On November 3, 2023, FinCEN issued a press release to inform U.S. financial institutions that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an intergovernmental body that establishes international standards to combat money laundering, counter the financing of terrorism, and combat weapons of mass destruction proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF), has issued public statements updating its lists of jurisdictions with strategic AML/CFT/CPF deficiencies following its plenary meeting last month.  U.S. financial institutions should consider the FATF’s stance toward these jurisdictions when reviewing their obligations and risk-based policies, procedures, and practices.

On October 26, 2023, the Credit Union Times and Bloomberg reported that the CFPB’s small business lending data collection rule is now on pause nationwide after a Texas federal judge expanded an order that previously applied only to certain banks. In late July 2023, Chief Judge Randy Crane of the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas imposed a preliminary injunction stopping the CFPB from requiring members of the American Bankers Association, Texas Bankers Association, as well as Rio Bank of McAllen, Texas, to comply with the regulation until the Supreme Courts issues its ruling which is expected by June 2024.

On October 24, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission and the State of Wisconsin took action against Wisconsin auto dealer group Rhinelander Auto Center, its current and former owners, and general manager Daniel Towne for deceiving consumers by adding illegal junk fees onto car prices. In addition, the car dealer was found discriminating against American Indian customers by charging them higher financing costs and fees.

On October 24, 2023, the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC and the OCC jointly issued a final rule to strengthen and modernize regulations implementing the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) to better achieve the purposes of the law. The CRA is a landmark law enacted in 1977 to encourage banks to help meet the credit needs of their entire communities, especially in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, in a safe and sound manner.

On October 20, 2023, FinCEN issued an alert to assist financial institutions in identifying funding streams for the terrorist organization Hamas. FinCEN’s action is, according to their press release, a response to Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack on the people of Israel, wherein 1,000 innocent civilians, including citizens of the United States, were wounded, killed, or taken hostage.