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Today’s episode features Part 1 of our October 30, 2025 webinar, “AI in Financial Services: Understanding the White House Action Plan – and What It Leaves Out.” In this installment, a panel of leading experts breaks down the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in financial services—from foundational concepts to the latest regulatory developments.… Continue Reading

The Supreme Court has denied a request to consider on an expedited basis a petition from two ousted Democratic NCUA board who are challenging their firings.

Todd Harper and Tanya Otsuka are challenging their firings even though the Federal Credit Union Act, unlike some federal laws governing other financial regulators, does not state that members of the agency board may only be removed for cause.… Continue Reading

Step into the intersection of consumer finance law and the solar energy industry with host Alan Kaplinsky, senior counsel at Ballard Spahr, and special guest Steven Burt, attorney and former public policy leader at major residential solar companies.

In this episode, listeners will get an insider’s look at today’s solar landscape.… Continue Reading

The trade group representing debt collection agencies, creditors, debt buyers, collection attorneys, and debt collection industry service providers has filed suit challenging the Colorado law that bans the inclusion of medical debts in credit reports.

ACA International is joined by one of its members, the Fresno Credit Bureau, in the suit against Martha Fulford, the Colorado Uniform Consumer Credit Code Administrator. … Continue Reading

The Tenth Circuit’s November 10 decision in National Association of Industrial Bankers v. Weiser marks the first appellate interpretation of a state’s opt-out authority under Section 525 of DIDMCA—and it carries major implications for state banks and their fintech partners.

The court held that a loan is “made in” an opt-out state if either the lender or the borrower is located there, meaning Colorado’s usury limits apply to loans made to Colorado residents by out-of-state state banks.… Continue Reading

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is facing an unprecedented financial crisis—and the consequences could reshape the future of consumer financial protection. On December 10, 2025, Acting CFPB Director Russ Vought informed the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that the Bureau will run out of money by year-end unless Congress provides a direct appropriation.… Continue Reading

Today’s episode marks the second of a two-part series, with Part One having been released on November 13th. In this installment, we continue our conversation on the many changes in fair lending policy and enforcement under the second Trump administration.

The discussion is moderated by Alan Kaplinsky, Senior Counsel, founder and former chair for 25 years of Ballard Spahr’s Consumer Financial Services Group, and features these distinguished experts in the field:

  1. Bradley Blower, Founder of Inclusive Partners LLC.
… Continue Reading

President Trump has nominated Stuart Levenbach, an Associate Director of the Office of Management and Budget, as CFPB director.

At OMB, Levenbach handles natural resources, energy, science and water issues. During President Trump’s first term, Levenbach was chief of staff of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Levenbach does not have a background in consumer finance and multiple news organizations have reported that Trump Administration officials have said that the nomination was a technical move.… Continue Reading

Alan Kaplinsky, Founder and former chair of Ballard Spahr’s Consumer Financial Services Group and founder, and host, of the award-winning Consumer Finance Monitor blog and weekly podcast, recently joined LexBlog’s Real Lawyers podcast hosted by Kevin O’Keefe. This is Alan’s second time on the program, which covers the role of publishing in the legal profession.… Continue Reading

The legislation reopening the government signed by President Trump, H.R. 5731, also reauthorizes the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) until January 30, 2026, the same day the spending measure lapses. The reauthorization is retroactive to October 1 the beginning of the fiscal year and the day the NFIP authorization expired.

Once again, the short-term reauthorization was included in a short-term spending bill, since Congress has been unable to pass a comprehensive NFIP reauthorization bill.… Continue Reading