In the latest chapter of the ongoing saga of the U.S. Senate’s consideration and hopeful passage of the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, on February 7, 2020, the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) sent a...more
2/14/2020
/ Anti-Money Laundering ,
Banking Regulators ,
BSA/AML ,
Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs) ,
Credit Unions ,
Decriminalization of Marijuana ,
Depository Institutions ,
Financial Institutions ,
Financial Services Industry ,
FinCEN ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Marijuana ,
Marijuana Related Businesses ,
Money Laundering ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Senate Banking Committee
On January 21, 2020, the four lead bipartisan sponsors of H.R. 1595, the SAFE Banking Act, U.S. Reps. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo., Steve Stivers, R-Ohio, Denny Heck, D-Wash., and Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, sent a letter to Senate...more
1/28/2020
/ Agribusiness ,
Anti-Money Laundering ,
BSA/AML ,
Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs) ,
Controlled Substances ,
Credit Unions ,
Decriminalization of Marijuana ,
Dispensaries ,
Financial Institutions ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Hemp Cultivation ,
Hemp Related Businesses ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Marijuana ,
Marijuana Cultivation ,
Marijuana Related Businesses ,
Money Laundering ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Regulatory Oversight
Federal bank regulators no longer require banks to submit suspicious activity reports (SARs) for legally authorized hemp business transactions, absent another required circumstance....more
12/13/2019
/ Agribusiness ,
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil ,
Cannabis Products ,
Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs) ,
Decriminalization of Marijuana ,
Deregulation ,
Dispensaries ,
Farm Bill ,
Financial Institutions ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Financial Transactions ,
Global Market ,
Hemp ,
Hemp Cultivation ,
Hemp Related Businesses ,
Interstate Commerce ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Marijuana ,
Marijuana Cultivation ,
Marijuana Related Businesses ,
Pending Legislation ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs)
The distribution and sale of cannabis continues its charge from taboo to mainstream. Cannabis-related commerce will reach billions of dollars annually in the next few years. Everything from medicinal and recreational...more
11/5/2019
/ Cannabidiol (CBD) oil ,
Cannabis Products ,
Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs) ,
Consumer Insurance Products ,
Financial Institutions ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Hemp ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Marijuana ,
Marijuana Cultivation ,
Marijuana Related Businesses ,
Pending Legislation ,
Plant Based Products ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
USDA
Sens. Jeff Merkley and Cory Gardner have reintroduced the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act as a companion to House bill HR 1595....more
4/18/2019
/ Decriminalization of Marijuana ,
Dispensaries ,
Financial Institutions ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Liability ,
Marijuana ,
Marijuana Cultivation ,
Marijuana Related Businesses ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
Retailers
On March 28, 2019, the House Financial Services Committee voted overwhelmingly (45-15) to advance H.R. 1595, known as the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act of 2019. The bill seeks to protect financial...more
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE FINANCIAL SERVICES UPDATE TITLE INSURANCE UPDATE -
Foreclosure: witness may testify as to business records of another company so long as that witness can lay proper foundation of personal knowledge...more
10/30/2017
/ Banking Sector ,
Condominiums ,
Consumer Financial Products ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Institutions ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Insurance Industry ,
Misrepresentation ,
Mortgage Lenders ,
Mortgages ,
Nationstar ,
Real Estate Market ,
Tax Liens ,
Title Insurance ,
Venue ,
Wells Fargo
Real Property Update -
Foreclosure/Standing/Lost Note: if plaintiff did not have right to enforce note when lost, plaintiff should present evidence of assignment from payee to plaintiff or affidavit of ownership - ...more
6/2/2017
/ Adverse Possession ,
Article III ,
Banking Sector ,
Breach of Contract ,
Breach of Warranty ,
Condition Precedent ,
Consumer Financial Products ,
Due Process ,
Financial Institutions ,
Foreclosure ,
Fraudulent Transfers ,
Homeowners Association (HOA) ,
Homestead Exemption ,
Indemnification ,
Insurance Industry ,
Lis Pendens ,
Mortgage Lenders ,
Mortgage Servicers ,
Mortgages ,
Nationstar ,
Standing ,
Title Insurance ,
US Bank National Association ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Foreclosure/Deficiency Judgment: where a foreclosing bank acquires in rem jurisdiction via service by publication in underlying foreclosure action, bank may still seek personal service over an...more
4/12/2017
/ Acceleration ,
