The U.S. Supreme Court recently granted certiorari to hear the Second Circuit case of Cantero et al. v. Bank of America, N.A., involving National Bank Act (NBA) preemption of New York’s law requiring that interest be paid to consumers on mortgage escrow account funds. The decision would address a split between the Second and Ninth Circuits on the topic of NBA preemption of state “interest-on-escrow” laws.… Continue Reading
Dodd-Frank
Consumer Advocates Petition CFPB to Undertake Rulemaking to Prohibit “Pre-dispute” Consumer Arbitration Clauses
Earlier this week, 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. There are numerous compelling reasons why the CFPB should not engage in such rulemaking.… Continue Reading
Ballard Spahr to hold webinar on: How the U. S. Supreme Court’s Decision in College Admissions Could Impact Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Programs in Financial Institutions
Tomorrow at Noon, ET, three of my colleagues at Ballard Spahr will be presenting a webinar entitled: “How the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision in College Admissions Could Impact Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Programs in Financial Institutions.” Register here.
The invite for the program, in relevant part, described the program as follows:
In the weeks since the U.S.… Continue Reading
A Response to Professor Adam Levitin about the Fifth Circuit Opinion in Community Financial Services Association of America, LTD v. CFPB
Even though I often disagree with Professor Levitin’s opinions and policy positions about consumer financial services developments, I maintain high respect for him because he is very knowledgeable in this area. Shortly after the Fifth Circuit held that the CFPB was unconstitutionally funded and invalidated the Payday Loan Rule, Adam published a blog on Credit Slips in which he presented a host of reasons why he believes that the case was wrongly decided.… Continue Reading
CFPB Releases Report and RFI on Data Collection
On September 25, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a report on its sources and uses of data. This report was followed by a Request for Information regarding its data collection practices, published in the Federal Register on September 28. In some respects, both documents are a follow-up to Acting Director Mick Mulvaney’s December 2017 order to CFPB staff to cease collecting personally identifying information, pending a review of and improvements to the Bureau’s overall data security systems.… Continue Reading
Mulvaney Responds to Resignation of CFPB Student Loan Ombudsman
CFPB Acting Director Mick Mulvaney recently responded to former CFPB Student Loan Ombudsman Seth Frotman’s vocal departure from the Bureau. As previously reported, Frotman tendered his resignation in a letter—also delivered to members of Congress—which accused Mulvaney of being derelict in his oversight of the “student loan market.” Among other things, Frotman accused Mulvaney of undercutting enforcement, undermining the Bureau’s independence, and shielding “bad actors” from scrutiny—collectively, “us[ing] the Bureau to serve the wishes of the most powerful financial companies in America.”… Continue Reading
Longstanding BCFP Tactic in Jeopardy After Two Circuits Strike Down CIDs
The BCPB has historically taken the position that it can use investigations to conduct compliance “sweeps” of entire industries. Indeed, a version of the BCFP’s Enforcement Policies and Procedures Manual made available to the public through a FOIA request in 2016 stated that: “It is not necessary to have evidence that a law has in fact been violated before opening a formal investigation.… Continue Reading
D.C. Circuit panel questions Mulvaney’s dual CFPB/OMB roles in English appeal oral argument
On April 12, 2018, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit held oral argument on the appeal brought by Leandra English, CFPB Deputy Director, of the district court’s denial of her application for preliminary injunction. If granted as requested by Ms. English, the injunction would install Ms.… Continue Reading
Senate passes banking bill providing Dodd-Frank relief; Ballard to hold June 19 webinar
The U.S. Senate on March 14 passed S.2155, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (the Act), by a vote of 67 to 31. Although the Act would not make the sweeping changes to the Dodd-Frank Act found in the Financial CHOICE Act of 2017 (CHOICE Act), it, nevertheless, would provide financial institutions welcome relief from a number of specific Dodd-Frank provisions.… Continue Reading
House again passes legislation to review points and fees
On February 8, 2018 the United States House of Representatives passed The Mortgage Choice Act, H.R. 1153, to revise the definition of “points and fees” for purposes of the Regulation Z ability to repay/qualified mortgage requirements and high-cost mortgage loan requirements. Although a voice vote was held on February 7, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee Jeb Hensarling demanded a roll call vote. … Continue Reading