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OCC revises the Comptroller’s Licensing Manual
On December 10, the OCC announced an updated version of its “Background Investigations,” “Capital and Dividends,” “Charters,” “Conversions to Federal Charter,” and “National Bank Director Waivers” booklets of the Comptroller’s Licensing Manual. According to Bulletin 2021-60, the revised booklets: (i) replace booklets with the same titles issued between April 2017 and October 2019; (ii) reflect recent changes to 12 CFR 5 and other applicable regulations; (iii) eliminate references to outdated guidance and provide current references; and (iv) make other minor modifications and corrections.
CFPB orders companies to submit BNPL information
On December 16, the CFPB issued a series of orders to five companies seeking information regarding the risks and benefits of the “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) credit model. BNPL is a “fast-growing” form of deferred payment that permits a consumer to divide a purchase into smaller installment payments, which are usually four or less and are often with a down payment of 25 percent due at the time of checkout. The Bureau issued the orders under Section 1022(c)(4) of the Consumer Financial Protection Act (12 U.S.C. § 5512(c)(4)), which, as part of the agency’s rulemaking authority, authorizes it to “monitor consumer financial markets and enables the agency to require market players to submit information to inform this monitoring.” The Bureau stated that it is “concerned about accumulating debt, regulatory arbitrage, and data harvesting in a consumer credit market already quickly changing with technology.” The Bureau expects to “publish aggregated findings on insights learned from this inquiry” and intends for the orders “to illuminate the range of these consumer credit products and their underlying business practices.”
The Bureau made available an example order that contains 20 requests seeking various information and data on several topics, including: (i) “Business Model/Metrics”; (ii) “Loan Performance Metrics”; (iii) “Consumer Protections”; (iv) “User Contacts and Demographics”; and (v) “Data Harvesting.” With respect to data harvesting, the CFPB noted that “[a]s competitive forces pressure the merchant discount, lenders will need to find other sources of revenue to maintain growth and profitability,” and the Bureau “would like to better understand practices around data collection, behavioral targeting, data monetization and the risks they may create for consumers.” The Bureau also noted that as part of the inquiry, it is collaborating with Australia, Sweden, Germany, and the UK (specifically, the Financial Conduct Authority), and will additionally be coordinating with the rest of the Federal Reserve System, and its state partners.
The same day, the Bureau issued a blog post for consumers on common risks to be aware of before using a BNPL loan. The blog noted, among other cautions, that: (i) “BNPL products often carry fees”; (ii) “[y]our loan repayment agreement is with the BNPL lender rather than the retailer”; (ii) “BNPL loans have fewer protections than credit cards”; and (iii) “[m]ost BNPL lenders don’t report payments to the major credit reporting companies,” nor “generally perform hard credit inquiries when deciding whether or not to give you the loan.”
Agencies will not amend qualified residential mortgage definition
Recently, the OCC, Federal Reserve Board, FDIC, FHFA, SEC, and HUD issued an interagency notice stating that no changes will be made to the definition of “qualified residential mortgage” (QRM) under the Credit Risk Retention Regulations. The agencies also left unchanged a community-focused residential mortgage exemption from TILA’s ability-to-pay requirement, after determining that the exemption serves the public interest by making “safe, sustainable loans” available to low-to-moderate-income communities. An exemption for qualifying three-to-four-unit residential mortgage loans was also left unchanged after the agencies determined that the underlying properties “are a source of affordable housing” and, given the number of mortgages collateralized by three-to-four-unit properties, the exemption “does not appear to be spurring any significant speculative activity in the securitization market.”
As part of the Credit Risk Retention Regulations, which were established under Dodd-Frank, federal banking agencies are required to periodically review the QRM definition “to assess developments in the residential mortgage market, including the results of the statutorily required five-year review by the [CFPB] of the ability-to-repay rules and the QM definition.” During their review of the QRM definition, the agencies confirmed that the current QRM definition was “predictive of a lower risk of default” and “did not appear to be a material factor in credit conditions during the review period.”
