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I object! The witness made a legal conclusion!

By Terry Stroud | Mar 2025 | Comments Off on I object! The witness made a legal conclusion!

Interpretations of the law, conclusions of law, expert opinions on the application of law to facts or use of a term that has both an everyday meaning as well as a legal one:  What is an expert witness allowed to say when matters of law and matters of fact are intermingled? The boundaries on what…

Understanding the Basics of Financial Fraud Investigations

By Terry Stroud | Mar 2025 | Comments Off on Understanding the Basics of Financial Fraud Investigations

Financial institution fraud is a growing threat in today’s complex financial landscape. As transactions become more sophisticated, so do fraudsters’ methods. There is no single reason behind the occurrence of fraud. During my forty-year career, I have often found that fraud is committed due to weaknesses in a company’s operations. I have also seen that…

Financial Literacy – Can This Help Save America from Bankruptcy

By Terry Stroud | Mar 2025 | Comments Off on Financial Literacy – Can This Help Save America from Bankruptcy

Last week, I was reading an article on Yahoo Finance and was shocked to learn this statistic. According to the Milken Institute, less than 40% of Americans are financially literate; however, a much higher percentage think they are. While this may seem to be an individual problem, the truth is that it causes significant issues…

How Does A Bank Fraud Investigation Work

By Terry Stroud | Feb 2025 | Comments Off on How Does A Bank Fraud Investigation Work

Fraud in banks is a big problem that affects customers, businesses, and the economy. From identity theft to fake transactions, fraud can cause huge money losses and damage trust. Banks must quickly find and stop fraud to protect people’s money. The Opportunity Group is an expert in fraud investigations and legal support. We help banks…

What is Fraud Investigation in Banking?

By Terry Stroud | Feb 2025 | Comments Off on What is Fraud Investigation in Banking?

Fraud is a big problem in the banking industry, costing banks billions of dollars each year. Criminals use tricks like identity theft, cyber fraud, and money laundering to steal money. As these crimes get more advanced, banks need better ways to catch and stop fraud. That’s where bank forensic investigators come in. Opportunity Group helps…

A Fresh Look at the Equal Credit Opportunity Act

By Terry Stroud | Sep 2024 | Comments Off on A Fresh Look at the Equal Credit Opportunity Act

When most people think of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), they probably think of discrimination. After all, the ECOA, which was passed in 1974, prohibits creditors from denying credit to applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, or age, because an applicant receives income from a public assistance…

Daubert Challenges to the Admissibility of Non-Scientific Expert Testimony

By Terry Stroud | Sep 2024 | Comments Off on Daubert Challenges to the Admissibility of Non-Scientific Expert Testimony

Ours is a complex world giving rise to legal disputes in areas of specialized knowledge that are difficult for a trier of fact, either a jury or a judge, to understand without the help of experts on the matter in dispute. Judges are responsible for ensuring the integrity of the judicial process and are, therefore,…

Effective Corporate Governance – The First Step in Risk Mitigation

By Terry Stroud | Jul 2024 | Comments Off on Effective Corporate Governance – The First Step in Risk Mitigation

Corporate governance identifies the authorities and responsibilities of the board and senior management in their respective roles to govern the bank’s operations and structure. Corporate governance involves the relationships among the bank’s board, management, shareholders, and other stakeholders. Corporate governance is essential to the safe and sound operation of the bank. Corporate governance includes how…

Prudent Corporate Governance: A Board’s Dilemma

By Terry Stroud | Jul 2024 | Comments Off on Prudent Corporate Governance: A Board’s Dilemma

  This article is based on my experience attending over 300 board meetings for financial institutions and other companies I supervised as a federal regulator. It is intended to more clearly define the roles and duties regarding the practical and steady stewardship of a board of directors, including management of the institution’s information workflow and…

Why Banks Fail?

By Terry Stroud | Jul 2024 | Comments Off on Why Banks Fail?

We have seen three significant bank failures in March, including the second and third largest in US history. Let’s hope April is a better month for banks. The timing of these failures coming so close together was not a coincidence. These events were remarkable in their timing and location, which I will address later. Let…

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