On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ordered the tolling of compliance deadlines for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB or Bureau) Small Business Lending Data Collection final rule under Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act (the 1071 Rule). As we previously reported here, the CFPB had asked the appeals court for a pause last Monday to allow the new administration time to consider its position on the 1071 Rule. The CFPB also conveyed that it did not object to the plaintiff trade associations’ earlier motion to toll compliance deadlines, a change-of-position that led to Friday’s order.

In a dramatic series of events, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau) has undergone leadership changes, signaling a significant shift in its regulatory approach. These changes began with the firing of Director Rohit Chopra by President Donald Trump and have continued with the resignation of General Counsel Seth Frotman and the appointment of Russell Vought as Acting Director.

This article was republished in insideARM on February 12, 2025.

Yesterday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau) requested and was granted a 90-day stay in the litigation involving trade associations Cornerstone Credit Union League (Cornerstone) and the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA). This case, which challenges the CFPB’s Final Rule on the prohibition of medical debt information in consumer reports, has been temporarily halted as the Bureau undergoes significant leadership changes.

On February 4, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed a $4,492,500 fine against Telnyx LLC for allegedly allowing illegal robocalls on its network. The FCC’s Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL) serves as a formal notification of the apparent violations and the proposed monetary penalty. It is not a final Commission action. Telnyx will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations, submit evidence, and present legal arguments before the FCC makes a final determination.

In Insurance Marketing Coalition Ltd. v. FCC, ‎— F.4th —-, 2025 WL 289152 (11th Cir. Jan. 24, 2025)‎, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit came to the rescue of the lead generation industry, striking down new regulations that were set to go into effect on January 27. Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), ‎47 U.S.C. § 227‎, sellers and telemarketers are prohibited from making certain telemarketing calls using an automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS) or artificial or prerecorded voice messages without “prior express consent.” On December 18, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an order adopting rules aimed at closing what it termed the “lead generator loophole” (2023 order). The FCC objected to lead generators using a single webform to obtain prior express written consent for a list of marketing partners. The FCC also objected to webforms that obtained broad consent for marketing calls about a wide-range of products and services. ‎ The 2023 order adopted a new definition of “prior express written consent” that would have prohibited consumers from giving consent to receive marketing calls from more than one company at a time or about products and services that were not “logically and topically associated with” those promoted on the website. The Eleventh Circuit held that the FCC exceeded its authority under the TCPA because the consent restrictions conflicted with the ordinary meaning of “prior express consent.” This decision is consistent with the recent shift in the willingness of federal courts to review administrative decisions after the Supreme Court overruled Chevron deference in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, 144 S. Ct. 2244 (2024)‎.

In this third episode of the Year in Review series of The Consumer Finance Podcast, host Chris Willis is joined by Lori Sommerfield, a partner in Troutman Pepper Locke’s Consumer Financial Services Practice Group, to discuss significant fair lending and Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices (UDAAP) developments during 2024 and what to expect in 2025. They delve into aggressive redlining enforcement actions by federal regulators under the “Combatting Redlining Initiative” during the Biden administration, federal and state regulators’ increasing scrutiny of the use of artificial intelligence in consumer lending and potential discrimination claims, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s war on “junk fees,” and the current status of the Section 1071 final rule. They also offer predictions concerning anticipated changes in the federal agencies’ approach to fair lending and UDAAP enforcement under the Trump administration. Tune in for a comprehensive overview and expert insights into these pivotal areas of law, which pose significant regulatory, legal, and reputational risk.

On February 4, Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at immediately capping credit card interest rates at 10% for a period of five years. This initiative follows a recent Forbes report indicating that the average credit card interest rate stands at 28.6%.

Join host Kim Phan and special guests David Anthony, Stefanie Jackman, and Mark Furletti as they delve into the significant Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) developments of 2024 and provide insights on what to expect in 2025. This episode covers a range of topics, including the impact of the outgoing Biden Administration and the incoming Trump Administration on FCRA regulations, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s recent rulemaking activities, and the ongoing legal challenges. Tune in to understand the evolving landscape of consumer reporting laws and regulation and how it may affect your business. Don’t miss this comprehensive review and analysis from Troutman Pepper Locke’s seasoned legal professionals.