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The New York State Department of Financial Services found that the community bank's policies led to minority borrowers paying more for auto loans. Though it did not find evidence of intentional discrimination, the bank agreed to pay a $950,000 fine and restitution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the lifting of the blockade which has forbidden the biggest U.S. banks from setting up branches in the fast growing suburbs of Westchester and Nassau counties in New York City. It says that attempts of Manhattan bankers to modify the law have always been blocked by some small town Republicans and solid Democratic opposition in the state legislature. However, the state legislature passed a banking bill that lifted the barrier. It also notes the main provisions of the bill.

Focuses on capital rules known as Basel II and study conducted by federal regulators with Citigroup Inc. Views of Evan Picoult, Citi's head of risk analytics, presented at a New York conference sponsored by the Risk Management Association and the Professional Risk Managers' International Association; Concern about tension between home and host regulators will interfere with the development of international standards; Views of Fed Governor Ben Brenanke; Other bankers on the panel with Picoult: Joseph H. Evers from the OCC and Brian Peters from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; Indication that U.S. regulators require the largest American banks to adopt Basel II; Comments Evers and Peters.

Reports on New York State Banking Superintendent Neil D. Levin's plan to give state-chartered banks and thrifts with high Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) ratings immunity from public challenges to their mergers or acquisitions. Plan to add a fifth compliance rating; Submission of proposals from regulatory and statutory changes in the CRA on September 1995; Banks affected by the proposal.

Examines the reason why mutual savings banks in Central New York convert to stock ownership. Increase in capital of banks as a result of changes in regulatory requirements; Overview of the regulatory changes affecting mutual banks; Condition and situation of New York state banks; Rules governing the sale of mutual banks; Corrupt practices in the conversion of mutual banks to stock ownership.

The article reports on the effect of the increasing cost of complying with U.S. government bank regulations on the way banks in New York manage their savings and expenses.

The article reports on the move of the New York Senate to approve a budget resolution which allows municipalities the option of depositing public funds in local credit unions or community savings institutions.

The article focuses on the plans of the U.S. President Barack Obama's administration to deal with the financial crisis on Wall Street. It states that Obama plans to set up a bad bank which will take some of the worst performing assets on the balance sheets of the banks. According to the author, there are no obvious solutions for the problem, but the ways that are being proposed may be instructive. Details on the attempts of the U.S. government to remedy the economic problems are also provided.

The article focuses on the law which allows banks in other states to open new branches in New York. It is stated that the state has signed a compact allowing banks based in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to expand without the need to submit regulatory oversight in the state. New Jersey is expected to broaden the mandate by passing a similar law, while Connecticut also has a reciprocity law allowing banks to open branches in the said state provided that same option is offered to Connecticut banks.

Discusses the proposed plan of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer that would require big banks to fund and distribute research from independent boutiques free of ties with investment banking. Terms of Spitzer's plan; Impact of the plan on in-house research of investment banks; Purpose of Spitzer's plan.

Presents news briefs related to business enterprises in Long Island, New York, as of July 16, 1999. Includes consequences of parochialism and isolationism in the graphic communications industry; Compact Disc Packaging's unveiling of a box for packaging compact discs and digital video discs; Federal regulations allowing bankers to take a two-week summer vacation.

Reports on New York banking regulators' imposition of a $1 million on the American subsidiary of the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan after the discovery of the bank's indiscreet securities lending operations.

Reports that New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has scrapped a bank ratings system designed to ensure that banks do not discriminate against minorities. Reasons for scrapping the system; Areas rated by the system; Effect on the banking industry.

Reports on the regulations unveiled by the New York State Banking Department that will lower the cost of banking.

Reports on the US Office of Thrift Supervision's declaration of a moratorium on takeovers of mutual savings associations. Plan to convert Green Point Savings Bank to stock savings bank; Allegations that executives are seeking to enrich themselves by the conversion.

Presents a legislation proposed by New York Governor George Pataki to dissuade state banks from seeking charters. Strategy to ensure greater protection for consumers; Concern on the loss of state-chartered banks.

The article reports on the fear among market participants over the upcoming expiration of nearly 1 billion dollars of letters of credit and other bank liquidity facilities on New York in 2011. It notes that issues are bothered about their ability to renew these facilities, with the banking sector facing more stringent regulations. It also states the fact the banks have the capacity extend municipal credit to most of the local governments needing it.

This article discusses the status of a case before the U.S. Supreme Court that will decide the degree to which the U.S. Comptroller of the Currency's enforcement of banking law preempts state regulations of national banks. The legal issues involved in this case, which puts New York Attorney General against the national financial company Clearing House Payments Co. LLC, center on whether state governments can enforce antidiscrimination legislation against national banks.

The article reports that a bill in the New York State legislature that would force banks to obtain state approval before severing ties with money-services businesses (MSBs) has bankers worried. The bill would make banks liable for the misdeeds of MSBs. Superintendent of the New York Banking Department Diana L. Taylor warns that the bill will set a dangerous precedent.

