Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s actively transforming the payments and fintech landscape. From identity verification to fraud detection and beyond, AI is driving innovation and efficiency in nearly every corner of financial services. But with this rapid evolution comes new risks and regulatory questions that compliance professionals must be ready to face.

At this year’s IPA Compliance Boot Camp, Judie Rinearson, Partner at K&L Gates and a leading expert in fintech legal frameworks, will lead a session exploring how AI is reshaping the industry and how companies can navigate the practical and ethical challenges that come with it.

Why AI Matters Now

AI is helping institutions improve customer experiences, automate compliance tasks, and identify threats faster than ever before. Yet as powerful as these tools are, they also carry risks. Concerns surrounding algorithmic bias, lack of transparency (referred to as “AI hallucinations”), and data privacy necessitate new approaches to oversight. Additionally, regulators are increasingly scrutinizing the deployment of AI, particularly in high-stakes use cases such as credit scoring and anti-fraud systems.

Key session topics:

• AI fundamentals and how they’re being applied in the payments ecosystem
• Legal and compliance considerations for AI tools, especially in risk-prone areas
• Potential regulatory responses to AI-related harm or misuse
• Ethical considerations around data usage, bias, and explainability
• How financial institutions can use AI to protect both themselves and their customers
  
  

This session is designed to provide a balanced view of where AI is headed, what it means for compliance leaders, and how you can prepare your organization to use AI responsibly.
​
Whether you’re just beginning to explore AI or already deploying it in your operations, this is a critical conversation to help you think strategically about the technology’s benefits, limitations, and legal implications.

Information provided to members by OGR

Trade talks are heating up as the U.S.–EU tariff deal sets a new 15% benchmark, with China negotiations racing the August 12 pause deadline. Meanwhile, the Senate is pushing nominations and appropriations, with Leader Thune ready to delay recess to make progress on both.

House Republicans begin recess on their back foot amid Epstein-related backlash, just as September’s looming funding deadline promises a messy CR or shutdown showdown. President Trump is signaling no clean CRs—only those aligned with OBBA and workforce reforms.

What else is ahead this fall?

• FY26 NDAA floor action
• ​Tax and health care negotiations
• Epstein petitions and subpoenas

​This is just a preview. IPA members receive weekly insights from OGR to stay ahead of the policy curve.
​
Not a member? Join today to get the full picture.

​

In today’s complex financial services environment, regulatory responsibility doesn’t stop at your organization’s walls. Whether you’re partnering with fintech vendors, outsourcing operations, or building platform integrations, regulators expect robust oversight of every third party you rely on.

In this session at the IPA’s Compliance Boot Camp, Joyce Mehlman, founder and principal at iLEX and a seasoned compliance strategist, will explore how companies can build and maintain effective third-party oversight programs, even as the broader regulatory environment shifts.

Why Oversight Matters Now

The financial services sector is seeing significant deregulation efforts at the federal level. But deregulation doesn’t mean de-risking. In fact, as oversight responsibilities shift or become less defined, companies face even greater pressure to self-govern their third-party relationships with diligence and structure.

The risks are real: enforcement actions increasingly cite weak vendor oversight as a contributing factor in data breaches, compliance failures, and consumer harm. Companies must stay vigilant and proactive in monitoring the full lifecycle of vendor engagement, from onboarding to termination.

Key session topics:

• How federal and state regulators define third-party oversight expectations
• Building scalable oversight programs for evolving partnerships
• Common oversight pitfalls and how to avoid them
• The role of due diligence, audits, and risk assessments
• Strategies to maintain flexibility while meeting regulatory demands
  ​

If you team up with service providers or technology vendors, as many do, this session is essential for strengthening your compliance framework and avoiding costly missteps.

Information provided to members by OGR

As Congress heads into a pivotal stretch, competing priorities and narrow margins are shaping what may or may not advance this fall. From tax policy to digital assets, key issues for payments and financial services leaders are in play.

