InfoBytes Blog

FDIC releases January enforcement actions

On February 26, the FDIC released a list of administrative enforcement actions taken against banks and individuals in January. During the month, the FDIC issued 11 orders consisting of “two consent orders, two section 19 orders, two prohibition orders, two orders to pay civil money penalties, one order terminating consent order, and two orders terminating consent orders and orders for restitution.” Among the orders is a civil money penalty issued against a Tennessee-based bank related to alleged violations of the Flood Disaster Protection Act. Among other things, the FDIC claims that the bank (i) failed to provide required lender-placed flood insurance notices to borrowers about the availability of flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance Act; (ii) provided an incomplete lender-placed flood insurance notice to a borrower; (iii) allowed flood insurance to lapse during the terms of several loans without placing flood insurance on borrowers’ behalf; (iv) failed to maintain an adequate amount of flood insurance; and (v) failed to provide timely notice of special flood hazards and the availability of federal disaster relief assistance. The order requires the payment of a $4,000 civil money penalty.

Federal Issues FDIC Enforcement Flood Insurance Flood Disaster Protection Act National Flood Insurance Act Mortgages

OCC releases recent enforcement actions

On February 18, the OCC released a list of recent enforcement actions taken against national banks, federal savings associations, and individuals currently and formerly affiliated with such entities. Included among the actions is a January 8 civil money penalty order against an Illinois-based bank, which requires the payment of $193,105 for an alleged pattern or practice of violations of the Flood Disaster Protection Act and its implementing regulations.

Federal Issues OCC Enforcement Flood Disaster Protection Act

OCC releases recent enforcement actions

On January 21, the OCC released a list of recent enforcement actions taken against national banks, federal savings associations, and individuals currently and formerly affiliated with such entities. Included is a civil money penalty order against a Texas-based bank, which requires the payment of $382,500 for an alleged pattern or practice of violations of the Flood Disaster Protection Act and its regulations.

Federal Issues OCC Enforcement Flood Disaster Protection Act

FDIC releases October enforcement actions

On November 27, the FDIC released a list of administrative enforcement actions taken against banks and individuals in October. During the month, the FDIC issued eight orders and two notices consisting of “one consent order, one order to pay a civil money penalty, one section 19 order, one removal order, two orders terminating consent or cease and desist orders, two orders modifying removal orders, one notice of assessment, and one notice of charges.” The consent order, issued against a Wisconsin-based bank, relates to alleged violations of 12 C.F.R. Part 339, which implements the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Act (NFIA) and the Flood Disaster Protection Act. Among other things, the FDIC claims that the bank failed to (i) obtain an adequate amount of flood insurance at the origination of several loans; (ii) provide notice to borrowers of the insufficiencies or follow force-placement requirements; or (iii) provide notice to borrowers about the availability of flood insurance under the NFIA. The consent order requires the payment of a $12,841 civil money penalty.

Federal Issues FDIC Enforcement National Flood Insurance Act Flood Disaster Protection Act Mortgages

FHA proposes private flood insurance option

On November 10, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) issued a proposed rule which would allow mortgagors the option to purchase private flood insurance on FHA-insured mortgages for properties located in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). Under the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, property owners located in an SFHA, and a community participating in the National Flood Insurance Program, are required to purchase flood insurance as a condition of receiving a mortgage backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the United States Department of Agriculture, or the FHA. The proposed rule would allow the purchase of private mortgage insurance for properties in SFHAs for the first time. Additionally, the proposed rule seeks comment on a compliance aid, which would “help mortgagees evaluate whether a flood insurance policy meets the definition of ‘private flood insurance.’” According to the FHA, between three and five percent of FHA borrowers could obtain a private flood insurance policy if the option becomes available.

Agency Rule-Making & Guidance FHA Flood Disaster Protection Act Flood Insurance

FDIC releases January enforcement actions

On February 28, the FDIC released a list of administrative enforcement actions taken against banks and individuals in January. The FDIC issued 18 orders, which “consisted of two consent orders; one civil money penalty; three removal and prohibition orders; eight section 19 orders; three terminations of consent orders and cease and desist orders; and one order terminating prompt corrective action.” Among the actions was a civil money penalty assessed against a Montana-based bank for allegedly violating the Flood Disaster Protection Act by failing to obtain adequate flood insurance coverage on certain loans and failing to provide borrowers with notice of the availability of federal disaster relief assistance. Separately, in a joint action with the California Department of Business Oversight, the agency issued a consent order against a California-based bank related to alleged weaknesses in its Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering (BSA/AML) compliance program. Among other things, the bank was ordered to (i) retain qualified management to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations; (ii) “correct all violations of law to the extent possible”; (iii) implement a revised, written BSA compliance program to address BSA/AML deficiencies; (iv) establish a written Customer Due Diligence Program to ensure the reasonable detection of suspicious activity and the identification of higher-risk customers; (v) adopt a process for reviewing transaction monitoring alerts; and (vi) “ensure that suspicious activity monitoring system is independently validated.”

