The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held oral argument last week in the OCC’s appeal from the district court’s final judgment in the lawsuit filed by the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) seeking to block the OCC’s issuance of special purpose national bank (SPNB) charters to non-depository fintech companies.… Continue Reading
Fintech
CA Dept. of Financial Protection and Innovation signs MOUs with five earned wage access companies
Since the California Consumer Financial Protection Law (CCFPL) became effective on January 1, the state’s Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) has wasted no time in asserting its expanded jurisdiction over consumer financial services providers. (The DFPI is the new name given to the state’s Department of Business Oversight (DBO) by the CCFPL.)… Continue Reading
Rakuten files third application for FDIC insurance
On January 15, 2021, just weeks after the FDIC issued its final rule (the Rule) establishing requirements the parent entity of an industrial bank or industrial loan company (collectively, ILC) must meet for the ILC to have FDIC deposit insurance, Rakuten, a Japanese e-commerce and financial technology company, filed its third application in less than two years seeking FDIC deposit insurance for its U.S.-based… Continue Reading
This week’s podcast: A close look at earned wage access (EWA) programs with special guest, Jesse Silverman, General Counsel of Steady
After reviewing what EWA is and the different models used for EWA programs, we discuss federal and state regulatory issues raised by such programs, the CFPB’s advisory opinion on such programs and the questions it raises, how a change in CFPB leadership under the Biden Administration could impact such programs, and the future of such programs.… Continue Reading
Conference of State Bank Supervisors files new lawsuit to block OCC approval of Figure Technologies charter application
The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) has filed a lawsuit in D.C. federal district court to block the OCC from granting a national bank charter to Figure Technologies Inc. According to the complaint, Figure, through a subsidiary, is currently licensed in 49 states and the District of Columbia as a mortgage lender, consumer lender, and/or debt collector and intends to begin engaging in new money transmission activities in early 2021 through another subsidiary. … Continue Reading
FDIC issues final rule on ILC deposit insurance applications
The FDIC has issued a final rule setting forth the conditions it will impose and the commitments it will require to approve a deposit insurance application from an industrial bank or industrial loan company (collectively, ILC) whose parent company is not subject to consolidated supervision by the Federal Reserve Board (FRB). … Continue Reading
CFPB and Colorado Attorney General announce joint virtual office hours as part of AFCIN
The CFPB and the Colorado AG’s Office have announced they will hold joint virtual office hours as part of the American Consumer Financial Innovation Network (ACFIN). The joint virtual office hours will be held on December 2, 2020. CFPB Director Kraninger and Colorado AG Weiser will participate in this event.… Continue Reading
Fintech and Consumer Finance: Agenda for 2021 webinar to be held on December 9-10
On December 9-10, 2020, the Conference on Consumer Finance Law and the Program on Financial Regulation & Technology at George Mason University’s Scalia Law School is sponsoring a webinar that will examine emerging issues in the areas of fintech and consumer finance.
Chris Willis, Deputy Practice Leader of Ballard Spahr’s Consumer Financial Services Group, will participate as a panel member on the afternoon of the first day. … Continue Reading
State Bank Regulators Launch Single-Exam Plan for Multistate Money Transmitters in wake of OCC’s Payments Charter Proposal
The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) recently announced plans to establish a program under which money transmitters licensed in multiple states will undergo a single comprehensive exam that seeks to satisfy all state examination requirements, beginning in 2021. Money transmitters, payments firms and cryptocurrency companies licensed in 40 or more states would be covered by the program, to be known as “MSB Networked Supervision”.… Continue Reading
Ballard Spahr named finalist for 2020 LendIt Fintech Top Law Firm Industry Award
We are delighted to share the news that Ballard Spahr has been named a finalist for the 2020 LendIt Fintech Top Law Firm Industry Award. The award is presented to a law firm that has demonstrated deep expertise, commitment to clients, and the fostering of a deeper understanding of fintech.
Earlier this year, Ballard Spahr’s Consumer Financial Services Group and its Fintech & Payments Team received national rankings from The Legal 500 in the financial services regulation and fintech categories. … Continue Reading