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Michael Nonaka is co-chair of the Financial Services Group and advises banks, financial services providers, and non-bank companies on a broad range of compliance, enforcement, transactional, and legislative matters. He has worked extensively with federal and state banking agencies and with other federal agencies authorized to regulate financial services. Mr. Nonaka also plays an active role in the firm’s Fintech Initiative and works with a number of banks, lending companies, money transmitters, payments firms, technology companies, and service providers on innovative technologies such as blockchain, bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, big data, cloud computing, same day payments, and online lending.
Mr. Nonaka has significant experience advising clients on issues arising under financial services legislation such as the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act and Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. He has advised clients on, among other areas, regulation as a systemically important financial institution, resolution planning, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s orderly liquidation authority under Title II, and the scope of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s authority.
Mr. Nonaka also has advised a number of clients on compliance with TILA, ECOA, TISA, HMDA, FCRA, EFTA, GLBA, FDCPA, CRA, BSA, USA PATRIOT Act, FTC Act, Reg. K, Reg. O, Reg. W, Reg. Y, state money transmitter laws, state licensed lender laws, state unclaimed property laws, state prepaid access laws, and other federal and state laws and regulations.
- Representation of General Electric and Synchrony Financial in connection with exchange offer to complete the separation of Synchrony from GE and in connection with Federal Reserve Board application process and approval required for the separation of Synchrony from GE.
- Representation of several Fortune 500 companies on big data, blockchain, and other fintech solutions.
- Representation of Synchrony Financial (GE Capital’s North American retail finance business) in connection with its approximately $2.95 billion initial public offering and related $3.6 billion debt offering.
- Representation of WSFS Financial Corporation in acquisitions of First Wyoming Financial Corporation, Alliance Bancorp, Inc. of Pennsylvania, and Penn Liberty Financial Corp.
- Representation of Cole Taylor Bank in investigation and consent cease & desist/civil money penalty order with the Federal Reserve Board and the Illinois state banking authority to resolve claims alleging unfair and deceptive practices related to a student deposit product offered in connection with a former counterparty deemed to be an “institution-affiliated party.”
- Representation of Wells Fargo in connection with a Federal Reserve Board investigation and consent order with respect to alleged falsification of customer income and customer steering by Wells Fargo Financial sales personnel in the origination of consumer mortgage loans.
- Representation of General Motors in congressional hearings and requests for government funding.
- Representation of Freddie Mac in connection with establishment of Federal government conservatorship.
- Representation of Citigroup, Inc. and Citibank, NA, in connection with negotiation and implementation of OCC and Federal Reserve Board consent orders relating to consumer mortgage servicing and foreclosure activities.
- Representation of banks and non-banks on anti-money laundering compliance matters.
- Representation of Arlon Capital Partners LP in connection with investments in Grandpoint Capital, Inc. and Carlile Bancshares, Inc.
- Representation of national banks, savings associations, and other depository institutions in de novo and merger applications before the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Office of Thrift Supervision, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Federal Reserve.
Pro Bono
- Represent City First Enterprises and City First Bank of D.C., N.A. on bank regulation and corporate governance matters.
- Represented indigent Florida inmate in post-conviction proceedings in state and federal courts.
- Assisted the Washington Lawyers Committee in drafting and introducing legislation in the District of Columbia to reform certain aspects of the District’s parole and sentencing laws.
Memberships and Affiliations
- American Bar Association, Banking Law Committee
December 2018, Covington Alert
FinTech refers to the use of new and emerging technologies in the financial services industry to improve the delivery of financial services to customers, and includes innovations such as cryptocurrencies and open banking. Recent years have ushered in the use of several key technologies in the FinTech landscape, including artificial intelligence, data analytics, ...
November 29, 2018, American Banker
Michael Nonaka is quoted in the American Banker regarding how banks focused on improving their technology have shown a propensity to quickly enter into fintech partnerships. Mr. Nonaka says, “One of the most interesting developments is now small and large banks have gotten to the point where these partnerships are just business as usual. There is a lot more ...
Community Reinvestment Act: rework or revamp?
