The NCUA announced a third round of proposed deregulation changes, seeking public comment on four proposals to eliminate or revise obsolete, duplicative, or burdensome rules and guidance to streamline compliance while maintaining credit union safety, soundness, and resilience. [1/15/25]
CFPB Crackdown on Deceptive Advertisements to Servicemembers in Full Swing
The CFPB settles with its fifth, sixth, and seventh companies for deceptive advertisements directed at servicemembers and veterans. Deception included implying an affiliation with the government and misrepresenting fees associated with the loans. [9/4/20]
FinCEN: Unlawfully Disclosed SARs
FinCEN has issued a statement that it is aware that various media outlets intend to publish a series of articles based on unlawfully disclosed Suspicious Activity Reports from several years ago. FinCEN seeks to remind all parties that unauthorized disclosure of SARs is a crime. [9/2/20]
NCUA: We Prefer Carrots Over Sticks (But Reserve Stick Option)
When it comes to promoting compliance, the NCUA prefers to provide more carrots in the form of incentivizing and rewarding corrective action and self-identification of compliance deficiencies. But the agency will use, when necessary, formal actions (a.k.a. sticks) to correct violations. [8/28/20]
PEP Talk
What you need to know about the agencies' recent statement on BSA regarding politically exposed persons. [8/26/20]
Risk Watch Plus Webinar 8: Complaint Management
Complaints: Why you shouldn't shun them, but invite them! In this era of exploding complaint volume, this certificated webinar (see instructions in video for how to get your free certificate of completion) takes a look at the risks, evolution, and need for a management strategy to effectively deal with complaints. Before that, we cover what's hot in compliance, as seen by the editors of Risk InboX.
Credit Unions
- Survey: AI Tops 2026 Priorities for Community Banks and Credit Unions
A 2026 CSI survey finds community banks and credit unions are optimistic and growing, with artificial intelligence their top priority—followed by cybersecurity and digital assets—amid ongoing challenges from technology gaps, fintech competition, and regulatory uncertainty. [1/29/26]
- NCUA Announces Significant Reduction in 2026 Credit Union Operating Fees
NCUA approved its 2026 budget, resulting in an average 24.65% decrease in federal credit union operating fees, an increased exemption threshold to $2.16 million in assets, and lower overall fees due to budget reductions, asset growth, and use of prior-year surplus funds. [1/29/26]
- NCUA Proposes Fourth Round of Credit Union Deregulatory Changes
The NCUA announced a fourth round of proposed deregulation in January 2026, seeking public comment on four changes that would clarify guidance and remove duplicative or burdensome requirements to give federally insured credit unions greater flexibility while maintaining safety and soundness. [1/29/26]
- NCUA Proposes Third Round of Deregulation Changes
- NCUA 2026 Supervisory Priorities
The NCUA announced its 2026 Supervisory Priorities, reaffirming its “No Regulation by Enforcement” approach while emphasizing risk-based supervision focused on safety and soundness, credit and liquidity risk, fraud and compliance, and more efficient, streamlined examinations to support a resilient credit union system. [1/15/26]
- Agencies Set 2026 Regulation Z and M Thresholds
The Federal Reserve and CFPB announced that, based on inflation adjustments, Regulation Z and Regulation M protections will generally apply in 2026 to consumer credit and lease transactions of $73,400 or less. [1/2/26]
- Agencies Raise 2026 Higher-Priced Mortgage Loan Threshold
The CFPB, Federal Reserve, and OCC announced that the exemption threshold for higher-priced mortgage loans subject to special appraisal requirements will rise to $34,200 effective January 1, 2026, reflecting inflation adjustments. [1/2/26]
- NCUA Proposes Second Round of Deregulatory Rule Changes
The NCUA announced a second round of proposed deregulation, seeking public comment on four rule changes aimed at clarifying guidance and removing obsolete, duplicative, or overly burdensome requirements while maintaining credit unions’ safety and soundness. [1/2/26
- Nacha Sets 2026 Deadline for New ACH Fraud-Prevention Requirements
