The central resource for understanding the most critical financial compliance regulations impacting financial institutions, fintechs, and other regulated entities. Each regulation is broken down into practical elements—who it applies to, key requirements, real-world impacts, and evolving expectations—so you can move beyond legal jargon to actionable insights.
🔗 Explore individual regulation pages below for detailed guidance, checklists, updates, and industry implications.
KEY Regulations
| Bank Holding Company Act (BHCA) : Regulates the activities of companies that own or control one or more banks, requires companies owning 25% or more of two or more banks to register with and be regulated by the Federal Reserve. |
| Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) : Requires financial institutions to help prevent and report money laundering and financial crimes. |
| Basel I Accord : Sets the first worldwide standard for minimum capital banks must hold, based on risk-weighted assets, to ensure stability and resilience in international banking. |
| Basel II Accord : Introduces risk-based capital standards, operational risk coverage, and standardized public disclosures to strengthen international banking regulation and transparency. |
| Basel III Accord : Requires internationally active banks to meet stringent capital, leverage, and liquidity standards to promote financial stability and resilience. |
| Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) : Requires banks and other insured depository institutions to help meet the credit needs of the communities in which they operate, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, while maintaining safe and sound banking practices. |
| Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA) : Empowers the CFPB to oversee, regulate, and enforce protections against unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts in consumer financial services. |
| Dodd-Frank Act : Comprehensive reform of financial system with rules on derivatives, proprietary trading, and consumer protection. |
| Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA, Regulation E) : Protects consumers by establishing rights, responsibilities, and liability limits for electronic fund transfers such as ATM, debit card, ACH, and remittance transactions. |
| Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA, Regulation B) : Prohibits lenders from discriminating against credit applicants based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, receipt of public assistance, or the exercise of consumer protection rights. |
| Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) : Regulates consumer reporting agencies and governs fairness in credit reporting |
| Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) : The FDIC insures bank deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, and promotes stability in the U.S. financial system. |
| Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) : Prohibits abusive, deceptive, or unfair conduct by third-party debt collectors and grants consumers rights to dispute and verify debts through clear notice and communication standards. |
| Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) : Prohibits bribery of foreign officials and mandates accurate recordkeeping by companies to promote ethical conduct and transparent international business. |
| Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) : Requires protection of consumer financial data and transparency in information sharing. |
| Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA, Regulation C) : Requires disclosure of mortgage lending and application data to prevent discrimination. |
| Regulation P (Privacy of Consumer Financial Information) : Issued under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), mandates privacy of consumer financial information and sets rules for data sharing. |
| Right to Financial Privacy Act (RFPA) : Restricts the federal government from accessing a customer’s financial records at a financial institution without following specific legal procedures, including customer notice and an opportunity to object. |
| Regulation X : Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) : Requires mortgage lenders, brokers, and servicers to provide timely and clear disclosures about settlement costs, prohibits kickbacks and certain referral fees, and limits the use of escrow accounts to protect consumers in real estate transactions |
| Regulation Z (Truth in Lending Act – TILA) : Requires disclosure of credit terms to consumers to ensure understanding and fairness. |
| Regulation CC (Expedited Funds Availability Act – EFAA) : Implements rules on funds availability, check clearing, and deposit holds |
| Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) : Mandates rigorous internal controls, regular audits, executive certification of financial statements, and robust transparency in public company reporting to protect investors and prevent corporate fraud. |
