Fed cites AML weaknesses in denying Custodia Bank membership application
By Aaron Nicodemus2023-01-27T20:57:00
The Federal Reserve Board denied the application of a digital-first bank for membership in the Federal Reserve System, citing weaknesses in the bank’s anti-money laundering (AML) protocols as part of its decision.
The Fed announced its conclusion regarding Wyoming-based Custodia Bank in a press release Friday. Custodia applied in October 2020; membership would have ensured its customer deposits would be covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
The board said it found the bank’s risk management framework was “insufficient to address concerns regarding the heightened risks associated with its proposed crypto activities, including its ability to mitigate money laundering and terrorism financing risks.”