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5 things to know this week
NAFCU's widely-read NAFCU Today is credit union leaders' go-to source for the latest on issues impacting the credit union industry. For those short on time, here's a roundup of this week's top need-to-know news related to leadership at the CFPB, new suspicious activity reporting FAQs, and more.
Acting CFPB, FCC leadership chosen
Following Kathy Kraninger's resignation as CFPB director, the White House Wednesday announced President Joe Biden has appointed Dave Uejio as acting director of the bureau. Uejio will serve in the role pending Senate confirmation of Federal Trade Commissioner Rohit Chopra's nomination.
According to reports, Uejio has worked at the CFPB for nine years and was most recently the bureau's chief strategy officer.
Chopra helped launch the CFPB following the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act and served as an assistant director at the bureau, overseeing its student loan agenda, and was also appointed to serve as the bureau's student loan ombudsman.
The U.S. Supreme Court last year determined that the bureau's single-director structure was unconstitutional, but the bureau could continue to operate so long as the director is subject to removal by the president at will. NAFCU works closely with the CFPB to ensure credit unions are not overly burdened by rules that are intended to stop bad actors.
Relatedly, President Biden Thursday appointed Jessica Rosenworcel as acting Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair. Former chairman Ajit Pai announced his resignation earlier this year, leaving one vacancy on the commission. Rosenworcel will serve in an acting capacity until a permanent chair is nominated and confirmed.
NCUA, FinCEN release new SAR FAQs
The NCUA, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), and other federal banking regulators have released new FAQs on suspicious activity reporting and other anti-money laundering (AML) requirements.
The FAQs, developed in response to recent bank secrecy act (BSA) advisory group recommendations, seek to clarify the regulatory requirements related to suspicious activity reporting and assist financial institutions with their compliance obligations.
The resource addresses questions on several issues, including:
- maintaining accounts at the request of law enforcement;
- suspicious activity report (SAR) filing and the receipt of grand jury subpoenas or other law enforcement inquiries;
- maintaining customer relationships;
- SAR filing and monitoring on negative media alerts;
- data fields; and
- the SAR narrative and character limits.
Compliance Blog breaks down NCUA's 2021 supervisory priorities
In today's post on the Compliance Blog, NAFCU Regulatory Compliance Counsel Loran Jackson details what credit unions need to know about the NCUA's recently released 2021 supervisory priorities, which includes several items remaining from last year's initial and revised priorities.
In the blog Jackson outlines the NCUA's areas of focus and highlights that the agency has indicated that due to the ongoing pandemic it will continue to conduct exams offsite for the foreseeable future and will notify credit unions before returning to onsite exams.
Of note, in light of the pandemic and the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) additional delay of the current expected credit loss (CECL) standard compliance date, the NCUA has stated that it "will not be assessing credit unions' efforts to transition to the CECL standard until further notice."
NAFCU to HUD: Include compliance aid language in flood insurance rulemaking
In response to the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) notice of proposed rulemaking related to the acceptance of private flood insurance on Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured mortgages, NAFCU encouraged the agency to adopt existing compliance aid language or provide clarifying language to reduce ambiguities.
In a letter sent Thursday, NAFCU Senior Regulatory Compliance Counsel Kaley Schafer highlighted existing compliance aid language included in the federal financial regulators interagency rule.
"Inclusion of the proposed compliance aid assists credit unions with the review of a private flood insurance policy to ensure it is compliant with the FHA’s regulations," wrote Schafer. "Compliance aids are particularly helpful to smaller credit unions who may lack the resources or technical experience to adequately review flood insurance policies."
NAFCU also urged HUD to provide a discretionary acceptance provision to ease operations and minimize delays in the homebuying process and enhance consumer choice.
Trump admin permits DACA recipients to apply for FHA mortgages
The Trump administration Wednesday, before leaving office, issued a HUD bulletin to Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage lenders updating a section of the FHA handbook that had created confusion on whether those living under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, could qualify for loans. Through the waiver, effective Jan. 19, DACA recipients are eligible to apply for mortgages back by the FHA.
