In an unsigned order dated August 9, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit signaled its frustration with the U.S. Department’s ongoing efforts to proceed with implementation of its much-debated SAVE repayment plan notwithstanding an earlier partial injunction entered by a federal district court.

In a case filed by Republican state officials (the “States”), a federal judge in Missouri had previously concluded that the States were likely to prevail on their claim that the Department of Education exceeded its authority in creating the SAVE plan, and that the prospect of irreparable harm warranted an injunction prohibiting the Department from forgiving loans under the SAVE plan while the case was litigated.… Continue Reading

The FDIC is seeking comment on proposed changes to its regulation governing parent companies of industrial banks and industrial loan companies—Part 354 of the FDIC Rules and Regulations.

“The proposed amendments would revise part 354 to clarify and enhance the agency’s framework to supervise industrial banks, mitigate risks to the Deposit Insurance Fund, and provide necessary transparency for market participants,” the agency said, in outlining the proposed rule.… Continue Reading

CFPB Director Rohit Chopra on Thursday defended his agency’s proposed rule to prohibit the listing of medical debt on credit reports, contending that such debts are not a fair indication of a person’s financial health.

“We’ve done extensive research on whether medical bills on credit reports are predictive of whether a consumer repays their other loans,” Chopra said on Reddit, where he took questions about the proposed rule.… Continue Reading

On August 2, 2024, the CFPB, the OCC, the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC, the NCUA, the FHFA, the CFTC, the SEC and the Treasury Department proposed a joint rule intended to establish standards to promote the ability of each of the agencies to exchange and use the data that the other agencies collect (referred to as the “interoperability” of financial data across the agencies).… Continue Reading

We are following very closely this appeal to the 10th Circuit of the preliminary injunction issued by the Federal District Court for the District of Colorado to the plaintiffs (three trade groups) enjoining the Colorado Attorney General and UCCC Administrator from enforcing the new Colorado opt-out statute against out-of-state, state banks who made loans from out-of-state to Colorado residents.… Continue Reading

Rewards programs drive consumer choice and activity in connection with credit cards and other financial services. The CFPB has reported the most important element by far that influences a consumer’s decision to apply for a specific credit card is the rewards program associated with the card. Further, rewards can affect the consumer’s choice at the point of sale as to which card to use.… Continue Reading

We have recently blogged about two other actions in which this issue has been raised (one being a declaratory judgment action filed against the CFPB on July 23, 2024 in the E.D. Tex. and the other being an enforcement action filed in the N.D. Tex. in which a motion to dismiss was filed on July 31, 2024).… Continue Reading

The National Flood Insurance Program’s authorization to issue new flood insurance contracts will expire on Sept. 30 unless Congress votes to extend it.

Congress has been unable to enact a long-term extension of parts of the program. Traditionally an extension of the authorization to write new insurance contracts has been included in short-term and end-of-year appropriations measures.… Continue Reading

As previously reported, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in connection with single-family residential mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in connection with single-family residential mortgage loans, announced Reconsideration of Value (ROV) guidance for appraisals to help address appraisal bias.… Continue Reading

Navigating the virtual marketplace has become an integral part of the consumer experience in the digital age. Lurking behind the convenience and accessibility of e-commerce websites, however, lies a subtle yet pervasive tactic known as “dark patterns.”

Dark patterns are generally understood to mean practices that mislead or manipulate consumers into taking actions that do not reflect their true intent, choices or consent.… Continue Reading