LIEB BLOG

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Showing posts with label compliance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label compliance. Show all posts

Friday, February 16, 2024

New Rule for Real Estate Closings Coming Nationwide

On February 16, 2024, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) proposed a new rule to mandate certain individuals involved in real estate closings and settlements to report and maintain records on non-financed transfers of residential real property to specific legal entities and trusts nationwide. This proposed rule is called the Anti-Money Laundering Regulations for Residential Real Estate Transfers


Reporting persons ("RP") include, but are not limited, to real estate agents, title insurance companies, settlement agents, and attorneys. There is a “cascading” approach, based on the function performed by the person in the real estate closing and settlement that determines which RP has the burden to report. Regardless, real estate professionals would also have the option to designate a reporting person from among those in the cascade by agreement.


RPs are required to report:

  1. The names and addresses of reporting persons, transferee entities, transferee trusts, signing individuals, transferors, and any beneficial owners.
  2. The citizenship details for all beneficial owners of transferee entities or transferee trusts.
  3. The unique identifiers, such as IRS Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs), for individuals and entities involved in the transactions.
  4. A description of the capacity in which the signing individual is authorized to act, such as legal representative or employee.
  5. The details about the total consideration paid for the property, method of payment, accounts used, and the names of payors if different from the transferee entity or trust.
  6. The address of the property and a legal description, such as section, lot, and block.


RPs must e-file the report with FinCEN within 30 calendar days after the transferee entity or transferee trust receives the ownership interest in the residential real property. RPs must maintain a copy of the report, any certifications regarding beneficial ownership, and any designation agreements for five years from the date of the report filing.


Note that transfers of real property to individuals, as opposed to an entity (LLC, Corp, LLP) are not covered by this proposed rule. 


If this rule is adopted the effective date will be one year from the date the final rule is issued. This time period is to allow real estate professionals to have sufficient time to review and prepare for the implementation of the reporting requirements. 


Written comments about this proposed rule are being accepted and must be submitted on or before April 16, 2024 by utilizing this link.



Friday, January 26, 2024

Navigating the New Federal and NYS Reporting Mandates for Corporate Entities with Lieb at Law | Beneficial Ownership Information Filings

There is a NEW reporting requirement for business owners in 2024. 


Beneficial Ownership Information Filings

The landscape of corporate transparency in the United States has undergone significant changes with the introduction of the federal Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) in 2021, which will go hand-in-hand with specific reporting requirements set forth by New York State (NYS).  Lieb at Law is committed to guiding your business through both these mandates, ensuring full compliance without the hassle.


Federal Reporting Requirements: The Corporate Transparency Act

The CTA, a bipartisan effort aimed at combating financial crimes, mandates certain businesses to report beneficial ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).


Who Must Comply?

  • Domestic Reporting Companies: Corporations, LLCs, or similar entities formed by filing with a secretary of state or comparable office within any U.S. state or tribal jurisdiction.
  • Foreign Reporting Companies: Entities formed under foreign laws but registered to do business in the U.S. through a similar filing process.

Key Deadlines:

  • Pre-2024 Entities: Companies established or registered before January 1, 2024, must submit their initial report by January 1, 2025.
  • Entities Formed or Registered in 2024: Must file within 90 days of registration or official notification.
  • Post-2024 Entities: Have 30 days from notification to file their initial report.


New York State Reporting Requirements

In addition to federal mandates, NYS has set its own reporting requirements for corporate entities to further enhance transparency and combat illicit financial activities within the state. NYS's reporting requirements go into effect at the end of 2024. To learn more click here to read our blog post. 


Who Is Affected?

  • All entities required to comply with the federal CTA. 
  • In December of 2024, entities operating within NYS must also adhere to state-specific reporting requirements.

State-Specific Mandates Will Include:

  • Additional details on beneficial ownership might be required, aligning with or expanding upon federal mandates.
  • Reporting frequencies, deadlines, and procedures specific to NYS, which may differ from federal requirements.

How Lieb at Law Can Assist:

The intricacies of adhering to both federal and state reporting mandates can be daunting. The team at Lieb at Law understands the nuances of both federal and NYS mandates. We will help your business submit reports accurately to both FinCEN and NYS authorities. Reach out today to secure your peace of mind in this new era of corporate transparency. Click here for more information or email info@liebatlaw.com





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Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Attention Insurance Companies - DFS Puts More on Your Plate

The Department of Financial Services' Circular No. 5 (2020) is making its rounds and requires all entities regulated by DFS to submit a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. All regulated entities are required to submit the plan on or before Thursday, April 9, 2020.

