In this article on the principles of Regulatory Relationship Management (RRM) for banks, Ms. Sommerfield (co-author with JoAnn Barefoot of Treliant Risk Advisors) explains the principles and practical strategies for establishing and maintaining productive regulatory relationships with banking regulators. Effective RRM can simplify regulatory oversight, reduce risk of regulatory sanctions and regulatory expense costs to banks, and protect the bank's reputation. Part 1 of this multi-part series from the BNA Banking Report focuses on how financial institutions can build trust and credibility with their regulators and how they may set up systems for regulatory relationship management (RRM). Specific suggestions for setting up collaborative communications are included, along with a discussion of how to approach the "human factor" in RRM.

This article first appeared in BNA Banking Report on May 3, 2011.