Nacha’s new ACH fraud-reduction rules require all corporate end users to implement tailored, risk-based procedures for detecting and preventing fraudulent ACH transactions by 2026, assigning expanded responsibilities across internal teams and third-party partners to ensure compliance and reduce fraud exposure. [11/20/25]
- FinCEN Seeks Comments on BSA Information Sharing Rule
FinCEN is seeking public comments on the proposed renewal of existing Bank Secrecy Act regulations requiring financial institutions to share information with the government upon request, as part of efforts to reduce paperwork and burden. [10/1/25]
- NCUA Ends Use of Reputation Risk in Examinations
The NCUA has ended the use of "reputation risk" in its examinations and supervision, in line with Executive Order 14331, and will no longer consider it when assessing credit unions as of September 25, 2025. [10/1/25]
- FinCEN Issues Alert on Rising Sextortion Scams Targeting Youth
FinCEN has issued a Notice to help financial institutions detect and report financially motivated sextortion—an increasingly common crime targeting minors, especially boys, and often involving AI-generated explicit content—with the goal of aiding law enforcement and preventing further victim harm. [9/12/25]
Banking Industry
- Survey: AI Tops 2026 Priorities for Community Banks and Credit Unions
A 2026 CSI survey finds community banks and credit unions are optimistic and growing, with artificial intelligence their top priority—followed by cybersecurity and digital assets—amid ongoing challenges from technology gaps, fintech competition, and regulatory uncertainty. [1/29/26]
- Agencies Set 2026 Regulation Z and M Thresholds
The Federal Reserve and CFPB announced that, based on inflation adjustments, Regulation Z and Regulation M protections will generally apply in 2026 to consumer credit and lease transactions of $73,400 or less. [1/2/26]
- Agencies Raise 2026 Higher-Priced Mortgage Loan Threshold
The CFPB, Federal Reserve, and OCC announced that the exemption threshold for higher-priced mortgage loans subject to special appraisal requirements will rise to $34,200 effective January 1, 2026, reflecting inflation adjustments. [1/2/26]
- Regulators Release 2024 CRA Small Business and Farm Lending Data
- Nacha Sets 2026 Deadline for New ACH Fraud-Prevention Requirements
Nacha’s new ACH fraud-reduction rules require all corporate end users to implement tailored, risk-based procedures for detecting and preventing fraudulent ACH transactions by 2026, assigning expanded responsibilities across internal teams and third-party partners to ensure compliance and reduce fraud exposure. [11/20/25]
- FinCEN Seeks Comments on BSA Information Sharing Rule
FinCEN is seeking public comments on the proposed renewal of existing Bank Secrecy Act regulations requiring financial institutions to share information with the government upon request, as part of efforts to reduce paperwork and burden. [10/1/25]
- FinCEN Issues Alert on Rising Sextortion Scams Targeting Youth
FinCEN has issued a Notice to help financial institutions detect and report financially motivated sextortion—an increasingly common crime targeting minors, especially boys, and often involving AI-generated explicit content—with the goal of aiding law enforcement and preventing further victim harm. [9/12/25]
- FDIC Proposes Simplified Digital Signage Rules for Banks
The FDIC has proposed a rule to simplify and focus requirements for displaying its official digital sign and non-deposit signage on bank websites, apps, and ATMs, aiming to enhance consumer clarity in digital banking. [8/20/25]
- Banks Urged to Prep Originators Early for 2026 Nacha Rule Changes
With Nacha’s new ACH Rules taking effect in March 2026, financial institutions are urged to proactively prepare Originators for compliance through tailored communication, early testing, and collaboration, as demonstrated by efforts from PNC Bank and Paychex. [8/7/25]
- OCC Ends Disparate Impact Exams in Fair Lending Oversight
The OCC has ceased examining banks for disparate impact liability in fair lending supervision, in alignment with Executive Order 14281, while continuing to assess for disparate treatment and overall fair lending compliance. [7/17/25]
- Agencies Propose Reinstating 1995 CRA Rules, Repealing 2023 Update
Federal banking agencies proposed rescinding the 2023 Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Final Rule—currently under injunction—and replacing it with the previous 1995/2021 CRA regulation to restore regulatory certainty and reduce burden on financial institutions. [7/17/25]
