CFPB: Debt Relief Attorneys Sued for Collecting Illegal Fees from Struggling Consumers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau today took action against a ring of law firms and attorneys who collaborated to charge illegal fees to consumers seeking debt relief. In a complaint filed in federal court, the CFPB alleges that Howard Law, P.C., the Williamson Law Firm, LLC, and Williamson & Howard, LLP, as well as…
OCC: Supporting Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day
WASHINGTON — Comptroller of the Currency Thomas J. Curry issued the following statement recognizing Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is pleased to support Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day, a nationwide effort to educate the public about a valuable tax benefit for working families…
CDFI Fund: Register for FY 2017 CDFI Bond Guarantee Program Workshop
The CDFI Fund and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency will co-sponsor one (1) two-day workshop for potential applicants pertaining to the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program’s fiscal year (FY) 2017 Qualified Issuer and Guarantee Application requirements. Specifically, the workshops will review the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program’s structure and include in-depth discussions on the…
SBA: New Initiative Announced with GIIRS Rating System for Private Funds and Companies
SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet today announced a new initiative with Global Impact Investing Rating System (GIIRS), an innovative rating system that evaluates the operational and business model impact of private funds and companies. Under the terms of the understanding, OII will use GIIRS ratings as one factor to rate and authenticate the influx of Impact…
FHFA: Public Input Requested on Duty to Serve Program
Washington, D.C. – The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is requesting public input on chattel loan pilot initiatives for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) and the proposed Evaluation Guidance under the final rule on Duty to Serve Underserved Markets. FHFA issued a final rule on Dec. 13, 2016 to implement the Duty to…
CDFI Fund: 2017 Update Bond Guarantee Program Applicants Application Workshop and Deadlines
To prepare potential applicants for the fiscal year (FY) 2017 round of the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) has announced that it will conduct one (1) two-day workshop for potential applicants on February 22 & 23, 2017 at the Office of the Comptroller…
HUD: $10 Million in “Sweat Equity” Grants Announced
WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro today awarded $10 million in “sweat equity” grants to four non-profit self-help housing organizations through HUD’s Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP). This funding will create at least 539 affordable homes and significantly lower their purchase price for low-income buyers, who will contribute…
OCC: Roll-Out Begins of Web-Based System for Licensing and Public Welfare Investment Filings
WASHINGTON — The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today launched the agency’s Central Application Tracking System (CATS), which is the OCC’s new web-based system for banks to file licensing and public welfare investment applications and notices. CATS will help authorized national banks, federal savings associations, and federal branches and agencies to draft,…
CDFI: Prepare for the FY 2017 CDFI Program and NACA Program Application Round
The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) is tentatively planning to open the fiscal year (FY) 2017 round of the Community Development Financial Institutions Program (CDFI Program) and Native American CDFI Assistance Program (NACA Program) in mid-February, 2017. There are significant changes to the FY 2017 application from last year. To help potential applicants…
HUD: $15 Million Announced to Test a New Approach to Help Low-Income Seniors Age in Place
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded approximately $15 million to select owners of HUD-assisted senior housing developments to help their low-income senior tenants to age in their own homes and delay or avoid the need for nursing home care. HUD will cover costs related to hiring a full-time Enhanced…