| SAFE Act (Reg G) : Sets uniform federal standards for registering and tracking mortgage loan originators, requiring annual registration, unique identifiers, and institution-level compliance controls. |
| Truth in Savings Act (TISA, Regulation DD) : Requires financial institutions to provide clear, uniform disclosures about the terms, fees, and interest rates of consumer deposit accounts to help consumers make informed banking decisions |
| USA PATRIOT Act : Strengthens anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing compliance for financial institutions |
| Volcker Rule : A key provision of the Dodd-Frank Act and limits banks from engaging in proprietary trading and certain investment activities |
Other Important Regulations
| Regulation or Act | Key Rule or Provision |
|---|---|
| Regulation A (FRB) | Governs extensions of credit by Federal Reserve Banks. |
| Regulation B (ECOA) | Prohibits credit discrimination based on protected characteristics. |
| Regulation C (HMDA) | Requires public reporting of mortgage data to monitor lender fairness. |
| Regulation D | Sets reserve requirements for depository institutions. |
| Regulation E (EFTA) | Protects consumers in electronic fund transfers like debit, ACH, or ATM. |
| Regulation F | Governs limits on interbank liabilities to reduce systemic risk. |
| Regulation G | Requires credit disclosure by certain securities holding firms. |
| Regulation H | Sets membership rules for state-chartered banks in the Fed System. |
| Regulation I | Covers subscription and holding of Fed Reserve Bank stock by member banks. |
| Regulation J | Governs check and wire transfer processing via the Fed. |
| Regulation K | Controls international banking and investment by U.S. banks. |
| Regulation L | Bars officials from serving simultaneously at competing institutions. |
| Regulation M | Requires disclosures for consumer leasing terms and costs. |
| Regulation N | Covers advertising of securities by banking institutions. |
| Regulation O | Restricts loans to a bank’s insiders to prevent abuse. |
| Regulation P | Mandates consumer privacy notices and opt-out rights for information sharing. |
| Regulation Q | (Repealed) Formerly prohibited interest-bearing business checking accounts. |
| Regulation R | Defines exceptions from broker registration for banks. |
| Regulation S | Establishes conditions for offshore securities transactions. |
| Regulation T | Governs credit that brokers can extend for securities trading. |
| Regulation U | Limits banks from using credit to help customers buy stocks. |
| Regulation V | Implements rules on credit reporting and identity theft per FCRA. |
| Regulation X (RESPA) | Requires real estate loan disclosures and prohibits kickbacks. |
| Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) | Requires banks to monitor and report suspicious financial activity. |
| Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) | Sets corporate accountability and audit oversight rules. |
| Dodd-Frank Act | Overhauls the financial system to address systemic risk and consumer protection. |
| Volcker Rule | Prohibits proprietary trading and hedge fund investment by banks. |
| Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) | Mandates financial privacy and governs info-sharing by institutions. |
| Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) | Requires banks to serve the credit needs of all communities. |
| USA PATRIOT Act | Expands AML compliance and customer identification requirements. |
| Truth in Lending Act (TILA) | Requires lenders to disclose credit terms and costs clearly. |
| Truth in Savings Act (TISA) | Requires clear disclosures on consumer deposit accounts. |
| Homeowners Protection Act | Outlines cancellation rules for private mortgage insurance (PMI). |
| Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) | Regulates collection and use of consumer credit information. |
| Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) | Prohibits abusive debt collection practices. |
| Right to Financial Privacy Act (RFPA) | Limits federal access to customer financial records. |
| Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) | Bans credit discrimination and ensures reason for denial disclosures. |
| Bank Holding Company Act (BHCA) | Requires Fed oversight of companies owning/controling banks. |
| Investment Advisers Act | Regulates fiduciary conduct of investment advisers. |
| Investment Company Act | Governs governance and disclosure of mutual funds. |
| Securities Act of 1933 | Requires truth in securities offerings through registration. |
| Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | Regulates post-issuance securities trading and created the SEC. |
| PCAOB Oversight (SOX) | Monitors auditors of public companies for compliance and independence. |
| Regulation S-P | Requires financial firms to protect sensitive customer data. |
| Regulation CC | Sets rules for check clearing and funds availability timelines. |
| Regulation AA | Prohibits unfair or deceptive bank practices. |
| Regulation Y | Regulates bank holding company expansion and capital. |
| Regulation Z (TILA) | Implements truth-in-lending disclosures and rules. |
