The Meridian

The bi-weekly compliance newsletter delivering practical insights on risk, regulation, and responsible innovation from veterans and builders in finance.

Hi Equinox Community 👋

If your model risk management program still runs on SR 11-7, this is the issue to read closely. The Fed, FDIC, and OCC just released SR 26-2, a full replacement of the interagency guidance that has shaped bank MRM practices since 2011. In this issue, we're breaking down what changed and what it means for your validation and governance workflows. We're also covering SOC 2 from the ground up for teams preparing for their first audit (or tightening up for the next one), plus new resources to help you stay ahead of what's coming. Let's get into it!

On our radar 📡

On April 17, 2026, the Fed, FDIC, and OCC jointly released SR 26-2, a full replacement of the interagency model risk management guidance that has governed bank MRM programs since 2011. If your institution uses quantitative models for credit, capital, or risk decisions, this is the new rulebook your validation and governance practices will be measured against. The revised guidance shifts to a tiered, materiality-based framework, meaning examiners will expect you to show how you rank models by exposure and purpose and calibrate oversight accordingly. Documentation, ongoing monitoring, and third-party model oversight all get sharper emphasis. For compliance teams still operating under the old SR 11-7 playbook, the gap between current practice and updated expectations may be wider than it looks. We broke down what changed, who it applies to, and where to start tightening your MRM program. 👉 Read more →​

From the blog 📝

🔒 What Is SOC 2 Compliance? A Guide for Fintechs and Banks. Most teams treat SOC 2 as a checkbox, but the real risk is building controls that don't hold up when an auditor or a bank partner asks to see the evidence. Read more →​

✅ The SOC 2 Compliance Checklist: What to Do Before, During, and After Your Audit. Most audit delays come down to weak evidence and skipped readiness steps, not missing controls. Read more →​

💸 What Is a Money Transmitter License? If you move money on behalf of others, 49 states want to see your license before you launch, and the requirements look different in every one of them. Read more →​

Read and learn 🤓

📘 Build AI governance before examiners ask for it | eBook

A practical guide for AI and model governance readiness for banks, fintechs, and crypto companies, aligned with 2026 regulatory expectations. Read now →​

Upcoming events 📅

🇬🇧 London Tech Week | London | June 8-12 | Learn more →​

💻 Digital Banking by American Banker | Orlando, FL | June 15-17 | Learn more →​

🇦🇺 FINRA Financial Crimes and Cybersecurity Conference | New York | August 10-11 | Register here →​

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See you in two weeks,

Emily