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BofA says legislative, regulatory risks growing

Sat Nov 7, 2009 5:17am IST
 
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* Says both "create significant uncertainty"

* BofA adds oversight, legislation to business risks

* Concerns about effects on BofA's business rising

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov 6 (Reuters) - Bank of America Corp (BAC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Friday that mounting legislative and regulatory pressure may hurt its business, a rare move for a large public company that signals how the changing landscape for banks worries management.

In Bank of America's third quarter report filed on Friday, the company listed legislative and regulatory pressures as a new risk factor that investors should be aware of.

The bank faces particular regulatory pressure because it has received two bailouts from the United States, totaling $45 billion, while most banks have only received one.

Public companies typically only identify new risk factors at the end of the year when they post their annual reports. That is the only time they are required by securities law to do so, said Brink Dickerson, an Atlanta-based securities attorney with Troutman Sanders LLP.

"The bank must have concluded the total impact of the regulation and pro-consumer legislation that's out there will be significant," Dickerson added.

The Charlotte, North Carolina-based bank voiced concerns ranging from legislation to overhaul both the credit card industry and overdraft fees, to increased regulatory scrutiny and U.S. pay czar compensation curbs.  Continued...

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