Breaking Developments in National Bank Act Preemption
Consumer Finance Monitor
Our podcast show this week consists of a webinar we produced on November 10, 2025, titled, “Breaking Developments in National Bank Act Preemption." Join our panel of top legal experts as they break down how landmark court rulings are changing the rules for national banks, examine the growing application of state law, and discuss what these changes mean for compliance, risk, and the future of consumer financial services. Meet the Panelists: · Alan Kaplinsky (Host & Moderator): Senior...
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BSA/AML Priorities Under a New Administration
Consumer Finance Monitor
Join us for a timely and insightful conversation on the evolving landscape of anti-money laundering (AML) compliance in consumer financial services. In this episode of the Consumer Finance Monitor Podcast, Alan Kaplinsky, founder and senior counsel of Ballard Spahr’s Consumer Financial Services Group, hosts Terence Grugan, co-chair of Ballard Spahr’s AML team and a recognized authority in financial crimes compliance. Together, they deliver a comprehensive discussion on the latest regulatory developments, enforcement trends, and strategic implications for institutions across the industry....
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The Future of Shareholder Arbitration in Light of SEC’s New Policy Statement
Consumer Finance Monitor
This week on the award-winning Consumer Finance Monitor Podcast, host Alan Kaplinsky is joined by Senior Counsel Mark Levin and special guest Professor Mohsen Manesh for a powerful roundtable on one of today’s most consequential topics: the SEC’s new position on mandatory arbitration in corporate governance documents and how state law and market realities are shaping the future for consumer financial services companies, investors, and legal counsel. Meet the Speakers: Alan Kaplinsky - Host and Senior Counsel at Ballard Spahr’s Consumer Financial Services Group, Alan brings decades of...
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Significant 2025 Deregulatory Developments in Banking Law
Consumer Finance Monitor
Join host Alan Kaplinsky, founder and former longtime leader of Ballard Spahr's Consumer Financial Services Group and one of the foremost thought leaders in the industry, as he welcomes two special guests for a timely and insightful conversation about the most significant deregulatory developments in banking law during 2025. Alan is joined by his Ballard Spahr colleague Scott Coleman, a partner with more than 30 years of experience guiding banks and bank holding companies through mergers, acquisitions, and all facets of regulatory compliance, especially in the community banking sector. They're...
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The CFPB’s Most Ambitious Regulatory Agenda Ever – Part 2
Consumer Finance Monitor
Today’s episode features Part 2 of our November 4 webinar, “The CFPB’s Most Ambitious Regulatory Agenda Ever.” (Part 1 of this series was released on December 18. We encourage you to listen to that episode as well). In Part 2, we continue to unpack the far-reaching implications of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) regulatory ambitions. The CFPB has published a sweeping agenda that promises to reshape the landscape for consumer financial services, and our panel of seasoned attorneys offers vital context and actionable insights for industry professionals,...
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The CFPB’s Most Ambitious Regulatory Agenda Ever – Part 1
Consumer Finance Monitor
Today’s episode features Part 1 of our November 4 webinar, “The CFPB’s Most Ambitious Regulatory Agenda Ever.” In this packed episode, our expert panel breaks down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s largest and boldest regulatory agenda to date. Discussing an unprecedented lineup of 24 rulemaking items that could reshape the consumer financial services industry. What’s Included: Unprecedented Regulatory Activity: We unpack why this semi-annual agenda stands out, the record number of proposed rules, and what this means for financial institutions, FinTechs, and...
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The CFPB’s Reg B Proposal: Key Changes and Industry Impact
Consumer Finance Monitor
Today’s podcast brings listeners a timely and insightful discussion as our panel examines the CFPB’s proposed amendments to Regulation B under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). As our regular listeners know, we released an episode yesterday, and we are providing this additional special episode in light of a development we consider both time-sensitive and exceptionally important. The discussion is hosted by Alan Kaplinsky, Senior Counsel, founder and former chair for 25 years of Ballard Spahr’s Consumer Financial Services Group, and features these distinguished experts in...
