In a landmark decision released this morning, the U.S. Supreme Court finally answered the question that has been at the heart of Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) litigation for decades – what constitutes an autodialer? – and the decision is a huge win for TCPA defendants. In Facebook v. Duguid, the Supreme Court unanimously
Illinois Caps Consumer Loans at 36% Rate, Limiting Consumers’ Access to Credit
Last week, Illinois enacted the “Predatory Loan Prevention Act” (SB 1792), which would place a 36% rate cap on nearly all non-bank consumer loans. This act will essentially outlaw small-dollar loans in Illinois and may make ancillary products on auto loans, such as GAP insurance, unavailable for a large number of consumers. The act
Federal Reserve Acts to Bolster Auto Finance, Credit Card, Student Lending Industries
In an action somewhat lost amidst the unprecedented $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors announced a series of five “extensive new measures” to provide liquidity for certain sectors of the nation’s economy. One of those liquidity facilities, the reintroduced Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility
Department of Defense Withdraws Troublesome Military Lending Act Guidance
In a significant victory for servicemembers and their families, who will again have access to products designed to protect them in the event of a total vehicle loss, the Department of Defense has revised its guidance that previously prevented auto lenders from offering service members Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) waivers in connection with a vehicle
Maryland Court of Appeals Bars Confessed Judgment Clauses in Consumer Contracts
A recent decision from the Maryland Court of Appeals provided somewhat surprising new guidance on the permissibility of confessed judgment clauses in consumer contracts. In Goshen Run Homeowners Association, Inc. v. Cisneros, the Court concluded that Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act (the “Maryland CPA”) prohibits all confessed judgment clauses in all consumer contracts.
In the
California’s Proposed “Mini-CFPB” May Increase Scrutiny of Auto Lenders and Other Industry Participants
Earlier this month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom revealed plans to create a state version of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) as part of the state’s proposed 2020-2021 budget. According to the governor’s Budget Summary, “[t]he federal government’s rollback of the CFPB leaves Californians vulnerable to predatory businesses and leaves companies without the
New Legislation in House, Senate Would Cap Consumer Loans at 36%, Crippling the Industry
New federal legislation introduced in the House and Senate would place a 36% annual percentage rate cap on nearly all consumer loans, potentially killing the small dollar consumer lending industry.
Last month, Congressmen Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL) and Glen Grothman (R-WI) introduced H.R. 5050, the Veterans and Consumers Fair Credit Act. The bill
Does the New Debt Collection Rule Apply to First-Party Creditors?
Last November, Bradley’s Financial Services Perspectives team predicted that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) then upcoming Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the 
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) might cause concern for first-party creditors. By way of background, the statutory scope of the FDCPA does not reach first-party creditors, instead applying only to
The Conundrum of Credit Reporting In and After Bankruptcy: Help May Be on the Way
Creditors and credit furnishers often find properly reporting a payment status to Credit Reporting Agencies (CRAs) during, and after, bankruptcy a challenge. The recent Report of the American Bankruptcy Institute on Consumer Bankruptcy recognizes those challenges, and looks to convene a forum to provide better guidance and clarity as to proper credit reporting once a
OCC: Fintechs May Now Apply for Bank Charters
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced, in a highly anticipated decision, that it would begin to consider special-purpose charter applications from fintech entities. This move, which has been the subject of months of industry speculation, came mere hours after the Department of the Treasury endorsed a national charter for fintech companies.