modified stay at home order limiting travel and gatherings for Virginia residents and operations for certain businesses. However, banks and other financial institutions with retail functions are considered essential retail businesses and may continue to remain open during normal business hours. All businesses, including essential retail businesses, are advised to adhere to the Guidelines for All Business Sectors.
Rhode Island Division of Banking issues guidance on workplace practices to mitigate spread of Covid-19
On November 6, the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Division of Banking issued Banking Bulletin 2020-6 announcing certain standards for personnel and office operations that it encourages financial institutions to implement to mitigate further spread of Covid-19. These standards include, among others, guidelines for employee mask-wearing and congregation, and arrangement of office furniture to encourage social distancing.
Washington Department of Financial Institutions extends “work from home” guidance
On October 26, the Washington Department of Financial Institutions issued interim regulatory guidance to licensed mortgage loan originators and companies that sponsor them relating to temporary remote work. The guidance extends earlier interim guidance (previously covered here, here, and here) permitting mortgage loan originators to work from home, provided certain data security obligations are met. The guidance extends through March 31, 2021.
Hawaii regulator extends authorization for reduced office hours, temporary closures
On October 2, the Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions extended interim guidance allowing Hawaii-located financial institutions to reduce hours or close offices during Hawaii’s Covid-19 state of emergency (see here and here for previous coverage). Similar to previously issued guidance, financial institutions and escrow depositories are required to provide notice of closures or reductions in hours. While mortgage loan originators, mortgage servicers and money transmitters are not required to provide notice, the regulator requests a courtesy notification of any closure or reduction in hours. The guidance is extended “in accordance with the county emergency orders found on each county website.”
Hawaii regulator extends guidance permitting licensees to reduce office hours, temporarily close
On August 13, the Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions extended, until September 30, 2020, interim guidance permitting licensees with locations in Hawaii to reduce hours or close offices during Hawaii’s Covid-19 emergency period. Consistent with the previous guidance, covered here, financial institutions and escrow depositories are required to provide notice of closures or reductions in hours. While mortgage loan originators, mortgage servicers, and money transmitters are not required to provide notice, the regulator requests a courtesy notification of any closure or reduction in hours.