February 2012 – Page 2 – Consumer Financial Services Watch

Mortgage Industry Submits Comments on HUD’s Proposed Disparate-Impact Rule under the Fair Housing Act

Feb 01 2012

By: Paul F. Hancock, Andrew C. Glass, Melanie Hibbs Brody, Roger L. Smerage, Melissa S. Malpass, Gregory N. Blase

On January 17, 2012, K&L Gates LLP submitted the comments of six financial services trade associations to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on the proposed rule to implement a disparate-impact legal standard under the Fair Housing Act. The trade associations on whose behalf we filed the comments are: the American Bankers Association, the American Financial Services Association, the Consumer Bankers Association, the Consumer Mortgage Coalition, the Independent Community Bankers of America, and the Mortgage Bankers Association.

To view the complete alert online, click here.

Freddie Mac’s Refinancing Policy

Feb 01 2012

By: Kerri M. Smith

NPR and ProPublica charged Freddie Mac with investing in securities that would lose value if homeowners refinanced their mortgages. The primary allegation is that such investments undercut Freddie Mac’s public mission and resulted in a more stringent refinancing policy. Read More

CFPB to Payday Lenders: We’re Coming for You – Cordray Tells Payday Lenders to Expect “Much More Attention” and Releases New Examination Guidelines for the Industry; Many Questions Left Unanswered

Feb 01 2012

By: David G. McDonough, Jr.

Payday lenders recently received their first peek at what life will be like under the CFPB’s watch, and it’s not a pretty picture. In the Bureau’s recently released examination procedures for payday lenders, the CFPB makes clear that it will examine every aspect of a payday lender’s operation, likely well beyond what most payday lenders have experienced to date with the patchwork of state regulation. Read More

Archive:February 2012