NYDFS INTEGRAL TO NY STATE NEW CYBERSECURITY STRATEGY

According to the strategy released by New York governor Kathy Hochul: “Financial Sector[:] In 2017, the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) became the first banking or insurance regulator in the nation to establish a cybersecurity division to protect consumers and industries from cyber threats. DFS also created first-in-the-nation requirements for DFS-regulated banks, … Read more

SENATE PASSES BILL TO ENHANCE NYDFS ENFORCEMENT POWERS AGAINST UNLICENSED ACTIVITY

The New York State Senate passed legislation that will enhance NYDFS enforcement powers against unlicensed activity in the State.  Takeaways: •   While there has been some argument over the powers of NYDFS to go after unlicensed financial services activity in the state, new legislation passed by the Senate and pending in the Assembly clarifies that it … Read more

NYDFS ARGUES IT FACES PAY GAP CHALLENGES IN RECRUITING

According to Bloomberg: “New York’s top financial industry regulator is trying to expand bank examiner staffing, but relatively low pay and federal agencies’ competition for skilled labor are posing stiff challenges. The New York Department of Financial Services has faced ‘internal staffing restraints’ that hinder adequate staffing of examination teams, the DFS said in an … Read more

NYDFS ADOPTS REGULATION ON CRYPTO FIRM ASSESSMENTS

Superintendent Harris announced today final adoption of the assessment regulation. Quick takeaways: •   The adopted regulation effectuates legislation in the NYS FY23 Budget giving DFS authority to collect supervisory costs from licensed virtual currency businesses, similar to other licensees regulated by DFS. •   Says DFS: “As stewards of others’ assets, virtual currency entities play an important role in the … Read more

DOJ & SEC EXTEND ERICSSON MONITORSHIP

While the jury appears still to be out on what will result in imposition of a new DOJ monitorship under the Monaco Memos, if you breach a DPA — twice — you will get an extension of the Monitorship.   DOJ has now extended the Ericsson monitorship arising out of an FCPA prosecution for one year. … Read more

BACK TO THE WORLD OF BANKING: NYDFS SUPERINTENDENT ADRIENNE A. HARRIS APPOINTED TO FSOC

State bank supervisors have appointed New York State Department of Financial Services Superintendent Adrienne A. Harris to serve as the state banking representative on the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC), according to the Conference of State Banking Supervisors.  “Superintendent Harris’ background and experience at both the federal and state level will be an asset for … Read more

NYDFS TAKES ADDITIONAL ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST REDLINING

According to its second report on fair lending violations, NYDFS took action against two mortgage lenders, although it did not make any findings of violations: “After taking the testimony of Premium Mortgage and 1st Priority executives, as well as a number of licensed mortgage loan originators at Premium Mortgage, and reviewing documents provided by the … Read more