| Regulation BB (CRA) | Sets exam guidelines for bank community reinvestment. |
| SAFE Act (Reg G) | Mandates MLO licensing and oversight via the NMLS system. |
| Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) | Prohibits U.S. companies from bribing foreign officials. |
| Bank Merger Act | Requires government approval for bank mergers. |
| Expedited Funds Availability Act | Requires timely availability of deposited funds to consumers. |
| Consumer Leasing Act | Governs leasing disclosures for personal property. |
| Consumer Financial Protection Act | Creates CFPB and centralizes consumer finance regulation. |
| International Banking Act | Brings foreign bank branches under U.S. laws. |
| Garn-St. Germain Act | Allows adjustable-rate mortgage products. |
| Basel III Accord | Enhances bank capital, liquidity, and leverage requirements globally. |
| Payday Lending Rule | Limits abusive practices in short-term lending. |
| SIPA | Protects investors if a brokerage firm fails. |
| UCC Article 4A | Governs credit transfers among financial institutions. |
| OFAC Regulations | Restrict transactions with sanctions-listed entities. |
| Money Laundering Control Act | Makes AML compliance mandatory with criminal penalties. |
| Regulation S-AM | Limits affiliate marketing using consumer data. |
| Red Flags Rule | Requires ID theft prevention programs for financial firms. |
| Fed Remittance Rule (EFTA) | Requires fair and transparent international remittance disclosures. |
| National Bank Act | Establishes national charters and OCC supervision. |
| Glass-Steagall Act | Separated commercial and investment banking (mostly repealed). |
| FIRREA | Response to S&L crisis; created stronger oversight and FDIC powers. |
| Regulatory Relief Act | Reduces regulatory burden for small community banks. |
| Securities Litigation Standards Act | Unifies class action procedures under federal law. |
| Commodity Exchange Act | Regulates futures and options trading in the U.S. |
| ERISA | Sets fiduciary standards for private retirement plan sponsors. |
| Bank Service Company Act | Governs services performed for banks by outside tech companies. |
| UIGEA | Outlaws payments for unlawful internet gambling. |
| Credit CARD Act | Bans unfair fees and practices in credit card lending. |
| FSOC | Supervises systemic risk via interagency oversight council. |
| Orderly Liquidation Authority | Enables wind-down of failing financial giants. |
| FDIA | Governs FDIC insurance and resolution powers. |
| Bank Protection Act | Requires physical and IT safeguards for banks. |
| Call Report (FFIEC) | Standardized financial performance reports for banks. |
| PCI DSS | Sets industry standards for protecting cardholder data. |
| OCC Crypto Guidance | Offers banks rules for participating in digital assets. |
| Model Business Corp Act | Provides model state laws for corporate governance. |
| Farm Credit Act | Supports agricultural lending and credit cooperatives. |
| Federal Reserve Act | Establishes the Federal Reserve banking system. |
| Fed Payment System Policy | Governs risk in Fed payment services. |
| Regulation HH | Sets risk rules for financial market utilities (FMUs). |
| FATCA | Requires disclosure of foreign holdings of U.S. taxpayers. |
| Regulation EE | Defines entities eligible for netting offset in bankruptcy. |
| Regulation GG | Prohibits processing payments for illegal online gambling. |
| Regulation AB II | Requires disclosure in asset-backed securitization. |
| Regulation SC | Applies SEC rules on swap dealer conduct. |
| Regulation U1 | Covers change-in-control disclosures for banks. |
| Regulation LL | Sets rules for savings and loan holding companies. |
| Regulation MM | Oversees major foreign bank operations under Dodd-Frank. |
| Truth in Negotiations Act | Requires cost/pricing detail from federal contractors. |
| FDICIA | Enforces early intervention for undercapitalized banks. |
| Prompt Corrective Action | Triggers bank regulator intervention based on capital levels. |
| Large Bank Capital Rule | Adds capital requirements for systemically important firms. |
| Fed Payment Risk Policy | Manages Fedwire and daylight overdraft risk. |
| Check 21 Act | Enables electronic check processing via image replacement. |
| Fed Credit Union Act | Outlines governance for federal credit unions. |
| Dodd-Frank – Ratings Oversight | Increases SEC oversight of credit rating agencies. |
| Uniform Savings Clause | Preserves compatible state financial regulations. |
| Basel I | Introduced international bank capital standards. |
| Basel II | Adds more granular risk sensitivity to capital ratios. |
| Bank Fraud Statute | Criminalizes defrauding financial institutions. |
| Regulation RR | Requires securitizers to retain credit risk (5%). |
| Dodd-Frank Title XIV | Imposes rules for ATR/QM, servicing, escrows, and more. |
| Qualified Mortgage (QM) | Brands safe mortgage loans that avoid risky terms. |
| Ability-to-Repay (ATR) | Requires lenders verify a borrower’s repayment ability. |
| RESPA Section 8 | Prohibits kickbacks and referral fees in real estate. |
