Regulation

The Federal Reserve's models assume interest rates will decline if the economy falls into a recession, but as big banks prepare for their annual stress tests, they should also be considering the impact of rising rates and higher inflation on their operations.

The impact of U.S. sanctions against Russia on U.S. banks has so far been limited. But further escalation could lead to anti-money-laundering compliance challenges and invite cyberattacks, among other consequences.

Canadian banks have frozen just over 200 accounts under emergency powers invoked by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that are meant to end protests in Ottawa and at key border crossings, a government official said this week.

Banks are still seeking clarity from law enforcement on how to handle the alleged protesters’ accounts. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said some accounts have already been frozen as part of a financial crackdown on those accused of paralyzing the nation's capital.

Coinbase Global, Gemini Trust and Robinhood Markets are among firms helping to build a platform to comply with a U.S. money laundering rule as crypto and financial technology companies seek to satisfy existing requirements and head off stricter oversight.

Sarah Bloom Raskin, President Biden’s pick to be the Federal Reserve Board’s vice chair for supervision, has had a distinguished career as a state and federal banking regulator. Her belief that banks should identify assets that are subject to climate-related shocks sounds like basic risk management, not a radical call to action.

The registry created by the law — whose implementing rules are being written now — is worse than useless, pairing unverified data with severe penalties for misuse. It will confuse bankers, burden small businesses and embolden crooks.

The largest U.S. banks will be tested against a hypothetical massive surge in unemployment and a crash in commercial real estate in the Federal Reserve's annual stress tests, according to scenarios announced Thursday.

The U.S. Treasury Department is looking more closely at potential money laundering and the financing of terrorism through trading high-value art.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said it’s too early to contemplate adjusting capital requirements for U.S. banks based on how much risk they face from climate change.