Photo of Chris Willis

Chris Willis

Subscribe to Chris Willis's Posts

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.

Follow:Read more about Chris WillisChris's Linkedin Profile

In this crossover episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast and Payments Pros, Chris Willis, Jason Cover, and Taylor Gess continue the Point-of-Sale Finance Series to discuss licensed lending and bank model lending programs. This conversation dives into the benefits, challenges, and regulatory landscapes that shape these popular lending models for financial institutions and fintechs. Consumer finance providers will gain valuable insights on structuring successful lending partnerships in today’s complex environment.

On June 23, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau) released an update to its 2015 report on Americans who did not have a credit record (credit invisibles) or who had insufficient credit history to have a credit score (“stale unscored” and “insufficient unscored”). The CFPB provided this update, driven by methodological corrections and enhanced data sources, in an effort to offer a more accurate depiction of the number of Americans with limited credit histories and highlight significant changes over the past decade.

Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau) published a policy statement in the Federal Register outlining its approach to addressing criminally liable regulatory offenses. This publication comes in response to Executive Order 14294, issued by President Trump on May 9, 2025, which aims to combat overcriminalization in federal regulations.

In this episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast, Chris Willis and Lori Sommerfield discuss the latest regulatory, legislative, and litigation developments under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as accessibility of digital platforms and mobile applications increasingly become crucial for consumer finance providers. This episode covers the DOJ’s guidance on website accessibility, evolving Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, potential legislative solutions, and the risks of private litigation amid a surge in lawsuits alleging violations of the ADA. With a focus on litigation trends and risk mitigation strategies, this discussion is vital for businesses striving to ensure compliance and protect their digital assets in a complex legal environment. Gain practical insights on assessing and improving website accessibility and learn how to establish a robust ADA risk management program to shield your business from potential legal challenges.

On June 20, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau) filed a statement of interest in support of converting the bankruptcy case of Synapse Financial Technologies, Inc. from Chapter 11 to Chapter 7, rather than dismissing it. This move comes amidst concerns over significant consumer harm stemming from Synapse’s alleged unfair practices in managing funds across its network of partner financial institutions. The shortfall between the money consumers had in their accounts at the time their accounts were frozen and the money that has been returned by the partner financial institutions may be as high as $95 million.

In this special crossover episode between Moving the Metal and The Consumer Finance Podcast, Brooke Conkle, Chris Capurso, and Chris Willis analyze the first 100 days of the second Trump administration, focusing on its impact on the auto-finance industry. They discuss the anticipated enforcement slowdown by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), unexpected halts in supervisory activities, and leadership changes at the Federal Trade Commission and CFPB. The conversation highlights the administration’s focus on consumer fees, the evolving role of state regulators, and shifts in discrimination theories impacting compliance practices. This episode provides insights into strategic regulatory changes and offers guidance for navigating the complexities of the auto-finance sector in 2025.

Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau) published in the Federal Register an interim final rule extending compliance dates for its 2023 small business lending rule under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (Regulation B) (Final Rule) This extension comes in response to court orders in ongoing litigation, affecting the timeline for financial institutions to comply with data collection requirements for women-owned, minority-owned, and small businesses.

On June 12, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois denied the joint motion by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau) and Townstone Financial, Inc. to vacate the Stipulated Final Judgment and Order previously entered in the CFPB’s enforcement action against the mortgage lender, calling the CFPB’s attempt to refund Townstone’s civil money penalty for alleged redlining practices “breathtaking.” This decision comes after allegations by the current CFPB of misconduct related to the case under former CFPB leadership.

In this special crossover episode between FCRA Focus and The Consumer Finance Podcast, Kim Phan, Dave Gettings, Chris Willis, and Cindy Hanson explore the recent withdrawal of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) guidance affecting the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This episode provides a comprehensive analysis of how these changes impact key areas such as preemption, background screening, permissible purpose, artificial intelligence, and state attorneys general enforcement actions. The discussion highlights the implications for consumer reporting agencies, furnishers, end-users, and the broader regulatory landscape, offering valuable insights for professionals navigating these evolving challenges. Tune in to understand the potential shifts in compliance and enforcement.

In this special crossover episode between Moving the Metal and The Consumer Finance Podcast, Brooke Conkle, Chris Capurso, and Chris Willis analyze the first 100 days of the second Trump administration, focusing on its impact on the auto-finance industry. They discuss the anticipated enforcement slowdown by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), unexpected halts in supervisory activities, and leadership changes at the Federal Trade Commission and CFPB. The conversation highlights the administration’s focus on consumer fees, the evolving role of state regulators, and shifts in discrimination theories impacting compliance practices. This episode provides insights into strategic regulatory changes and offers guidance for navigating the complexities of the auto-finance sector in 2025.