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Kristen E. Larson

With extensive in-house banking experience, I’m able to react quickly – offering clear, practica...

Contact: P /612.604.6394E /[email protected]

Education

William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., 2002

• Staff Editor, William Mitchell Law Review

College of St. Benedict, B.A., Political Science, 1997

Bar Admissions

Minnesota, 2002

District of Minnesota, 2024

My Approach

Drawing upon nearly two decades of experience in-house at national banks, I understand the urgency that comes with customer-facing issues and questions. I bring a practical, real-world perspective, allowing me to provide actionable solutions that allow my clients to move forward with confidence. My goal is never to be the “department of no,” but to provide my clients with a roadmap for a solution that is both legally compliant and operationally effective.

It’s been fascinating to watch new and innovative technologies make their way into the financial services industry. During my tenure, I’ve watched payment processing move from checks and cards, to chips, tap-to-pay, and mobile wallets and the evolution of digital banking. These advancements, coupled with the inherent consumer-driven nature of the banking sector and continually evolving regulatory landscape, require agility and focus. I help my clients resolve issues quickly so they can refocus on the work they enjoy most.

Outside of work, I enjoy cooking and baking. Some of my favorites are prime rib, seasonal soups, pies (of all kinds), and cookies. Who doesn’t love a good chocolate chip cookie?

Practice Areas

Practicing Community Banking

My Experience

I help state and federal banks navigate expansion strategies, bank partnerships, acquisition and sale of banking organizations, and system integrations. I advise financial institutions and fintechs on consumer, small business and treasury management deposit, lending and payment financial products and services, digital banking, emerging payment systems, innovative technology, fraud, banking operations, branching, marketing, customer experience, servicing channels, compliance, risk management, regulatory examinations, and Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) arrangements. I have assisted all three lines of defense with risk assessments, audits, investigations, compliance reviews, exam and audit findings, and related remediations. I am experienced in drafting account and loan agreements and disclosures, customer communications, Compliance Management System policies, third party service agreements, correspondent banking agreements, and regulatory responses, defending banks in litigation matters, presenting at bank board meetings, and monitoring regulatory and litigation developments to help clients stay ahead of emerging risks.

Representative Matters

• Advised bank clients on due diligence for two successful legal mergers and system integrations during a three-year period.
• Negotiated multiple payment card incentive contracts and terminations.
• Counseled clients on successful product/service launch of free checking, credit card, online loan payments, underbanked services, card instant issuance, overdraft pay-return system, branch PIN pad account opening process, online account opening platform, and digital banking platform.
• Advised clients on bank sponsorship of football stadium and college deposit account and credit card arrangements.
• Negotiated $330 million card portfolio acquisition, joint marketing agreement, and interim servicing agreement subject to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.

Please note the transactions listed above were done while practicing in-house.

Practicing Bank Regulatory

My Experience

I help financial institutions and fintechs navigate the full spectrum of regulatory, compliance, and operational challenges, from payments and privacy to regulatory filings, exams, and responses. My regulatory experience spans all major federal banking laws—including the Dodd-Frank Act, National Bank Act, Federal Deposit Insurance Act, and Federal Reserve Act—as well as a broad range of consumer protection and compliance requirements, including TILA (Reg Z), ECOA (Reg B), EFTA (Reg E), TISA (Reg DD), EFAA (Reg CC), GLBA (Reg P), FCRA/FACTA (Reg V), FDCPA (Reg F), SCRA, MLA, FAA, UDAAP/UDAP, CRA,  Reg J, Reg GG, Reg II, E-SIGN Act, UETA, HIPAA/HITECH Act, COPPA, TCPA, CAN-SPAM, TSR, UCC Articles 3, 4, and 4A, Bureau of Fiscal Service’s Green Book, Bank Secrecy Act, USA PATRIOT Act, FinCEN, OFAC sanctions, ADA/Website Content Accessibility Guidelines, PCI-DSS, Nacha Operating Rules, SWIFT, card payment network rules, and state licensing, collections, and consumer protection laws.

Representative Matters

• Conducted mock CFPB examinations.
• Advised clients on navigating and responding to regulatory examination and enforcement matters.
• In-house counsel for CFPB litigation and OCC regulatory enforcement action related to Regulation E overdraft services and UDAAP/UDAP claims.
• Led overdraft services consent order remediation and restitution plan execution, resulting in successful termination of OCC overdraft consent order after first examination.
• Advised national bank on implementation of the Federal CARD Act and drafted revised terms and change-in-terms notices.
• Led a bank’s HIPAA compliance efforts to implement the Federal HITECH Act requirements.

 

Please note that some of the transactions listed above were done at a prior firm and while practicing in-house.

Honors & Awards

Twin Cities Business

Notable Women in Law, 2025

MSBA North Star Lawyer

Pro Bono Service, 2015 – 2025

Associations & Memberships

Minnesota Women Lawyers

Member, 2018 – Present
Board Director, 2023 – 2025
Co-Chair of Publications Committee, 2023 – 2025

LegalCORPS

Emeritus Director, 2024 – Present
Board Director, 2015 – 2024
President, 2020 – 2023
Vice President, 2019 – 2020, 2023 – 2024
Treasurer, 2016 – 2019

American Mock Trial Association

Mock Trial Judge, 2022

Minnesota Corporate Pro Bono Council

2014 – 2022

Minnesota State Bar Association

Corporate Counsel Section, 2012 – 2025
Member, 2012 – 2025
Councilmember, 2012 – 2022
Vice Chair, 2015 – 2017, 2012 – 2013
Chair, 2013 – 2014

Our Saviours Community Services

Board Director, 2013 – 2014

Ramsey County Bar Association

Member, 2002 – 2014
Chair, Judge’s Dinner Committee, 2005 – 2006
Chair, CLE Oversight Committee, 2007

MN Supreme Court

Legal Services Planning Committee, Emerging Leaders Forum, 2011

MSBA State High School Mock Trial Program

Mock Trial Judge, 2005 – 2009