BAFSLA Happy Hour

Happy 2025!  Please come network with colleagues to celebrate the new year.  We will be discussing 2025 programming and planning for the Bay Area Financial Services Legal Association.  All ideas and volunteers welcome.

No host cocktails.

Banking-as-a-Service

BaaS is one of the hottest topics in banking.  The last 12 months have seen several serious enforcement actions against banks that took shortcuts in this area.  But what is BaaS anyway?  Is this something for only the big money center banks to consider?

Speaker

Adriaan van Zyl, former WebBank CEO

SFBAA/BAFSL is an approved provider of California MCLE credit, and certifies that the above activity meets the requirements for participatory credit.

A BIG thanks to our sponsor for this event:

Hot topics in payments – The payments industry is in a constant state of disruption and innovation

Our panel of Bay Area experts share their insights on a range of hot topics including FBO accounts, bank sponsorship, AML automation, and even stablecoins as a possible new payments “rail.” This presentation will be one of the most interesting of the year.

Speakers

Tom Brown, Lyca Partners, General Counsel and Partner

Jai Massari, Lightspark Group, Cofounder and Chief Legal  Officer

SFBAA/BAFSL is an approved provider of California MCLE credit, and certifies that the above activity meets the requirements for participatory credit.

A BIG thanks to our sponsor for this event:

Lending and innovation – What are the most interesting lending products and services being offered or in development?

We will talk about “buy now pay later,” secured credit cards, earned wage access, and bank overdraft.  This is a highly scrutinized area in financial services and the landscape is littered with failed companies.  You’ll hear from industry insiders on how they are planning for the future.

Panelists

Edmond Wong, CEO, TrustCard

Wendy Lee, Buchalter Shareholder and Chair of the Fintech and AI Practice Group

Joshua Preston, Managing Director, The Fintech Consultant

A BIG thanks to our sponsor for this event:

Politics, the US Dollar, and Financial Policy

It’s an election year and everything is political.  Where do our candidates want to take us?  What should we know about the policy debates in Washington and Sacramento and how will we be affected as citizens, lawyers, and financial industry participants?  This session might be controversial.  You might not agree with everything said.  But you will not be bored!

Speaker(s)

Dr. Krishna Kamath, Director, Berkeley Research Group

SFBAA/BAFSL is an approved provider of California MCLE credit, and certifies that the above activity meets the requirements for participatory credit.

A BIG thanks to our sponsor for this event:

Is cryptocurrency a security? Is crypto law and regulation really a “grey” area?

Our experts will unpack the latest high profile litigation and enforcement actions and suggest ways that the crypto industry position itself for a successful future.

Panelists

Thomas Chow, Chief Legal Officer, Chia Network

Veronica McGregor, Exodus

Daniel Wheeler, Fintech – Moderator

SFBAA/BAFSL is an approved provider of California MCLE credit, and certifies that the above activity meets the requirements for participatory credit.

A BIG thanks to our sponsor for this event:

“Double Trouble” Regulatory Update

Join us for one of our most popular sessions each year.  Kevin Gould is the CEO of the California Bankers Association and brings us the front row perspective on how California legislation affects banking.  Maureen Young will update us on new Federal law and regulation affecting banks.

Speaker(s)

Kevin Gould, CBA

Maureen Young, Discover Financial Services

SFBAA/BAFSL is an approved provider of California MCLE credit, and certifies that the above activity meets the requirements for participatory credit.

A BIG thanks to our sponsor for this event:

Privacy and Individual Rights in an Era of Artificial Intelligence, Surveillance, Censorship and Social Credit Scores

How should financial institutions position themselves?  How does the CBDC fit in?  This will be a lively and passionate discussion you won’t want to miss!

Panelists:

Neil Peretz, Head of Legal for WooCommerce

Meredith Osborn, Arnold & Porter partner, former Chief Trial Deputy at SF City Attorney Office and AUSA

Lee Tien, Senior Staff Attorney and the Adams Chair for Internet Rights at the Electronic Frontier Foundation

SFBAA/BAFSL is an approved provider of California MCLE credit, and certifies that the above activity meets the requirements for participatory credit.

A BIG thanks to our sponsor for this event: