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Chris Willis

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Chris is the co-leader of the Consumer Financial Services Regulatory practice at the firm. He advises financial services institutions facing state and federal government investigations and examinations, counseling them on compliance issues including UDAP/UDAAP, credit reporting, debt collection, and fair lending, and defending them in individual and class action lawsuits brought by consumers and enforcement actions brought by government agencies.

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In this episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast, Chris Willis and Jesse Silverman delve into the recent activities of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that pose significant risks to retailers and merchants. They discuss various proposed rules, including those related to buy now, pay later, open banking, data brokers, and digital wallets, and how these could impact businesses that utilize consumer payment data. The conversation also covers the potential implications of becoming subject to CFPB supervision, including the rigorous compliance expectations and the extensive examination process. Jesse and Chris emphasize the importance of retailers and merchants getting educated on these developments and considering proactive steps to mitigate risks.

On August 27, U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced the “Unleashing AI Innovation in Financial Services Act” (S. 4951), a bill aimed at fostering artificial intelligence (AI) innovation within the financial services industry. According to his press release, this legislation is part of a broader set of five bipartisan AI bills that Senator Rounds has released for consideration by Congress this fall.

On October 9, 2024, at 4 p.m. CT, the Fifth Circuit will hear oral arguments in the ongoing litigation challenging the FTC’s Combating Auto Retail Scams (CARS) Rule. The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and the Texas Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) have raised significant procedural and data-based objections to the rule, which purportedly aims to curb deceptive sales practices and eliminate “junk fees” in the car-buying process.

In this episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast, Chris Willis is joined by privacy Partner Kim Phan and Rami Haddad, deputy general counsel at PRA Group. This episode delves into a range of emerging privacy issues impacting the financial services industry. The discussion covers the evolving landscape of state privacy laws, the implications of the new Colorado AI law, and the challenges posed by online tracking technologies. The episode also highlights recent updates to the FTC’s Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act Safeguards Rule and explores the ramifications of a recent SEC enforcement case related to cybersecurity. Tune in for an insightful conversation on how these developments are shaping the regulatory environment for financial institutions.

In this special crossover episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast and FCRA Focus, host Kim Phan is joined by fellow Troutman Pepper partner Stefanie Jackman and Michelle Macartney, managing partner and chief compliance officer at Bridgeforce. Together, they delve into the complexities of reporting collections activity to consumer reporting agencies. Michelle shares her extensive experience in consumer reporting compliance, offering valuable insights into the challenges and best practices for maintaining data accuracy and handling disputes. The discussion also covers the latest CFPB draft rulemaking on medical debt and its implications for consumer reporting agencies, end users, and furnishers. Tune in to learn how to navigate the intersection of FCRA and debt collection as well as discover effective compliance strategies to mitigate risks in today’s regulatory environment. Don’t miss this informative episode packed with practical tips and industry updates!

Yesterday, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas granted the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB or Bureau) motion for summary judgment on all Administrative Procedure Act (APA) challenges brought by several trade associations to the CFPB’s Final Rule under § 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act, the “Small Business Lending Data Collection Rule” (Final Rule).

In this special crossover episode of Payments Pros and The Consumer Finance Podcast, Carlin McCrory, Keith Barnett, and Chris Willis are joined by Jason Cover and Mark Furletti to discuss the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) proposed interpretive rule on earned wage access (EWA) products. EWA allows employees to access wages they have earned before payday, with two main models: employer-integrated and direct-to-consumer. The conversation explores the differences between EWA and payday lending, emphasizing that EWA typically does not involve finance charges or obligations to repay.

In this special crossover episode of Payments Pros and The Consumer Finance Podcast, Carlin McCrory, Keith Barnett, and Chris Willis are joined by Jason Cover and Mark Furletti to discuss the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) proposed interpretive rule on earned wage access (EWA) products. EWA allows employees to access wages they have earned before payday, with two main models: employer-integrated and direct-to-consumer. The conversation explores the differences between EWA and payday lending, emphasizing that EWA typically does not involve finance charges or obligations to repay.

This week, the Biden-Harris Administration launched a comprehensive initiative aimed at addressing what it describes as everyday hassles that waste Americans’ time and money. This new government-wide effort, called “Time Is Money,” seeks to regulate various business practices that the administration claims add unnecessary burdens to consumers’ lives. The initiative includes actions from multiple federal agencies, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

In this episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast, Chris Willis is joined by Partners David Dove and Misha Tseytlin to revisit the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Loper Bright, which overruled the long-standing Chevron doctrine of court deference to agency interpretations of statutes. The discussion delves into the practical implications of this decision for federal and state regulations, the potential for increased litigation, and the nuanced impact on ongoing and future agency actions. The episode provides valuable insights for businesses and legal practitioners navigating the post-Chevron regulatory landscape.