On May 9, the Federal Reserve Board approved final amendments to its regulations to reflect the transfer of the Board’s rulemaking authority for the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act (S.A.F.E. Act) to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Entities that were subject to the Board’s rules are now subject to the CFPB’s rules. Press Release.
On April 23, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced changes to its current policies regarding Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs). These changes will require CIDs to provide more information about the alleged wrongful conduct under investigation. The new policy aligns with recent court decisions about notifications of purpose and is consistent with prior reports from the CFPB.
On October 11, 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled in PHH Corporation v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that the CFPB’s structure is unconstitutional.
In reaching this conclusion, the appellate court found that “No head of either an executive agency [established by the President] or an independent agency [established by Congress] operates unilaterally without any check on his or her authority” and, therefore, the Director of the CFPB “enjoys more unilateral authority than any other officer in any of the three branches of the U.S. Government, other than the President.” The court concluded that the CFPB “lacks that critical check and structural constitutional protection, yet wields vast power over the U.S. economy.” In order to remedy the constitutional flaw, the appellate court ruled that the CFPB can continue to operate but “will do so as an executive agency akin to other executive agencies headed by a single person, such as the Department of Justice and the Department of the Treasury,” and will be removable by the President. Report.
On October 5, 2016, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”) finalized comprehensive consumer protections for prepaid account users that require, among other things, financial institutions to limit consumer losses when funds are stolen or cards are lost. The new rule also requires financial institutions to allow consumers free, easy access to account information and finalizes new “Know Before You Owe” disclosures to give consumers clear information about fees and other key details regarding prepaid accounts. Press Release. Final Rule.
On August 4, 2016, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued updated servicing rules to expand foreclosure protections for homeowners and struggling borrowers. The new measures include expanding consumer protections to surviving family members, clarifying borrower protections in servicing transfers, providing periodic statements to borrowers in bankruptcy, and requiring servicers to provide certain foreclosure protections more than once over the life of the loan, among other protections. The majority of the provisions of the final rule will become effective 12 months after publication in the Federal Register. Press Release. Final Rule.
On July 28, 2016, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) announced that it is considering a proposal that would significantly alter the debt collection industry “by capping collector contact attempts and by helping to ensure that companies collect the correct debt.” Press Release.
On June 2, 2016, the Consumer Financial Protection Board (the “CFPB”) announced a proposed rule that would substantially change the rules governing “payday loans, auto title loans, deposit advance products, and certain high-cost installment and open-end loans.” The CFPB also indicated it would investigate whether additional products and protections should be covered. Press Release.
The stated purpose of the rulemaking is to protect consumers living paycheck to paycheck from the so-called “debt spiral” of serial borrowing and multiple loan origination and overdraft fees occasioned by chronic liquidity needs. Given that the proposed rule spans 1,334 densely filled pages, it will take some time to digest the broad requirements and potential impact. Thus far, however, opinions on whether the proposed rulemaking is likely to achieve its stated goals and the impact it may have on particular businesses or borrowers seem to depend on perspective. For some, the proposed rule is an example of overreaching by the CFPB that threatens their business and really “miss[es] the mark,” as Richard Hunt, President and CEO of the Consumer Bankers Association, noted last week. For others, the rulemaking would appear to have a marginal impact, if any. And some FinTech companies view the proposed rule as an opportunity for market disruption and new entrants.
For a summary of the proposed rules and their potential impact on Current Providers of Short-Term Consumer Loans, Established Banking Institutions and New Market Entrants, and Consumers, please take a look at our analysis, The New CFPB Payday Lending Rules: An Early Analysis.
On May 10, 2016, the Department of the Treasury issued a white paper on online marketplace lending that maps the current market landscape, reviews industry insights and offers policy proposals for the road ahead. Based on approximately 100 responses from online marketplace lenders, financial institutions, investors and other key industry figures, the Treasury, in consultation with the CFPB, FDIC, Federal Reserve Board, FTC, OCC, SBA and SEC, made several notable recommendations and observations.
The white paper explores policies that would expand regulatory oversight, including standardized representations and warranties in securitizations, pricing methodology standards, the implementation of a registry for tracking data on transactions and the reporting of loan-level performance, among others. In addition, the Treasury mentions potential cybersecurity threats, anti-money laundering, the uneven protections and regulations in place for small business borrowers and the growth of the mortgage and auto loan markets as some of the emerging trends to monitor. The Treasury is also considering the role of federal agencies in regulating these areas, including the formation of an interagency working group for online market place lending. Press Release. White Paper.
On May 5, 2016, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued and sought comment on proposed rules prohibiting mandatory arbitration clauses that deny groups of consumers their day in court. Under the proposed rules, companies would be prohibited from putting mandatory arbitration clauses in new consumer contracts that would prevent consumers from bringing class actions. Comments must be received on or before 90 days after publication in the Federal Register. Press Release. Proposed Rule.
On March 7, 2016, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”) released a consumer bulletin with information and tips for consumers of marketplace lending. The bulletin provides consumers with an overview of the peer-to-peer lending platform, as well as tips and general steps that should be taken when shopping for a loan. In conjunction with the release, the CFPB also announced that it is accepting complaints from consumers taking out loans from online marketplace lenders. Complaints are anticipated to be addressed within 60 days. CFPB Guide. Press Release.
