On September 23, the CFPB issued its final rule amending the regulation defining larger participants of certain consumer financial product and service markets specifically to add a definition for larger participants in the market for international money transfers. The rule defines such “larger participants” as those entities that have at least one million aggregate…
On September 10, 2014, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) posted a comment in response to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) request for information regarding the use of mobile banking services and products specifically utilized by economically vulnerable or underserved consumers. After briefly articulating some of the benefits of mobile…
On September 18, CFPB Director Richard Cordray delivered remarks at a Field Hearing about CFPB’s latest proposed rule, which would allow it to begin regulating “captive” finance companies – those entities owned by automotive manufacturers “for the primary purpose of facilitating sales for their parent companies and associated dealers.” In his…
The Federal Reserve Board recently made headlines when it repealed its Regulation AA to comply with the Dodd-Frank Act, leading some to wonder how, and to what extent, regulation of financial institutions might change going forward. But the federal agencies charged with regulating banking and credit activities have made it clear that they will continue to enforce prohibitions…
On August 27, 2014, the California Supreme Court granted a petition for review in which the Second Appellate District of the California Court of Appeals dismissed a mortgagor’s challenge to foreclosure proceedings, ruling that she had no standing to challenge assignment of her promissory note and the deed of trust…
On September 3, 2014, the CFPB issued a Bulletin warning credit card issuers about deceptive marketing of promotional annual percentage rate (APR) offers. According to the CFPB, it has observed solicitations that offer an initial low APR for certain kinds of transactions (such as convenience checks, deferred interest rate purchases, or…
The Department of Justice is investigating whether to bring civil claims under the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA) against GM Financial Company, Inc. for its origination and securitization of subprime auto loans. GM Financial revealed the investigation in a recent SEC 8-K filing, stating that…
On August 1, Congress passed the Money Remittances Improvement Act of 2014 (signed by President Obama on August 8, 2014), which reduces regulatory hurdles and duplication between state and federal regulation of money services businesses. Specifically, the Act permits the Secretary of the Treasury to “rely on examinations conducted by a…
Online shopping is widespread, and by now, most retailers have tailored their websites to ensure consumers are fully aware of their privacy, security, and dispute resolution rights and liabilities in buying products online. However, as retailers and other companies increasingly launch mobile applications to allow their customers to purchase items…
Borrowers who rescind their loans pursuant to the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) must return to the creditor what they borrowed. But a July 16, 2014 ruling by the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Merritt v. Countrywide Financial Corp. makes it more difficult for lenders to win…
On June 26, 2014, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report entitled “Virtual Currencies: Emerging Regulatory, Law Enforcement, and Consumer Protection Challenges.” The report discusses the benefits and disadvantages of virtual currency and reviews efforts to date by federal agencies to regulate the virtual currency market. The report concludes…
On June 24, 2014, in response to the “increasing volume and sophistication of cyber threats,” the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (“FFIEC”) began a month-long cyber-security assessment of 500 community financial institutions and credit unions. Announcing what it dubbed a “pilot program,” the FFIEC—a formal, interagency body made up of…
Synchrony Bank (formerly known as GE Capital Retail Bank) made two direct mail offers to its credit card holders, but it did not send the offers to Spanish-speaking customers. The Bank self-reported its actions, resulting in consent orders with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Justice, which…
On May 28, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed a decision requiring two borrowers who prevailed on their TILA rescission claims to tender the principal loan balance before the lender would release its security interest and return the borrowers’ prior loan payments. Iroanyah v. Bank of…
Legislators in New York are considering a bill that would impose new regulations on employers’ use of payroll cards as a means of paying employees. Bill A. 10056, which was introduced in the State Assembly on June 10, 2014, proposes to amend § 192 of New York’s Labor Law and…
Employers use a number of tools to assess any potential hire, and to evaluate existing employees. When using a credit report for these purposes, employers need to be wary of the Fair Credit Reporting Act’s (“FCRA”) (15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) provisions. The FCRA has strict procedures, requiring that employers…
On April 28, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court granted certiorari in an Eighth Circuit case which held that a borrower exercises and preserves her TILA rescission right by filing a lawsuit within three years of consummating the loan, not simply by providing written notice of rescission to the creditor in…
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced a $5.5 million monetary and injunctive settlement with auto lender Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. (CPS) concerning allegations that the company used illegal tactics in servicing and collecting consumers’ auto loans, and failed to adopt proper quality controls, in violation of Section 5 of…
Lenders scored a victory in the Ninth Circuit on June 12, 2014, with the court largely affirming dismissal of claims by plaintiffs in multidistrict litigation challenging the lending industry’s use of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (MERS). The appeal stemmed from dozens of putative class actions and individual borrower cases…
Move to federal court or stay in state court—an essential strategic question for defendants of state-court-filed class actions. Pace of litigation, applicable discovery rules, court familiarity with class actions—the right forum can make a significant difference in litigating a class action. Although the first choice of forum belongs to the…