CFPB, Federal Agencies, State Agencies, and Attorneys General
Citing federal cutbacks in consumer protection and an increase in consumer complaints, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has launched a new online submission option intended to modernize and simplify the manner in which Illinois consumers file complaints.
The new portal will accept complaints that will be directed to the Division of Banking (DOB) as well as complaints that will be directed to the Division of Financial Institutions (DFI).… Continue Reading
Countering an Executive Order issued by President Trump and the adoption by the CFPB of its final rule revising Regulation B, the New York Department of Financial Services recently issued an Industry Letter warning the financial institutions that it regulates that they must consider disparate impact when lending.
“Regulated Entities are reminded that under Section 296-a, covered credit decisions that result in a disparate impact may constitute an unlawful discriminatory practice,” the agency wrote in a letter to financial institutions.… Continue Reading
California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed former CFPB Director Rohit Chopra to be the inaugural Secretary of a new cabinet-level agency that he created last year — the Business and Consumer Services Agency (“BCSA”). Although the appointment must be confirmed by the California Senate, the move is already generating significant attention within the financial services industry because it may signal California’s intent to assume a substantially larger role in consumer financial regulation and enforcement at a time when many expect reduced federal regulatory activity.… Continue Reading
The Washington Supreme Court issued an opinion on April 30, 2026, that deprives Washington state lenders of the right to nonjudicially foreclose residential-secured loans unless those loans are evidenced by a negotiable instrument—i.e., a promissory note with only basic payment terms that comports with RCW 62A.3-104.
The court further held that HELOCs and other types of multiple advance (e.g.,… Continue Reading
An earned wage access (EWA) law has gone into effect in Louisiana. The legislation, passed earlier this year, became law without the signature of Gov. Jeff Landry.
The legislation’s sponsor, state Rep. Vinney St. Blanc told the Louisiana Radio Network that if you’re a health care provider or a nurse and your child breaks his arm, “I have something.… Continue Reading
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has reached a $2.5 million settlement with Earnest Operations LLC, a Delaware-based student loan company.
The settlement resolves allegations that the company’s lending practices violated consumer protection and fair lending laws, in part through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) models that could allegedly result in disparate harm to Black, Hispanic, and non-citizen applicants and borrowers in violation of Massachusetts law.… Continue Reading
Accusing the Trump Administration of “dismantling” the CFPB, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is calling on city and state officials to fill the void by strengthening consumer protection laws and rules in the city and state.
“The Trump Administration’s dismantling of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)—including the elimination of 90 percent of its staff—will leave millions of Americans more vulnerable to unfair, deceptive, and abusive business practices from lenders and financial institutions of all types,” the comptroller’s office said in releasing a new report.… Continue Reading
A new Maryland law deems certain earned wage access (EWA) services to be loans. It then subjects those EWA services to the Maryland Consumer Loan Law and other consumer credit provisions, restricts the acceptance of tips by certain lenders, requires licensing or registration of certain entities offering EWA services, regulates EWA service agreements, and limits the costs and fees associated with obtaining EWA services.… Continue Reading
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed legislation that, among other things, imposes new licensing requirements on Buy Now, Pay Later services.
In touting the FY26 budget bill that contained the consumer protection provisions, Hochul commented, “Our tax cuts, credits, and rebates won’t be much help if bad actors are able to scam or mislead New Yorkers.… Continue Reading
As Rich Andreano blogged on April 15, 2025, legislation to prohibit or restrict so-called “trigger leads” in the home-buying process has been reintroduced in the House and Senate. The legislation has broad industry and consumer group support.
While we await the outcome of the proposed bills, it is worth noting that a number of states have enacted laws that impose restrictions on the manner in which brokers or lenders are permitted to leverage trigger leads in connection with their mortgage activities. … Continue Reading
