Banking & Finance Trending Topics

To help with your writing efforts, here’s what people are looking for in Banking & Finance Law online. Trending topics culled from JD Supra, search analytics, social media conversations, and other sources:

What’s the Latest on Trump Accounts? 

Consider writing about:

The latest developments involving the tax-deferred investment accounts known as Trump accounts; recent federal guidance on these accounts; the newly implemented auto-enrollment process (and whether people can opt out of the program); eligibility criteria, contributions limits, and other program nuts-and-bolts to be aware of; related obligations or potential pitfalls on the part of parents, employers, financial advisers, or others; ethical questions being raised about the structuring of the accounts.

Related information:

https://abc7ny.com/story/latest-trump-account-changes-what-families-need-know-now/19918861

https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/investing/article/trump-account-employer-contributions-190819679.html

https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/article/michael-dell-defends-trump-accounts-shift-to-individual-company-stocks-213451490.html

https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-accounts-kids-individual-stocks-6c8b8811

Are Merchant Cash Advances a Good Deal for Financially Strapped Businesses? 

Consider writing about:

Merchant cash advances; when businesses may want to avail themselves of this type of funding; what to know about the approval process for getting a merchant cash advance; how to gauge whether potential risks or other drawbacks outweigh the potential advantages of pursuing this form of financing; how the use of merchant cash advances has trended in recent years; how businesses in need of cash should vet merchant cash advance operators; repayment terms, fees, guarantees, and other terms to pay attention to when reviewing a merchant cash advance agreement; how merchant cash advances are regulated; noteworthy disclosure requirements or other obligations that apply to these types of lenders; any significant legal actions taken against merchant cash advance operators; funding alternatives that a business might consider in place of a merchant cash advance.

Challenges for Community Development Financial Institutions in the Trump Era 

Consider writing about:

Issues involving community development financial institutions; how these types of entities are defined and regulated; whom they primarily serve; key compliance obligations or other challenges for such financial institutions; what to know about a legal battle over funding for these entities, status of contested federal government grants; related impacts on CDFIs’ client populations; potential alternative financial options for affected individuals or organizations.

Related information:

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/trump-administration-sued-over-withheld-federal-grants-us-community-lenders-2026-09-21

Federal Regulators Release Proposed Guidance on Third-Party Risk 

Consider writing about:

Federal regulators’ evolving stance regarding banks’ and credit unions’ handling of third-party risks; what to know about proposed guidance released on Sept. 11, and what it could mean for regulators’ expectations for regulated entities’ business practices and compliance obligations.

Related information:

https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/files/bcreg20260911a1.pdf

What’s Next for Crypto Regs? 

Consider writing about:

Recent developments involving the Clarity Act; what this legislation aims to accomplish; roadblocks to the legislation’s psssage; how authorities on the federal and state level are working to carve out a space for themselves regarding crypto regulation and enforcement; what the crypto industry should be paying attention to right now.

Venture Capital Trends Worth Knowing About [Ongoing] 

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Venture capital activity in the country or region of your choice; noteworthy details, whether involving deal sizes, types, or factors driving VC activity; volume and type comparisons to prior months or years; any emerging or accelerating trends of note; key investor concerns (and how companies can best address them); challenges for businesses in attracting VC funding.

Takeaways From Report on FINRA’s Enforcement Program 

Consider writing about:

A report recently issued on the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s enforcement performance; the report’s origins, scope, and authorship; key recommendations contained in the report; which stand to have the most impact, if adopted; what to watch for from FINRA in terms of how it will respond to the recommendations; what to know about the related FINRA Forward initiative.

Related information:

https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/report-from-external-review-of-finras-enforcement-program-20260630

https://www.finra.org/about/finra-forward

Court Gives Final Approval to $72M BofA Settlement in Epstein Case 

Consider writing about:

A federal judge’s final approval of Bank of America’s $72.5 million settlement to compensate survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring; related allegations against the bank; how the allegations and settlement in the BofA case compare to those in cases against other banks implicated in the Epstein scandal; what to know about banks’ obligations regarding suspicious account activity; broader legal trends involving financial institutions and human trafficking.

Related information:

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/court-approves-bank-americas-725-million-settlement-with-epstein-accusers-2026-08-27

Equifax Agrees to $100M Settlement Over Credit Scores 

Consider writing about:

A proposed $100 million settlement in a class action against Equifax; alleged violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act; trends involving FCRA-related claims; what someone should do if they believe that their credit score has been mishandled and has caused them financial harm.

Related information:

https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/equifax-100-million-fcra-settlement-ct-22400884.php

FinCEN Pulls Plug on U.S. Companies’ Beneficial Ownership Reporting 

Consider writing about:

A final rule from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network regarding beneficial ownership information; rationale for the final rule; how the rule affects reporting obligations; when the rule change takes effect; who is still required to report beneficial ownership information to FinCEN (and whether those reporting parameters have changed under the final rule); whether the final rule could create new headaches for the business community by essentially shifting risk management and due diligence functions from government to private parties.