October 17, 2018, International Financial Law Review
Michael Nonaka is quoted in International Financial Law Review regarding the potential modernization of the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977. Mr. Nonaka says, “It’s important to make sure that with new innovative technologies and people using smartphones and the internet to connect with banks, that all those services are tracked for purposes of CRA premise. ...
Blockchain Technology and the Compliance Function: Risks and Opportunities
October 16, 2018, Institute of International Bankers, Risk Management and Regulatory Examination/Compliance Seminar
A Next Tidal Wave of U.S. Privacy Law? The California Consumer Privacy Act and What’s to Come
October 5, 2018, Privacy + Security Forum
September 28, 2018
WASHINGTON—The National Law Journal has named Covington's Michael Nonaka to its inaugural list of "Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, & Fintech Trailblazers." This list profiles 50 lawyers who have "moved the needle" and are making great strides as finance and technology grow more entwined. Mr. Nonaka is co-chair of the firm’s Financial Services Group and advises ...
September 5, 2018, Covington Alert
This client alert summarizes recent regulatory developments relating to fintech and discusses the implications of these developments.
August 17, 2018
WASHINGTON— Law360 named Covington lawyers Alexander Berengaut, Michael Nonaka, and Ursula Owczarkowski to its list of “2018 Rising Stars.” This annual recognition honors top attorneys under 40 “whose legal accomplishments transcend their age.” Alex Berengaut represents clients in civil litigation, international arbitrations, and government enforcement ...
August 8, 2018
WASHINGTON—Covington advised Wilmington, Delaware-based WSFS Financial Corporation in its acquisition of Philadelphia-based Beneficial Bancorp, Inc., in a transaction valued at approximately $1.5 billion. This is the second bank M&A deal in two weeks where Covington is representing the acquiring institution. Covington is also representing Dallas-based Veritex ...
August 1, 2018, Bloomberg Law
Michael Nonaka is quoted in Bloomberg Law on the fintech industry’s enthusiasm regarding the Treasury Department’s recommendation that Congress support the “valid when made” doctrine. Mr. Nonaka adds, “The [recommendation] shows that these issues are not going away and that the uncertainty created from a growing body of inconsistent court opinions isn't a stable ...
OCC Will Accept Fintech Charter Applications
July 31, 2018, Law360
Michael Nonaka is quoted in Law360 regarding the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency accepting applications for special-purpose national bank charters from financial technology companies. Mr. Nonaka says it will be a while before any fintech firms operate as national banks, and they may ultimately decide the special purpose charter does not suit their ...
Cayman Islands AML Requirements
July 23, 2018, Goldman Sachs Prime Services Hedge Fund Consulting
July 3, 2018, Covington Alert
On June 28, 2018, the Governor of California signed the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”). The new law is the most comprehensive data privacy statute in the United States and introduces significant privacy requirements for covered businesses. The CCPA takes effect on January 1, 2020, but based on comments from both the public-interest and business ...
June 14, 2018, Covington Alert
This week has brought three significant developments in Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering (“BSA/AML”) regulation and legislation.
May 29, 2018, Bloomberg Law
Michael Nonaka is quoted in a Bloomberg Law article regarding guidance from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency on small-dollar installment loans. The OCC was likely making an observation and statements of fact “rather than trying to write into the policy any discouragement of any bank-fintech partnership," says Nonaka. But the provision “does stick ...
April 25, 2018, Bloomberg Law
Michael Nonaka is quoted in a Bloomberg Law article regarding Rep. Patrick McHenry's statements at a recent conference stressing that a proposal to modify how banks comply with investment requirements in local communities must take account of new technologies such as mobile banking. According to Nonaka, the Treasury's report, which included recommendations for ...
Blockchain and Cybersecurity, Overview of Current Blockchain Applications
April 25, 2018, HB Litigation Conference
Federal Reserve and OCC Propose Revisions to Capital Framework for Large Banking Organizations
April 20, 2018, Covington Alert
On April 10, 2018, the Federal Reserve issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to implement a stress capital buffer ("SCB") into its capital requirements; revise its capital planning rule for bank holding companies with $50 billion or more in total consolidated assets and U.S. intermediate holding companies of foreign banking organizations established pursuant to ...
