The Consumer Bankers Association has launched a four-part blog series “Facts Matter” to counter what it calls “misinformation conveyed by the CFPB” in its press release about the CFPB’s October 2023 report (Report) under the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD Act). The CARD Act requires the CFPB to issue a biennial report to Congress on the consumer credit card market.… Continue Reading
Fifth Circuit stays further proceedings in CFPB appeal of summary judgment in lawsuit challenging UDAAP exam manual changes pending SCOTUS decision in CFSA v. CFPB
Earlier this month, the CFPB filed a notice with the Texas federal district court that it is appealing to the Fifth Circuit the district court’s order granting summary judgment to a group of trade associations in their lawsuit against the CFPB challenging the changes made to its UDAAP Exam Manual in March 2022. … Continue Reading
Seventh Circuit stays order requiring Samsung to pay millions in arbitration fees
We previously blogged about an Illinois federal district court order requiring Samsung to pay about $4 million in arbitration fees in connection with 35,000 individual arbitration demands filed as part of a “mass arbitration.” By way of update, Samsung is pursuing an appeal to the Seventh Circuit, which recently granted Samsung’s motion for a stay of the district court’s order pending appeal. … Continue Reading
Eleventh Circuit rules consumers can recover statutory damages for willful FCRA violations without proving actual damages
Joining every other circuit to address the same issue, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit recently ruled that a consumer does not have to prove actual damages to recover statutory damages for willful violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
In Omar Santos, et al. v. Experian Information Solutions, Inc.… Continue Reading
This week’s podcast episode: Prohibited by law and totally ineffective—just two of the many reasons why the CFPB should deny the petition for rulemaking on post-dispute consumer arbitration agreements
Our special guest is David Sherwyn, Professor of Law at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. In September 2023, a group of consumer advocate organizations filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the CFPB that would prohibit the use of pre-dispute arbitration clauses in consumer contracts in favor of arbitration clauses that would permit consumers to choose between arbitration and litigation only after a dispute has arisen. … Continue Reading
Predatory Loan Prevention Bill Introduced in Florida to Codify “True Lender” Analysis
Florida SB 146, a bill that would add a “Predatory loan prevention” section to the Florida Consumer Finance Act has been introduced in the Florida Senate, seeking to curb bank-model lending programs and codify a “true lender” analysis with language similar to legislation enacted in Minnesota and other states within the past three years.… Continue Reading
Ballard Spahr attorneys and Cornell University law professor submit comments opposing CFPB rulemaking on post-dispute consumer arbitration agreements
Ballard Spahr Senior Counsel Alan S. Kaplinsky and Mark J. Levin, and David Sherwyn, Professor of Law at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, today submitted lengthy comments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau opposing the recent petition filed by consumer advocates urging the CFPB to undertake rulemaking that would prohibit the use of pre-dispute arbitration clauses in consumer contracts in favor of arbitration clauses that would permit consumers to choose between arbitration and litigation only after a dispute has arisen.… Continue Reading
CFPB/Fed/OCC increase exemption thresholds for appraisal requirement, Regs Z and M
The CFPB, Fed, and OCC have announced that they are increasing three exemption thresholds that are subject to annual inflation adjustments. Effective January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, these exemption thresholds are increased as follows:
- Smaller loans exempt from the appraisal requirement for “higher-priced mortgage loans” are increased from $31,000 to $32,400.
Zelle offers details on its solution to protect scammed customers
Last year, we blogged that Zelle was considering possible solutions for P2P customers on the Zelle Network who were the victims of scams. In an August 30, 2023 press release, Zelle announced that it was initiating new safety measures. It stated:
All banks and credit unions on the Zelle Network® must implement Risk Insights for Zelle®.… Continue Reading
The new CRA: Understanding the final rule and its impact on large, intermediate, and small banks; Ballard Spahr to hold webinar on final rule on Dec. 6
On October 24, 2023, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued a final rule amending their regulations implementing the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) (the “Final Rule”). The Final Rule marks the first substantial revision to the CRA regulations in nearly thirty years. … Continue Reading