DFS is requiring the Preparedness Plan to account for both operational and financial risks. On the operational side, the plan should include:
  1. Preventative measures tailored to the entity’s specific profile and operations to mitigate the risk of operational disruption, which should include identifying the impact on consumers and vendors;
  2. A documented strategy addressing the impact of the outbreak in stages, so that the entity’s efforts can be appropriately scaled, consistent with the effects of a particular stage of the outbreak;
  3. Assessment of all facilities, systems, policies and procedures necessary to continue critical operations and services if members of the staff are unavailable for longer periods or are working off-site, including the effectiveness and security of remote access;
  4. Employee protection strategies, critical to sustaining an adequate workforce during the outbreak, including employee awareness and steps that employees can take to reduce the likelihood of contracting COVID-19;[1]
  5. Assessment of the preparedness of critical third-party service providers and suppliers;
  6. Development of a communication plan to effectively communicate with consumers and vendors, and to deliver important news and instructions to employees, along with establishing forums for questions to be asked and addressed;
  7. Testing of the plan to ensure that the policies, processes, and procedures are effective; and
  8. Governance and oversight of the plan, including identifying the critical members of a response team, to ensure ongoing review and updates to the plan, including the tracking of relevant information from government sources and the entity’s own monitoring program.
On the financial risk side, the plan should include: 
  1. Assessment of the overall impact of COVID-19 on reserve requirements, consumers’ ability to make timely premium payments, and resources required to timely process claims;
  2. Assessment of the credit risk of counterparties and business sectors impacted by COVID-19;
  3. Assessment of the credit exposure to counterparties and business sectors impacted by COVID-19 arising from investing and other financial transactions;
  4. Assessment of the scope and the size of admitted assets or other investments adversely impacted by COVID-19 that currently are in, or potentially may move to, non-performing/delinquent status, including consideration of stress testing and/or sensitivity analysis of such assets or investments;
  5. Assessment of the valuation of assets and investments that may be, or have been, impacted by COVID-19; and
  6. Assessment of the overall impact of COVID-19 on earnings, profits, capital, and liquidity.
A full copy of Circular No. 5 (2020) can be found HERE

If it seems that DFS is just here to put more on your plate when you need it least, DFS has also issued a temporary COVID-19 relief order which improves the ability of banks and insurers to operate remotely. A full copy of the temporary relief order can be found HERE. 



Monday, January 06, 2020

New Law: Nuisance Call Act - RE Brokers Be Warned - Telemarketers Must Give a Warning to Avoid Heavy Fines

On December 6, 2019, S4777, the Nuisance Call Act, became law and telemarketers must now give specific information to customers starting on March 5, 2020, the effective date of the law, or face heavy fines.

Under the Nuisance Call Act, General Business Law section 399-z now requires that a "telemarketer or seller [] inform[s] the customer that he or she may request that his or her telephone number be added to the seller's entity specific do-not-call list" where the telemarketer must immediately end the call if the customer so elects.

This is serious - fines can be up to $11,000 per violation if you fail to give this information.

Real Estate Brokers must advise all of their associated Real Estate Salespersons immediately and train their teams. In fact, a defense to a fine includes that "the person has trained his or her personnel in the requirements of this section."

Get your training today at Lieb Compliance, LLC.

Monday, December 30, 2019

Case Alert: Title Regulation 208 is Back - No More Wining and Dining Permitted - DFS Enforcement is Coming

On December 26, 2019, the Appellate Division, First Department, reversed the Supreme Court and dismissed the New York State Land Title Association's challenge to Regulation 208.

Now, title insurance underwriters and their agents may not offer free meals and beverages, tickets to entertainment events, gifts, golf outings, parties, office supplies and the like as we had previously discussed in the November 2019 article, No More Title Insurance Bribes: Compliance Protocol needed at Every Title Insurance Agency

The only aspects of Regulation 208 which remain annulled after this decision are the ancillary fees at 228.5 and the closer payment restrictions.

To understand the current title landscape, read our blog from January 19, 2019, Title Insurance Regulation 208 is Back - Soliciting Title Business is Seriously Restricted Yet Again.

Now, after the December 26 decision, the only possibilities that can change the new reality of the title insurance industry in New York are:

  • An application for leave to appeal to the Court of Appeals is made and granted, then, the matter is heard and reversed;
  • New regulations are issued by DFS; or
  • New legislation is enacted. 
Title insurance companies should immediately issue policy notices to their staff, conduct trainings and prepare for DFS enforcement.