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Mark Furletti

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Mark helps clients navigate regulatory risks posed by state and federal laws aimed at protecting consumers and small business, particularly in connection with credit, deposit, and payments products. He is a trusted advisor, providing practical legal counsel and advice to providers of financial services across numerous industries.

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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.

In this special crossover episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast and the Payments Pros Podcast, Chris Willis and Josh McBeain are joined by colleagues Mark Furletti and Jason Cover to delve into the CFPB’s Payday Loan Rule, which is set to become effective again following a Supreme Court decision. The discussion unpacks the broad scope of the rule, extending beyond traditional payday loans to include various financial products. The episode highlights the complexities of compliance, the nuances of the rule’s definitions, and the critical steps lenders must take before the March 30, 2025, compliance deadline. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on navigating the revived regulatory landscape.

Yesterday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau) issued a proposed interpretive rule opining that earned wage access (EWA) products — whether provided through employer partnerships or marketed directly to borrowers — are subject to Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and Regulation Z requirements. The proposed rule’s broad definitions and aggressive stance on fees and tips as finance charges conflict with many state laws and could lead to litigation.

After several attempts in the Missouri legislature, last week Governor Mike Parson signed a Commercial Financing Disclosure Law. This legislation requires certain disclosures to be made by providers of commercial purpose closed-end and open-end loans, and sales-based financing transactions. The law will take effect six months after the Division of Finance finalizes promulgating rules or on February 28, 2025, if the Division does not intend to promulgate rules.

As discussed here, on February 3, 2023, an Illinois federal court dismissed a case brought by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau) in 2020 against Townstone Financial, Inc., a Chicago mortgage lender, for alleged violations of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). The CFPB had accused Townstone of discouraging prospective African American applicants in the Chicago metropolitan area from applying for mortgages.

In this special crossover episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast and Payments Pros Podcast, Chris Willis and Josh McBeain interview two colleagues who delve into the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) recent interpretive rule that classifies buy now, pay later (BNPL) transactions as credit cards. Mark Furletti and Jason Cover explore the implications of this rule under Regulation Z, including the introduction of the term “digital user account” and its impact on BNPL providers. The discussion covers the regulatory requirements, potential challenges for compliance, and the broader legal context, including the possible effects of the Loper Bright case on administrative interpretations. With a July 30 compliance deadline looming, the episode provides critical insights for industry stakeholders navigating this significant regulatory shift.

In this special crossover episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast and Payments Pros Podcast, Chris Willis and Josh McBeain interview two colleagues who delve into the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) recent interpretive rule that classifies buy now, pay later (BNPL) transactions as credit cards. Mark Furletti and Jason Cover explore the implications of this rule under Regulation Z, including the introduction of the term “digital user account” and its impact on BNPL providers. The discussion covers the regulatory requirements, potential challenges for compliance, and the broader legal context, including the possible effects of the Loper Bright case on administrative interpretations. With a July 30 compliance deadline looming, the episode provides critical insights for industry stakeholders navigating this significant regulatory shift.

On July 1, amendments to Florida’s Consumer Finance Act took effect. Among other things, the amendments raise the maximum tiered interest rates on consumer finance loans, increase the grace period before late fees can be imposed from 10 to 12 days, require licensees to offer free credit education courses to borrowers at the time a loan is made, provide for the suspension of certain collection activities in the event of a disaster, and require branches of businesses making consumer finance loans to obtain a license.

On June 18, a Colorado federal court granted the plaintiff trade groups’ motion for a preliminary injunction, effectively halting the enforcement of Colorado’s H.B. 1229 with respect to loans made by out-of-state state-chartered banks.