Cannabis Banking
overview
Comprised of skilled attorneys leveraging decades of finely honed start-up, financial, banking, transactional, and regulatory expertise to help clients capitalize on this growing market, Burns & Levinson’s Cannabis Business & Law Advisory group has helped cannabis industry clients obtain – and provide – legal and compliant cannabis banking services since 2013. Our subject matter experts have deep knowledge of the intricacies and practical applications of cannabis law in multiple states, federal and state regulations, and finance.
experience
For Businesses
Securing banking services is one of the greatest hurdles a new or expanding marijuana-related business will face. Leveraging our network and expertise, we help clients gain access to banks presently accepting cannabis-related deposits, and guide businesses on how to prepare the documents and due diligence packet that will be required as part of the initial account opening process. Our practice helps clients evaluate and secure compliant solutions for all financial service-related needs including payroll, accounting, point-of-sale systems, merchant processing services, insurance, and more.
For Financial Institutions
Our team helps all covered financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, broker/dealer, investment bankers, investment companies, and merchant processors, among others, enter the cannabis industry with fully-compliant services.
How does a financial institution legally work with marijuana-related businesses? What are the associated risks? Burns & Levinson guides and counsels covered financial institutions from beginning to end on how to provide compliant financial services to cannabis-related business customers consistent with existing Bank Secrecy Act obligations and the 2014 FinCEN Guidance– including providing boardroom education for directors and executive teams. We also assist on a wide spectrum of issues including conducting cannabis-related risk assessments, review, and customization of operating policies and procedures, and helping with vendor due diligence and contract negotiations. Burns & Levinson can also provide audit assistance, advanced BSA training for all levels of employees, and examination support designed to ensure your financial institution is prepared to demonstrate the risked-focused approach it takes when providing financial services to marijuana-related businesses. When you are ready, Burns & Levinson can also help you expand your cannabis service offerings by implementing new programs for lending, merchant processing, cash management, and other services that will create lasting business relationships. We are a trusted advisor to covered financial institutions across numerous jurisdictions nationally, providing guidance on how to minimize risks when working within the rapidly developing cannabis industry.
Professionals
Professionals
