BofI Gains OCC Approval to Acquire H&R Block Bank (Aug. 6, 2015)
BofI Federal Bank has received approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to acquire certain assets and liabilities from H&R Block Bank.
Regulation
OCC Issues Guidance for Tax Refund Prepaid Issuers (Aug. 6, 2015)
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has released new guidance for banks issuing tax refund-related products, including prepaid cards.
GMEX signs Bank of America, prepares for launch
International derivatives market GMEX is due to go live on Friday after more than two years of development. Created by co-founders Hirander Misra and Vj Angelo, the new exchange has just signed Bank of America Merrill Lynch and will start by offering futures contracts backed by German derivatives giant Eurex.
Android users most at risk of fraud warns survey
The rate of mobile fraud is highest on Android devices, according to new data from cyber security company Kount, with mobile fraud also outpacing that of online and in-store fraud for the first time this year. The data also shows that average transaction amounts on iOS mobile devices are greater than those made from Android devices.
Making the connection
Connecting Governance, Finance, Risk & Compliance allows firms to govern all important issues and risks that exist at the intersection of multiple functions. Breaking silos and adopting a forward looking, holistic view of GFRC functions will be what provides financial institutions with a competitive advantage
CVS Hack Highlights Importance of Vendor Selection
Another warning to check that your vendors apply appropriate security measures.
Google and RadioShack Face Challenges from Gift Card Holders
Both Google and RadioShack are engaged in legal battles with consumers holding unused balances on the respective company’s gift cards.
D.C. Circuit Court Ruling Revives Lawsuit Challenging CFPB’s Constitutionality
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on July 24 revived a constitutional challenge to the CFPB and the appointment of Director Richard Cordray, overturning a 2013 decision that State National Bank of Big Spring, Texas, did not have standing in the lawsuit.
The new face of risk management
Regulations aimed at transparency across financial markets may be making things simpler for the regulators, but they are making life more complex for banks, according to Sven Ludwig, senior vice president, risk management and analytics EMEA, at SunGard.
HM Treasury Seeks Input on Interchange Fee Regulation (July 28, 2015)
EU-wide Interchange Fee Regulation (IFR) goes into effect in December, and the U.K. government is seeking industry input on its implementation of the interchange caps and related provisions.
CFPB Takes Aim at Student Loan/Financial Aid Sector (July 28, 2015)
The CFPB has taken action against two companies over what the agency says were illegal practices related to student loans and financial aid information.
Reinforcing supply chain links
Despite the squeeze on capital created by the increased global regulatory burden, treasurers must still provide ample working capital for daily commercial flows, with minimum damage to their balance sheets. At the same time, the continuing rise in cross-border trade – frequently with relatively unknown and distant markets – increases exposure to geo-political and environmental risks. In such an environment, and particularly in light of post-crisis sensibilities, liquidity is more of a concern than ever, both to lubricate the daily machinations of trade and to act as a buffer for potential financial or supply-related shocks
Fed Report: $139 Billion in Gov’t Prepaid Loads in 2014 (July 21, 2015)
Government agencies disbursed a total of $139 billion through prepaid cards in 2014, according to the Federal Reserve’s latest annual report on government prepaid programs.
CFPB: Citi to Pay $770 Million for Marketing and Billing Practices Related to Credit Card Add-On Services (July 21, 2015)
As the Dodd-Frank Act turns 5 today, the CFPB is making good on its consumer protection mandate, announcing today a new enforcement action.
Financial services trade associations face amalgamation in FSTAR review
Some of the top banking industry associations may be joined together, amalgamated or otherwise merged, following the publication of the Financial Services Trade Association Review this month. The move poses both risks and potential benefits.
Authorities Smash Hacking ‘Hornet’s Nest’ (July 16, 2015)
A major online hacking forum and malware marketplace has been shut down in a coordinated operation by law enforcement officials in 20 countries.
Clearing the path to BPO adoption for international trade finance banks
The release in 2013 of Universal Rules for Bank Payment Obligation by the International Chamber of Commerce effectively endorsed and formalised the structure for international trade finance processes. Despite this, the volume of completed BPO transactions remains low
Viewpoint: Canada’s Digital Privacy Act Receives Royal Assent, but Breach Notification Provisions Lag Behind
It’s now law, but not all of the act is in force yet.
Viewpoint: Amendments to Canada’s AML Legislation: What’s New and What’s Next
Regulated entities that verify identity in connection with the issuance of stored value cards may find more flexibility in the principle-based approach to identity verification outlined in the proposed regulations.
Treasury: AML, CTF Efforts Have Been Effective (July 13, 2015)
Efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing have succeeded in making life difficult for criminals seeking to engage in those activities, according to a pair of reports from the Treasury Department.
Q&A with Brad Fauss, NBPCA
The NBPCA’s newly elected president and CEO spoke with Paybefore about priorities, what happens behind the scenes of the association, and the work that lies ahead for an industry that must continue to raise awareness on the Hill.
