In furtherance of the Biden Administration’s “junk fee” agenda, on January 17, 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued its proposed rule to amend Regulations E and Z to regulate overdraft services provided by “very large financial institutions” (an insured depository institution or an insured credit union that has total assets of more than $10 Billion and any affiliate thereof, as determined under 12 U.S.C.… Continue Reading
SCOTUS to hear oral argument on Feb. 27 in National Bank Act preemption case
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
SCOTUS to hear oral argument on February 20 to determine timing for facial challenges to federal regulations
The U.S. Supreme Court has scheduled oral argument for Tuesday, February 20, 2024 in Corner Post, Inc. v Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The question that the Supreme Court will decide is when a right of action first accrues for an Administrative Procedure Act (APA) Section 702 challenge to a final rule issued by a federal agency—when the final rule is issued or when the rule first causes injury.… Continue Reading
CFPB’s credit card late fee final rule and overdraft and NSF fee proposed rulemaking expected prior to President Biden’s March 7th State of Union address
By Ballard CFS Group on
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) has invited President Joe Biden to give his State of the Union address to a Joint Session of Congress on Thursday, March 7, 2024. The invitation was immediately accepted by President Biden in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, in which the President stated “Looking forward to it, Mr.… Continue Reading
CFPB issues two new FCRA advisory opinions on background screening reports and disclosure of credit files to consumers
On January 11, 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued two new advisory opinions: Fair Credit Reporting; Background Screening and Fair Credit Reporting; File Disclosure. The advisory opinions are part of the CFPB’s ongoing efforts to clean up what the CFPB describes in its press release as allegedly “sloppy” credit reporting practices and ensure credit report accuracy and transparency to consumers.… Continue Reading
A special podcast episode: Will Chevron deference survive in the U.S. Supreme Court? An important discussion to hear in advance of the January 17th oral argument.
By Mindy Harris on
Posted in Federal Agencies, Litigation and Court Decisions
This special podcast episode, hosted by Senior Counsel and former Consumer Financial Services Practice Leader Alan Kaplinsky, sets the stage for the upcoming oral argument in the two U.S. Supreme Court cases where the fate of Chevron deference hangs in the balance. This episode provides an essential roadmap for anyone who will listen to the oral argument or is following this critical challenge to this important doctrine.… Continue Reading
New York Governor’s 2024 consumer protection agenda targets “unfair and abusive” business practices and BNPL
By Mindy Harris & Alan S. Kaplinsky on
Posted in State Regulation, UDAP
In remarks to the press and public on January 2, 2024, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced “a sweeping consumer protection and affordability agenda”, including proposed actions to “strengthen consumer protections against unfair business practices” and “establish nation-leading regulations for the Buy Now Pay Later loan industry”.
The Governor vowed to pursue “the first major expansion to New York consumer protection laws since 1980” to curb “predatory” business practices and “exploitative tactics” that harm consumers, citing student loan servicers and debt collectors as examples of consumer financial services businesses that should be subjected to further legal constraints.… Continue Reading
FTC Complaint Alleges Deception and Discrimination in Fintech’s Subscription Cash Advance Offerings
By John A. Kimble & Ballard CFS Group on
On January 2, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a complaint against FloatMe Corp. (“FloatMe”), a fintech that offers short-term cash advances through its mobile app, alleging violations of the FTC Act, the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA), and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). The complaint is similar in its language and allegations to one filed by the FTC against Bridge It, Inc.,… Continue Reading
CFPB report identifies challenges faced by borrowers in resumption of student loan payments
By Brian Turetsky & John L. Culhane, Jr. on
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau highlighted its observations of the resumption of federal student loan payments by consumers after more than three years of a payment moratorium due to COVID-19 in a report released on January 5, 2024. The report, titled “Issue Spotlight: Federal Student Loan Return to Repayment,” highlights several issues it maintains are confronting consumers, including extended call hold times, processing delays in income-driven repayment applications, and inaccurate billing and disclosure statements.… Continue Reading
Michael Guerrero Presents at ABA Consumer Financial Services Committee Meeting on CFPB Rulemaking and Non-Rulemaking Efforts During Biden Administration
By Alan S. Kaplinsky on
Posted in CFPB Rulemaking
On January 9th, Michael Guerrero, Partner in Ballard Spahr’s Consumer Financial Services Group, presented at a program titled “Has the CFPB Offered Simpler Rules of the Road? Successes and Challenges with the CFPB’s Rulemaking and Non-Rulemaking Efforts During the Biden Administration”.
Panelists discussed the CFPB’s rulemaking and non-rulemaking guidance after Director Rohit Chopra’s June 2022 blog post titled “Rethinking the Approach to Regulations” in which he shared the CFPB’s aspiration to more clearly communicate the CFPB’s regulatory expectations in simple and straight-forward terms.… Continue Reading