In this week’s OGR’s Big Picture, available exclusively to IPA members, we cover:

• Why bipartisan tax items remain sidelined—for now—and how Child Tax Credit expansions and ACA premium tax credits could revive cross-party negotiations later this year
• The potential for not one, but two additional reconciliation bills in the coming months, and why industry leaders should take this possibility seriously despite political fatigue
• The Senate’s focus on advancing President Trump’s $9.4 billion rescissions package, the FY26 NDAA, and a Russia sanctions package with strong bipartisan backing
• House action on stablecoin legislation and the CLARITY Act, setting the stage for digital asset market structure rules by September 30
• How upcoming special elections could further tighten the House majority, adding unpredictability to the legislative outlook
  
  

And in Tuck’s Tax Take: Why it may be wise to assume another tax bill is coming—even if the odds feel slim.

Not a member?
​
You’re missing timely, tailored intelligence that helps you lead through uncertainty. From weekly updates to strategic insight, IPA membership keeps you ahead of the curve.

Get connected. Stay prepared. Join IPA today.

As stablecoins gain traction in the payments ecosystem, they sit squarely at the crossroads of innovation and regulation. With use cases expanding – from cross-border transactions to programmable payments – policymakers are racing to define how these digital assets should be governed. For financial institutions, fintechs, and crypto-native firms alike, staying ahead of these developments is more than a best practice – it’s a necessity.

In this session at the IPA’s Compliance Boot Camp, Meagan Griffin of Paul Hastings LLP will provide an in-depth analysis of the evolving U.S. regulatory landscape for stablecoins. She’ll break down where things stand on Capitol Hill, the emerging role of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS), and how overlapping state and federal jurisdictions impact compliance obligations for all players in the stablecoin value chain.

Why Stablecoins Matter Now

Despite multiple bills being introduced in Congress, a comprehensive federal framework for stablecoins remains elusive. Meanwhile, state regulators are asserting their authority, creating a patchwork of compliance expectations. Whether you’re an issuer, a custodian, or a facilitator, understanding how to navigate this dual structure is critical to mitigating risk and ensuring operational continuity.

Key session topics:

• Current status of federal legislation and regulatory proposals on stablecoins
• CSBS participation in shaping policy and what that means for state oversight
• Regulatory treatment of different roles in the stablecoin ecosystem
• Practical challenges in managing compliance across jurisdictions
• What companies should consider when integrating stablecoin functionality
  
  

If your business touches blockchain, digital assets, or tokenized payments, this session will equip you with the knowledge to plan for regulatory complexity and build smarter compliance strategies.

Earned Wage Access (EWA) has quickly become one of the most talked-about tools in modern payroll and financial wellness programs. By allowing workers to access wages they’ve already earned before the company’s official payday, EWA aims to bridge short-term liquidity gaps without relying on high-cost credit. But as adoption grows, so too does regulatory scrutiny, and clarity has been anything but consistent.

In this session at the IPA’s Compliance Boot Camp, Eli Rosenberg of Baird Holm LLP will provide a comprehensive overview of how federal and state regulators are addressing EWA today. From differing definitions of what constitutes “credit” to conflicting advisory opinions, Rosenberg will break down what compliance professionals need to know to stay on solid footing.

Why EWA Matters Now

The regulatory landscape for EWA has shifted significantly in the past year. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) 2020 advisory opinion initially affirmed that EWA was not credit, but subsequent actions, including a revocation in early 2025, have left providers in a state of uncertainty. Meanwhile, several states have introduced frameworks to govern EWA, adding another layer of complexity for both providers and employers.

Key session topics:

• Overview of EWA models and how they differ in structure and risk
• Federal activity and the evolving stance of the CFPB
• State-level laws and proposed legislation shaping the future of EWA
• Compliance best practices for providers and payroll partners
• How to navigate legal ambiguity while maintaining consumer trust
  ​

Whether you’re directly offering EWA services or partnering with vendors that do, this session will give you the insight needed to evaluate your compliance posture and anticipate future challenges.