Today’s podcast brings listeners a timely and insightful discussion as our panel examines the CFPB’s proposed amendments to Regulation B under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). As our regular listeners know, we released an episode yesterday, and we are providing this additional special episode in light of a development we consider both time-sensitive and exceptionally important.… Continue Reading
Three non-profit organizations represented by Public Citizen Litigation group open up new front in war against the CFPB
On December 5, 2025, Rise Economy, the National Reinvestment Coalition and the Woodstock Institute filed a lawsuit against the CFPB and its Acting Director Russell Vought in the Federal District Court for the Northern District of California (San Francisco) seeking declaratory and injunctive relief related to Vought’s determination not to seek funding from the Federal Reserve Board because of an opinion provided to the CFPB by the Office of Legal Counsel of the Department of Justice (“OLC”) that it would be unlawful for the CFPB to make such a request based on there being no “combined earnings of the Federal Reserve System.”… Continue Reading
Today’s podcast episode: AI in Financial Services: Understanding the White House Action Plan – and What It Leaves Out – Part 2
Today’s episode features Part 2 of our October 30, 2025 webinar, “AI in Financial Services: Understanding the White House Action Plan – and What It Leaves Out.” In this installment, our panel dives deeper into the evolving intersection of artificial intelligence, regulation, and innovation in financial services.
Moderated by Alan Kaplinsky, Senior Counsel, founder and former longtime leader of Ballard Spahr’s Consumer Financial Services Group, and Greg Szewczyk, chair of the firm’s Privacy and Data Security Group, the discussion cuts through hype and uncertainty to provide clear, practical insights.… Continue Reading
Trump Administration asks Supreme Court to allow President to fire FTC member without cause
The Supreme Court should abandon a 90-year-old precedent and decide that President Trump should be permitted to fire Rebecca Slaughter from the Federal Trade Commission without cause, Solicitor General D. John Sauer told the Court on December 8 during oral arguments.
“I think broad delegations to unaccountable independent agencies raise enormous constitutional and real-world problems for individual liberty,” Justice Brett Kavanaugh, said.… Continue Reading
CFPB tells President, Congress it will need $279.6 million to continue statutorily required operations through September 30, 2026
In Fiscal Year 2026, ending September 30, 2026, the CFPB will need $279.6 million just to maintain its activities that are required by law, Bureau Acting Director Russell Vought wrote in letters to House and Senate appropriators and President Trump.
Under Section 1017 of Dodd Frank, the CFPB may be funded only from the “combined earnings” of the Federal Reserve System (see here, here, and here; see our Podcast here).… Continue Reading
Today’s podcast episode: AI in Financial Services: Understanding the White House Action Plan – and What It Leaves Out – Part 1
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
CFPB examiners to read ‘Humility Pledge’ when they begin exams
The Trump Administration is ordering all CFPB examiners to read a “Humility Pledge” to officials at supervised entities before conducting exams.
In making the announcement, CFPB officials sharply criticized the Biden Administration’s approach to exams. “Previously, under the leadership of Director Chopra and Biden’s Director of Supervision Lorelei Salas, a former Soros activist who was put on leave in February 2025, this division was the weaponized arm of the CFPB,” the CFPB said.… Continue Reading
Union says Administration’s failure to seek funding for CFPB would violate injunction
On December 15, at noon, we will be producing a webinar entitled, “The CFPB’s Funding Crisis: Legal, Operational and Policy Implications.” A registration link is embedded in the invitation, which is here.
Contending that the CFPB is relying on a “novel” definition of “combined earnings,” the union representing CFPB employees is asking a federal court to rule that the Trump Administration is planning to violate an injunction barring the administration from shutting down the bureau.… Continue Reading
Supreme Court denies ousted Democratic NCUA board members’ request for expedited consideration
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
Today’s podcast episode: Opportunities in the Solar Finance Industries Despite Trump 2.0
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