Norton Rose Fulbright Bolsters Singapore Team with Banking and Finance Expert Beelee Seah

In a recent announcement, Norton Rose Fulbright confirmed the addition of Beelee Seah to its banking and finance team in Singapore. Seah, who formerly served at Baker McKenzie, has acquired considerable expertise in structuring and implementing cross-border financial transactions with a focus on fund financing and the Vietnam market. Now operating as a partner at…

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Hogan Lovells Bolsters Paris Team, Signaling Growth Strategy in French Energy Sector

Law firm Hogan Lovells has broadened its footprint in Paris, hiring a six-lawyer team that includes the former French energy regulator. This move strengthens their regional presence and signals an ambitious growth strategy within the French market. The legal sector in France has also seen other significant strategic changes recently, with veteran banking and finance…

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Barred Morgan Stanley Banker Joins Firm Receiving His Leaked Data

In recent developments, a former Morgan Stanley banker, penalized in a pivotal block-trading investigation that shook Wall Street, has moved to a firm that was privy to confidential data he had leaked. The unscrupulous disclosure of privileged information in the banking sector, particularly within large financial corporations like Morgan Stanley, is concerning for many legal…

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NY Litigation Firm Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Pregnancy Discrimination, Unequal Pay, and Harassment

A former partner at New York litigation firm Moses Singer is alleging gender discrimination, sexual harassment, unequal pay, and withheld work opportunities, according to a recent article from Bloomberg Law. Meghan Daneshrad alleges that all these happened prior to her termination, which she deems is a retaliatory move. Daneshrad claims that she was unjustly fired…

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CFPB Approves Pilot Program for Construction Loan Disclosures: A Shift in Regulatory Landscape

In a step signalling change, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) gave green light to a pilot program addressing construction loans. This approval followed an application submitted by a community banking trade organization indicating a significant shift in the existing regulatory landscape. The application, prepared under the CFPB’s trial policy programs that fall under Section…

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OCC Announces New Enforcement Actions Targeting National Banks and Federal Savings Associations

On November 16, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) disseminated a list of fresh enforcement actions directed at national banks, federal savings associations, and persons presently and previously affiliated with these institutions. This significant piece of information was announced by Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. Among these enforcement actions, a prominent feature…

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CFPB Approves ICBA’s Application for Alternative Disclosures on Construction-to-Permanent Loans

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently approved an application from the Independent Community Bankers Association (ICBA) for alternative disclosures under the Truth in Lending Act (TILA)/Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) Integrated Disclosure (TRID) rule for construction-to-permanent loans. This approval is specifically for a Trial Disclosure Program Waiver Template (TDP Waiver Template). However, it’s…

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Federal Reserve Maintains Zero Reserve Requirements in 2024: Implications for Depository Institutions

In a recent turn of events, The Federal Reserve Board made an announcement on November 27, 2023, related to the technical aspects of reserve requirements for depository institutions. In 2024, these institutions can expect their reserve requirements to maintain the status quo, remaining firmly at zero. (JD Supra). In addition to this, a significant release…

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New SUSAR Term “FIN-2023-GLOBALEXPORT” Aims to Thwart Global Export Control Evasion Efforts

On November 6, 2023, a vital joint notice was notably released by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”). The notice concerned the introduction of a new Suspicious Activity Report (“SAR”) reporting term, efficiently named “FIN-2023-GLOBALEXPORT.” This new term…

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Cannabis Industry Banking Reform Advances with Historic Bipartisan Senate Committee Vote on SAFER Banking Act

In a significant development in cannabis banking legislation, The SAFER Banking Act passed the Senate Banking Committee with a historical bipartisan vote of 14-9 on September 27. This marks the maiden time a version of this piece of legislation cleared a Senate Committee, seven years after its initial introduction in Congress in 2013. This information…

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Bank Settles for $26 Million in Landmark Discrimination Case Involving Armenian-Americans

In a significant legal development, one of the nation’s largest banks has agreed to a $26 million settlement following charges that it had engaged in discrimination against credit card applicants it perceived as Armenian-American. The announcement, made on November 8, 2023, by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), underscores the continuing importance of vigilance against…

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State Community Reinvestment Act Laws: Understanding the Impact of Diversity and Nonbank Mortgage Companies

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a novel report on state Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) laws on November 2. The revelations contained within the report lined out that many states had officially adopted CRAs, following in the footsteps of the federal Community Reinvestment Act established in 1977. The individuality of each state has played…

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CFPB Director Rohit Chopra Discusses Future of Banking and Finance Regulations in Fireside Chat

On October 11, 2023, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP co-hosted a fireside chat with the South Asian Bar Association of New York and Cloaked, featuring Rohit Chopra, director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB” or the “Bureau”). The event served as a platform for Director Chopra to share not only insights about his professional…

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