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On June 2, the California State Assembly unanimously passed Assembly Bill 1180, which now moves to the California Senate for consideration. The bill would require the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) to adopt regulations permitting payments required under the California Digital Financial Assets Law (DFAL) to be made using digital assets. If enacted, the law would take effect on July 1, 2026.Continue Reading California Assembly Advances Bill to Permit Crypto Payments under DFAL

Amendments to California’s Automatic Renewal Law (ARL) will take effect on July 1, 2025. Enacted in September 2024 through Assembly Bill No. 2863, the amendments expand disclosure, consent, and cancellation obligations for businesses offering subscription or continuous service plans to California consumers.Continue Reading California’s “Auto Renewal Law” Takes Effect on July 1

On April 4, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) issued proposed regulations under the Digital Financial Assets Law (DFAL). The proposal provides clarification on DFAL’s licensing framework and identifies when digital asset activity may qualify for exemptions under California’s Money Transmission Act.Continue Reading California DFPI Proposes Digital Asset Licensing Rule

In an order issued in January and made public on February 24, a judge in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California granted class certification to consumers alleging a fintech lender’s loan transaction fees were imposed unlawfully, while also granting summary judgment to the lender on claims regarding performance fees due to insufficient evidence.Continue Reading Class Action Certified Against Fintech Lender for Home Improvement Loans

On December 23, 2024, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) announced a consent order with a lender to resolve its investigation into the company’s crypto-backed lending program, which the DFPI alleged violated multiple provisions of the California Financing Law. As part of the settlement, the lender has agreed to issue $162,800 in borrower refunds and pay $137,500 in penalties, while also implementing stricter underwriting standards, enhanced risk disclosures, and additional consumer protections.Continue Reading California DFPI Reaches Settlement with Lender Over Crypto-Backed Loans

On February 7, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the appointment of Khalil “KC” Mohseni as the new Commissioner of the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI). Mohseni has been serving as the Chief Deputy Director of the DFPI since 2023 and has previously held positions such as Chief Operations Officer at the State Controller’s Office and Deputy Director of Administration at the California Department of Housing and Community Development. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.Continue Reading California Governor Appoints New DFPI Commissioner

California Assembly Bill 3108 became effective on January 1, 2025 and could conceivably make certain business purpose loans secured by owner-occupied property subject to mortgage fraud claims by the borrowers. The primary goal of the new law—passed unanimously by the State Assembly and nearly unanimously by the State Senate (with one apparent absentee)—is to protect borrowers from certain predatory practices by mortgage lenders and brokers. However, unintended consequences may arise.Continue Reading California AB 3108 Creates Potential Mortgage Fraud Issue for Lenders on Owner-Occupied Mortgage Loans Made for a Business Purpose

The topic of “junk fees” has been in the headlines, spurred by legislative action across various sectors. From regulations on credit card late fees to the Federal TICKET Act targeting concert event fees, lawmakers are actively implementing measures that impact how businesses can structure their fees. As part of this nationwide trend, California is taking a significant step with a new law aimed at curbing alleged junk fees associated with ATM transactions.Continue Reading California Increases the Pressure on Alleged “Junk Fees”: New Law Targets ATM Charges

Starting in February 2025, providers of (1) debt settlement services, (2) student debt relief services, (3) private postsecondary education financing, and (4) income-based advances (a/k/a earned wage access (EWA) products) must begin registering and conform to annual reporting requirements in order to operate in California. We previously discussed this rule here.Continue Reading California DFPI Poised to Fill Potential Regulatory Gap Amid Anticipated CFPB Leadership Shift

On October 22, the California DFPI announced the state’s approval of registration regulations enacted under the CCFPL, which will require providers of (1) debt settlement services, (2) education financing, (3) income-based advances (including earned wage access products), and (4) student debt relief services to register with the state and comply with data submission requirements. Financial service providers covered by the new regulations must file an application to register by February 15, 2025, to continue operating legally in the state.Continue Reading California DFPI Rolls Out Registration Requirements for Debt Settlement, EWA, and Student Loan Relief Providers