Bank Supervision and Regulation Update
April 19, 2018, Covington's Financial Regulatory Forum
Finance of Tomorrow
April 18, 2018, Corporate Council on Africa, Africa Finance Forum
April 10, 2018, Risk Magazine
Michael Nonaka is quoted in a Risk Magazine article regarding U.S. Treasury's proposed reform to the bankruptcy code known as Chapter 14, intended to be the first resort ahead of orderly liquidation authority (OLA). According to Nonaka, “You want there to be different tools in the toolkit in the event of a crisis. That doesn’t mean you have to use Title II, but ...
Law Firms Hitch a Ride on the Blockchain Wagon
April 3, 2018, Washington Lawyer
Michael Nonaka is quoted in a Washington Lawyer article regarding legal opportunities surrounding blockchain. While some lawyers might eventually become blockchain-specialty attorneys, blockchain is looking “more like a technology you have to know about if you’re in certain industries,” says Nonaka. For instance, highly regulated industries such as energy and ...
March 2018, Microsoft
February/March 2018, Bankruptcy Law Journal
Digital Currencies in a Connected World: Key Considerations for Cross-Border Practitioners
February 16, 2018, Florida Bar Association, ILS Global Forum on International Law
Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About Industrial Loan Companies But Were Afraid to Ask
January 9, 2018, American Bar Association Consumer Financial Services Committee Meeting
2018 Should See Trump’s Bank Rule Rollback Gain Steam
January 1, 2018, Law360
Michael Nonaka is quoted in a Law360 article providing a look ahead at bank regulations in 2018. According to Nonaka, leadership changes should mean that banks will see a shift in their operating environment that they had been expecting for some time to come over the course of 2018. “The people will be in place, the will will be there, so I think there will be ...
November 9, 2017, Covington Alert
On October 31, 2017, the Office of the Comptroller Currency (“OCC”) released OCC Bulletin 2017-48, Updated Guidance: Bank Enforcement Actions and Related Matters, updating its internal policies and procedures regarding bank enforcement actions and related matters.
November 2, 2017, Law360
Michael Nonaka is quoted in a Law360 article regarding President Trump's selection of Jerome Powell to chair the Federal Reserve. According to Nonaka, Powell will bring a level of stability that should temper any radical moves, particularly on regulation and supervision of big banks. “He has experience being on the board, so he understands how large bank ...
Developments in RegTech and FinTech Charters
October 16, 2017, Institute of International Bankers Risk Management and Regulatory Compliance Seminar
Fintech Bank Charters and Other Hot Topics
October 12, 2017, Berkeley Center for Law, Business and the Economy, Fundamentals of Banking Law & FinTech 2017
Marketplace Lending Matures
September 7, 2017, PLI Marketplace Lending and Crowdfunding
If OCC Charter Case Is Dismissed, State Regulators Will Likely Sue Again, Say Fintech Attorneys
August 3, 2017, Corporate Counsel Magazine
Michael Nonaka is quoted in a Corporate Counsel Magazine article regarding the Office of the Comptroller's argument that it cannot be sued over its plans for a special purpose national bank charter. According to Nonaka, "it's a fair assumption" the Conference of State Bank Supervisors would continue to pursue litigation against the OCC if the case is thrown out, ...
American Regulators Playing FinTech Catch-Up
June 15, 2017, Law360
Michael Nonaka is quoted in a Law360 article examining how U.S. regulators are fostering fintech innovation. According to Nonaka, the CFTC and FINRA initiatives are important steps to get the agencies up to speed on fintech issues. “It’s certainly a step forward, it’s a step in the right direction for the regulators to be able to do new initiatives that will ...
May 31, 2017, The National Law Journal
Michael Nonaka is quoted by The National Law Journal in an article regarding the likelihood that the U.S. will introduce a regulatory sandbox for fintech companies to test new products and business models without regulatory consequences. According to Nonaka, there is "great value" in a sandbox for entrepreneurs, but "in order for a sandbox to work, you have to ...