Banking Sector ,
Cause of Action Accrual ,
Closing Documents ,
Double Recovery ,
Duty to Defend ,
FDIC ,
Financial Institutions ,
First American Title Insurance Co. ,
Foreclosure ,
In Rem Jurisdiction ,
Insurance Industry ,
JPMorgan Chase ,
Lis Pendens ,
Mortgage Lenders ,
Mortgages ,
Personal Jurisdiction ,
Real Estate Market ,
Title Insurance ,
US Bank National Association ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Foreclosure: where foreclosing bank, who purchased debt from original mortgagee, failed to establish standing to enforce lost note “through evidence of a valid assignment, proof of purchase of the...more
2/15/2017
/ Appeals ,
Article III ,
Banking Sector ,
Consumer Lenders ,
Financial Institutions ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Full Credit Bid ,
Insurance Industry ,
Mortgage Lenders ,
Mortgages ,
Real Estate Market ,
Removal ,
Standing ,
Summary Judgment ,
Title Insurance ,
US Bank National Association
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Foreclosure/Vacating Judgment: estate failed to either allege or prove any basis under Rule 1.540 to vacate final judgment of foreclosure to which it had consented – The Bank of N.Y. Mellon v....more
1/26/2017
/ Attorney's Fees ,
Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon ,
Banking Sector ,
Banks ,
Consumer Lenders ,
Document Preservation Notices ,
Financial Institutions ,
Foreclosure ,
Fraud ,
Mortgage Lenders ,
Mortgages ,
Real Estate Market ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Foreclosure: where a valid mortgage properly encumbers the subject property, an incorrect deed and a reformation of deed count are not fatal to a foreclosure action - Heartwood 2, LLC v. Dori, Case...more
1/19/2017
/ Affirmative Defenses ,
Banking Sector ,
Banks ,
Consumer Lenders ,
Escrow Accounts ,
Fidelity National Title Insurance Company ,
Financial Institutions ,
Foreclosure ,
Insurance Industry ,
Misappropriation ,
Mortgage Lenders ,
Mortgages ,
Policy Exclusions ,
Real Estate Market ,
Title Insurance
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Settlement/Waiver: borrowers permitted to raise affirmative defenses and counterclaims against lender where subject Loan Modification Agreement failed to include waiver of claims, affirmative...more
12/2/2016
/ Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon ,
Banking Sector ,
Breach of Contract ,
Consumer Financial Products ,
Financial Institutions ,
Foreclosure ,
Homeowners Association (HOA) ,
Injunctions ,
Insurance Industry ,
Loan Modifications ,
Mortgages ,
Real Estate Market ,
Settlement ,
Title Insurance
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Foreclosure/Constitutional Challenge: record title owner’s argument that Florida Statutes section 702.035, governing “Legal notice concerning foreclosure proceedings,” is an unconstitutional...more
11/18/2016
/ Arbitration ,
Article III ,
Bank of America ,
Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon ,
Banking Sector ,
Banks ,
Class Action ,
Constitutional Challenges ,
Consumer Lenders ,
Diversity Jurisdiction ,
Economic Loss Doctrine ,
Financial Institutions ,
First American Title Insurance Co. ,
Foreclosure ,
Insurance Industry ,
Mortgage Lenders ,
Mortgages ,
Motion to Vacate ,
Punitive Damages ,
Real Estate Market ,
Standing ,
Statute of Limitations ,
Title Insurance ,
US Bank National Association ,
Voluntary Dismissals
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Foreclosure/Standing: foreclosing bank did not establish standing where it failed to submit evidence it was in possession of original note with blank endorsement at time of filing of foreclosure...more
10/19/2016
/ Bank of America ,
Banking Sector ,
Banks ,
Deutsche Bank ,
Financial Institutions ,
Foreclosure ,
HSBC ,
Insurance Industry ,
JPMorgan Chase ,
Mortgage Lenders ,
Mortgages ,
Notice of Default ,
Old Republic Title ,
Real Estate Market ,
Regulation X ,
Standing ,
Statute of Limitations ,
Title Insurance ,
US Bank National Association ,
Vacated
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
- Foreclosure/Standing/Hearsay: copy of a note with undated allonge containing blank endorsement sufficient to establish standing as a matter of law, even though bank did not have formal...more
6/22/2016
/ Attorney's Fees ,
Banking Sector ,
Deficiency Judgments ,
Equitable Subrogation ,
Financial Institutions ,
First American Title Insurance Co. ,
Foreclosure ,
Hearsay ,
HSBC ,
Insurance Industry ,
JPMorgan Chase ,
Loan Modifications ,
Mortgage Servicers ,
Mortgages ,
Notice of Default ,
Post-Judgment Interest ,
Real Estate Market ,
RJ Reynolds ,
Standing ,
Subrogation ,
Title Insurance ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Foreclosure/Bankruptcy Stay: because borrower’s notice of appeal was filed during pendency of bankruptcy stay it was a nullity, and appellate court lacked jurisdiction to consider appeal –Hewett v....more
6/8/2016
/ Bank of America ,
Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon ,
Class Action ,
Consumer Bankruptcy ,
Deutsche Bank ,
Discovery ,
Equitable Subrogation ,
Financial Institutions ,
First American Title Insurance Co. ,
Foreclosure ,
Insurance Industry ,
Mortgages ,
Negligence ,
Real Estate Market ,
