US FDIC To Propose Tough Rules For Banks Working With Fintech Companies

US FDIC To Propose Tough Rules For Banks Working With Fintech Companies

The new requirements would ensure consumers’ funds were safe

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) is set to propose that banks bolster record-keeping requirements for accounts held by fintech companies on behalf of their customers.

The directions came in wake of the collapse of bank-fintech middleman Synapse Financial Technologies early this year, which led to the freezing of thousands of accounts.

The new requirements would ensure that consumers have timely access to their funds, in absence of a bank's failure.

Under the banking regulator’s proposal, banks that work with fintech companies would have to identify the beneficial owners of each account and its balance. Third parties, like Synapse, would be allowed to maintain those records if certain requirements were met, such as a bank retaining unrestricted access to that data even in the event of a middleman's bankruptcy or insolvency.

Synapse filed for bankruptcy in April, freezing accounts for customers of its partner banks, including Tennessee-based Evolve Bank & Trust. The latter worked with fintech companies to offer banking services like deposit accounts.

The FDIC will also finalize a policy to heighten scrutiny of bank mergers with assets over $100 billion.

In 16 years, it is for the first time that the new rule has updated the agency's merger guidance. It will emphasize maintaining stability in the banking sector.