McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy LLP (MJLM)’s,  team of skilled consultants and financial institution advisors have worked with some of the world’s leading financial institutions The MJLM Financial Services Team has, on average, over 40+ years of relevant experience, in the financial services industry and are Texas licensed CPA’s or have their law degree. Our professionals are proficient in rapidly deploying and managing resources to support complex, multi-functional accounting, processing, and program compliance functions for commercial banks and federal agencies This team is led by Richard Johnson, Director of Financial Institution Services.

MJLM and our team of consultants have substantial relevant past performance providing the following services:

We have well-trained individuals devoting 100 percent of their time to financial institutional support services and can assist with, accounting and other infrastructure services needed to efficiently manage and administer a complex portfolio of troubled assets including loans, credit default swaps, asset backed securities, trust preferred securities and mortgage backed securities. Additionally, MJLM has the capability to provide specialized services such as audit readiness assessments, compliance monitoring, special management and operational reports, and document management.

Performance Audits –MJLM conducts performance audits, the objectives of which are to determine: the extent to which desired results or benefits are being achieved; the effectiveness of organizations, programs, activities, or functions; and whether the entity has complied with laws and regulations applicable to the program.

Compliance Audits– Mjlm performs compliance audits to determine compliance with laws and regulations or contract terms. We also perform contract assessment reviews to determine the propriety of amounts/rates billed and whether there are questioned costs or funds that could have been put to better use.

Financial Statement Audits– McConnell & Jones, an affiliate of MJLM, performs financial statement audits in accordance with established  private industry criteria, including Government Auditing Standards, GAO’s audit methodology as presented in its Financial Audit Manual, and AICPA’s generally accepted auditing standards. Our audits include: attestation of financial statements, testing of internal controls, testing to ensure compliance with laws and regulations, review of supplemental information, and preparation of management letters. We provide input in strategic systems planning efforts to ensure: enhancements to existing systems, integration where feasible, adequate audit trails to transaction source, and support for preparation of auditable financial statements.

 Internal Control Reviews – MJLM takes a holistic, comprehensive approach to it’s internal control review.  It performs internal control reviews as part of a standard financial statement audit or as stand‐alone assessments.  We review documentation; flowchart the systems of internal controls; design test plans to determine whether the internal controls are adequate and function as designed; and test the systems of internal controls

Asset Servicing/Management
As assets transition, it is imperative that accurate, detailed information is effectively captured and reported. The MJLM team has extensive experience servicing multiple loan portfolios. A seamless transition process requires diligent oversight of all financial assets held by the entity. The MJLM team is experienced in safeguarding and managing assets. Our service includes:

• Secure and safeguard assets
• Monitor and manage loan  covenants
• Execute trades and settlements
• Coordinate the disposition of assets
• Allocate and remit funds to appropriate parties
• Track and coordinate corporate actions
• Loan Administration, maintain systems to monitor and track loans and collateral
• Project, collect, allocate and reconcile principal and interest amounts
• Report, monitor and action compliance requirements

Trust Administration Services
For many years the MJLM team has functioned as trustee and fiduciary for nationally recognized trust banks.
Our services include:

• Fiduciary to beneficiaries
• Manage trust estate in accordance with governing documents
• Collect, allocate, distribute and report principal and interest activities
• Manage compliance items and filings

Claims, Settlements and Investigations
Our team has worked with sophisticated insurance, hedge and credit agreements whereby we served as intermediaries and negotiated with parties in assessing the events triggering actionable items and defaults. We have utilized federal wire and security settlement systems to move funds and settle securities. Our CFE’s have assisted Federal Agencies in gathering factual information and providing analysis in pursuit of litigation. Our services include:

• Calculate, notify and monitor the receipt of counterparty payment
• Develop and analyze information necessary for criminal investigation
• Obtain information that can be utilized for criminal prosecution

Employee Benefit Services
McConnell & Jones, an affiliate of MJLM, has the unique experience and talent required to efficiently and accurately advise and perform audits of all types of employee benefit plans including:

• Defined Contribution Plans (Including 11-K filings)
• Defined Benefit Plans
• Welfare Benefit Plans

Document / Program Compliance Review

• Ascertain and document entities’ roles and responsibilities
• Test entities compliance with governing documents and bank policy
• Document and communicate findings and recommendations
• Test subsequent remediation to ensure proper execution

Process flows

• Ascertain, and document current process flows
• Assess and evaluate effectiveness
• Redesign flows for effective and efficient execution of work
• Loan administration process improvements

Collateral and Lien Verification

• Ascertain proper authentication and current position
• Determine lien requirements and current filing status
• Document findings and implement remediation

Regulatory Compliance

• Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Suspicious Activity Report (SAR),  Currency Transaction Report (CTR),
• Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required To Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism  (USA PATRIOT Act) , Customer Identification Program (CIP), OFAC
• Assess compliance with Know Your Customer(KYC) requirements Anti-Money Laundering (AML)
• IRS forms W8 BEN ECI IMY/W9