Earlier this week, we discussed the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) final amendments to the Negative Option Rule, now retitled the Rule Concerning Recurring Subscriptions and Other Negative Option Programs. These amendments, which are set to take effect 180 days after publication in the Federal Register, are purportedly aimed at stopping deceptive and unfair practices in negative option marketing. However, the rule has now drawn a legal challenge.

In this episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast, Chris Willis is joined by Troutman Pepper Partner David Anthony and Rami Haddad, deputy general counsel for Compliance, Litigation, and Privacy at PRA Group. The discussion dives into a variety of pressing issues in the consumer finance sector and covers current litigation trends, the impact of the Supreme Court’s overruling of Chevron in the Loper Bright case, and the CFPB’s new nonbank registry rule. The episode also explores the heightened focus on medical debt collection by the CFPB and its potential implications for the industry. Tune in for expert insights and a comprehensive overview of these critical topics.

On October 11, the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation’s (DFPI) proposed regulations on direct-to-consumer (i.e., non-employer offered) earned wage access (EWA) products. This approval marks the culmination of a lengthy regulatory process that began in March 2023 and involved multiple rounds of modifications and public comments. The regulations also impose requirements on debt settlement companies and education financing providers. It will become effective on February 15, 2025.

Yesterday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau) issued its final rule on personal financial data rights, purportedly aimed at enhancing consumer control over their financial data and promoting competition in the financial services industry. According to the Bureau’s press release, “[t]he rule requires financial institutions, credit card issuers, and other financial providers to unlock an individual’s personal financial data and transfer it to another provider at the consumer’s request for free… help[ing] lower prices on loans and improve customer service across payments, credit, and banking markets.” Later that same day, a complaint was filed challenging the Bureau’s authority.

Yesterday, we discussed the constitutional legal challenge against New York City’s recently amended debt collection rules, which were scheduled to go into effect on December 1, 2024. These rules would stringently regulate various debt collection activities by debt collectors operating in the city. Today, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) announced a delay in the enforcement of these new rules until April 1, 2025.

New York City’s recently amended debt collection rules — scheduled to go into effect on December 1, 2024 and which would stringently regulate various debt collection activities by debt collectors operating in the city — have drawn a constitutional legal challenge. Whether this challenge will affect the effective date is yet to be seen. The plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent the enforcement of the rules amending Title 6 of the Rules of the City of New York, which they argue are unconstitutional and preempted by federal and state law.

In March 2023, we discussed the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) aimed at making it easier for consumers to cancel recurring subscriptions and memberships. The proposed rule was part of the FTC’s review of its Negative Option Rule, which sought to broaden its scope. Publication of the NPRM resulted in more…