The number of enforcement actions by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) more than doubled from 2019 to 2020. The CFPB made clear that cracking down on deceptive and unfair acts and practices under the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 (CFPA) remains a core focus, with 11 of the 15 complaints it filed last […]
Dodd-Frank Act
CFPB Retires the “QM Patch” and Revises QM Rules
A&B ABstract: In a significant final rulemaking with potentially far-reaching consequences for the residential mortgage markets, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) is terminating the “QM Patch” and significantly revising the criteria for what constitutes a qualified mortgage (“QM”) loan. Notably, in this rule, issued on December 10, 2020, the CFPB replaces the dreaded Appendix […]
CFPB Institutes Redlining Action Against Non-Bank Mortgage Lender
A&B ABstract: Recently, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) brought its first ever redlining case against a non-depository institution. While the CFPB has yet to issue guidance regarding how it would evaluate a non-bank lender’s activities for potential redlining, the CFPB’s allegations in this case provide some insight to mortgage lenders regarding compliance expectations. Discussion […]
CFPB Issues Policy Statement on Dodd-Frank “Abusiveness” Standard, But Important Uncertainties Remain
A&B ABstract: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB” or the “Bureau”) issued a Policy Statement to provide a framework for how it intends to apply the Dodd-Frank Act’s “abusiveness” standard going forward in its supervision and enforcement activities. While this framework attempts to provide clarity where the Dodd-Frank Act left uncertain what acts and practices […]
CFPB Director Provides Update Relating to QM Patch Expiration
A&B ABstract: A recent letter from Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) Director Kathleen Kraninger provides clues about the potential future of the so-called “QM Patch.” Discussion: In a December 17, 2020 letter to Senator Mike Rounds (“Letter”), CFPB Director Kathleen Kraninger, revealed a number of interesting insights about the CFPB’s ongoing evaluation of the […]