Proposed Restrictions on Mexican Remittances Could Hinder Fintechs, Probably Not Banks
May 11, 2017, Forbes
Michael Nonaka is quoted in a Forbes article regarding the prospect of President Trump's taxing remittances for a Mexico border wall, and the possibility of an increase in the use of digital currencies as a result. In discussing banks and payment companies' experience in this field, Nonaka indicates that these institutions have taken the proposed rules in ...
April 24, 2017, Covington Alert
On April 19, 2017, the House Financial Services Committee (the “Committee”) released a new “discussion draft” of the Financial CHOICE Act, its comprehensive regulatory reform bill (“CHOICE Act 2.0”). The Committee released the first version of the bill (“CHOICE Act 1.0”) in June 2016.
March 6, 2017, Covington Alert
Following up on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (the “Bureau,” or “CFPB”) monthly complaint report highlighting credit reporting issues (and particularly issues with accuracy and disputes), on March 2, 2017, the CFPB issued a special edition of its Supervisory Highlights bulletin focusing on consumer reporting issues, highlighting those same concerns. ...
Trump Unlikely To Ease AML Burden, Say Experts
February 22, 2017, Payments Compliance
Michael Nonaka is quoted in a Payments Compliance article regarding financial crime regulation under President Trump amid Dodd-Frank reforms. According to Nonaka, “The conversation around deregulation hasn’t touched on anti-money laundering and terrorist financing compliance and enforcement.” The “strong nexus with law enforcement and border protection,” is why ...
February 21, 2017
In September 2016, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued final guidance for recovery planning, requiring OCC-regulated banking organizations with average total consolidated assets of $50 billion or more to develop recovery plans. Covered banks with at least $750 billion in assets are required to comply by July 1, 2017; covered banks with at least ...
February 6, 2017, Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation
February 3, 2017, Covington Alert
Throughout his campaign, President Donald Trump promised to curtail financial regulations, particularly those promulgated under the Dodd-Frank Act. President Trump argued frequently that the regulations issued under the act have proven overly burdensome and, among other things, limited job growth. This afternoon, the President took his first formal step in ...
The New CRA Interagency Q&As from July 2016
December 15, 2016, Mortgage Bankers Association CRA Lending Workshop
December 11, 2016, Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation
December 5, 2016, Covington Alert
On December 2, 2016, Comptroller of the Currency Thomas J. Curry announced that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) would move forward with issuing special purpose national bank charters to financial technology (“fintech”) companies. The OCC released a whitepaper1 outlining its authority to issue charters to fintech companies, its approach to ...
October 20, 2016, Covington Alert
On October 19, 2016, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) (collectively the “Agencies”) released a joint Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) requesting public comment on enhanced cybersecurity standards that would apply to ...
Current Issues in Fintech Regulation
September 16, 2016, Columbia Law School Center for Israeli Legal Studies Fintech Conference
Legal Developments in Marketplace Lending
September 9, 2016, PLI Marketplace Lending and Crowdfunding
September 2016, The Review of Banking & Financial Services
U.S. Watchdog Seeks Revival Of Prepaid AML Rules
August 25, 2016, PaymentsCompliance
Michael Nonaka is quoted in a PaymentsCompliance article regarding FinCEN’s renewed efforts to reissue anti-laundering (AML) controls on prepaid cards after abandoning original proposals two years earlier. According to Nonaka, “There are all these controls and existing tracking mechanisms that apply to cross-border movements of cash, but these aren't in place ...
July 28, 2016, Covington Alert
Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) issued its outline of proposals under consideration for a debt collection rulemaking that would govern third-party debt collection activities of debt collection agencies, debt buyers, collection law firms, and loan servicers. Release of this outline of proposals signals the start of the Small Business ...
June 13, 2016, Covington Alert
The Federal Reserve has recently sent non-compliance notices to U.S. issuers of foreign-currency denominated bonds that are sold abroad (“foreign bonds”), including Euro bonds, for failure to submit Treasury International Capital (TIC) Form SLT. Although the final instructions for Form SLT were promulgated in February 2011, this filing requirement has come as a ...