Related information:

https://www.fincen.gov/news/news-releases/fincen-permanently-ends-beneficial-ownership-reporting-requirements-millions

SEC Releases Proposed Rules on Crypto Assets 

Consider writing about:

Proposed rules released on Aug. 18 by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regarding crypto assets; key goals of the proposed rules, and whom they would most affect; how significant these proposed rules are for the crypto sector; how they align with other Trump administration actions regarding crypto.

Related information:

https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026-76-sec-proposes-new-regulation-crypto-assets

Merrill Lynch to Pay $7M Fine Over Suspicious Activity Reports 

Consider writing about:

A $7.5 million fine that Merill Lynch will pay over suspicious activity reporting; alleged lapses or failures on Merrill Lynch’s part; how financial institutions tend to get themselves in trouble over suspicious activity reports and Bank Secrecy Act obligations; pointers on responding to an investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Related information:

https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/us-sec-fines-bofas-merrill-lynch-75-million-over-suspicious-activity-reports-2026-06-29

FinCEN Hits UBS With Record $125M Penalty 

Consider writing about:

A $125 million penalty that the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) assessed this week against UBS Financial Services over alleged violations of the Bank Secrecy Act; factors contributing to the record-setting dollar size of the penalty; how this case may serve as a cautionary tale regarding BSA compliance and the perils of repeat offenses; and, additionally, what the UBS case may signal regarding financial regulators’ particular areas of focus under the second Trump administration as regards suspected money laundering activities.

Related information:

https://www.fincen.gov/news/news-releases/fincen-assesses-historic-125-million-penalty-against-ubs-financial-services-inc

A Safe Bet: Continuing Conflicts Over Prediction Markets 

Consider writing about:

Your choice of recent developments involving prediction markets, whether legal actions by state regulators, court rulings, congressional action, or other activities of note. Among the points to explore: What stands out to you about these developments? What trends may be emerging? What is happening with the face-off between federal and state regulators over prediction markets? And how are firms dealing with insider trading concerns amid the surge in prediction market activity?

Related information:

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2026/08/05/utah-wins-round-vs-kalshi-will

https://mashable.com/tech/new-york-sues-kalshi-claims-its-unlicensed-gambling

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/09/prediction-markets-spark-insider-trading-fears-how-firms-are-responding.html

What Are Circle Hack’s Ramifications for Crypto Industry? 

Consider writing about:

Legal fallout for blockchain company Circle following the Drift protocol hack earlier this year, possibly by North Korea-linked attackers; how the attack was carried out, and what this may indicate regarding the overall cyberthreat landscape for the crypto industry and the industry’s clients; what to know about allegations being made regarding Circle’s security systems or response to the hack; potential liability on Circle’s part; any options for financial recovery on the part of Circle users.

Related information:

https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/crypto/articles/circle-hit-lawsuit-over-230m-074321244.html

Community Bank to Pay More Than $9.7M Over Alleged Bank Secrecy Act Violations 

Consider writing about:

An agreement reached between the U.S. Department of Justice and a community bank and its parent entity in a Bank Secrecy Act case; what to know about alleged compliance failures on EagleBank’s part; related enforcement trends involving community banks or involving violations of the Bank Secrecy Act; how companies under investigation by the DOJ can increase their chances of securing a non-prosecution agreement.

Related information:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/eaglebank-agrees-pay-more-97-million-resolve-bank-secrecy-act-investigation

Implications of CJEU Ruling in Sanctions-Related Case 

Consider writing about:

A June ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union in a case involving government sanctions; what this case may illustrate regarding the impact (or lack thereof) of U.S. sanctions on European law; what to know about bank customer rights in the European Union and EU laws and financial community practices as they pertain to the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing; and perhaps a comparison of applicable compliance obligations in the European Union to those in the United States.

Related information:

https://curia.europa.eu/site/upload/docs/application/pdf/2026-06/cp260084en.pdf

Financing Options for Small Businesses [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

Financing options for a small business when a bank loan fails to come through; alternative sources of funding, and their relative pros and cons; additional financial management guidance for small businesses in the absence of a bank loan; how small-business bank lending has trended over the years; how a small business can increase its longer-term prospects of securing a bank loan.

$45M Settlement Reached Over Cash App Fraud Protections 

Consider writing about:

A $45 million settlement between Block Inc. and 46 states over Cash App’s fraud protection performance; alleged customer harms or risks resulting from Block systems or practices; practices that Block is required to implement (or, in some cases, cease) as part of the multistate settlement; how Cash App and similar companies are regulated, compared to a traditional lending institution; what the Block Inc. settlement may demonstrate regarding state AGs’ priorities and powers, whether generally speaking or in the context of a response to the second Trump administration’s approach to regulation and oversight.

Related information:

https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/nebraska-attorney-general-announces-45-million-multistate-settlement-with-company-behind-cash-app

What’s Next for the CFPB? 