| Reg B Appendix C | Offers model forms for ECOA adverse action. |
| HOEPA Rule | Adds protections for high-cost mortgage loans. |
| Loan Originator Comp Rule | Bans commission schemes based on loan terms. |
| Mortgage Servicing Rule | Strengthens loss mitigation and complaint response standards. |
| TRID Rule | Combines mortgage loan disclosures into simplified forms. |
| Escrow Rule | Mandates escrow for high-priced mortgage loans. |
| Periodic Statement Rule | Requires mortgage lenders to send borrowers monthly statements. |
| Mortgage Transfer Notice Rule | Requires notice when servicing rights transfer. |
| Right of Rescission Rule | Allows canceling certain loans within 3 days. |
| ECOA Valuation Rule | Requires free copy of appraisals to credit applicants. |
| SAFE Registration Rule | Requires NMLS registration for nonbank loan originators. |
| FEMA Flood Rule | Requires flood insurance in designated zones. |
| Reg H CRA Rule | Implements CRA rules for Fed-supervised state banks. |
| OCC CRA Rule | Governs community reinvestment for national banks. |
| FDIC CRA Rule | Applies CRA guidelines to FDIC-supervised banks. |
| Credit Card Rule (Reg Z) | Restricts rate hikes and fees; mandates transparency. |
| Affiliate Marketing Rule | Allows consumers to opt out of affiliate data marketing. |
| Risk-Based Pricing Rule | Requires disclosures for suboptimal credit offers. |
| SEC IFRS Rule | Allows foreign firms to report under international accounting. |
| HMDA Rule (Reg C) | Expands mortgage data fields for transparency. |
| FinCEN CDD Rule | Requires banks to verify beneficial owners of companies. |
| BSA Travel Rule | Mandates data tracking in transfers >$3,000. |
| CIP Rule | Financial institutions must verify customer identity. |
| AML Rule | Requires institutions to implement anti-money laundering programs. |
| Fair Lending Handbook | Details enforcement of nondiscriminatory lending practices. |
| FIRREA Title XI | Regulates real estate appraiser certification. |
| Deposit Ad Rules (Reg DD) | Bans misleading deposit product advertisements. |
| Section 314(a) Rule | Enables AML data sharing with regulators. |
| Section 314(b) Rule | Permits voluntary AML info sharing between institutions. |
| SAR Rule | Requires reports of potentially criminal or suspicious activity. |
| CTR Rule | Requires filing for cash transactions over $10,000. |
| PCAOB Rule 3526 | Requires audit firm transparency on independence. |
| PCAOB AS 2201 | Auditing standard for internal controls. |
| Regulation YY | Applies enhanced standards to large bank holding companies. |
| Volcker Covered Funds | Bars bank investment in private funds. |
| Volcker Trading Rule | Prohibits proprietary trading by banks. |
| Bank Bribery Law | Criminalizes bribery in bank transactions. |
| Model Privacy Form Rule | Offers privacy disclosure templates for consumers. |
| SEC Net Capital Rule | Requires broker-dealers maintain liquidity. |
| SEC Records Rules | Sets document retention for broker-dealers. |
| CFTC Swap Rule | Regulates swap dealer operations. |
| CFTC Real-Time Reporting | Requires public swap trade disclosures. |
| CFTC Position Limits | Limits commodity speculation exposure. |
| Reg BI | Requires brokers to act in clients’ best interest. |
| Form CRS | Mandates basic disclosures on financial service relationships. |
| SEC Marketing Rule | Regulates adviser advertising practices. |
| SEC Custody Rule | Requires client assets be held securely. |
| FINRA Suitability Rule | Requires investment suitability for clients. |
| FINRA Report Rule | Mandates reporting of serious legal or supervisory actions. |
| MSRB G-37 | Restricts political contributions by muni advisors. |
| MSRB G-17 | Requires fairness in municipal dealing. |
| Regulation FD | Prevents selective disclosure by public companies. |
| JOBS Act | Eases capital raising for small businesses. |
| Reg CF | Allows equity crowdfunding up to $5 million. |
| Reg A+ | Streamlines IPOs for smaller companies. |
| Rule 144A | Allows private institutional securities sales. |
| Rule 506 (Reg D) | Exempts private offerings from SEC registration. |
| Rule 10b-5 | Prohibits securities fraud in trading or offerings. |
| Whistleblower Rule | Rewards reporting of securities violations to the SEC. |
| Regulation NMS | Improves fairness in how stocks trade. |
| Regulation ATS | Regulates alternative trading platforms. |
| Blue Sky Laws | Require state-level securities registration and sales compliance. |
| UPIA | Sets prudent investing standards for fiduciaries. |
| E-SIGN Act | Grants legal effect to electronic signatures and records. |
| UETA | Allows state-electronic contracts and records enforcement. |
| BHCA 4(k) Rule | Enables broader financial activities by FHCs. |
| Regulation III | Limits debit card interchange fees. |
| Regulation TT | Assesses Fed supervision fees on large institutions. |
| OCC Heightened Standards | Mandates governance frameworks for large banks. |
| FHLB Rules | Sets eligibility for banks to join the Fed Home Loan Bank system. |
| EESA (TARP) | Empowered Treasury to stabilize banks during the 2008 crisis. |