- FDIC: Bank Profits Rise Amid Modest Loan Growth and Stable Asset Quality
In the first quarter of 2025, FDIC-insured banks reported higher net income driven by increased noninterest income, modest loan growth, and rising domestic deposits, despite a slight decline in net interest margin and persistent asset quality concerns in some loan portfolios. [5/28/25]
Agencies
- ACH Network Sets New Volume and Value Records in 2025
The ACH Network set new records in 2025 with 35.2 billion payments worth $93 trillion—driven by strong growth in Same Day ACH and B2B transactions—highlighting the continued shift away from paper checks. [1/29/26]
- CFPB and DOJ Withdraw Immigration Status Fair Lending Guidance
The CFPB and DOJ withdrew their 2023 joint statement on immigration status and fair lending to align with ECOA and Regulation B, clarifying that creditors may consider immigration or citizenship status in certain circumstances without implying new or conflicting compliance standards. [1/15/26]
- FinCEN Issues Minnesota Geographic Targeting Order
FinCEN issued a Geographic Targeting Order effective February 12–August 10, 2026, requiring banks and money transmitters in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties, Minnesota to retain and report detailed information on certain $3,000 or more cross-border funds transfers to combat money laundering tied to government benefits fraud. [1/15/26]
- BLOG: New Nacha Rules Drive Enhanced ACH Fraud Risk Management
The new Nacha Risk Management Rules require ODFIs and RDFIs to implement risk-based ACH fraud detection processes beginning March 2026 (with full applicability by June 2026), emphasizing proactive monitoring, documentation, collaboration, and potential technology enhancements to reduce fraud risk and ensure compliance. [1/2/26]
- FinCEN Delays IA AML Rule Until 2028
FinCEN issued a final rule extending the effective date of the IA AML Rule for registered and exempt reporting investment advisers from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2028. [1/2/26]
- OCC Updates Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Handbook
The OCC has released version 1.1 of its “Servicemembers Civil Relief Act” handbook, updating guidance and procedures for examiners on consumer protections available to servicemembers under the SCRA. [11/20/25]
- Proposed FinCEN Rule Targeting Mexico-Based Gambling Money Laundering
FinCEN proposes a rule under the USA PATRIOT Act declaring transactions tied to ten Mexico-based gambling establishments a primary money-laundering concern and requiring U.S. financial institutions to block or closely monitor any correspondent accounts that could be used to process such transactions. [11/20/25]
- FinCEN Issues FAQs to Streamline Suspicious Activity Reporting
FinCEN, along with federal banking regulators, issued updated FAQs to help financial institutions prioritize high-value suspicious activity reports (SARs), reducing unnecessary compliance burdens and enhancing support for law enforcement efforts. [10/9/25]
- FinCEN Renews Real Estate Transparency Orders Amid AML Rule Delay
FinCEN has renewed its Geographic Targeting Orders requiring title insurance companies to identify individuals behind shell companies in certain high-risk real estate purchases through February 28, 2026, while delaying broader Anti-Money Laundering reporting rules until March 1, 2026. [10/9/25]
- FinCEN Delays Real Estate Reporting Rule to 2026
FinCEN has postponed the reporting requirements of the Residential Real Estate Transfers Rule until March 1, 2026, to reduce industry burden while maintaining protections against illicit finance threats. [10/1/25]
- FinCEN Proposes Survey on AML/CFT Compliance Costs
FinCEN is seeking public comments on a proposed survey to assess the compliance costs of AML/CFT regulations for non-bank financial institutions, aiming to inform potential deregulatory actions without impacting supervision or enforcement. [10/1/25]
- Guidance for Lenders During NFIP Lapse
Federal regulators remind lenders that during a lapse in the National Flood Insurance Program, they may still issue loans requiring flood insurance, provided they follow flood determination, borrower notification, and risk management requirements, and consider private flood insurance options. [10/1/25]
