Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II has begun an investigation into small business financial technology (FinTech) lending, expressing concern that “some FinTech lenders may be trapping small business owners in cycles of debt or charging higher rates to entrepreneurs of color.” Cleaver stated that his investigation is particularly interested in payday loans for small businesses because the … Continue Reading
The Supreme Court of Alabama has reversed a jury verdict awarding the plaintiff $200,000 in damages, ruling on appeal that the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) did not apply to the pawn transaction at issue. The case, Complete Cash Holdings, LLC v. Powell, arose from a forged title-pawn agreement. Ms. Powell’s granddaughter stole title … Continue Reading
As rumors circulate about the potential diminishing role of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) within the new administration, one might wonder if the consumer financial lending space will become a lawless void. However, like a vigilante for justice, the state financial regulators are ready to step up and protect consumers in the financial space … Continue Reading
Last month, a group of 45 members of Alabama’s House of Representatives introduced a proposed amendment to the Alabama Constitution that would cap the interest rate a lender may charge an individual on a “consumer loan, line of credit, or other financial product.” The proposed amendment, currently known as House Bill 321, is a direct … Continue Reading
This week, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) proposed a long-awaited rule on payday, vehicle title, and certain high-cost installment loans – collectively. The proposed rule is open for comment through September 14, 2016. Generally speaking, the proposed rule covers two categories of loans. The first category is short-term loans that have a term of 45 days or … Continue Reading
Last week, Director Cordray testified at a hearing before the House Financial Services Committee during the CFPB’s Semi-Annual Report to Congress. As part of those proceedings, the issue of federal preemption arose in the context of the Bureau’s payday agenda and forth-coming proposal, which is expected to be released in the next 3 months. At … Continue Reading
