Banking laws are a combination of federal, state, and local regulations that govern how banks and other financial institutions conduct business. Several federal agencies, like the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), multiple federal agencies, the Federal Reserve System, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), oversee banking regulations in the United States.  

Banking lawyers perform a variety of functions to follow and enforce these regulations. They prevent you from running into financial issues and ensure your company’s financial protection and longevity. Here we share with you an introduction to banking law and its implications in the financial sector.

What do banking laws govern?

Banks play a significant role in a country’s economy. When something goes wrong with a financial institution, it is often the customers who suffer the most. The government has implemented laws to ensure that banks operate in the best interest of their customers. 

Banking laws aim to do the following:

  • Reduce financial risks 
  • Prevent illicit practices and financial crime, such as money laundering and fraudulent transactions
  • Ensure privacy and a transparent system
  • Promote lending practices in line with social and economic priorities
  • Provide every citizen with access to banking 
  • Create fair lending agreements
  • Prevent abuse of the system 
  • Offer consumers the ability to raise disputes
  • Formulate fair debt collection practices

5 reasons to hire a banking lawyer

  1. Avoid financial trouble: A banking lawyer’s primary job is to ensure a company’s financial safety by managing and protecting assets and liabilities. They also help you get out of bankruptcy, non-repayment of loans, non-payment of interest, and other complicated financial situations. 
  2. Develop stronger business partnerships: A banking lawyer helps maintain and strengthen business relations with investors and vendors to form successful, long-lasting partnerships. They can help structure, assess, and negotiate clear partnership terms so that all parties can move forward with confidence. 
  3. Sound documentation: Banking lawyers can help draft, assess, review, and revise legally binding documents for various contracts like partnership and lease arrangements. Such documents are essential for discussion and negotiation between multiple parties.
  4. Legal help: From inception to dissolution, businesses face constant risks and liabilities like litigation, lawsuits, and complaints from partners, clients, and customers. Banking lawyers provide legal advice to ensure compliance with state and federal laws. If you face a lawsuit or litigation, a banking lawyer can promptly respond to resolve disputes outside the court or represent you in court. 
  5. Business advice and counsel: Lawyers are your business advisor and counsel on all business activities that involve money. They oversee your business’s legal aspects in areas like finance, banking, contracts, loans, hiring employees, paychecks, third-party agreements, etc. They also keep you up-to-date with the latest developments in banking and finance law. 

About The Wotitzky Law Firm

If you are looking for an experienced finance lawyer, choose The Wotitzky Law Firm for all your banking law requirements. We are one of the oldest law firms in Port Charlotte, Florida, and our lawyers can help you navigate all legal aspects of your business. Call us at 941-639-2171 or fill out our online contact form to know more.