Sanctions ,
Short Sales ,
Standing ,
Stays ,
Title Insurance ,
US Bank National Association ,
Vicarious Liability ,
Wachovia ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Foreclosure/Requests for Admission: trial court erred by involuntarily dismissing foreclosure action based solely on lender’s failure to respond to requests for admission because lender’s...more
5/11/2016
/ Attorney's Fees ,
Bank of America ,
Condominiums ,
Consumer Lenders ,
Deutsche Bank ,
Equitable Lien ,
Financial Institutions ,
Foreclosure ,
Homestead Exemption ,
HSBC ,
Insurance Industry ,
Landlords ,
Mortgage Lenders ,
Mortgages ,
Notice of Default ,
Old Republic Title ,
Property Insurance ,
Real Estate Market ,
Release Agreements ,
Settlement Agreements ,
Standing ,
Tenants ,
US Bank National Association ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Foreclosure/Documentary Stamp Tax: deferred interest on a “pick-a-payment” mortgage did not amount to future advance, which would have required payment of documentary stamp tax - Steinberg v. Wells...more
10/27/2015
/ Attorney Malpractice ,
Bank of America ,
Borrowers ,
Consumer Bankruptcy ,
Consumer Lenders ,
Debtors ,
Documentary Stamp Tax ,
Equitable Subrogation ,
Escrow Accounts ,
Fidelity National Title Insurance Company ,
Financial Institutions ,
Foreclosure ,
Homeowners ,
Insurance Industry ,
Loans ,
Mortgage Lenders ,
Mortgage Servicers ,
Mortgages ,
Summary Judgment ,
Title Insurance ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
- Foreclosure/Standing: although bank established it had possession of note prior to commencement of action, bank did not demonstrate when blank endorsement was placed on note, nor did it prove it...more
10/20/2015
/ Attorney's Fees ,
Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon ,
Banking Sector ,
Banks ,
Breach of Contract ,
Compliance ,
Condominiums ,
Consumer Financial Products ,
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) ,
Consumer Lenders ,
Department of Transportation (DOT) ,
Eminent Domain ,
Estate Claims ,
Financial Institutions ,
First American Title Insurance Co. ,
Foreclosure ,
Homeowners ,
Insurance Industry ,
JPMorgan Chase ,
Kickbacks ,
Mortgages ,
Referral Fees ,
Residential Real Estate Market ,
RESPA ,
Service Agreements ,
Standing ,
Statute of Limitations ,
Summary Judgment ,
Title Insurance ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Certiorari; discovery: Certiorari review was not available to an owner of property seeking review of a trial court’s order denying his discovery requests, where the order did not completely...more
10/13/2015
/ Appeals ,
Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon ,
Banking Sector ,
Certiorari ,
Closing Protection Letters ,
Deficiency Judgments ,
Discovery ,
Financial Institutions ,
Foreclosure ,
Insurance Industry ,
Mortgages ,
Property Owners ,
Residential Real Estate Market ,
Subject Matter Jurisdiction ,
Title Insurance
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
- Foreclosure/Standing: owner, who took title to property after lis pendens was recorded and who did not appeal denial of motion to intervene, did not have standing to appeal judgment of...more
10/8/2015
/ Financial Institutions ,
Foreclosure ,
Insurance Industry ,
Inverse Condemnation ,
Mortgages ,
Motion To Intervene ,
Prejudice ,
Residential Real Estate Market ,
Standing ,
Statute of Limitations ,
Takings Clause ,
Title Insurance
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Default Judgment/Voidable: because default judgment was merely voidable, rather than void, where complaint upon which judgment was based failed to state a cause of action, Rule 1.540(b) was not...more
9/25/2015
/ Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon ,
Condominiums ,
Credit Bids ,
Default Judgment ,
FDIC ,
Financial Institutions ,
Foreclosure ,
Insurance Industry ,
Lenders ,
Residential Real Estate Market ,
Summary Judgment ,
Title Insurance
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Adverse Possession: appellant entitled to judgment quieting title in her favor because appellant’s predecessor in title had adversely possessed disputed strip of land by having it enclosed by a...more
9/16/2015
/ Adverse Possession ,
Banking Sector ,
Banks ,
Citibank ,
Financial Institutions ,
Foreclosure ,
HSBC ,
Insurance Industry ,
Land Titles ,
Mortgages ,
Motion to Vacate ,
Old Republic Title ,
Real Estate Market ,
Restrictive Covenants ,
Standing ,
Title Insurance
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Foreclosure/Standing: party whose motion to intervene in foreclosure action was denied did not have standing to appeal final judgment of foreclosure – Market Tampa Investments, LLC. V Stobaugh,...more
9/9/2015
/ Banking Sector ,
Banks ,
Construction Industry ,
Consumer Lenders ,
Deficiency Judgments ,
Dismissal With Prejudice ,
Duty of Care ,
Escrow Accounts ,
Fidelity National Title Insurance Company ,
Final Judgment ,
Financial Institutions ,
First American Title Insurance Co. ,
Foreclosure ,
GMAC ,
Insurance Industry ,
Mechanics Lien ,
Mortgage Lenders ,
Mortgage Servicers ,
Mortgages ,
Motion To Intervene ,
Old Republic Title ,
Ratification ,
Real Estate Market ,
Recusal ,
Standing ,
Title Insurance ,
Wells Fargo