Barbara S. Mishkin

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The CFPB’s growing interest in and scrutiny of BNPL comes at a time when the BNPL industry is experiencing rapid growth.  That makes it imperative for both companies currently offering BNPL products and companies considering whether to enter into the BNPL market to be aware of the practices that are likely to receive increased CFPB scrutiny and how future CFPB initiatives involving BNPL could impact the industry. … Continue Reading

In a decision with enormous potential implications, a unanimous three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has ruled that the manner in which the CFPB is funded violates the Appropriations Clause of the U.S. Constitution.  After reviewing the decision, we discuss: the CFPB’s strategic options for next litigation steps; the decision’s potential impact on existing regulations and ongoing rulemakings, ongoing and future enforcement litigation and investigations, and consent orders; and possible legislative fixes and the likelihood of bipartisan support.… Continue Reading

After reviewing how the AMLA expands the BSA’s goals, we look at which AMLA provisions have the most impact on BSA compliance, including the AMLA’s emphasis on information sharing, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s “national priorities” and the value of threat pattern and trend information to bank compliance efforts, and the AMLA’s expansion of the U.S.… Continue Reading

We discuss the FDIC’s final rule on misuse of the FDIC name or logo, advisory to insured banks on deposit insurance and dealings with crypto companies, and cease and desist letters to five crypto companies alleging they made false and misleading statements about deposit insurance.  We also discuss the CFPB’s circular warning that a misrepresentation involving the FDIC name or logo can constitute a UDAAP violation. … Continue Reading

After discussing what the Metaverse is and its possible uses by providers of legal and other services, we look at an array of legal issues that should be considered by lawyers and their clients operating in the Metaverse or contemplating doing so.  Issues discussed include privacy rights of users of Metaverse platforms, data security, moderation of content, preservation of data for litigation, e-discovery implications such as what information is discoverable and access to user communications, and ethical considerations for lawyers.… Continue Reading

After reviewing the roles of data aggregators and other key players in the data aggregation market, we discuss the implications of the transition from screen scraping to application programming interfaces (API), how aggregators can enhance consumer financial services, and the risks associated with data aggregators.  We also discuss the CFPB’s Section 1033 rulemaking on providing data access to consumers, including the expected timetable and issues the CFPB is likely to address in its proposed rule, and potential larger participant rulemaking for aggregators.… Continue Reading

We discuss each of the three categories of risk identified in the guidance (consumer compliance, third-party, and litigation), plaintiffs’ legal theories in class actions challenging NSF fees, the role of arbitration clauses and contract language in defending class actions, the FDIC’s suggested risk mitigation practices, issues to consider in navigating FDIC expectations for remediation of self-identified NSF fee issues and plaintiffs’ demands in class action settlements, the position of other federal regulators on re-presentment NSF fees, and state focus on NSF fees.… Continue Reading

Jon Hill of Law360 was among a group of reporters to whom Director Chopra recently gave a series of interviews in which he provided significant insights into his views on a range of topics.  We review recent CFPB and other agency developments that provide context for Mr. Chopra’s comments, discuss what his comments reveal about his approach to use of CFPB authorities, and highlight the important takeaways for banks and other companies. … Continue Reading

Our discussion examines the FTC’s Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking relating to what it describes as “commercial surveillance” and the CFPB’s circular confirming that covered persons and service providers may violate the Consumer Financial Protection Act’s prohibition against unfair acts or practices when they fail to adequately safeguard consumer information.  We consider the ANPR’s scope, its areas of focus, and potential federal and state obstacles to the FTC’s initiative. … Continue Reading

In Bibbs, the Third Circuit ruled that in determining whether a credit report is inaccurate or misleading under the FCRA’s “maximum possible accuracy” requirement, a district court should apply a “reasonable reader” standard.  After reviewing the background of Bibbs, we discuss the analysis that Bibbs requires a district court to perform in determining whether a credit report is inaccurate or misleading, how Bibbs broadly undercuts the claims of plaintiff’s lawyers in FCRA cases alleging pay status information is misleading, Bibbs’ implications for data furnishers that follow Metro 2 guidelines or other industry standards, and Bibbs’ impact on defendants’ litigation strategy and the threat of plaintiffs’ attorney fees.… Continue Reading