The Division of Consumer Affairs of the New Jersey Attorney General’s office has reached a $1.8 million settlement with eight New Jersey motor vehicle dealerships, all under common ownership, to resolve multiple claims of deceptive business practices that were discovered during the Division’s investigation. The settlement also provides for restitution for certain identified consumers affected
CFPB to Issue White Paper Regarding Identification of Discrimination in Indirect Auto Lending
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s 2013 bulletin cautioning lenders offering auto loans through dealerships that they remain accountable for complying with fair lending laws has sparked questions regarding how the CFPB identifies problematic discriminatory practices. In an effort to address these concerns, CFPB Director Cordray reported during the House Financial Services Committee’s hearing on the
CFPB Announces Spring 2014 Rulemaking Agenda and More…
CFPB Announces Spring 2014 Rulemaking Agenda, Confirms Development of “Larger Participant” Definition for Auto Finance Market
On May 23, 2014, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau posted its updated semi-annual rule-making agenda, which covers several important categories of upcoming regulatory action.
Defining Larger Participants in Auto Lending Market for Regulation
Through use of its rulemaking
CFPB Director Cordray Praises Auto Lender’s Move to Flat Fee Dealer Markup
Last week, Richard Cordray, the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, issued a statement praising BMO Harris Bank and its decision to compensate auto dealers for originating indirect auto loans based on a non-negotiable percentage of the loan amount. Director Cordray stated, “It is encouraging to see BMO Harris taking this proactive step to
Larger Participant Rule on Horizon for Auto Finance Industry
In early April, Deputy Director Steven Antonakes of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau delivered the keynote speech at a meeting of the Consumer Bankers Association. During his speech, he specifically targeted the auto finance industry, articulating the CFPB’s concern over dealer mark-up and comparing the practice to mortgage yield spread premiums. Deputy Director Antonakes stated:
FTC Continues Crackdown in Auto Dealer Lease Financing Advertising
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) continued “Operation Steer Clear” – a crackdown on deceptive advertising by automobile dealers – with a tenth settlement with a dealer accused of misrepresenting the terms of available consumer leases.
Courtesy Auto Group, Inc., a Massachusetts auto dealer, agreed to a proposed settlement with the FTC under which
After Warning, FTC Charges Principals of Dealership in Enforcement Action
This month, the Federal Trade Commission charged an Arkansas auto dealer, Abernathy Motor Company, and its two principals, with failing to display a “Buyers Guide” on used vehicles offered for sale, as required by the FTC’s Used Car Rule. Before being charged, the FTC had visited the dealer in December 2012 and identified issues of
House Financial Services Committee Turns Up the Heat on Investigation into CFPB Disparate Impact Methodology
Democrats and Republicans in Congress can rarely reach agreement on anything these days, but one bipartisan effort that continues to gain steam is their repeated attempts to learn the methodology by which the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) and other federal regulators investigate auto lenders for purported fair lending violations. In a letter dated March
U.S Chamber of Commerce Requests CFPB to Issue Rules on Auto Lending
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has sent a detailed letter, dated February 12, 2004, addressed to Director Cordray of the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) in which it expresses its disapproval of the CFPB’s approach of “regulation by enforcement settlement combined with issuance of brief guidance statements” in lieu of utilizing a formal rulemaking process
NADA Issues Guidance to Members on Dealer Reserve and Fair Lending Compliance
The National Association of Automobile Dealers (NADA) issued a comprehensive manual in late January that includes detailed recommendations to dealers related to dealer reserve and fair lending compliance, in an attempt to assist members with compliance with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) bulletin addressing indirect auto lending and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA).