PayPal (PYPL) Says SEC is Investigating Debit Interchange Rate it Pays - Bloomberg, Citing Filing

PayPal (NASDAQ: PYPL) Says SEC is Investigating Debit Interchange Rate it Pays - Bloomberg, Citing Filing

Regulatory proceedings

• We are required to comply with U.S. economic and trade sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”). In March 2015, we reached a settlement with OFAC regarding possible violations arising from our sanctions compliance practices between 2009 and 2013, prior to the implementation of our real-time transaction scanning program. Subsequently, we have self-reported additional transactions that were inadvertently processed but subsequently identified as possible violations, and we have received new subpoenas from OFAC seeking additional information about certain of these transactions. Such self-reported transactions could result in claims or actions against us, including litigation, injunctions, damage awards, fines or penalties, or require us to change our business practices in a manner that could result in a material loss, require significant management time, result in the diversion of significant operational resources, or otherwise harm our business.
• PayPal Australia Pty Limited (“PPAU”) self-reported a potential violation to the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (“AUSTRAC”) on May 22, 2019. This self-reported matter relates to PPAU incorrectly filing required international funds transfer instructions over a period of time under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (“AML/CTF Act”). On September 23, 2019, PPAU received a notice from AUSTRAC requiring that PPAU appoint an external auditor (a partner of a firm which is not our independent auditor) to review certain aspects of PPAU’s compliance with its obligations under the AML/CTF Act. The external auditor was appointed on November 1, 2019. As required under the terms of AUSTRAC’s notice, as amended, PPAU issued to AUSTRAC the external auditor’s interim reports on December 31, 2019, March 13, 2020, May 6, 2020 and July 7, 2020 and a final report on August 31, 2020.
• AUSTRAC has notified PPAU that its enforcement team is investigating the matters reported upon by the external auditor in its August 31, 2020 final report. PPAU is continuing to cooperate with AUSTRAC in all respects, including remediation activities, ongoing regular engagement with AUSTRAC, responding to requests for information and documents, and reporting to AUSTRAC of international funds transfer instructions based on the operation of the AML/CTF Act. We cannot estimate the potential impact, if any, on our business or financial statements at this time. In the event an adverse outcome arises from any associated enforcement, proceeding, or other further matter initiated by AUSTRAC, this could result in enforceable undertakings, injunctions, damage awards, fines or penalties, or require us to change our business practices in a manner that could result in a material loss, require significant management time, result in the diversion of significant operational resources, or otherwise harm our business.
• We have received Civil Investigative Demands (“CIDs”) from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) related to Venmo’s unauthorized funds transfers and collections processes, and related matters. The CIDs request the production of documents and answers to written questions. We are cooperating with the CFPB in connection with these CIDs.
• We have received a CID from the CFPB related to the marketing and use of PayPal Credit in connection with certain merchants that provide educational services. The CID requests the production of documents, written reports, and answers to written questions. We are cooperating with the CFPB in connection with this CID.
• We have responded to subpoenas and requests for information received from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Enforcement Division (“SEC”) relating to whether the interchange rates paid to the bank that issues debit cards bearing our licensed brands were consistent with Regulation II of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and to the reporting of marketing fees earned from the Company’s branded card program. We are cooperating with the SEC in connection with this investigation.
  

You May Also Be Interested In

• Fisker (FSR) files form 10-K, sees more job cuts, reiterates going concern doubts
• CSS Entertainment (CSSE) Receives Nasdaq Delinquency Letter
• Nanometrics (NANO) Issues Business Update, Reports FY23 Results