Recent developments about the New York State Department of Financial Services
(Not affiliated with NYDFS; just a blog.)
As part of a global settlement with numerous attorneys general, including the New York AG, NYDFS also resolved its administrative charges of insurance fraud against pharmaceutical manufacturer Teva over misrepresentations in charges for opioid products. Notably, Teva had unsuccessfully challenged in New York State court the authority of NYDFS to investigate this conduct as insurance … Read more
NYDFS has announced a proposed regulation allowing banks to collect data concerning banking services offered to Minority and Women-Owned Businesses (MWBE) under the Community Reinvestment Act. From Superintendent Harris: “Banks must meet the needs of all consumers, including minority and women business owners, who historically have been denied fair access to credit,” said Superintendent of … Read more
According to an interview given by NYDFS Superintendent Adrienne A. Harris to the Wall Street Journal, NYDFS will release guidance for regulated banks that interact with customers handling crypto or want to engage in the business themselves. Superintendent Harris to WSJ: “Where some regulators have said, “No, banks, don’t engage in this at all,” we’ve … Read more
NYDFS Superintendent Adrienne A. Harris spoke to the Times Union newspaper about the regulatory reach of the agency and challenges in staffing: “[Harris] spent the first six months on the job conducting a staff analysis, prompting her to conclude that the agency is understaffed, especially considering its regulatory reach.” More on the interview in the … Read more
Law360 reports that NASDAQ will be jumping into the crypto custody business for institutional investors. NYDFS will be reviewing their application, according to Law360. Coindesk reporting on this may be found here: https://www.coindesk.com/business/2022/09/20/nasdaq-starts-crypto-custody-services-for-institutional-clients/
Crains New York, a business journal, held a panel on the future of crypto in New York: “As yet, it is unclear if New York’s brand of oversight will attract crypto companies or send them elsewhere to set up shop. ‘It depends whether they recognize how valuable a seal of approval from New York state … Read more
Strong compliance personnel remain one of the best investments for a financial institution, and an ongoing challenge, per the OCC: “Compliance risk remains heightened…. [T]he OCC has observed an increase in the competition for compliance subject matter experts, at both the bank management and staff levels.” The OCC Report may be found here: https://www.occ.treas.gov/publications-and-resources/publications/semiannual-risk-perspective/files/semiannual-risk-perspective-spring-2022.html
Its finally here: first-in-the-nation stablecoin guidance for regulated cryptocurrency entities. Some highlights: Backing and Redeemability: The stablecoin must be fully backed by a Reserve of assets, meaning that the market value of the Reserve is at least equal to the nominal value of all outstanding units of the stablecoin as of the end of each … Read more
At the Links 2022 Conference, NYDFS Superintendent Adrienne A. Harris stated that “the regulatory agency will triple the size of its virtual currency unit by the end of the year.” Its ambitious — but much needed. Superintendent Harris “said her agency is working to hire additional staff and update its guidance to better deal with … Read more
NYDFS issued guidance concerning the use of blockchain analytics by regulated cryptocurrency firms. NYDFS stated: “The purpose of this guidance … is to emphasize to all virtual currency business entities that are either licensed under 23 NYCRR Part 200 or chartered as a limited purpose trust company … the importance of blockchain analytics to effective policies, … Read more