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Brooke Conkle

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Brooke Conkle offers consumer-facing companies compliance counseling and litigation services to help them address federal and state consumer protection laws. Recognizing the challenges facing financial services companies, she provides in-depth analysis of complex issues related to consumer protection and compliance.

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In a recent ruling, a U.S. District Court for the Central District of California granted a defendant’s motion to dismiss a complaint brought under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). The complaint alleged that the plaintiff received multiple communications from the defendant despite not having provided prior consent and being on the National Do-Not-Call Registry. The court found that the communications were not “solicitations” under the TCPA because the messages were aimed at recruiting the plaintiff for employment and that the complaint insufficiently alleged that the defendant used an automated telephone dialing system (ATDS) or that the voicemail was prerecorded.

Yesterday, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the State of Arizona announced a joint action against Coulter Motor Company, an Arizona-based motor vehicle dealership, and its former general manager, for allegedly engaging in deceptive pricing practices and discriminatory financing treatment of Latino consumers. The complaint alleges violations of the FTC Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act. The defendants have agreed to a $2.6 million settlement, most of which will be used to provide refunds to affected consumers.

In this episode, Brooke Conkle and Chris Capurso delve into the topic of refinancing and its impacts on the auto finance industry. They are joined by special guest Jason Cover, who provides insights and education on retail installment contracts, loans, and the impact of refinancing programs. Jason, a partner in the firm’s Philadelphia office, routinely counsels providers of consumer financial services, including banks, licensed lenders, and fintech providers, on regulatory compliance matters and government supervisory and enforcement matters. He also regularly offers guidance on electronic payments and payment network rules; electronic contracting and mobile commerce; UDAAP statutes prohibiting unfair, deceptive, and abusive acts and practices; and the CFPB’s Rule on Payday, Vehicle Title, and Certain High-Cost installment Loans (Payday Rule).

In this episode of Moving the Metal, Troutman Pepper attorneys Brooke Conkle and Chris Capurso discuss the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) new report on negative equity in auto lending. This report, the first of its kind, utilizes data from the CFPB’s 2023 Auto Finance Data Pilot, which was issued to major banks, finance companies, and captive lenders. Brooke and Chris analyze the impact of the report, including what the report may indicate for the bureau’s upcoming priorities.

In this inaugural episode of Moving the Metal, Troutman Pepper attorneys Brooke Conkle and Chris Capurso examine the major requirements of the FTC’s proposed CARS Rule. After a refresher on the rule’s requirements, Brooke and Chris discuss the current status of the litigation surrounding the rule, including a discussion of the briefs and data submitted by the FTC and the trade groups fighting the rule. Tune in as Brooke and Chris look under the hood to examine the FTC’s fine print and where the rule currently stands in the courts, helping your auto finance company avoid regulatory pitfalls.

In this special episode, Brooke Conkle and Chris Capurso discuss a recently released circular from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). They are joined by special guest Caleb Rosenberg, who provides insights into the potential impacts this “quietly released” circular may have on the auto finance industry. Caleb brings a wealth of experience, including assisting businesses with secured and unsecured loan agreements, retail installment sales contracts, credit card agreements, and alternative finance agreements. He also helps clients navigate regulatory inquiries, particularly those concerning the application of state law to alternative financing products. While this marks the final episode of our five-part series on auto finance issues, stay tuned for more content. Be sure to listen until the end for a BIG announcement!

Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau) released a report on the state of negative equity in auto lending. The CFPB says it found that financing negative equity creates increased risks for consumers, and states that the CFPB will be putting negative equity under scrutiny.

On May 28, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released its annual report to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) detailing enforcement and educational activities undertaken in 2023. The report pertains to actions under the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and Regulation Z, the Consumer Leasing Act (CLA) and Regulation M, and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) and Regulation E. Specifically, the report highlights FTC initiatives in areas such as automobile financing and leasing, electronic fund transfers, so-called junk fees, payday lending, and negative options.

A U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland recently denied summary judgment in a case under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), finding that the defendant failed to show it received prior express written consent for telemarketing calls.