May 10, 2016, Covington Alert
On May 5, 2016, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) issued its long-awaited final rule on beneficial ownership with respect to customer due diligence requirements. The final rule requires covered financial institutions to adopt due diligence procedures to identify and verify a legal entity customer’s beneficial owner(s) at the time a new account ...
May 9, 2016, The Wall Street Journal
Mr. Nonaka was quoted in the article that discussed the rollout of the Treasury Department’s customer due diligence rule and related anti-corruption plan.
May 5, 2016, Data Guidance
Michael Nonaka is quoted in this Data Guidance article regarding the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council’s latest version of its data security standard. According to Nonaka, "PCI DSS version 3.2 does not reflect sweeping changes to the requirements in prior versions, but it is indicative of the data security priorities being expressed by card ...
Anti-Laundering: The ABCs of Federal GTOs
April 12, 2016, Law.com
Michael Nonaka is quoted in this law.com article describing the federal government’s use of geographic targeting orders to combat money laundering and terrorist financing in the real estate sector. According to Nonaka, “real estate transactions have been a focus of FinCEN for a long time…We’re likely to see this continue for quite some time.”
Compliance Lessons from Geographic Targeting Orders
April 11, 2016, ACAMS AML & Financial Crimes Conference (21st Annual)
What Business Lawyers Need to Know about Privacy Law
April 9, 2016, American Bar Association: Cyberspace Law Committee 2016 Spring Meeting
Money Services Businesses: Licensing Requirements in Canada and the U.S.
April 8, 2016, American Bar Association: Consumer Financial Services Committee 2016 Spring Meeting
April 1, 2016, Covington Alert
Yesterday, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued a whitepaper, Supporting Responsible Innovation in the Federal Banking System: An OCC Perspective, that introduces the agency’s principles for facilitating and regulating “responsible innovation” in the federal banking system, particularly in financial technology or “fintech.” The whitepaper ...
February 8, 2016, BNA's Banking Daily
October 15, 2015, Covington Alert
Covington Promotes Nine New Partners
October 1, 2015
WASHINGTON, DC, October 1, 2015 - Covington has elected nine of its lawyers to partnership. “We are delighted to welcome our new partners, who exemplify the spirit and substance of Covington,” said Timothy Hester, chair of the firm’s management committee. “This partnership class reflects our focus on the firm’s core practice strengths. We are confident that ...
Big Data and Compliance
June 2015, 2015 American Bankers Association Regulatory Compliance Conference
Covington Advises Public Pension Capital on Partnership with Kramer Van Kirk Credit Strategies
May 15, 2015
WASHINGTON, DC, May 15, 2015 — Covington represented Public Pension Capital, LLC in the formation of a strategic partnership with and investment in Kramer Van Kirk Credit Strategies LP, a Chicago-based manager of collateralized loan obligations with more than $4 billion in assets under management. Public Pension Capital also acquired a stake in KVK Technology ...
April 30, 2014, BankDirector.com
February 24, 2014, Covington E-Alert
2014, Regulation of Foreign Banks and Affiliates in the United States
2014, Regulation of Foreign Banks and Affiliates in the United States
December 11, 2013, Covington E-Alert
February 14, 2013, Covington Advisory
October 11, 2011, Covington Advisory
October 11, 2011, Covington Advisory
December 14, 2010, Covington E-Alert
Covington Advises Financial Federal Corporation on $738M Merger with People’s United Financial
2/22/2010
NEW YORK, February 22, 2010 — Financial Federal Corporation and People’s United Financial, Inc. have completed the merger of Financial Federal with People’s United in a transaction valued at approximately $738 million. Covington & Burling LLP advised Financial Federal on the transaction. Financial Federal is a financial services company providing collateralized ...
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
June 2009, New Jersey Bankers Association Compliance Seminar
September 23, 2008, Covington E-Alert
- Chambers FinTech (2019)
- The National Law Journal, "Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, & Fintech Trailblazers" (2018)
- Law360, Banking "Rising Star" (2018)
- Legal 500 US, Finance - Financial Services Regulation (2017) and Technology: Data Protection and Privacy (2016)
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