Company: SFNC
Filing Date: 2025-02-27
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0001628280-25-008639
Chunk: 29

Company: SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORP
Filing Date: 2025-02-27
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1
Chunk 29
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 from the privacy provisions of the GLBA and other privacy laws.

15

Among other things, Simmons Bank is required to establish an anti-money laundering (“AML”) program which includes the designation of a BSA officer, the establishment and maintenance of BSA/AML training, the establishment and maintenance of BSA/AML policies and procedures, independent testing of the AML program, and compliance with customer due diligence requirements. Our subsidiary bank must also employ enhanced due diligence under certain conditions. Compliance with BSA/AML requirements is routinely examined by regulators, and failure of a financial institution to meet its requirements in combating AML and anti-terrorism activities could result in severe penalties for the institution, including, among other things, the inability to receive the requisite regulatory approvals for mergers and acquisition.

Further, OFAC administers economic sanctions imposed by the federal government that affect transactions with foreign countries, individuals, and others (as the “OFAC Rules”). The OFAC Rules target many countries as well as specially designated nationals and blocked persons (collectively, “SDNs”) and take many different forms. Blocked assets (property and bank deposits) that are associated with such countries and SDNs cannot be paid out, withdrawn, set off, or transferred in any manner without a license from OFAC. Failure to comply with the OFAC Rules can result in serious legal and reputational consequences.

In December 2020, the U.S. Congress enacted the National Defense Authorization Act (the “NDAA”) that, among other provisions, made significant updates to the federal BSA/AML regulations that aim to eliminate the use of shell companies that facilitate the laundering of criminal proceeds. In December 2021, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) issued the first of three planned rules, which rule was adopted to implement a national beneficial ownership reporting framework. In December 2023, FinCEN issued the second of the three planned rules, which rule was adopted to implement protocols for access to and disclosure of beneficial ownership information. A subsequent rulemaking is expected to update the customer due diligence requirements that apply to the Company and the Bank to be consistent with this framework. The Company and the Bank continue to monitor legislative, regulatory and supervisory developments related thereto.

Mortgage Banking Regulation

In connection with making mortgage loans, we are subject to rules and regulations that, among other things, establish standards for loan origination and servicing, prohibit discrimination, provide for inspections and appraisals of property, require credit reports on prospective borrowers, in some cases restrict certain loan