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On May 3, 2022, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) will require lenders to use a Supplemental Consumer Information Form (SCIF) as part of the application process for loans that will be sold to the Enterprises. The purpose of the SCIF is to collect information about the borrower’s language preference, if any, and on any homebuyer education or housing counseling the borrower received, so lenders can better

On March 10, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) issued a consent order to Magnolia Bank, Magnolia, KY, which included a $425,000 civil monetary penalty for violations of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (UDAP). The FDIC found that the bank deceptively advertised “interest rates and fees for residential mortgage loans as the lowest on the market, with a promise of a ‘best rate guarantee,’ comparative shopping for such rates, and lower rates due

In late April, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued: Eight Spanish language version of several adverse action sample disclosures; Six Spanish language version of several prepaid account sample disclosures; and A reminder of financial institutions’ obligation to serve the communities where they do business, including communities with limited English proficiency and also encouraged them to use the translations as they work with Spanish-speakers in their community.

In April 26 testimony to Congress, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra outlined his plans for the Agency. Focusing Enforcement on Repeat Offenders and Other Major Market Actors When small businesses violate the law, federal enforcers are often quick to levy crippling sanctions. But when larger players repeatedly violate the law, agencies are far more lenient. During his tenure, the CFPB will not only focus on large actors engaged in widespread harm, but also enforce the law

Last month the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) reported a new initiative to focus on financial issues facing rural America. On April 19, 2022, the CFPB issued a report on the challenges faced by Americans in rural communities. The report highlights that many of these communities lack access to physical bank branches, are more likely to seek credit from nonbanks, and are heavily affected by medical bills. The CFPB will be expanding its efforts to