Regulatory Updates

CFPB: Interpretive Rule Issued to Clarify Scope of States’ Ability to Enforce Federal Consumer Financial Protection Laws

Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued an interpretive rule that describes states’ authorities to pursue lawbreaking companies and individuals that violate the provisions of federal consumer financial protection law. Because of the crucial role states play in protecting consumers, the Consumer Financial Protection Act grants their consumer protection enforcers the authority to protect…

FDIC: Final Rule Issued Regarding False Advertising, Misrepresentations About Insured Status, and Misuse of the FDIC’s Name or Logo

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today approved a final rule implementing its statutory authority to prohibit any person or organization from making misrepresentations about FDIC deposit insurance or misusing the FDIC’s name or logo. “These practices not only harm those who are targeted with the false promise of deposit insurance, but, if left unchecked,…

CFPB: Advisory Opinion on Coverage of Fair Lending Laws Issued

Equal Credit Opportunity Act continues to protect borrowers after they have applied for and received credit Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) published an advisory opinion to affirm that the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA)—a landmark federal civil rights law protecting individuals and businesses against discrimination in accessing and using credit—bars lenders from discriminating…

OCC: Bulletin Issued on Interagency Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Implement the CRA

On May 5, 2022, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve Board), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) (collectively, the agencies) issued a joint notice of proposed rulemaking to strengthen and modernize the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulatory framework. The proposed…

OCC: Acting Comptroller’s Statement on Interagency Proposal to Modernize the CRA Issued

Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael J. Hsu issued the following statement at today’s Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) board meeting to consider the interagency notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) to strengthen and modernize the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). Today marks an important milestone in our efforts to expand financial access and inclusion for low-and…

Agencies Issue Joint Proposal to Strengthen and Modernize Community Reinvestment Act Regulations

Federal bank regulatory agencies today jointly issued a proposal to strengthen and modernize regulations implementing the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) to better achieve the purposes of the law. CRA is a landmark law enacted 45 years ago to encourage banks to help meet the credit needs of their local communities, including low- and moderate-income (LMI)…

CFPB: Statement of CFPB Director Chopra on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Regarding the CRA

Today, the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is voting to seek public comment on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to update the Community Reinvestment Act framework for certain state-chartered banks.1 I am voting in favor of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, particularly because of the potential it holds to assist rural…

ABA: Statement on Joint Agency Community Reinvestment Act Proposal

“America’s banks are in the business of investing in the communities they serve and creating economic opportunity. In that spirit, we welcome today’s joint proposal by the FDIC, the Federal Reserve and the OCC to modernize regulations under the Community Reinvestment Act. We particularly appreciate that the agencies are trying to develop a regulatory framework…

CFPB: Agency Invokes Dormant Authority to Examine Nonbank Companies Posing Risks to Consumers

Bureau Seeks Comment on Updated Procedures The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced that it is invoking a largely unused legal provision to examine nonbank financial companies that pose risks to consumers. The CFPB believes that utilizing this dormant authority will help protect consumers and level the playing field between banks and nonbanks. The CFPB…

CFPB: New Proposed Rule Seeks to Halt Negative Credit Reporting for Survivors of Human Trafficking

Proposed rule will aid survivors seeking to open bank accounts, access credit, and gain employment Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is using its rulemaking authority to propose that consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) do not prevent survivors of human trafficking from achieving financial independence. The proposed rule would protect survivors of human trafficking by…