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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.

In this episode of Moving the Metal, hosts Brooke Conkle and Chris Capurso from Troutman Pepper Locke’s Consumer Financial Services Practice Group explore the complexities of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and its impact on the auto finance industry. They discuss the historical context, current regulatory landscape, and future implications of the TCPA, including the distinction between informational and marketing messages, the importance of obtaining the correct type of consent, and recent regulatory updates such as the one-to-one telemarketing consent rule and new revocation rules. Tune in to gain valuable insights on managing TCPA compliance and mitigating risks in the auto finance sector.

On March 26, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reversed a district court’s decision holding a credit union liable for a wire transfer in a business email compromise scam case where the credit union lacked “actual knowledge” of the mismatch between the account number and beneficiary.

In this episode of Moving the Metal: The Auto Finance Podcast, hosts Brooke Conkle and Chris Capurso delve into the anticipated regulatory landscape for the auto finance industry in 2025. They explore the potential agendas of federal and state regulators, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Federal Trade Commission, and discuss the implications for compliance and litigation within the industry. They also share tips on how to future-proof your business against the evolving regulatory environment. Tune in to gain valuable insights, hear some crystal ball predictions, and prepare your business for what’s on the horizon in the world of auto finance.

Last month, we discussed the motion filed by the National Consumers League and four small business owners to intervene in the case of Insurance Marketing Coalition Limited. v. FCC. This motion aimed to challenge the Eleventh Circuit panel’s decision that vacated the FCC’s 2023 Order, known as the One-to-One Rule. Last week, the District of Columbia, along with 27 states, filed an amicus brief in support of a petition for rehearing en banc.

On March 14, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued a ruling addressing the obligations of furnishers under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to conduct reasonable investigations of disputed information, whether the disputed information be legal or factual in nature. The issue of whether the distinction between “legal” and “factual” disputes is relevant under the FCRA has been hotly contested in recent years. The Fourth Circuit’s new decision follows in the footsteps of the Eleventh and Second Circuits by replacing a “legal vs. factual” test with a “readily and objectively verifiable” test.

On February 27, Texas State Senator José Menéndez (D) introduced Senate Bill 1736, a piece of legislation aimed at regulating convenience fees associated with electronic payments for motor vehicles. SB 1736 would allow such fees to be imposed to offset electronic payment processing costs as long as certain restrictions are met and disclosures are made. 

In a move that could significantly impact the auto retail industry, California has introduced Senate Bill 766, known as the California Combating Auto Retail Scams (CARS) Act. Introduced by Senator Benjamin Allen (D) on February 21, this bill aims to impose stringent new regulations on auto dealers in the state, many of which echo back to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) own CARS Rule.

In this episode of Moving the Metal, Brooke Conkle and Chris Capurso from Troutman Pepper Locke’s Consumer Financial Services Practice Group are joined by Tom Kline, lead consultant and founder of Better Vantage Point. Tom shares his extensive experience in the auto industry, discusses the implications of the recent vacating of the CARS Rule by the Fifth Circuit, and provides insights into the most common compliance challenges faced by dealers. He also delves into the importance of having a robust compliance program and the evolving regulatory landscape. Additionally, Tom talks about his book, Tuck the Octopus, which offers valuable strategies for managing dealership operations and mitigating risks. Tune in to gain expert perspectives on staying compliant and competitive in the auto finance industry.