In this podcast, we review what's in the proposed limits and examine the challenges they present for collectors, including the retroactive lookback for call attempts and successful contacts, the treatment of ringless calls, calls placed at the consumer's request, and the impact of call blocking technology. We also discuss the implications for first party collections and what collectors should be doing now to prepare to comply with the limits.
In this podcast, we discuss the CFPB's proposed requirement for a collector to communicate with a debtor before furnishing information about the debt to a consumer reporting agency and proposed prohibition on selling or transferring a debt that is the subject of an identity theft report. We also look at the challenges collectors would face in complying with both the proposed FDCPA dispute rules and the current FCRA dispute process and the proposal's implications for the credit reporting system.
In this podcast, we look at the changes to the FDCPA validation notice that the CFPB's proposed debt collection rules would make and discuss compliance challenges and other issues raised by the changes, including the requirement to itemize the debt, the dispute "tear-off" form, the option to provide Spanish and other foreign language translations of the notice, and electronic delivery of the notice.
Utah is now taking applications for its new regulatory sandbox program. In this podcast, we interview Rep. Marc Roberts, the sponsor of the bill that created the program, and Bryan Cowley, the Utah regulator who will oversee the program’s administration. Topics discussed include the bill’s history and objectives, implementation plans, reciprocity with other sandbox programs, the physical location requirement, confidentiality of applicant information, and liability exposure.
While directed at third party debt collectors, the CFPB’s proposed rules, if adopted, would significantly impact creditors and their first party collection partners. In this podcast, we look at the actions the proposal would require creditors to take before assigning a debt for collection, what the proposal would mean for third party oversight, and how the CFPB or state regulators might apply the proposal directly to first party collections.
In this week’s podcast, we take a close look at the CFPB payday loan rule’s payment provisions that could become effective as early as this August if the current court stay is lifted. After reviewing the limits and disclosures mandated by the payment provisions, we explain why the provisions are deeply flawed and discuss the court stay’s status and impact on lenders’ implementation of the provisions.
In this podcast, we discuss the opportunities and challenges created by the use of AI models in consumer financial services, including the benefits of explainable AI and its implications for the consumer financial services industry, especially for applications where understanding the model’s reasons for returning a score or decision are necessary.
Opposition from state regulators to the OCC’s decision to issue special purpose national bank (or fintech) charters continues to be vigorous. In this podcast, we review the charter’s potential benefits, assess the legal arguments made by its opponents, discuss the federal court decision refusing to dismiss the NY banking regulator’s lawsuit, why we think it’s incorrect, and possible next steps for the OCC, and look at fintech charter alternatives.
In this podcast, we discuss the recently-announced changes to the CFPB’s CID policies, how those changes reflect recent court decisions, and the practical implications of the changes (including their utility to companies in responding to CIDs).
In this podcast, Alan Kaplinsky, who leads our Consumer Financial Services Group, interviews Steven Weise, a member of ALI’s Council, about the criticism of the Restatement from businesses and consumer advocates. In addition to explaining the Restatement’s background and rationale, Steven responds to criticism of the research methodology and specific substantive provisions.
In this podcast, Alan Kaplinsky, who leads our Consumer Financial Services Group, interviews Professor Adam Levitin of Georgetown University Law School about why businesses and consumer advocates are both opposed to the proposed Restatement, which would change the law in ways that will harm businesses and consumers.
In this podcast, we discuss significant developments since Congress’ Oct. 2017 override of the CFPB’s arbitration rule, including proposed federal legislation, litigation developments, and how arbitration agreements can be revised to address risks created by those developments. We also review best practices for drafting such agreements and hear from Alan Kaplinsky about his experience as a witness at the Senate’s Apr. 2019 arbitration hearing and current political dynamics surrounding arbitration.
In this podcast, we review recent developments dealing with the provision of financial services to the cannabis industry, including state approaches to banking services, the status of hemp legalization, the interplay between federal and state cannabis law, FinCEN guidance on BSA expectations, the status of federal regulatory and enforcement activity, and the status and prospects of proposed federal legislation.
We explore the affect of the FTC’s proposed amendments to the GLBA Privacy Rule, which affects only motor vehicle dealers, and the broader GLBA Safeguards Rule, which applies to all non-bank financial institutions under FTC jurisdiction. The FTC has shifted from a flexible approach to data security to a more prescriptive one that mandates specific elements for information security programs. We will discuss the potential impact of this shift and opportunities for companies to influence the final rules.
Mortgage servicing continues to be a CFPB supervisory focus. In this podcast, we take a close look at the CFPB’s findings involving late fees, PMI cancellation requests, handling of loss mitigation applications, and notices to successors of deceased reverse mortgage borrowers regarding foreclosure avoidance, share observations on what the findings indicate about the CPPB’s approach to these issues, and discuss the findings’ compliance implications.