Starting Young Key to Financial Literacy, Says Presidential Panel (July 7, 2015)
Equipping young Americans with the knowledge they need to make smart financial decisions should start as early as pre-kindergarten, according to a new report from a group of experts tasked with finding ways to promote financial capability among the young. Created by a 2013 executive order from President Obama, the President’s Advisory Council on Financial […]
N.Y. DOL Extends Comment Period for Payroll Card Regs (July 6, 2015)
Payroll card providers now have until July 31, 2015, to respond to the New York Department of Labor’s proposed payroll card regulations, which prohibit fees for inactivity, overdraft, declined transactions or receiving written transaction statements, among other mandates.
Europol Busts Cybercrime Ring, Enlists Barclays to Fight Attacks (June 30, 2015)
Cybercrime investigators from six European countries joined forces and recently busted a large gang of cybercriminals that had used malware in a widespread attack on online banking systems across the Eurozone, resulting in losses of at least €2 million (US$2.22 million), according to Europol, the EU’s law enforcement agency.
Chase Adds Bill Pay to Liquid, Expands Checking Access (June 30, 2015)
JPMorgan Chase is changing its policies to offer more customers access to mainstream payment services—and the company’s Liquid prepaid card will play a key role in the initiative.
Supreme Court Upholds Affordable Care Act Tax Credits (June 25, 2015)
The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision to uphold tax credits for consumers in 34 states with federal health insurance exchanges as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) may not have huge implications for the benefit card industry.
Texas AG Wants RadioShack Gift Card Holders First in Line (June 22, 2015)
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against bankrupt RadioShack Corp. to help ensure consumers in the state receive their collective $43 million in unredeemed gift cards.
U.K. Eyes Increased Protection for Gift Card Holders in Insolvencies (June 22, 2015)
The U.K. Law Commission is exploring ways to protect gift card holders in the event of retailer insolvency and is requesting comments on its proposals by Sept. 17.
Funds Transfer Pricing: confronting a mosaic of risk
The need for financial institutions to accurately gauge their exposure to myriad sources of risk has seldom, if ever, been greater. The credit crisis toward the end of the last decade must have made that clear, and if bankers managed to avoid getting the message back then, the point has been driven home ever since by regulators around the world
Lessons from D.C.: Relationships Matter; Highlight Consumer Benefits (June 16, 2015)
Two key takeaways from the NBPCA’s Power of Prepaid event in Washington, D.C., last week are that relationships matter and industry stakeholders must bring consumer benefits to the forefront of any discussion with lawmakers and regulators.
Pan-European Data Protection Reform on Track for 2015 Adoption (June 16, 2015)
European lawmakers will meet next week to agree on a road map toward finalizing data protection reform this year.
U.S., Japan, China Spearhead Bitcoin Regulations (June 16, 2015)
The U.S., Japan and China are working on regulations to prevent the use of digital currencies, such as bitcoin, from being used to finance illegal activities or terrorist organizations, according to Japanese newspaper Nikkei.
ISDA rallies support for derivatives data reporting rethink
Eleven financial associations have published their support for a new set of derivatives reporting standards developed by ISDA, which is calling for greater cross-border harmonisation of data standards – even if that means some national laws will have to be amended.
Tabb: capital markets compliance spend will soar to $2.6 billion this year
TABB Group forecasts global compliance spending among capital markets firms will some increase 7.5% to 8% in 2015, reaching $2.592 billion , and growing at a similar pace for 2016, driven by global regulations that require institutions to expand coverage, enhance existing capabilities and standardise compliance solutions and processes.
OIG Report: Fed Regulators Mostly Working Well Together, Cite Areas for Improvement (June 11, 2015)
A multi-agency federal regulator report concluded that the CFPB and prudential regulators are “generally” coordinating their oversight activities pertaining to consumer financial laws, consistent with the Dodd-Frank Act and the provisions of a MOU (memorandum of understanding) governing coordination activities.
McKenna to head standards at Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation
Karla McKenna has been named head of standards at the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation on a year’s secondment from Citi, where she is director of market practice and standards.
Viewpoint: Why Banks Still May Be Nervous about Banking Nonbank Money Services Businesses
The FDIC draws attention to a standard fraud claim without offering much guidance.
Permanent TSB and Italian bank adopt Wolters Kluwer reporting tools
Irish bank Permanent TSB has chosen a regulatory reporting platform from Wolters Kluwer as part of its measures to cope with Basel III. Belgian bank Banca Monte Paschi Belgio, the Belgian branch of Italy’s Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, has also chosen the same OneSumX regulatory reporting solution.
FBI Warns of New Cybercrime Threat (June 3, 2015)
Cybercriminals are using a new form of malware to steal shoppers’ personal financial data, according to an FBI alert issued to retailers last week.
New York State Issues Draft Reg for Payroll Cards (June 1, 2015)
New York State’s Department of Labor has published draft regulations for businesses that pay workers with debit cards, including a prohibition on employers profiting from card programs or passing along associated costs to their employees.
