The issue of the CFPB’s constitutionality is currently before the Fifth Circuit in the interlocutory appeal of All American Check Cashing from the district court’s ruling upholding the CFPB’s constitutionality.  Oral argument was held in March 2019 and no decision has yet been issued.

At oral argument, the panel asked the parties whether it should hold its decision until the en banc court issued its decision in Collins v.Continue Reading

The en banc Fifth Circuit has ruled in Collins v. Mnuchin that the FHFA is unconstitutionally structured because it is excessively insulated from Executive Branch oversight and that the appropriate remedy for the constitutional violation is to sever the provision of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA) that only allows the President to remove the FHFA Director “for cause.”… Continue Reading

In an interesting twist, the FHFA has informed the Fifth Circuit in Collins v. Mnuchin, that despite having previously advised the en banc court that it would not defend the FHFA’s constitutionality, it has reconsidered its position under the leadership of its new Director and will take the position going forward that the agency’s structure is constitutional. … Continue Reading

RD Legal Funding has filed its opening brief in the Second Circuit, where the CFPB and New York Attorney General filed appeals from the district court’s decision and RD Legal Funding filed a cross-appeal.  The CFPB and the NYAG filed their opening briefs in March.

RD Legal Funding purchased at a discount, for immediate cash payments, benefits to which consumers were ultimately entitled under the NFL Concussion Litigation Settlement Agreement (the “NFLSA”) and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 (the “VCF”).  … Continue Reading

On March 12, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit heard oral argument in All American Check Cashing’s interlocutory appeal from the district court’s ruling upholding the CFPB’s constitutionality.

All American Check Cashing and the other appellants sought the interlocutory appeal after the district court denied their motion for judgment on the pleadings in a lawsuit filed by the CFPB that alleges the appellants engaged in abusive, deceptive, and unfair conduct in connection with making certain payday loans, failing to refund overpayments on those loans, and cashing consumers’ checks. … Continue Reading

The Fifth Circuit has calendared oral argument in the All American Check Cashing case for March 12, 2019.  The case is one of the three cases currently pending in the circuit courts that involve a challenge to the CFPB’s constitutionality.

The other two cases are RD Legal Funding which is pending in the Second Circuit and Seila Law which is pending in the Ninth Circuit. … Continue Reading

The pendency of three cases in circuit courts challenging the CFPB’s constitutionality has given rise to speculation as to whether the CFPB will continue to defend its constitutionality under Director Kraninger’s leadership.  The CFPB continued to defend its constitutionality in these cases while under former Acting Director Mulvaney’s leadership.  It did so, however, as a fallback to its primary argument that because Mr.… Continue Reading

The U.S. Supreme Court has denied the petition for certiorari filed by State National Bank of Big Spring (SNB) which, together with two D.C. area non-profit organizations that also joined in the petition, had brought one of the first lawsuits challenging the CFPB’s constitutionality.

Despite agreeing with the petitioners that the CFPB’s structure is unconstitutional, the DOJ urged the court to deny the petition, calling the case “a poor vehicle to consider the question [of the CFPB’s constitutionality] for multiple reasons.” … Continue Reading

State National Bank of Big Spring (SNB) and the other petitioners for certiorari have filed a reply to the brief filed by the Department of Justice in which, despite agreeing with the petitioners that the CFPB’s structure is unconstitutional, the DOJ argued that the U.S. Supreme Court should deny the petition.… Continue Reading