CFPB asks tech workers to report AI lending discrimination
On December 15, the CFPB released a blog post calling on technology workers to report potential violations of federal consumer financial laws, including related to artificial intelligence (AI), as part of the Bureau’s efforts to adapt to the evolving financial landscape. According to the Bureau, AI has become a part of nearly every consumer financial market, creating the potential for intentional and unintentional discrimination within the decision-making process. As an example, while algorithmic mortgage underwriting has the potential to reduce discrimination, the Bureau warned that “researchers found discriminatory effects of these new technologies, as Black and Hispanic families have been more likely to be denied a mortgage compared to similarly situated white families.” The Bureau asked tech workers, including engineers, data scientists, and others with detailed knowledge of these algorithms and technologies, to report potential discrimination or other misconduct to the Bureau to help ensure these technologies are not being misused or abused. “Tech workers may have entered the field to change the world for the better, but then discover their work being misused or abused for unlawful ends,” CFPB Chief Technologist Erie Meyer stated. The Bureau updated its whistleblower webpage to provide additional information on the whistleblower submission process, and noted that fair lending experts and technologists will review submitted whistleblower tips. The webpage also describes the type of information the Bureau is seeking, and outlines whistleblower protections.
FTC settles with advertising platform for COPPA violations
On December 15, the FTC announced a settlement with a California-based online advertising platform for allegedly engaging in deceptive acts of practices and violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Rule (COPPA). (See also DOJ press release here.) According to the FTC, the defendant operates a programmatic advertising exchange that monetizes websites and mobile apps through the sale of ad space. The defendant also contracts with advertising technology companies that aggregate and sell advertising inventory for publishers and then send the defendant ad requests. The DOJ, on behalf of the FTC, filed a complaint claiming the defendant, among other things, violated COPPA by collecting personal information about children under the age of 13 without notifying their parents and obtaining their consent. Additionally, the FTC claimed that while the defendant’s privacy policy provided users the option to opt-out of the collection of their location data, the defendant still allegedly collected geolocation information from users who specifically asked not to be tracked. The FTC stated that the defendant reviewed hundreds of apps that were directed to children under 13, but did not flag the apps or their data as “child-directed” and permitted the apps to participate in the ad exchange. In addition, the FTC claimed that the defendant allegedly disclosed this personal data to third parties for ads targeted at users of these child-directed apps.
Under the stipulated final order, the defendant must, among other terms, (i) implement a comprehensive privacy program to ensure compliance with COPPA and stop collecting and retaining personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent; (ii) stop misrepresenting a user’s ability to opt-out of the collection of personal information and location information (collectively, “covered information”) and confirm that a user has provided affirmative consent for the collection of location information; (iii) implement safeguards to protect covered information and conduct annual reviews to assess for internal and external risks to the privacy of covered information that could lead to unauthorized access; (iv) engage a third party to conduct biennial privacy assessments; (v) delete all ad request data collected to serve targeted ads prior to the issuance of the order; and (vi) periodically re-review apps to identify those that are directed towards children and ban these apps from its ad exchange. The order also provides for a $7.5 million penalty that will be suspended upon payment of $2 million due to the defendant’s inability to pay the full amount.
Agencies provide post-tornado assistance
On December 15, the OCC, Federal Reserve Board, FDIC, NCUA, and state regulators (collectively, “agencies”) issued a joint statement reminding banks of supervisory expectations related to disaster recovery, and specifically tornadoes. According to the statement, the agencies “recognize the serious impact of tornadoes on the customers and operations of many financial institutions and will provide appropriate regulatory assistance to affected institutions subject to their supervision.” The agencies also “encourage institutions operating in the affected areas to meet the financial services needs of their communities.” The statement also, among other things, addressed supervisory expectations connected to lending, temporary bank facilities, publishing requirements, regulatory reporting requirements, the Community Reinvestment Act credit, and investments.
