The topics we discuss are: implications of the SCOTUS Seila Law decision on CFPB rules, past consent orders, ongoing enforcement, and the Texas lawsuit challenging the CFPB payday loan rule; DOJ/FTC auto dealer fair lending actions, status of disparate impact, and Google targeted advertising changes; the CFPB’s new advisory opinion program; timing of CFPB debt collection final rule; and OCC/FDIC final rules to undo Madden and plans to address “true lender.”… Continue Reading
CFPB Exams
CFPB to Provide More Specific Notifications of Purpose in Civil Investigative Demands
On April 23, 2019, the CFPB announced that it will provide more transparency to recipients of Civil Investigative Demands (“CIDs”) on what the investigation is about. The CFPB’s press release stated that “CIDs will provide more information about the potentially applicable provisions of law that may have been violated. CIDs will also typically specify the business activities subject to the Bureau’s authority.”… Continue Reading
CFPB seeking legislative fix to give it clear MLA examination authority
The CFPB announced yesterday that it has transmitted a proposal to Congress that would give it clear authority to conduct supervisory examinations for compliance with the Military Lending Act (MLA).
Last summer, former CFPB Acting Director Mulvaney reportedly announced that he planned to end routine examinations for MLA compliance because the Dodd-Frank Act did not give the CFPB the authority to conduct such examinations. … Continue Reading
State AGs criticize CFPB plans to end MLA exams
Thirty state attorneys general, joined by the AGs of the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, have sent a letter to CFPB Acting Director Mulvaney “to express our concern about recent reports that the [Bureau] will no longer ensure that lenders are complying with the Military Lending Act (MLA) as part of its regular, statutorily mandated supervisory examinations.”… Continue Reading
CFPB seeks comment on its supervision program
The CFPB has issued a request for information that seeks comment on its supervision program. Comments on the RFI must be received by May 21, 2018. (Unlike the CFPB’s three prior RFIs described below which have 60-day comment periods, the new RFI has a 90-day comment period.)
The new RFI represents the fourth in a series of RFIs announced by Mick Mulvaney, President Trump’s designee as Acting Director. … Continue Reading
Senator Warren claims CFPB data collection freeze unjustified
In a letter to Leandra English and Mick Mulvaney, Senator Elizabeth Warren calls the freeze imposed by Mr. Mulvaney on the CFPB’s collection of personally identifiable information (PII) “unjustified.” (Not surprisingly, Senator Warren’s letter is addressed to Ms. English as “Acting [CFPB] Director” and to Mr. Mulvaney as “Director” of OMB.)… Continue Reading
CFPB whistleblower alleges falsification of examination documents by CFPB
A former CFPB examiner has written U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions claiming that CFPB officials falsified examination reports in connection with a CFPB examination of ACE Cash Express that led to the CFPB extracting $10 million of restitution and penalties from ACE. At the time the CFPB forced ACE to enter into this consent order, even in the absence of any allegations of fraud on the part of the CFPB, we sharply criticized the CFPB for its treatment of ACE.… Continue Reading
CFPB data collection freeze impacting CFPB examinations
Since Mick Mulvaney’s appointment by President Trump as CFPB Acting Director, there have been widespread media reports about Mr. Mulvaney’s plans to impose a freeze on the CFPB’s collection of personally identifiable information (PII), such as individual loan level data, until the CFPB improves its data security systems. Mr. Mulvaney’s concerns about the CFPB’s data security systems were reportedly prompted in part by reports issued by the Office of Inspector General for the CFPB that found deficiencies in the CFPB’s data security practices.… Continue Reading
Democratic lawmakers, Republican attorneys general submit amicus briefs in CFPB Acting Director dispute
Past and present Democratic Representatives and Senators filed an amicus brief in support of the motion for a temporary restraining order filed by Leandra English to block Mick Mulvaney from exercising the authority of CFPB Acting Director. The court granted the lawmakers’ motion for leave to file the brief before its denial of Ms.… Continue Reading
New CFPB enforcement chief to be appointed
While an official announcement has not yet appeared on the CFPB’s website, it has been widely reported that Kristen Donoghue will be appointed the CFPB’s new Assistant Director of Enforcement, effective November 17, 2017. She will replace Anthony Alexis.
Ms. Donoghue has served as a CFPB enforcement attorney since the CFPB’s establishment in 2011, and most recently served as the CFPB’s Principal Deputy Enforcement Director. … Continue Reading