Regulatory compliance is a moving target for financial institutions. With the rules constantly changing and heightened scrutiny, it is vital to stay ahead of compliance requirements. Our ProBank Education Services advisors have compiled 10 practical tips to help you navigate this complex landscape with confidence.
1. Stay Ahead of Regulatory Changes
In 2026, now more than ever, financial institutions need to monitor updates from federal regulators.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and FDIC websites and reports should be monitored regularly. Forvis Mazars has created ProBank Advisor®, which allows users access to our Compliance Regulatory Tracking Tool that is updated frequently with threshold changes and new rules. This can help your institution stay on top of the latest adjustments to policies and procedures and cover the bases for your organization.
2. Compliance Begins at the Top
Leadership should communicate compliance priorities to all levels. Our advisors provide templates and best practices for compliance communication strategies.
3. Customize Training by Risk & Role
Generic training isn’t enough. Your employees should attend training tailored to specific roles and regulatory risks for greater benefit.
We offer ProBank Advisor clients exclusive discounts on seminars, webinars, and conferences through ProBank Education Services. View upcoming webinars and seminars.
4. Documentation Demonstrates Accountability
When your financial institution documents everything, it helps provide accountability and readiness for exams. We recommend you maintain a record of all compliance communications, training, and audits for future exams.
5. Review Compliance Data
Financial institutions should regularly review compliance data. This allows your organization to go beyond resolving issues. When you review data, you can uncover deeper problems within the system and help prevent those from happening again.
6. Leverage Monitoring Technology
Our professionals recommend that financial institutions invest in tools that are the best fit for your firm. When shopping for a tool, look for three things: a tool that can track complaints, analyze trends, and flag compliance gaps proactively. With our tool, ProBank Advisor, clients gain access to risk assessment templates and compliance management guides.
7. Engage Trusted Advisors
When questions arise, answers shouldn’t wait. Work with professionals who understand your challenges and can provide actionable guidance. Get answers to your compliance questions when you need them with ProBank Advisor.
8. Conduct Routine Internal Audits
Regulatory internal audits help identify compliance gaps before the regulators. Financial institutions should incorporate routine internal audit checks into their framework to help decrease risk and potential penalties.
9. Mitigate Risk
Have a plan for unanticipated risk but also prepare for emerging ones. Conducting a risk analysis by preparing for risks with cybersecurity, anti-money laundering, fair lending, and more helps put your institution ahead of others. It is essential that you stay informed, agile, and able to pivot if needed in this evolving world of regulations. Forvis Mazars provides a quarterly newsletter curated with the latest regulatory topics and alerts to help your organization stay on top and remain compliant.
10. Plan for Growth
As your financial institution prepares for growth, you should anticipate the changing world of regulations and compliance. To navigate complex regulations, your institution should build frameworks to help avoid gaps and costly penalties. Forvis Mazars is proud to offer a secure advisory portal to assist you. Schedule a demo to see how ProBank Advisor can help you and your team navigate regulatory compliance within the financial industry.