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Chris Capurso

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Chris focuses his practice on consumer financial services compliance, guiding clients through the many federal and state laws and regulations that impact consumer credit programs.

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In this special crossover episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast and 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 CFPB’s upcoming priorities.

In this episode, Chris Carlson, an associate in the Regulatory, Investigations, Strategy and Enforcement (RISE) practice, joins Brooke and Chris to discuss how federal and state regulators are collaborating on consumer protection investigations. The team discusses a recent order and action against an Arizona-based auto dealer for multiple Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices (UDAP) violations. While contemplating whether this is a growing trend, the trio meanders into discussions about the CARS Rule and the potential impact of November’s election on the industry.

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.

This article was republished on Westlaw Today on September 25, 2024.

Any business involved in motor vehicle installment financing in New Hampshire needs to assess the multiple and significant changes to a key law that have been enacted with immediate effect.

In this episode of the Moving the Metal podcast, hosts Brooke Conkle and Chris Capurso delve into the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) recent report to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This report responds to the CFPB’s request for information to aid in preparing its annual report to Congress. The episode provides an overview of the FTC’s enforcement activities and regulatory efforts over the past year, emphasizing the agency’s focus on protecting consumers from deceptive practices in the financial services and automotive industries. Key points discussed include the purpose of the report, the FTC’s authority, a review of some litigation highlights, and how the CARS rule fits into the equation.

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).

On August 7, the U.S. Department of Treasury hosted a virtual briefing to discuss the steps that the Biden-Harris administration is taking to address perceived unfair and deceptive practices in the consumer solar energy industry. Deputy Secretary of Treasury Wally Adeyemo, along with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Rohit Chopra, announced a new interagency consumer solar industry initiative directed at both sales and financing of residential systems. Each made statements about the unique effort to root out anti-competitive and sometimes-fraudulent activity by a handful of “bad actors” who are taking advantage of the burgeoning industry. The presenters also noted that they will be coordinating with state attorneys general (AG) and state financial regulators.

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.