In this podcast, we take a close look at the CFPB’s findings on ancillary product refunds by auto loan servicers in the event of total loss or repossession, consider such findings’ implications for early payoffs and a servicer’s duty to request refunds, and share observations on how the CPPB’s use of its UDAAP authority has changed under post-Cordray leadership and what that means for a company’s approach to compliance.
In this podcast, a member of Ballard Spahr’s federal lobbying and government relations team discusses what’s in the Consumers First Act (H.R. 1500, intended to undo Mick Mulvaney’s CFPB actions), the impact of current House dynamics on the bill’s or specific provisions’ prospects for passage, the topics of other financial services bills likely to have bipartisan support, and how CFPB Director Kraninger’s approach is likely to compare to Mr. Mulvaney’s.
In this podcast, we look at co-brand credit card rewards and loyalty programs from the differing perspectives of banks and their merchant partners, including why these programs are important and the issues and challenges they present. We also discuss marketplace trends, assess the risks created by the current regulatory environment, and offer steps for reducing such risks.
The CFPB’s final prepaid rule takes effect on April 1. In this podcast, we look at the top ten issues companies should be considering to confirm compliance and discuss how the CFPB and federal banking regulators are likely to approach compliance using their supervisory and enforcement authorities.
In this podcast, we review the four key focus areas of the 2015 diversity and inclusion standards adopted by the Offices of Minority and Women Inclusion at the CFPB and other federal financial regulators, identify issues regulated entities should consider in addressing those areas and deciding whether to conduct D&I self-assessments, and discuss the evolving Congressional and regulatory D&I landscape since 2015, including recent letters sent to regulated entities regarding D&I efforts and self-assessments.
The CFPB has issued proposals to revise its disclosure sandbox and no action letter policy and create a product sandbox. In this podcast, we review what the CFPB has proposed, assess the criticism advanced by state attorneys general and consumer advocates, and discuss the CFPB’s likely next steps and how the proposals' critics are apt to respond.
Servicemembers are the subject of heightened legal protections. In this podcast, we look at the products that received the most complaints from servicemembers, the specific issues complained about, and the litigation and regulatory risks to consumer financial service providers the report could generate.
In this podcast, we look at the CFPB’s rationale for its proposal to rescind the ability to repay provisions of its payday loan rule, what the payment provisions still set to take effect on Aug. 19 require and the implementation challenges, how industry input could improve the final outcome, the potential impact of pending litigation challenging the rule, and possible legal challenges to the proposals.
Last month, after more than three years of urging by the industry to provide written guidance, the CFPB issued four FAQs on its TILA/RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) Rule. In this podcast, we take a close look at the FAQs and what they tell creditors, particularly its guidance on when a corrected Closing Disclosure and new three-day waiting period are required (with a caution for those selling to investors) and the safe harbor for using a model form.
The FCC’s creation of a database of disconnected phone numbers is expected to significantly reduce the potential TCPA exposure companies face for unknowingly calling a customer at a reassigned phone number. In this podcast, we review the relevant TCPA legal background, explain how the database will operate, review the requirements for obtaining a safe harbor from TCPA liability, and discuss proactive steps companies can take in advance of the database launch.
The “Blue Wave” hit Nevada last November as well, resulting in the election of Democrats to serve as Governor and Attorney General. More aggressive enforcement and increased legislative activity are expected. In this podcast, we discuss the new AG’s likely enforcement priorities, the federal and state law enforcement tools available to him, and state legislation of interest to financial institutions that is likely to be considered in the next session.
In this week’s podcast, we discuss key issues that need to be considered by banks and their merchant partners when entering into credit card co-branding relationships, including defining the scope of exclusivity, the terms of second-look programs, the role of the payment networks, and the handling of consumer data ownership and usage rights.
Having declared the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau eviscerated by President Trump, Colorado’s newly elected Democratic Attorney General, Phil Weiser, is expected to take an active approach to consumer protection. In this week’s podcast, Ballard Spahr Partner Matt Morr, based in the firm’s Denver office, discusses Mr. Weiser’s background, key appointees, and likely areas of focus.
In November, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a case over whether the Eighth Amendment’s excessive-fines prohibition applies to states under the 14th Amendment. In this week’s podcast, we review the litigation and lower court decisions and discuss how the case could provide companies with a constitutional basis for challenging fines and penalties sought by state attorneys general and regulators as they ramp up their supervision and enforcement to fill the void created by a less aggressive CFPB.
In this week’s podcast, we speak with Paul Watkins, Director of the CFPB’s Office of Innovation, about the Bureau’s recent proposals to revise its policies on trial disclosure programs and no-action letters and to create a new “BCFP Product Sandbox.” Highlights include discussions of key differences between the revised and current policies, the background and objectives of the BCFP Product Sandbox, confidentiality concerns, and the scope of protections from liability..
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