Private Banking
Practice Overview
Private banking in the U.S. has moved into an era of regulatory oversight, enforcement risk, and litigation exposure far beyond what the industry has experienced in the past. Regulators are devoting more time and resources to scrutinizing this corner of the financial services market, where clients demand exclusivity and discretion.
Private banks must balance customized product and service offerings and superior client service to high-net-worth individuals with obligations under federal and state consumer protection laws. Our attorneys understand the pressures that private banks face, and offer grounded and practical solutions to help them meet compliance obligations and sustain a competitive business model.
Buckley also provides tactical guidance on how to structure the commercial, institutional, and general business processes of private banks to meet the needs of high-net-worth and institutional clients. Our attorneys have the experience and industry intelligence to help private banks achieve their business goals, whether the objective is to acquire, merge, or develop strategic partnerships.
Our work in private banking includes:
- Providing regulatory and compliance training to boards, executives, and legal and compliance professionals
- Structuring Community Reinvestment Act loan programs, negotiating origination agreements with other institutions in target markets, conducting readiness reviews for CRA exams, developing strategic plans, and preparing regulatory responses to potential CRA rating downgrades
- Preparing for and managing exams by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, federal prudential banking regulators, and other federal and state regulators, as well as responding to exam findings and requests for corrective action
- Developing, evaluating, and overseeing lending compliance programs, including statistical monitoring analysis, qualitative risk assessments, minority-market outreach strategies, and special purpose credit programs
- Structuring and negotiating various strategic partnerships, including those involving outsourced service providers and technology solutions in the loan manufacturing process
- Defending private banks in pre-enforcement inquiries and enforcement investigations stemming from redlining and other fair-lending claims
- Developing solutions to complex regulatory hurdles that account for the level of client service fundamental to the private-banking model
- Counseling banks on requirements and restrictions imposed by key safety and soundness regulations that establish rules for tying arrangements (Regulation Y), extending credit to insiders (Regulation O), securities-based lending (Regulation U), and transactions with affiliates (Regulation W)
- Structuring loan products that comply with the obligations of the Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z
- Assisting clients in designing, maintaining, reviewing, and monitoring Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money-Laundering compliance programs, and defending clients in related enforcement investigations
- Designing debt collection protocols consistent with state and federal regulatory requirements and with the client’s strategic objectives
- Helping clients develop and implement compliance-management systems and vendor-management programs
- Advising on cross-selling, incentive compensation structures, and marketing initiatives for products and services
- Advising on complex vesting structures in connection with high-net-worth clients.
News & Blogs
Daniel R. Alonso quoted in Global Investigations Review article, “Bank settles with DOJ over scheme to launder bribes”
Daniel R. Alonso was quoted on May 1, 2020 in a Global Investigations Review article, “Bank settles with DOJ over scheme to launder bribes,” which discussed Bank Hapoalim’s $30 million settlement to resolve money laundering allegations for its part in a bribery scandal involving the Fédération...
In The NewsAmanda R. Lawrence quoted in American Banker article, “State privacy bills try to cut banks a break, but not completely”
Amanda R. Lawrence was quoted on January 24, 2020 in an American Banker article, “State privacy bills try to cut banks a break, but not completely,” which discussed how state legislatures are trying to ease the impact of various data privacy and cybersecurity laws on banks, though the proposals all...
In The NewsJeffrey P. Naimon quoted in American Banker article, “Election 2020: Is nightmare scenario closer to reality for banks?”
Jeffrey P. Naimon was quoted on February 23, 2020 in an American Banker article, “Election 2020: Is nightmare scenario closer to reality for banks?” which discussed Senator Bernie Sanders’ rise to front-runner in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, and the potential threat a...
In The News
Press Releases & Announcements
Gordon Miller joins Buckley Sandler
WASHINGTON, DC (August 13, 2018) – Buckley Sandler LLP announced today that banking regulatory lawyer Gordon L. Miller has joined the firm as a Senior Counsel in its Washington, D.C., office. Miller brings more than three decades of public- and private-sector experience in bank regulation,...
Press Releases