Federal Issues FDIC Enforcement Bank Secrecy Act Anti-Money Laundering Cease and Desist Customer Due Diligence FDI Act Civil Money Penalties Flood Disaster Protection Act CDBO Flood Insurance

OCC fines bank on flood insurance

On January 21, the OCC assessed a nearly $18 million civil money penalty against a national bank lender for alleged violations of the Flood Disaster Protection Act (FDPA). According to the OCC, the bank allegedly maintained FDPA policies and procedures which allowed the bank’s third-party servicer to extend the 45-day period after notification to the borrower that the flood insurance did not adequately cover the collateral. The OCC alleged that this resulted in the “untimely force placement of flood insurance” on loans secured by buildings or mobile homes located in special flood hazard areas. The bank agreed to pay the penalty without admitting or denying any wrongdoing.

Federal Issues OCC Enforcement Flood Insurance Flood Disaster Protection Act Mortgages National Flood Insurance Program

FDIC releases September enforcement actions

On October 25, the FDIC announced its release of a list of administrative enforcement actions taken against banks and individuals in September. According to the press release, the FDIC issued 24 orders, which include “one consent order; five removal and prohibition orders; six assessments of civil money penalty; three voluntary terminations of deposit insurance; six section 19 orders; and three terminations of orders of restitution.”

Among other actions, the FDIC assessed separate civil money penalties (CMPs) against four banks for alleged violations of the Flood Disaster Protection Act:

• New Jersey-based bank CMP: Failure to (i) notify borrowers that they should obtain flood insurance; and (ii) follow force-placement flood insurance procedures;
• Wisconsin-based bank CMP: Failure to (i) maintain flood insurance coverage for the term of a loan; (ii) follow force-placement flood insurance procedures; and (iii) provide written notice to borrowers concerning flood insurance coverage prior to extending, increasing, or renewing a loan;
• Wisconsin-based bank CMP: Failure to (i) follow escrow requirements for flood insurance; and (ii) provide borrowers with notice of the availability of federal disaster relief assistance;
• Wisconsin-based bank CMP: Failure to (i) obtain flood insurance coverage on loans at the time of origination; (ii) obtain adequate flood insurance; (iii) follow escrow requirements for flood insurance; (iv) follow force-placement flood insurance procedures; and (v) provide borrowers with notice of the availability of federal disaster relief assistance.

The FDIC also assessed a CMP against an Oregon-based bank for allegedly violating RESPA and the TCPA by (i) placing telemarketing calls to consumers listed on the Do-Not-Call registry; and (ii) using an automated dialing system to send pre-recorded calls or text messages to consumers’ cell phones.

Additionally, the FDIC entered a notice of charges and hearing against a Georgia-based bank relating to alleged weaknesses in its Bank Secrecy Act compliance program.

Federal Issues FDIC Enforcement Flood Disaster Protection Act Civil Money Penalties RESPA TCPA Bank Secrecy Act Bank Compliance

OCC releases September and October enforcement actions

On October 18, the OCC released a list of recent enforcement actions taken against national banks, federal savings associations, and individuals currently and formerly affiliated with such entities. The new enforcement actions include civil money penalty orders, prompt corrective action directives, removal and prohibition orders, and terminations of existing enforcement actions against individuals and banks. Included among the actions is a $100,000 civil money penalty issued against a Louisiana-based bank for an alleged pattern or practice of violations of the Flood Disaster Protection Act and its implementing regulations. The list also includes a $30 million consent order issued against a national bank for allegedly violating the statutory holding period for other real estate owned (previously covered by InfoBytes here).

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FDIC fines bank for flood insurance violations

On September 27, the FDIC announced its release of a list of administrative enforcement actions taken against banks and individuals in August. According to the press release, the FDIC issued 13 orders, which include “four consent orders; one removal and prohibition order; four civil money penalty orders; two terminations of consent orders; and five section 19 orders.” Notably, the FDIC assessed a civil money penalty against a Texas-based bank for alleged violations of the Flood Disaster Protection Act, including failing to (i) obtain flood insurance coverage on loans at the time of origination, increase, extension, or renewal; (ii) maintain flood insurance coverage for the term of a loan; (iii) follow force-placement flood insurance procedures; or (iv) provide borrowers with notice of the availability of federal disaster relief assistance “in all cases whether or not flood insurance is available under the [National Flood Insurance Act] for the collateral securing the loan.”

Federal Issues FDIC Enforcement Flood Insurance Flood Disaster Protection Act National Flood Insurance Act