NEW HAVEN, Conn., April 23, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Continuity, the leader in compliance change management solutions, recently released the Q1 2019 Banking Compliance IndexTM (BCI). The BCI held steady in Q1 2019, remaining on par with levels experienced in Q1 2017 and Q1 2018. These consistencies solidify new patterns in a climate of regulatory restraint from Federal regulators. Yet bankers should be concerned about an alarming new trend: Q1 2019 was the third consecutive quarter in which more than 50% of enforcement actions by number were taken against bank officers and directors individually, versus their financial institutions. Credit union employees also felt the impact of individual enforcement at the frontline level.
“This quarter’s regulatory activity was in line with what we saw in the two preceding first quarters, so we’re starting to identify what is typical in this pro-business administration,” explained Pam Perdue, Continuity’s chief regulatory officer. “Even though regulatory change still consumes considerable human and financial resources, the pace of new regulation has slightly leveled off. Now is the time for institutions to capitalize on this trend and take advantage of this opportunity to approach compliance management intentionally and strategically instead of merely reacting to changes.”
The Banking Compliance Index, published quarterly by Continuity’s Regulatory Operations Center® (ROC) quantifies the incremental burden on financial institutions in keeping up with regulatory changes. The typical $400 million asset community financial institution needed approximately three-fourths of a full-time employee (.76) just to keep pace with regulatory changes, not including the resources institutions are already dedicating to existing compliance obligations. Compliance costs at the typical institution averaged $15,439, and 305 hours were required to comply per institution last quarter.
As has been true in previous years, there is evidence that activity will elevate in Q2. According to Donna Cameron, Continuity’s director of regulatory I/O, there was a 50% increase in the number of regulatory items issued from February 2019 to March 2019. This mirrors identified cyclical patterns in compliance operations, but may differ from patterns observed in loan growth or account opening. “With several major rules taking effect this spring and summer, including the Prepaid Accounts rule, Private Flood Insurance, and Payday Lending, banks and credit unions should get ready for another hectic season,” Cameron advised.
Perdue believes the steadier pace of new regulation may allow institutions to focus on enhancing their overall compliance culture and their compliance management systems. She added, “Regardless of whether institutions are deluged with change, or have the luxury of being more proactive, they experience the greatest success when they streamline and standardize their compliance efforts. Technology adoption enforces standards while reinforcing a compliance culture and accountability throughout the organization. It also provides officers and directors with the information they need to provide appropriate oversight, in line with their roles and responsibilities. A modern, centralized compliance management system can ease the compliance burden while better protecting institutions and providing the directors, officers and employees with peace of mind.”
About the Banking Compliance Index™
The Banking Compliance Index™ (BCI) is a quarterly tracking index published by Continuity’s Regulatory Operations Center®. It measures the incremental cost burden on financial institutions to keep up with regulatory changes.
The BCI is calculated each quarter using a multivariate analysis that can be weighted across different contexts and is calibrated to determine the regulatory impact on financial institutions of varying sizes, product mixes and regulatory oversight. Key indicators include volume, velocity and complexity of regulatory change; time expended to meet regulatory requirement(s); and supervision and the enforcement climate. The BCI data sources include CFPB, FDIC, FED, NCUA and OCC. The BCI is calculated using the statistically average size of a domestic financial institution, currently $350 million according to publicly reported data available from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
About Continuity
New Haven, Conn.-based Continuity is a provider of regulatory technology (regtech) solutions that automate all aspects of compliance management for financial institutions of any size. By combining regulatory expertise and cloud technology, Continuity can reduce regulatory burden and mitigate compliance risk at a fraction of the cost. Continuity’s proven solutions serve hundreds of institutions across the United States and its territories. For more information about Continuity, visit Continuity.net.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Amber Bush
678.781.7219
amber@williammills.com