Recent Congressional activity reflects increasing concern in the fair lending implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in credit underwriting. Congress and regulatory agencies are likely to press financial services providers to better understand the AI they use and to ensure that its use does not result in unfair treatment of minorities and other protected groups through the employment of seemingly neutral criteria that have a disproportionate impact on protected classes of consumers. Read our client alert.…

On May 15, 2019, the CFPB published a Request for Comment on the Regulation E provisions that require consumers to opt in to overdraft fees on one-time debit card and ATM transactions. The Request for Comment is made under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, which requires an agency to review rules within 10 years after their adoption. Read our client alert.…

On May 7, 2019, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued proposed rules (“Proposed Rules”) under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and its authority under the Dodd-Frank Act. If finalized, the Proposed Rules will be the first substantive regulations for debt collection practices since the FDCPA was enacted in 1977. The Proposed Rules would clarify the application of the FDCPA to current market conditions, most notably by permitting the use of text messages, emails, and social…

On February 6, 2019, amidst strong opposition from representatives of consumer groups and some members of Congress, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a proposed rule to revise its controversial November 2017 small-dollar loan rule (2017 Rule). The proposed rule would effectively rescind the 2017 Rule’s requirement that lenders determine a borrower’s ability to repay prior to extending small-dollar and certain other types of covered loans. Read our client alert.…

On January 31, 2019, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau published a Request for Information regarding the consumer credit card market. In accordance with Section 502(a) of the CARD Act, the Bureau conducts a biennial review of the consumer credit card market by soliciting public comment and feedback. In the past, the Bureau has used these reviews to help set the Bureau’s priorities as they relate to the consumer credit card market. Read our client alert…

On January 16, 2019, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the New York Attorney General announced a settlement with a retailer for alleged violations of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 and the Truth in Lending Act, as well as New York State law arising out of the retailer’s sales practices for its store credit cards. As part of the settlements, the retailer is required to pay $10 million in civil money penalties to…

On January 3, 2019, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced a settlement with a federal savings bank for alleged violations of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) and Regulation E, as well as alleged violations of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 (CFPA). This is the first CFPB enforcement action under Director Kathy Kraninger. Read our client alert.…