Fintech · Industry brief
Top three stories shaping Fintech today, written for someone who already works in the industry: regulation, M&A, new entrants, notable filings, and any precedent worth pulling. Cite the trade publication (e.g. trade press, government source, court docket) directly so I can follow up.
← Zur aktuellen AusgabeOCC resets enforcement bar, Fed axes three regional banks, SPCPs rescinded
OCC enforcement reset
Material risk, not paperwork, now triggers formal enforcement.
On August 27, the OCC finalized revised procedures manuals distinguishing substantive violations from technical ones, concentrating supervision on practices that materially affect bank condition or customer harm rather than process gaps [Quelle: ICBA]. PPM 5400-11 was released publicly for the first time, clarifying that Matters Requiring Attention (MRAs) now target violations with material impact and can be resolved outside formal enforcement channels. The OCC also proposed a new supervisory framework categorizing violations into substantive and technical tiers, with a 30-day comment period after Federal Register publication.
Mid-sized and community banks may see lighter supervision intensity if they can demonstrate material-risk mitigation.
Federal Reserve tightens regional grip
Three regional banks got hit in two weeks; one escaped after years.
On August 20, the Federal Reserve issued enforcement actions against SouthPoint Bancshares, former employees of Regions Bank and United Community Bank, while terminating a long-standing action against Deutsche Bank [Quelle: Federal Reserve Board]. SouthPoint faced dividend and capital-distribution restrictions pending supervisory approval, extending tighter source-of-strength doctrine aimed at weaker regional players. A former employee of Banco Popular de Puerto Rico also drew an enforcement action on August 27, underscoring the Fed's focus on individual accountability alongside institution-level governance lapses.
Regional bank CFOs should model conservative capital scenarios through year-end.
Special-purpose credit programs rescinded
Seven agencies just killed a major diversity lending pathway.
On August 25, the FDIC, OCC, CFPB, NCUA, HUD, DOJ, and FHFA jointly rescinded the February 2022 Interagency Statement on Special Purpose Credit Programs, effective immediately, determining the prior guidance conflicted with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Fair Housing Act [Quelle: The Banker]. Creditors can still offer SPCPs under tightened restrictions in the CFPB's April 2026 Regulation B final rule, but the rescission signals a sharp regulatory retreat from race-conscious lending programs. Compliance teams should audit their SPCP underwriting and disclosure practices immediately.
The move reshapes how lenders balance regulatory permissibility with market demand.
Recent Postings - Federal Reserve Board8 hours ago ... Enforcement Actions and Legal Developments. Mergers, Acquisitions, and Other Applications. Process · Filing Information · Board and Reserve Bank Actions.federalreserve.gov
Reg Wrap: US raises threshold for bank supervision and enforcement13 hours ago ... US regulators raise bar for bank supervisory findings · OCC overhauls enforcement and MRA framework · BIS highlights regulatory divide over stablecoin issuers.thebanker.com