Karen Grandstrand moderated a panel at the Minnesota Bankers Association meeting on November 8, 2011. The session was "Regulatory Issues: A Moderated Discussion with the FDIC, OCC, and the Federal Reserve."
Karen Grandstrand spoke at the May 18, 2011 Risk Management Association chapter luncheon DODD-FRANK WALL STREET REFORM & CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT Implications, Implementation & Impact from the Regulatory and Legal Perspectives.
On May 3, 2011, Karen Grandstrand spoke at the Bank Holding Company Association Spring Seminar discussing the “Hottest Topics in Banking.”
Karen Grandstrand and Karla Reyerson spoke at the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking on Protecting Bank Capital: Enforcement Action Avoidance or Compliance on February 8, 2011.
PowerPoint Presentation
Landlord Waivers & SNDAs – Everybody’s Favorite Documentation Task
Sjur Midness, December 2011
Regulatory Agencies Renew Commitment to Internet Security
Beau J. Hurtig, December 2011
Overview
Responsive Legal Services for Financial Institutions
More than 20 Fredrikson & Byron attorneys and paralegals comprise the firm's Bank & Finance Practice Group. To serve the diverse needs of our financial services clients, our attorneys have skills and experience in regulatory and enforcement matters, mergers and acquisitions, finance, corporate and securities, governance, tax, estate planning, real estate, bankruptcy, employment law, compensation and benefits, and litigation.
The Group’s entrepreneurial lawyers understand how to combine law and business for great solutions.”
On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the most sweeping overhaul of the U.S. financial services sector since the Great Depression. Dodd-Frank imposes new restrictions and requirements related to the offering of financial services products and services, changes the way in which financial services companies are supervised and structured, and creates the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Fredrikson & Byron’s Bank & Finance Practice Group is well positioned to help our clients evaluate and respond to the challenges and opportunities facing banks and other financial services providers in the current environment. The group’s entrepreneurial lawyers understand how to combine law and business for great solutions. Since 1948, Fredrikson & Byron clients have valued our role as business advisors as well as our legal skills. Fredrikson & Byron is the firm where law and business meet.
The principal components of our Bank & Finance practice are:
Mergers and Acquisitions, New Charters, and Related Expansions
By assisting clients in numerous transactions, we have in-depth knowledge of the techniques and issues involved in mergers and acquisitions, including related regulatory and tax considerations. We have worked with clients organizing and chartering new institutions, determining appropriate charter types, forming financial holding companies and bank holding companies, and establishing branches. Additionally, we have helped them start and expand insurance, broker/dealer, trust, and other financial services activities.
Finance
We work with clients in a wide range of secured and unsecured loan transactions and other credit transactions, including participation arrangements. We have extensive experience with complex financing techniques such as asset securitizations and trust originated preferred securities. Firm attorneys additionally concentrate on securities offerings, debt restructuring, and loan work-outs.
Regulatory Issues
We provide advice and guidance to financial institutions on the numerous federal, state, and local laws and regulations that govern financial institutions and their management. Our group has extensive experience with safety and soundness as well as consumer laws, and federal and state agencies’ enforcement of those laws through the examination process. We counsel clients on compliance issues and help address examination findings.
Enforcement Actions, Financially Troubled Institutions, and FDIC Receivership
The federal and state agencies that oversee financial institutions have extensive powers to compel action by and impose sanctions and penalties against institutions, their officers and directors, and other “institution affiliated parties.” Fredrikson & Byron’s Bank & Finance Group, which includes an attorney who formerly served as a senior official at a federal regulatory agency, counsels clients on how to avoid and respond to cease and desist orders, written agreements, memoranda of understanding, civil money penalties, and removal actions.
FDIC Receivership Matters
We are experienced in advising clients on bidding on failing institutions and purchasing assets from the FDIC. We help qualify clients with the FDIC, prepare bid packages, negotiate agreements, and monitor failed bank and loss sharing agreements.
Legislation and Emerging Issues
Given Fredrikson & Byron’s knowledge of the financial services industry, we are often called upon to provide expertise concerning proposed and pending legislation. As an example, we have worked on Subchapter S legislation and testified concerning privacy legislation. We also work with trade associations and the regulatory agencies to resolve questions raised by proposed and new regulations.
We frequently speak at regional and national banking conferences and write on banking issues. The group’s newsletter, Bank Focus, is a recognized publication providing regulatory updates and planning advice.
Representative Clients
More than 100 banks and bank holding companies - from community banks to super regional banks.
Bios
Primary Attorneys
James C. Brand
Lynn M. Gardin
Karen L. Grandstrand, Chair
Beau J. Hurtig
Jenna K. Jenson
Paul B. Jones
Sjur Midness
Mary S. Ranum
Karla L. Reyerson
Jon E. Strinden
Mark H. Tranovich
Robert B. Whitlock, Of Counsel
Supporting Attorneys
Eric S. Anderson
Katie L. Cole
Clinton E. Cutler
Thomas W. Garton
Mark W. Greiner
Douglas W. Kassebaum
Mary M. Krakow
Keith A. Libbey
Debra J. Linder
Kimberly A. Lowe
David R. Marshall
Sherrill R. Oman
John A. Satorius
Thomas F. Steichen