Related Resources
Add to Calendar 2021-02-26 14:00:00 2021-02-26 14:00:00 The CDFI Rapid Response Program With the recent COVID-19 relief legislation, unprecedented levels of funding are being directed to underserved communities, especially communities of color. Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certified credit unions have a critical role to play in deploying these funds. The CDFI Fund's Rapid Response Program (RRP) opens by February 25th, making available $1.25 billion in grants to CDFIs. This webinar will help you to prepare for the RRP and other CDFI applications. All first-time CDFI Fund grant applicants are urged to attend. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn more about how your credit union can tap into these resources for the benefit of the members and communities you serve. CDFI certification is an essential credential for credit unions with a focus on financial inclusion today. If you have never applied for a CDFI grant, don’t miss this critical webinar. Key Takeaways Review updated information about the RRP opportunity and application process Walk through critical first steps to complete before you apply for CDFI Fund grant Register NowRegistration is complimentary, but you must register to attend.One registration gives your entire credit union access to the on-demand recording until February 26, 2022.Already registered? Go to the Online Training Center to view live. Who Should Attend? Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) Chief Lending Officers (CLOs) Business Lending Staff Lending Staff Education Credits This webinar doesn't qualify for any continuing education credits recognized by NAFCU or NASBA. About Our Webinars Our webinars are streamed live from NAFCU headquarters near Washington, D.C. Your audio/video feed of the presenters includes presentation slides and downloadable handouts. You can easily submit your questions to the presenters at any time during the live broadcast, with no dialing over the phone! The audio and video stream directly through your computer. Web NAFCU digital@nafcu.org America/New_York public
The CDFI Rapid Response Program
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Partner in Crime: A CTR Refresher
BSA
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Add to Calendar 2021-02-25 14:00:00 2021-02-25 14:00:00 Fundamentals of Credit Union Subordinated Debt This webinar will cover NCUA’s new rule authorizing the issuance of subordinated debt by natural person credit unions for purposes of regulatory capital treatment. Previously only low-income credit unions could issue subordinated debt that can count toward their net worth requirement. Under the rule, complex credit unions and new credit unions, as well as low-income credit unions, may issue subordinated debt that can count toward their risk-based capital requirement. The webinar will address material terms of the rule and the subordinated debt instrument. We’ll also cover the regulatory approval process, eligible investors, the offering process, reasons to issue subordinated debt and the current interest rate environment. Key Takeaways Understand managing the regulatory approval process. Gain familiarization with key terms of the subordinated debt note. Review the issuance and marketing process. Discuss current market dynamics for credit union sub debt. Purchase Now$295 Members | $395 Nonmembers (Additional $50 for CD)One registration gives your entire credit union access to the on-demand recording until February 25, 2022.Already registered? Go to the Online Training Center to view live. Who Should Attend? NAFCU Certified Compliance Officers (NCCOs) NAFCU Certified Risk Managers (NCRMs) Chief Executive Officers Executive Vice Presidents Chief Financial Officers Education Credits NCCOs will receive 1.5 CEUs for participating in this webinar. NCRMs will receive 1.5 CEUs for participating in this webinar. CPA credit information is below; recommended 1.5 CPE credits. CPA Certification Credit Information Reviewer: Josie Collins, Associate Director of Education, NAFCU Learning Objectives: Understand managing the regulatory approval process. Gain familiarization with key terms of the subordinated debt note. Review the issuance and marketing process. Discuss current market dynamics for credit union sub debt. Program Level: Basic Prerequisites Needed: None Advance Preparation Needed: None Delivery Method: Group Internet-Based Recommended CPE Credits: 1.5 credits Recommended Field of Study: Finance - Technical National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU) is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. Learn more. About Our Webinars Our webinars are streamed live from NAFCU headquarters near Washington, D.C. Your audio/video feed of the presenters includes presentation slides and downloadable handouts. You can easily submit your questions to the presenters at any time during the live broadcast, with no dialing over the phone! The audio and video stream directly through your computer. Web NAFCU digital@nafcu.org America/New_York public
Fundamentals of Credit Union Subordinated Debt
Credits: NCRM, NCCO, CPE
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