This article was republished in insideARM on February 20, 2025.

As discussed here, on February 9, the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), which includes members employed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau), filed a lawsuit in the District Court for the District of Columbia. The lawsuit challenges the actions of Acting Director Russell Vought, arguing that his efforts to “shut down” the CFPB are unconstitutional and violate the Congressional mandate outlined in the Dodd-Frank Act. Since then, President Trump has nominated Jonathan McKernan to be the new Director of the CFPB (discussed here). If confirmed by the Senate, McKernan will replace Acting Director Vought, who also serves as the head of the Office of Management and Budget.

In a recent decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of federal claims brought by a mortgagee against Trinity Financial Services, LLC (Trinity) under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). While the appellate court agreed that the plaintiff lacked standing, its holding was rooted in different grounds, namely that the plaintiff’s injuries were not traceable to any independent FDCPA violation.

We are pleased to share our annual review of regulatory and legal developments in the consumer financial services industry. With active federal and state legislatures, consumer financial services providers faced a challenging 2024. Courts across the country issued rulings that will have immediate and lasting impacts on the industry. Our team of more than 170 professionals has prepared this concise, yet thorough analysis of the most important issues and trends throughout our industry. We not only examined what happened in 2024, but also what to expect — and how to prepare — for the months ahead.

In this episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast, Chris Willis is joined by Mary Zinsner and Heryka Knoespel, partners in Troutman Pepper Locke’s Consumer Financial Services Practice Group, to discuss the latest in deposit account-related litigation. As part of the Year in Review and Look Ahead series, they delve into significant cases from 2024, including Ponzi schemes, check washing, and elder exploitation scams. They also provide insights into what depository institutions can expect in 2025. Tune in to stay informed about the evolving legal landscape affecting banks and credit unions.

On February 11, President Donald Trump nominated Jonathan McKernan to be the new Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau). If confirmed by the Senate, McKernan will replace Acting CFPB Director Russell Vought, who also serves as the head of the Office of Management and Budget. McKernan was reportedly on the Trump administration’s short list of potential candidates to lead the CFPB and is considered an ally of the financial services industry.

In a recent letter to Andrea Gacki, Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Acting Chairman Travis Hill expressed his support for updating the Customer Identification Program (CIP) requirements to better align with modern financial services practices. This initiative is part of Hill’s broader commitment to regulatory reform and innovation, as outlined in his recent policy statements.

The payment stablecoin (PS) legislative endgame is near. There is a clear imperative from the White House to prioritize stablecoin legislation and preserve the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency. Both chambers of Congress are forming a working group to deliver a clear regulatory framework for digital assets. Bipartisan agreement appears within reach.