On January 15, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau took three coordinated actions related to home equity contracts or investment transactions. Although none of the CFPB’s actions are binding, and may not reflect the new administration’s views, the CFPB seeks to educate consumers and hints at ways that regulators could address those those transactions moving
Kerri Webb
Federal Court Stalls Enforcement of New CRA Rules
On March 29, 2024, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting enforcement of the new Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) regulations against the plaintiffs in the case.
The CRA, passed in 1977, generally requires insured depository institutions to participate in investment, lending, and service activities that help…
HUD Eliminates Mandatory Branch Office Registration
FHA branch offices could become a thing of the past.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development published a final rule on February 2, 2024, eliminating the requirement for lenders to register each branch office where lenders and mortgagees conduct FHA business with HUD. FHA addressed questions from stakeholders in Frequently Asked Questions.
By…
Consumer Financial Services: UDAAP Round-Up
Mayer Brown is pleased to provide the latest edition of its UDAAP Round-Up. This newsletter is designed to provide readers with a periodic resource to stay abreast of federal activities regarding the prohibition on unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices in the consumer financial services space. In this edition, we cover notable policy…
CFPB Initiates Fair Credit Reporting Act Rulemaking Focusing on Data Brokers
On September 25, 2023, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau began its most substantial Fair Credit Reporting Act rulemaking yet with an outline of proposed changes to Regulation V, which implements FCRA, ahead of the Bureau’s Small Business Advisory Review Panel. The proposals under consideration could have a substantial impact on the data brokerage industry, if…
CFPB Finalizes Long-Awaited Small Business Data Collection Rule
On March 30, 2023, the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) published its long-awaited final rule requiring lenders to collect and report data about their small business lending activities. The final rule implements Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act, which was designed to effectuate fair lending laws with respect to women-owned, minority-owned and small businesses. The final rule was issued just one day before a court-mandated deadline for finalization, and more than 10 years after the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act.
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CFPB Addresses RESPA Compliance for Digital Comparison-Shopping Platforms
Can online lead generation be done compliantly under Section 8 of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act? The answer is yes, but it is important to navigate the impermissible activities recently identified by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. On February 7, 2023, the CFPB issued long-awaited guidance in an advisory opinion addressing how it interprets…
RESPA Hot Topics: Marketing Alliances in a Competitive Mortgage Market
High rates and a steep reduction in mortgage refinance applications have created stiff competition for the origination of purchase-money mortgages. Settlement service providers often seek creative strategic alliances to help secure more business. Companies can refer to recent informal guidance from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau relating to marketing services agreements and other promotional opportunities.
FHFA’s Strategic Plan Adds Focus on Climate Change
On February 9, 2022, the U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) released its Draft FHFA Strategic Plan: Fiscal Years 2022-2026 (the “2022 Strategic Plan”) for public input.
This year, FHFA added a novel objective to this plan – to identify options for incorporating climate change into FHFA’s governance of the entities it regulates.
According to
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FHFA Releases Statement on Climate Change
Climate change is a serious threat to the US housing finance system. That is the conclusion reached by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) in a December 27th statement. In the statement, Acting FHFA Director Sandra L. Thompson recognizes that Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks have an important leadership…