Focuses on the accomplishments of Elizabeth McCaul as acting bank superintendent of New York State's State Banking Department. State bankers' and community groups' support for her nomination; Banking Department's efforts to keep the state charter viable; Fair-lending regulations of the state.

Reports on the compromise agreement between bankers and New York City legislators on the technology required to secure access to automated teller machine (ATM) sites in the city. Revision of the city's ATM security law mandating upgraded electronic door locks that allow entry only when a consumer inserts a bank-issued ATM card; Banks' creation of a fund to finance an ATM safety education campaign.

The article reports on the remarks of banking lawyer Rodgin Cohen at the January 28, 2014 Regulation of Financial Services Forum in New York. The article notes that Cohen's presentation developed four ideas on what will motivate U.S. government agencies to increase their enforcement of the banking industry. The ideas include public pressure to punish banks for noncompliance and corrupt practices, risk-management standards set for bank directors, and the supervision of foreign banks.

The article profiles Benjamin Lawsky, superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS), and highlights his activism in bank regulation which has caused tension among regulatory agencies. The article notes Lawsky sent out subpoenas in August 2013 to technology companies requesting information about virtual currencies such as Bitcoin. It also notes Lawsky, a former basketball player, thinks of himself as a referee in financial companies' competitive games.

The article reports that New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has signed an executive order creating a commission to identify ways for New York to maintain and enhance its status as a world financial center. A discussion is presented about the newly formed Commission to Modernize the Regulation of Financial Services and the members of the panel.

This article focuses on the legislation reintroduced by New York Representative Carolyn Maloney calling for banks to be more disclosing concerning their overdraft policies. According to the author, Maloney sees no problem with bank overdraft loans. However, she feels that bank customers are not being given all the information needed to properly protect themselves from overdraft fees. Details of the bill are also provided.

The article focuses on the Basel II capital requirements, which New York politicians cite as a factor in the decreasingly competitive nature of the financial services industry. New York Senator Charles Schumer and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg are reportedly questioning the validity of pre-determined capital floors in the Basell II regulations. Details related to the proposed application of the regulation, including the capital floors, are provided.

The article briefly discusses the regulatory agreement by Habib Bank Ltd. of Karachi, Pakistan and its bank branch in New York to overhaul its anti-money-laundering and Bank Secrecy Act compliance programs. The Federal Reserve System, the New York State Banking Department, and the New York Fed were involved in the agreement. The Pakistani bank has about 60 days to come up with a new anti-laundering compliance program.

Mentions hearings planned by the U.S. Senate Banking Committee on ways to stop money laundering and financing terrorism. Indication that William J. Fox, director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, and Diana L. Taylor, superintendent of banks for the New York State Banking Department will testify; Others from the private and public sector who will testify; Outlook for a bill that allows "netting" of financial derivatives.

Reports approval to acquire regulators for commercial bank sales to North Fork Banccorp. Inc in New York, New York. Evaluation on safety of money against laundering; Compliance of bank to policies, procedures, internal control and reporting obligations; Discussions on allegations of money laundering in private banking unit.

Reports that two members of the New York City Council have asked state banking regulators to investigate banks' practices of mailing debit cards to people who did not ask for them. Need to set guidelines about how banks should offer debit cards to consumers; Risks associated with automated teller cards that double as debit cards.

Reports on proposals that the New York Banking Department is considering to make securities underwriters responsible for helping to protect consumers against predatory lending. What the department has proposed; The response that the proposal has drawn from the Bond Market Association; What the Bond Market Association has suggested.

Reports on proposed regulations in New York state designed to prevent banks from selling predatory mortgage loans to investors as of May 16, 2000. Provisions of the proposed rules; Background on securitization's impact on the mortgage loans market in the state.

Focuses on the US Federal Reserve Board's ordering of examiners to spend more time scrutinizing bank compliance programs in an effort to stem money-laundering activities in the United States. Features of the revised anti-money-laundering procedures manual; Comment by John J. Byrne, senior counsel for the American Bankers Association; Background to the anti-money laundering efforts in the United States.

Focuses on New York State regulators' revision of the community reinvestment requirements for state-chartered banks.

Reports on the approval of a regulation requiring banks to offer basic banking checking accounts by New York State's banking board. Required initial deposits on new accounts; Number of withdrawals per month.

Reports on New York State superintendent of banks Derrick Cephas' statement that New York will move ahead with its plans to overhaul the state's Community Reinvestment Act. State proposal's goal for reform; Comparison between the state and the federal proposals; Comments from the banking industry.

Reports on the New York State's proposal to ease Community Reinvestment Act rules for small banks and a similar proposal issued by President Bill Clinton's administration. New York Banking Department's proposal; Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen's proposal; Granting of a `satisfactory' rating to small banks; Requirements proposed for big banks.

Focuses on an alliance's opposition to a plan by New York banking regulators to amend the state's Community Reinvestment Act rules. Harmful impact on low-income neighborhoods; Siphoning of millions of dollars from low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.