The agencies acknowledged the unusual circumstances faced by institutions affected by the severe weather and suggested they work with borrowers in communities under stress, stating that this can be consistent with safe-and-sound practices as well as in the public interest. For example, the agencies noted that “many financial institutions face staffing, power, telecommunications, and other challenges in re-opening facilities after tornado damage,” and that “the damage caused by tornadoes may affect compliance with publishing and other requirements for branch closings, relocations, and temporary facilities under various laws and regulations.” The agencies noted that contacting one’s primary federal and/or state regulator is part of the steps when operational challenges persist and when compliance difficulties in publishing or other requirements arise. A complete list of the affected disaster areas can be found here.
The FDIC also issued FIL-78-2021 to provide regulatory relief to financial institutions and help facilitate recovery in areas of Kentucky affected by recent severe weather events. The FDIC acknowledged the unusual circumstances faced by institutions affected by the storms and suggested that institutions work with impacted borrowers to, among other relief, (i) extend repayment terms; (ii) restructure existing loans; or (iii) ease terms for new loans to those affected by the severe weather, provided the measures are done “in a manner consistent with sound banking practices.” Additionally, the FDIC noted that institutions “may receive favorable Community Reinvestment Act consideration for community development loans, investments, and services in support of disaster recovery.” The FDIC will also consider regulatory relief from certain filing and publishing requirements.
Chopra discusses DIF restoration plan
On December 14, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra expressed concerns with the FDIC’s current plan to “restore the Deposit Insurance Fund to the statutory minimum in 2028.” The Federal Deposit Insurance Act requires the development and adoption of a Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) Restoration Plan (Plan) when the fund’s reserve ratio drops below 1.35 percent or is expected to within six months. According to the FDIC, “[e]xtraordinary growth in insured deposits during the first and second quarters of 2020 caused the reserve ratio to decline below the statutory minimum as of June 30, 2020.” The FDIC Board adopted the Plan in September 2020 to restore DIF’s levels to at least 1.35 percent by September 30, 2028, but noted during the Plan’s semiannual update for 2021 that “the overall economic outlook has strengthened relative to when the Plan was first adopted in September 2020,” and that “the banking system continues to appear better positioned to withstand losses when compared to prior periods of stress.” FDIC Chair Jelena McWilliams also commented that since it is difficult to predict deposit trends and potential losses, the agency will continue to monitor this space.
Chopra cautioned that “[g]iven the significant uncertainty in the projections embedded in this plan—and the ultimate goal to have the Deposit Insurance Fund well exceed the 1.35% statutory minimum—we must continue to carefully analyze this plan to probe whether any amendments are necessary prior to the next semi-annual update to the Board of Directors.” He further noted that the 2008 financial crisis highlighted the importance of “countercyclical policy,” and that “regulatory and supervisory safeguards should be strengthened in stronger economic times, when risks tend to build in the financial system and when bank profits are robust.”
Biden nominates Sandra L. Thompson as FHFA Director
On December 14, President Biden nominated Sandra L. Thompson to serve as FHFA Director. Thompson has served as acting Director since June following the U.S. Supreme Court’s split decision in Collins v. Yellen, which held that it was unconstitutional for FHFA’s leadership structure to only allow the President to fire the FHFA director for cause. (Covered by InfoBytes here.)
According to the announcement, Thompson’s “over four decades of government experience in financial regulation, risk management, and consumer protection” includes previously serving as Deputy Director of FHFA’s Division of Housing Mission and Goals where she oversaw the agency’s housing and regulatory policy, capital policy, financial analysis, and fair lending space, as well as all mission activities for the GSEs and the Federal Home Loan Banks. Thompson also worked for more than 23 years at the FDIC where she served in a variety of leadership positions. Her most recent position at the FDIC was Director of the Division of Risk Management Supervision. Thompson also led the FDIC’s “examination and enforcement program for risk management and consumer protection at the height of the financial crisis” and “the FDIC’s outreach initiatives in response to a crisis of consumer confidence in the banking system.”
