The scope of national bank preemption is currently before the U.S. Supreme Court in Cantero v. Bank of America, N.A.  A New York statute requires the payment of interest on mortgage escrow accounts and the question before the Supreme Court is whether the National Bank Act (NBA) preempts application of the New York statute to national banks. … Continue Reading

Maryland has joined the ranks of states considering legislation that would codify elements of “true lender” theory in an effort to impose federally preempted state licensing requirements and rate caps on loans to Maryland residents.

House Bill 254 (HB 254), introduced on January 10, 2024 in the Maryland House of Delegates, would add Subtitle 15 – the “True Lender Act” – to Title 12 (Credit Regulations) of the Maryland Commercial Law.… Continue Reading

Bank of America, N.A. has filed its merits brief in Cantero v. Bank of America, N.A., the case currently before the U.S. Supreme Court dealing with the scope of national bank preemption.  The petitioners must file their reply brief by February 16, 2024.  (The petitioners’ merits brief is available here.) … Continue Reading

On February 27, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral argument in Cantero v. Bank of America, N.A., a case involving the scope of preemption under the National Bank Act (NBA).  The question before the Court is whether the NBA preempts a New York statute requiring banks to pay interest on mortgage escrow accounts. … Continue Reading

House Bill 1874 (H.B. 1874), denominated the “predatory loan prevention act”, was pre-filed for introduction in the Washington state legislature December 5, 2023, and referred to the House Committee on Consumer Protection and Business on January 8, 2024. H.B. 1874 is scheduled for public hearing on January 10, 2024 in the Washington House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business at 1:30 p.m.… Continue Reading

The scope of national bank preemption is currently before the U.S. Supreme Court in Cantero v. Bank of America, N.A.  A New York statute requires the payment of interest on mortgage escrow accounts and the question before the Supreme Court is whether the National Bank Act (NBA) preempts application of the New York statute to national banks. … Continue Reading

District of Columbia Council Bill B 25-0609, which would opt out of Section 27 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“FDIA”) with respect to loans made in the District of Columbia, was introduced in the District of Columbia Council on November 30, 2023, and referred to the Council’s Committee on Business and Economic Development on December 5, 2023.… Continue Reading

In its Fall 2023 Semiannual Risk Perspective, published on December 7, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) reported on key issues facing the federal banking system.  In evaluating the overall soundness of the federal banking system, the OCC emphasized the need for banks to maintain prudent risk management practices. … Continue Reading

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has issued a bulletin (2023-37) that provides guidance on managing risks associated with “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) lending.  The BNPL loans addressed in the bulletin are loans that are payable in four or fewer installments and carry no finance charges.

The bulletin cautions banks about the risks to banks and consumers associated with BNPL lending. … Continue Reading

Florida SB 146, a bill that would add a “Predatory loan prevention” section to the Florida Consumer Finance Act has been introduced in the Florida Senate, seeking to curb bank-model lending programs and codify a “true lender” analysis with language similar to legislation enacted in Minnesota and other states within the past three years.… Continue Reading