On September 24, the Governor of California signed AB 2017 (the “Act”) into law. The Act prohibits state-chartered banks and credit unions from charging consumers non-sufficient fund fees (“NSF fees”) when they initiate transactions that are instantaneously declined due to insufficient funds.Continue Reading California Enacts Law Prohibiting State Banks and Credit Unions from Charging NSF Fees
On October 1, the CFPB issued an advisory opinion highlighting that debt collectors engaging in certain practices with respect to the collection of medical debts are strictly liable under the FDCPA and Regulation F.Continue Reading CFPB Issues Guidelines for Medical Debt Collection
On September 5, the CFPB issued its annual report on debt collection practices, detailing the Bureau’s efforts to enforce the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This year’s report focuses on improper practices in the collection of medical and rental debt.Continue Reading CFPB Targets Medical and Rental Debt Collection in 2024 Annual Report
On August 28, the CFPB issued a Consumer Advisory warning that it believes video game companies are targeting children for monetary gain. With 45.7 million U.S. children engaged in video gameplay, the agency is concerned about the financial risks that games and virtual worlds pose, especially to young consumers. This Advisory highlights a growing focus on the game industry’s practices, which allegedly mimic traditional banking systems but lack corresponding consumer protections. Continue Reading The CFPB Continues to Reshape Consumer Protection in the Digital Arena
On August 26, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas issued a decision upholding the legality of the CFPB Small Business Lending Rule (the “Rule”) (designed to implement section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act) in a lawsuit filed by plaintiff trade associations challenging the CFPB’s authority in promulgating the Rule (previously discussed here and here).Continue Reading Federal Court Upholds CFPB’s Small Business Lending Rule
The CFPB recently released a report on payment processing companies that manage school lunch payments for school districts. The companies, the report argues, cater to a captive market and often impose transaction fees that disproportionately affect low-income families. According to the Bureau, the report is intended to assist school districts in avoiding contracts with firms that charge families allegedly excessive fees to process their school lunch payments.Continue Reading CFPB Report Spotlights Hidden Fees in School Lunch Payments
On May 30, the CFPB announced that it was probing mortgage closing costs as part of its continued focus on so-called junk fees. The Bureau’s request for information seeks input from the public on “the impact closing costs have on borrowers and the mortgage market, including the degree to which they add overall costs or otherwise cause borrower harm, and any impact such fees may have on the ability to purchase a home, anticipate and afford monthly payments, or refinance an existing mortgage.” Continue Reading CFPB Opens Public Probe on Closing Fees
On May 23, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that Federal Housing Administration-approved Mortgagees are subject to a heightened cybersecurity incident reporting regime. The new requirement, which amends the Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1, requires FHA-approved Mortgagees to report “suspected” “Significant Cybersecurity Incidents” within 12 hours of detection. Continue Reading FHA’s Releases 12-Hour Cyber Incident Notification Rule
On April 26, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued Mortgagee Letter 2024-06, announcing changes to the Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) for purchases (H4P loans), a mortgage program designed for older homeowners who wish to buy a primary residence using a reverse mortgage. The program allowed seniors to purchase a new home that better suits their needs without the burden of monthly mortgage payments.Continue Reading HUD Updates Home Equity Conversion Rules for Purchases
On May 17, Colorado’s governor signed the nation’s first artificial intelligence law designed to prevent algorithmic discrimination. The law is slated to go into effect on February 1, 2026.Continue Reading Colorado Enacts Nation’s First AI Discrimination Law
On April 9, 2024, seven states filed suit against the Biden administration in an attempt to block its new “SAVE” plan, an income-driven repayment plan that leads to eventual loan forgiveness. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.Continue Reading States Sue the Biden Administration to Stop Loan Relief Plan