Chopra releases statement on bank merger policy conflict
On December 14, after his first public meeting as a Member of the Board of Directors of the FDIC, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra issued a statement detailing the circumstances leading up to the request for information (RFI) that seeks public comment on revising the FDIC’s framework for vetting proposed bank mergers. Chopra’s statement follows an FDIC statement (covered by InfoBytes here) refuting a request for review of bank merger policies announced in a CFPB blog post. In his December 14 statement, Chopra challenged the view that only the FDIC Chairperson has the right to raise matters for discussion in board meetings and explained how the Directors had “circulated a draft Request for Information on the Bank Merger Act with the intention of releasing it jointly with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.” Chopra noted the draft RFI “was not a draft rule or guidance document – it was largely a series of questions to solicit input, given the President’s reasonable request, the need to incorporate the Dodd-Frank Act’s amendments, and the long-term trend in consolidation.” Chopra further stated that it “should have been a no-brainer where consensus could easily be achieved,” but due to “the General Counsel’s improper assertion that the Chairperson had implicit veto power, the draft was not given appropriate attention.”
Chopra called for “immediate[]” resolution of the conflict, adding that “[a]bsent a return to legal reality and constructive engagement, board members will need to take further steps to exercise independence from management and to ensure sound governance of the [FDIC].”
The same day, acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael J. Hsu released a statement supporting “the view of the majority of the FDIC Board members that the Bank Merger Act (BMA) guidelines are ripe for review,” noting that his particular focus is on “the financial stability prong, given large bank merger trends and my experience in the 2008 financial crisis with too-big-to-fail firms.” Hsu also stated that he “voted for the Request for Information (RFI) on the BMA due to the inability to reach compromise and urgency on the financial stability issue,” and he expressed concerns that “legal or procedural quicksand may ultimately limit our ability to act on this issue in a timely manner.”
Biden outlines anti-corruption strategy
On December 6, the Biden administration released the United States Strategy on Countering Corruption (Strategy) in response to President Biden’s June Memorandum on Establishing the Fight Against Corruption as a Core United States National Security Interest, which designated the “fight against corruption” as a top priority in preserving national security in the United States. (Covered by InfoBytes here.) According to a fact sheet issued the same day, the comprehensive Strategy is intended to “improve the U.S. Government’s ability to prevent corruption, more effectively combat illicit finance, better hold corrupt actors accountable, and strengthen the capacity of activists, investigative journalists, and others on the front lines of exposing corrupt acts.” To achieve this, the Strategy presents a “whole-of-government approach to elevating the fight against corruption,” including by taking expanded steps to reduce corrupt actors from accessing the U.S. and international financial system to hide assets and lauder proceeds derived from corrupt acts. The Strategy, which discusses enforcement and rulemaking under the FCPA, Bank Secrecy Act, and Corporate Transparency Act, among other statutes, is divided into the following five pillars:
- “Modernizing, coordinating, and resourcing U.S. Government efforts to fight corruption,” including “prioritizing intelligence collection and analysis on corrupt actors and their networks.”
- “Curbing illicit finance” by, among other things, “[i]ssuing beneficial ownership transparency regulations” to identify bad actors and reveal when ill-gotten cash or criminal proceeds is hidden in real estate transactions, as well as cooperating with other counties to strengthen anti-money laundering regimes to increase transparency in the international financial system.
- “Holding corrupt actors accountable” by engaging with partner countries to detect and disrupt foreign bribery, developing “a kleptocracy asset recovery rewards program that will enhance the U.S. Government’s ability to identify and recover stolen assets linked to foreign government corruption that are held at U.S. financial institutions,” and working with the private sector to “encourage[e] the adoption and enforcement of anti-corruption compliance programs by U.S. and international companies.”
- “Preserving and strengthening the multilateral anti-corruption architecture,” including working to implement robust transparency and anti-corruption measures with the G7 and G20 and “target[ing] corruption in finance, acquisition, and human resource functions.”
- “Improving diplomatic engagement and leveraging foreign assistance resources to achieve anti-corruption policy goals” by, among other things, safeguarding government assistance funds from corrupt actors, “[e]xpanding anti-corruption focused U.S. assistance, and monitoring the efficacy of this assistance,” allowing for flexibility within “anti-corruption initiatives and broader assistance efforts to respond to unexpected situations worldwide,” and improving support for independent audit and oversight institutions.
The Strategy will require federal departments and agencies to submit annual reports to President Biden on progress made to achieve its objectives.