What could a TBTF bank possibly do to deserve an official reprimand from their friends at the Fed? Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML) related it appears, protecting flows of secrets and cash.
I hope it is not related to HSBC's position as the primary custodian for GLD and helping to 'start of the gold rush' back in 2009 by kicking out all the small fry to make room for more unemcumbered and leaseable London-ready bullion.
"WHEREAS, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago (the “Reserve Bank”) reviewed and
assessed the effectiveness of HNAH’s corporate governance and compliance risk management
practices, policies, and internal controls, and identified deficiencies..."
Press Release
Federal Reserve
Release Date: October 7, 2010
The Federal Reserve Board on Thursday announced the issuance of a consent Cease and Desist Order between HSBC North America Holdings, Inc. (HNAH), New York, New York, a registered bank holding company, and the Federal Reserve Board. The order requires HNAH to take corrective action to improve its firmwide compliance risk-management program, including its anti-money laundering compliance risk management.
Concurrent with the Federal Reserve Board's enforcement action, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced Thursday the issuance of a Cease and Desist Order against HSBC Bank USA, N.A., McLean, Virginia, for violating the Bank Secrecy Act and its underlying regulations.
A copy of the Board's order is attached.
Attachment (pdf)
