CFPB: Agency Moves to Reduce Junk Fees Charged by Debt Collectors
Advisory opinion explains that most “pay-to-pay” fees charged by debt collectors violate federal law Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued an advisory opinion affirming that federal law often prohibits debt collectors from charging “pay-to-pay” fees. These charges, commonly described by debt collectors as “convenience fees,” are imposed on consumers who want to make…
CFPB: Agency Affirms Ability for States to Police Credit Reporting Markets
The Fair Credit Reporting Act does not stop states from enacting laws to tackle credit reporting problems related to medical debt, tenant screening, and other consumer risks Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued an interpretive rule affirming states’ abilities to protect their residents through their own fair credit reporting laws. With limited preemption…
CFPB: New Final Rule Issued with Credit Reporting Protections to Aid Survivors of Human Trafficking
CFPB Helps Survivors Mitigate the Financial Consequences of Human Trafficking Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a final rule to help survivors avoid some of the financial consequences of human trafficking. The CFPB has established, among other things, a method for survivors of trafficking to submit documentation to credit reporting companies that identifies…
CFPB: ANPR Issued and Review Initiated of Credit Card Company Penalty Policies
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is taking the first step toward addressing credit card company penalty policies costing consumers $12 billion each year, starting by looking at excessive late fees. In an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published today, the CFPB asks for information on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors’ 2010 immunity provision…
CFPB: FFIEC Announces Availability of 2021 HMDA Data on Mortgage Lending
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) today announced the availability of data on 2021 mortgage lending transactions reported under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) by 4,338 U.S. financial institutions. Covered institutions include banks, savings associations, credit unions, and mortgage companies. The HMDA data are the most comprehensive publicly available information on mortgage market…
CFPB: Initiative Launched to Improve Customer Service at Big Banks
Effort Will Assist Consumers to Assert Their Legal Rights The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is seeking public input on how bank customers can assert their rights to better customer service with big banks. A 2010 federal law specifies that consumers have rights to obtain timely responses to requests for information about their accounts from…
CFPB: New Report Highlights Experience of Military Families with Medical Billing, Credit Reporting, and Debt Collection
Servicemembers and veterans report problems with coercive credit reporting and false medical bill collections Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released its annual report on the top financial concerns facing servicemembers, veterans, and military families, based on the complaints they submitted to the CFPB. Servicemembers told the CFPB about billing inaccuracies and that debt…
CFPB: Inquiry Launched into Practices that Leave Workers Indebted to Employers
Emerging products require employees to sign up for debt The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has launched an inquiry into practices and financial products that may leave employees indebted to their employers. In today’s Request for Information, the CFPB seeks data about, and worker experiences with, these emerging practices and financial products referred to as…
CFPB: Order Issued to Terminate Upstart Network from List of Approved No-Action Letters
Upstart requested termination of 2020 “no-action letter” to change its underwriting and pricing models Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued an order to terminate Upstart Network from its list of approved “no-action letters.” The CFPB had granted special regulatory treatment to Upstart by immunizing the lender from being charged with fair lending law…
CFPB: Agency Acts to Protect the Public from Black-Box Credit Models Using Complex Algorithms
Companies relying on complex algorithms must provide specific and accurate explanations for denying applications Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) confirmed that federal anti-discrimination law requires companies to explain to applicants the specific reasons for denying an application for credit or taking other adverse actions, even if the creditor is relying on credit models…