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Federal agencies permit early adoption of standardized approach for counterparty credit risk
On March 26, the OCC, Federal Reserve System, and FDIC issued a notice permitting depository institutions and depository institution holding companies to implement the final rule titled Standardized Approach for Calculating the Exposure Amount of Derivative Contracts (SA-CCR rule) for the first quarter of 2020, on a best efforts basis. A banking organization that elects to adopt the SA-CCR methodology must adopt the methodology for all derivative contracts; a banking organization cannot implement the SA-CCR methodology for a subset of its derivative contracts. A banking organization may adopt some of the technical amendments described in the rule regardless of whether the banking organization chooses to early adopt the SA-CCR methodology. The SA-CCR rule effective date remains April 1, 2020, and the mandatory compliance date remains January 1, 2022.
Massachusetts Division of Banks supports NMLS policy changes to provide relief to licensees
On March 26, the Massachusetts Division of Banks issued guidance adopting the policy changes proposed by the NMLS to provide a 60-day extension to all licensees to submit Call Reports and financial statements. Additionally MDB is temporarily instituting a policy to extend the Annual Report deadline by 60 days for regulated entities that cannot meet the original deadlines due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Governor of Montana issues stay at home order
On March 26, Montana Governor Steve Bullock issued a directive ordering all non-essential businesses to cease operation, with the exception of business performed solely in a residence. The directive permits essential business to continue operations, but encourages these businesses to practice social distancing to the maximum extent possible. Essential businesses include, among others, financial and real estate institutions and services. Finally, the directive orders residents of Montana to remain at home to the greatest extent possible.
SEC provides additional temporary regulatory relief and assistance to market participants affected by Covid-19
On March 26, the SEC issued a press release announcing an order and a temporary final rule providing temporary relief and assistance to market participants affected by Covid-19. The statement notes that the SEC is providing (i) temporary relief from notarization requirements from March 26 through July 1 to filers in the EDGAR system, subject to certain conditions; (ii) for Regulation A and Regulation Crowdfunding issuers, a temporary extension of 45 additional days to file certain disclosure reports that would otherwise have been due between March 26 and May 31, subject to certain conditions; and (iii) a temporary conditional exemptive order that provides affected municipal advisors with an additional 45 days to file annual updates to Form MA that would have otherwise been due between March 26 and June 30, subject to certain conditions.
FTC issues statement on consumer protection during Covid-19 crisis
On March 26, the FTC Chairman issued a statement reiterating that the FTC is working closely with federal and state law enforcers and other stakeholders and is “devoting significant resources to tackling scammers and unfair and deceptive business practices” particularly with respect to the Covid-19 outbreak. The FTC notes that while it will remain flexible and reasonable in enforcing compliance requirements that may hinder the provision of important goods and services to customers, it will not “tolerate companies deceiving consumers, using tactics that violate well-established consumer protections, or taking unfair advantage of these uniquely challenging times.”
FINRA provides cybersecurity alert containing measures firms should consider in adjusting to Covid-19
On March 26, FINRA released a cybersecurity alert providing FINRA firms and associated persons with measures they can take to help strengthen their cybersecurity controls in areas where risks may increase in the current environment. The alert contains recommendations concerning the security of office and home networks, computers, and mobile devices. It also addresses common methods of scams and attacks during Covid-19. The alert recommends that firms provide staff with training regarding cybersecurity.
California Department of Real Estate cancels real estate salesperson broker license exams through April 30
On March 26, the California Department of Real Estate announced that it is cancelling real estate salesperson broker license exams in all exam centers through April 30 in order to comply with state and local public health agencies ordering residents to shelter in place to slow the spread of Covid-19. Examinees will be allowed to reschedule their canceled exam dates using DRE’s eLicensing system and will not be charged rescheduling fees.
FDIC details temporary alternative procedures for supervision-related communications
On March 26, the FDIC released a letter detailing temporary alternative procedures for sending supervision-related mail and email to the FDIC. The letter applies to all FDIC-supervised institutions with total assets under $1 billion. The letter provides that the FDIC will use its Secure Email portal to send outgoing official supervisory correspondence, and encourages third parties (including for official business purposes related to supervisory matters) to send mail through the FDIC's Secure Email portal or Enterprise File Exchange within FDICconnect.
Idaho regulator provides updates on agency operations
On March 26, the Idaho Department of Finance Consumer Finance Bureau (Department) issued updated guidance to its registrants and licensees regarding the Department’s current operations during the Covid-19 outbreak. In particular, the Department noted that though the offices will be closed to the public for the next 21 days, staff are continuing to process licensing and registration applications. The Department suggested that companies may choose to transition their license records to the NMLS to avoid delays. In addition, the Department noted that field examinations continue remotely, using phone and email in lieu of onsite reviews. Finally, the Department indicated deadlines were extended for mortgage companies to file mortgage call reports and financial statements, and that deadlines will be reviewed for required license renewals and reports as needed.
FDIC, OCC, NCUA identify essential critical infrastructure workers during Covid-19
On March 26, the FDIC issued FIL-25-2020 stating that the financial services sector is a “critical infrastructure” during the Covid-19 pandemic pursuant to the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) March 19 guidance. The guidance is intended to help state, local, and industry partners identify critical infrastructure sectors and essential workers in order to ensure continuity of critical functions. The FIL advises company leadership to provide workers with documentation identifying them as critical infrastructure workers who need “to travel inside restricted areas in order to support critical infrastructure.”
On March 25, the OCC issued similar guidance pursuant to CISA’s guidance. Bulletin 2020-23 encourages essential critical infrastructure workers to maintain normal work schedules during the Covid-19 pandemic, and offers guidance for banks concerning workers who may need to move within and between restricted areas. Essential critical infrastructure workers include those who are needed to: (i) “process and maintain systems for processing financial transactions and services (e.g., payment, clearing and settlement; wholesale funding; insurance services; and capital markets activities)”; (ii) “provide consumer access to banking and lending services,” such as ATMs and armored cash carriers; and (iii) support financial institutions (e.g., staffing data and security operations centers). The workers also include key third party providers who deliver core services. The OCC advises banks to, among other things, update business continuity plans and provide documentation to workers detailing work-related travel.
The NCUA also sent a letter to member boards of directors, chief executive officers, chief information officers, and chief information security officers identifying essential critical infrastructure workers pursuant to CISA’s guidance. Updates to Covid-19 NCUA resources are available here.