Search Results for keywords:"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau"

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued a final rule aimed at protecting consumers in Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing, a program that lets property owners fund energy-efficient home improvements through tax assessments. This rule ensures that consumers' ability to repay is considered before PACE loans are approved and includes new disclosure requirements to help consumers better understand their financial obligations. The rule includes adjustments specific to PACE loans to address their unique nature and excludes PACE loans from qualifying as "qualified mortgages," which typically have regulatory protections. The changes are meant to standardize practices across states, improve consumer understanding, and ultimately prevent unaffordable loans that could lead to financial difficulties.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has published its 37th edition of Supervisory Highlights, which outlines recent findings from examinations of financial institutions completed in 2024. The report highlights unfair practices in the areas of deposits, such as unauthorized overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees, and issues with credit reporting related to identity theft and dispute investigations. It also discusses problems with short-term lending, including misleading loan terms and denial of credit under unfair conditions. The document emphasizes the importance of accurate information and consumer protection in financial services, noting efforts to correct violations and implement safeguards.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has updated the asset-size exemption threshold for banks, savings associations, and credit unions under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) to $58 million for 2025, based on an average 2.9% increase in the Consumer Price Index. This change means that institutions with assets of $58 million or less as of December 31, 2024, will not have to collect certain data in 2025. The amendment, which eliminates the need for public comment due to its technical and non-discretionary nature, will take effect on January 1, 2025.

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has agreed to continue, for three more years, the existing disclosure requirements related to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Regulation DD, without making any changes. These requirements involve financial institutions providing specific account information, including fees and terms, to help consumers make informed decisions when comparing deposit accounts. Though the Board requested public comment on this extension, only one comment was received, which did not pertain to the matter at hand. The Board officially adopted this extension as initially proposed.

The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection issued a final rule to adjust civil penalties for inflation, as mandated by several federal acts. These adjustments are meant to maintain the effectiveness of penalties in promoting compliance with the law. The changes are technical and non-discretionary, following a statutory method, and they apply to penalties assessed from January 15, 2021, for violations occurring on or after November 2, 2015. The rule does not require a public comment process due to its technical nature.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued a final rule to identify larger participants in the market for digital consumer payment apps, like digital wallets and payment apps used for personal payments. A nonbank must manage at least 50 million transactions annually and not be a small business to qualify as a larger participant and fall under CFPB supervision. This new rule, effective January 9, 2025, will not add new consumer protection obligations but will help the CFPB monitor compliance with federal consumer financial laws and assess risks to consumers. The rule follows a public comment phase and consultation with other federal agencies.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a circular addressing whether credit card issuers or their partners can violate the law by lowering the value of rewards or making it hard for consumers to redeem them. According to the CFPB, such actions might be unfair, deceptive, or abusive, especially if rewards are reduced, canceled, or denied due to unclear conditions. The circular also warns that technical issues affecting the redemption of rewards could be considered unlawful. This guidance aims to ensure that financial practices are fair and transparent for consumers.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued a policy statement introducing the Compliance Assistance Sandbox (CAS) program. This initiative aims to facilitate innovation while ensuring ethical standards, transparency, and competition in consumer financial markets. The CAS program offers companies "Approvals" that provide a safe harbor under federal consumer financial laws if they comply with specified terms. To receive these Approvals, companies must demonstrate that their products solve unmet consumer needs and adhere to strict conditions to prevent market manipulation and maintain fairness.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is seeking applications for membership on its advisory committees, which include the Consumer Advisory Board, Community Bank Advisory Council, Credit Union Advisory Council, and Academic Research Council. These committees consist of experts from various fields like consumer protection, financial services, and economics to advise the bureau on consumer financial markets. The membership, which usually lasts two years, requires diverse representation of communities and interests, including those underserved. Applications are accepted online by February 24, 2021, and should include a cover letter, résumé, recommendation letter, and completed questionnaire. The Bureau aims to announce the selected new members in late summer 2021.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has finalized changes to the regulation known as Regulation Z, which enforces the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). These updates adjust the dollar amounts tied to several loan thresholds, including those for high-cost mortgages, qualified mortgages, and credit card interest disclosures. The adjustments are based on the 3.4% increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from April 2023 to April 2024 and will take effect on January 1, 2025. The changes ensure that the thresholds reflect current economic conditions, making it easier for consumers to understand loan costs and requirements.