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AI in Financial Services: Understanding the White House Action Plan – and What It Leaves Out – Part 2
Consumer Finance Monitor
Today’s episode features Part 2 of our October 30, 2025 webinar, “AI in Financial Services: Understanding the White House Action Plan – and What It Leaves Out.” In this installment, our panel dives deeper into the evolving intersection of artificial intelligence, regulation, and innovation in financial services. Moderated by Alan Kaplinsky, Senior Counsel, founder and former longtime leader of Ballard Spahr’s Consumer Financial Services Group, and Greg Szewczyk, chair of the firm’s Privacy and Data Security Group, the discussion cuts through hype and uncertainty to provide clear,...
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AI in Financial Services: Understanding the White House Action Plan – and What It Leaves Out – Part 1
Consumer Finance Monitor
Today’s episode features Part 1 of our October 30, 2025 webinar, “AI in Financial Services: Understanding the White House Action Plan – and What It Leaves Out.” In this installment, a panel of leading experts breaks down the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in financial services—from foundational concepts to the latest regulatory developments. Moderated by Alan Kaplinsky, Senior Counsel, founder and former longtime leader of Ballard Spahr’s Consumer Financial Services Group, and Greg Szewczyk, chair of the firm’s Privacy and Data Security Group,...
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Opportunities in the Solar Finance Industries Despite Trump 2.0
Consumer Finance Monitor
Step into the intersection of consumer finance law and the solar energy industry with host Alan Kaplinsky, senior counsel at Ballard Spahr, and special guest Steven Burt, attorney and former public policy leader at major residential solar companies. In this episode, listeners will get an insider’s look at today’s solar landscape. Discover the key market segments, from utility-scale projects to commercial installations, community solar, and residential rooftop systems. Explore how recent shifts in federal policy under the Trump administration have changed energy priorities, from cancelling...
info_outlineJoin us for a timely and insightful conversation on the evolving landscape of anti-money laundering (AML) compliance in consumer financial services. In this episode of the Consumer Finance Monitor Podcast, Alan Kaplinsky, founder and senior counsel of Ballard Spahr’s Consumer Financial Services Group, hosts Terence Grugan, co-chair of Ballard Spahr’s AML team and a recognized authority in financial crimes compliance. Together, they deliver a comprehensive discussion on the latest regulatory developments, enforcement trends, and strategic implications for institutions across the industry.
Episode Overview and Key Takeaways:
1. Regulatory Streamlining: Explore how AML and Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) compliance requirements are being recalibrated, with a focus on reducing unnecessary burdens, modernizing supervisory practices, and emphasizing substance over form.
2. Bank Examination Modernization: Learn how recent policy changes are promoting risk-based, targeted examinations for community banks, enabling institutions to allocate resources more effectively while maintaining compliance.
3. Non-Bank Financial Institution Developments: Gain insights into emerging proposals from FinCEN and the Treasury aimed at gathering industry feedback and potentially scaling back AML obligations for non-bank entities such as casinos, money services businesses, and others.
4. SAR Reporting Reforms: Hear about FinCEN’s clarifications that are refining suspicious activity reporting (SAR) requirements, streamlining documentation, and reducing operational complexity for financial institutions.
5. Evolving Crypto Regulation: Assess the regulatory retreat within the cryptocurrency sector, implications for AML risk, and anticipated impact of new regulatory initiatives including upcoming Stablecoin rules.
6. Enforcement Trends: Review notable shifts in enforcement priorities, with fewer high-profile AML fines this year and an increased focus on targeting substantive violations rather than technical compliance failures.
7. National Security and Economic Policy Alignment: Understand how AML and financial crime policies are aligning with broader national security priorities, including sanctions compliance, immigration enforcement, and efforts to disrupt international cartels.
8. Future Outlook: Preview possible future developments, including greater centralization of AML enforcement within the Treasury Department and continuing modernization of compliance obligations.
This episode equips financial institutions, compliance professionals, and industry leaders with expert perspectives on the regulatory, operational, and strategic changes transforming AML compliance.
Consumer Finance Monitor is hosted by Alan Kaplinsky, Senior Counsel at Ballard Spahr, and the founder and former chair of the firm's Consumer Financial Services Group. We encourage listeners to subscribe to the podcast on their preferred platform for weekly insights into developments in the consumer finance industry.