Banking Codes and Regulations

Follow banking codes and regulations to drive your business decisions
By Linda C. Ray As bank regulations continue to change, professionals in the banking industry watch for vital information to stay informed and lead their clients to the best financial decisions allowed by current business banking regulations. Changes in bank regulations affect the mortgage and credit industries, investments, taxes and the general economic landscape.
 

Look for the latest banking codes online through state and federal websites. Keep up with Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) and the United States Department of Business Regulation Division of Banking through trade groups and industry publications. Keep up with various changes in bank regulations in a variety of ways to be able to react with your own accounting strategies.

1. Keep abreast of current banking code regulations to protect your bank and its deposits.

2. Join trade groups that keep members apprised of the information about the latest business banking regulation changes.

3. Check out detailed reports of industry analysts that can provide insight into business banking regulations.

Watch bank codes closely to guide business decisions

Markets fluctuate and the banking industry follows with changing regulations and rules. Keep your bank on top of the market by following the latest code changes and tracking your competitors' regulatory applications.
Try: Find all the current banking codes and regulations at GPO Access. Be sure to stay abreast of any changes to your competitors and their banks through the weekly bank updates put out by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

Look for groups that provide members with recent banking regulations changes

Joining a banking industry association is like employing an inhouse research staff. Take advantage of trade association resources as you search for better information about current or upcoming banking regulations.
Try: Purchase a copy of the latest banking codes and regulations from the American Bankers Association. Members pay less than non-members, so look into a membership as a possibility. NACHA is the non-profit organization that oversees the Automated Clearing House (ACH). The ACH is the primary method of electronic payments and check clearing in the country, and the NACHA helps its members stay current with the latest banking code changes that affect these crucial payment methods.

Find experts to offer analysis of current business banking regulations and make projections

Often, banking codes can be beyond complicated and are difficult to understand, even for the most seasoned banking professional. To ensure that you meet all current codes, you should find a third party expert to guide you on the latest bank regulations.
Try: Use a firm such as FinPro to make sure you are in compliance with bank regulations. They specialize in start-up banks; they can attend regulatory hearings, find qualified executives that are well-versed in compliance to fill positions and advise you through the entire regulatory process. Get regulatory advice and direction from the experts at Gerrish McCreary Smith.

• If you are involved in frequent international financial transactions, be sure to investigate the business banking regulations operative in the countries where you trade.