On June 26, 2013, in United States v. Windsor, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has noted on its blog that the decision has important consequences for its work. In order to fully implement the decision, the CFPB has taken steps to clarify how the decision affects the rules for which the agency is responsible. Recently, CFPB Director Cordray issued a […]
Tag: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
CFPB REGULATORY PRIORITIES FROM THE SEMIANNUAL REGULATORY AGENDA
The CFPB’s regulatory priorities for the semiannual period ending October 31, 2014, include continuing work to implement Dodd-Frank Act mortgage protections, a series of rulemakings to address critical issues in other markets for consumer financial products and services, and following up on earlier efforts to streamline and modernize regulations that the CFPB has inherited from other Federal agencies. Implementing Dodd-Frank Act Mortgage Protections A major effort of the CFPB is the implementation of its […]
A DIFFERNT KIND OF FAIR LENDING LAWSUIT
Recently the City of Providence, Rhode Island filed a federal lawsuit alleging that Santander Bank, N.A. has discriminated against Providence’s minority communities by refusing to make prime mortgage loans available in minority neighborhoods as required under the Fair Housing Act. Providence is seeking millions in damages from Santander, Mayor Angel Taveras said, and hopes that federal regulators open investigations into potential redlining. Santander denied the allegations. Santander is owned by Spanish banking giant, Banco Santander […]
CFPB’s eCLOSING PILOT
Recently the CFPB announced plans to launch an eClosing pilot project in the fall of 2014. The project is supposed to improve the closing experience for consumers. The project is being launched before the new integrated disclosures, the loan estimate and the closing disclosure, take effect. The CFPB has control over the two integrated disclosures, but many other forms involved in closing are not under the CFPB’s control. The success of the pilot will depend […]
CFPB DIVERSITY ISSUES – LESSONS LEARNED
Recently it has been revealed that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has a disparate treatment problem. CFPB managers have rated white staff members distinctly better than minority staff members in staff reviews that are used, in addition to other purposes, for determining raises and bonuses. The evidence against the CFPB appears solid. The manner in which the CFPB has responded to this embarrassing mess holds lessons for any bank subject to charges of disparate […]