Consider writing about:

What may be ahead for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, given that Russell Vought’s tenure as acting director is due to end in August; who is in line to succeed Vought; how Vought has reshaped the CFPB; what to know about the CFPB’s current status, funding, and priorities.

Creditor Options in the Event of Fraud by a Debtor [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

Fallout from fraud or other misconduct on the part of a debtor in a bankruptcy dispute; past or common examples of such behaviors; options that creditors who suspect debtor misconduct may be able to pursue, either on their own or with the help of outside parties; potential forms of relief for creditors, and penalties for debtors found to have committed bankruptcy fraud.

What to Know About New CFTC Policy on Cooperation 

Consider writing about:

A staff advisory issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission on May 19; nature and purpose of a staff advisory; what stands out to you about the CFTC’s new policy on self-reporting, cooperation, and remediation; how the policy compares to past CFTC policies, and what it signals about the CFTC’s stance and priorities going forward; additional practical guidance on voluntary disclosures and declinations.

Related information:

https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/9234-26

How Federal Financial Regulators May Be Creating Immigration-Related Risks for Lenders, Employers 

Consider writing about:

How federal financial regulators are targeting immigrant communities; what recent Trump administration actions could mean for financial assistance to individuals or organizations, as well as for financial entities’ lending activities, suspicious activity reporting, and other compliance obligations; where recent guidance from federal financial regulators may fall short on explaining compliance requirements; how this enforcement push could create new risks for lenders as well as for some employers.

Related information:

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/banking-law/cfpbs-immigration-review-order-complicates-lenders-decisions

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-06-08/pdf/2026-11447.pdf

Top Takeaways From Proposed CFTC Rule on Prediction Market Event Contracts 

Consider writing about:

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published on June 10 by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission regarding prediction market event contracts; key points in the proposed rule; what it does, or does not, help to clarify; the proposed rule’s potential implications for states’ efforts to limit or ban prediction market activity; what else stands out to you about the CFTC’s proposed framework.

Related information:

https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/9249-26

FinCEN Issues Alert Regarding Iran-Linked Money Laundering 

Consider writing about:

A May 11 alert issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) regarding Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; what to know about the IRGC’s suspected links to terrorism and its related money laundering activities; red flags that financial institutions are advised to watch for; related compliance obligations and liability risks for the financial services sector.

Related information:

https://www.fincen.gov/news/news-releases/fincen-issues-alert-stop-money-laundering-iranian-revolutionary-guard-corps

New Education Dept. Rule on Student Loans Brings Questions, Worries 

Consider writing about:

A new rule implemented by the U.S. Department of Education on May 1st regarding student loans; when the rule takes effect; the department’s rationale for the new limits; how the new caps stand to affect students, educational institutions, and specific professions or industries; confusion or unanswered questions that have arisen around the Education Department’s action; what to know about lawsuits challenging the department rule; how student loans have trended over the years; potential financial alternatives for students who may be facing new loan restrictions and resulting financial hardship.

Related information:

https://michiganindependent.com/education/sweeping-federal-student-loan-changes-prompt-concerns-for-some-michigan-borrowers

NYDFS Issues Guidance on AI-Related Cyber Risks 

Consider writing about:

Recent guidance from the New York Department of Financial Services regarding cybersecurity risks involving frontier AI models; why the NYDFS is sounding the alarm over this matter; key recommendations by the NYDFS on preparing for AI-related cyberthreats; how financial regulators’ stance has been evolving regarding cybersecurity in general, and AI-fueled cyber risks in particular; instructive enforcement actions related to financial institutions’ perceived cybersecurity lapses.

Related information:

https://www.dfs.ny.gov/reports_and_publications/press_releases/pr202605121

https://www.dfs.ny.gov/industry-guidance/industry-letters/20260521-heightened-cybersecurity-risks-assoc-with-frontier-ai-models

Perils Persisting Under Paycheck Protection Program 

Consider writing about:

Enforcement activity involving the Paycheck Protection Program; the program’s history and intent; problems that arose over the years with the program; how investigations and prosecutions of alleged PPP-related fraud have unfolded under the Biden and Trump administrations; how employers, lending institutions, or other entities can best defend themselves against fraud allegations involving the Paycheck Protection Program.

Related information:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/regions-bank-pay-4-9-million-resolve-civil-liability-connection-ineligible-paycheck

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edky/pr/manufacturing-companies-agree-pay-25-million-resolve-improper-paycheck-protection

https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/four-non-profits-agree-pay-over-3-million-resolve-false-claims-act-allegations-involving

Judge Gives Final OK to Credit Card Misclassification Settlement 

Consider writing about:

A federal judge’s final approval of a settlement of up to $1.2 billion that Discover Financial Services has agreed to pay over the misclassification of credit card accounts; what the misclassification entailed and whom it most affected; other legal issues surrounding Discover’s card misclassification mishap; and perhaps a wider-angle look at how credit card programs are regulated and overseen, and related enforcement trends.

Related information:

https://www.cutoday.info/Fresh-Today/Discover-To-Pay-Up-To-1.2-Billion-In-Credit-Card-Misclassification-Case