As Supreme Court Considers Argument to Defang the Watchdog, a New Poll Shows Wide, Bipartisan Support for the Consumer Bureau

Over four in five voters back the CFPB’s mission WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following oral arguments made before the U.S. Supreme Court on the future of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a new poll – commissioned by the Center for Responsible Lending and Americans for Financial Reform and released today – shows overwhelming support from Republican, Democratic, and independent voters...

Supreme Court Hears Case That May Eliminate Agency Key to Financial Stability

Lawsuit poses existential threat to CFPB and, through precedent, to the Federal Reserve, Medicare, and other crucial government services WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court tomorrow will hear arguments for Consumer Financial Protection Bureau v. Community Financial Services Association. In CFPB v. CFSA, payday lenders call for the Court to stop CFPB operations – an outcome that would eliminate...

Judge’s Ruling that Illegal Discrimination is Not “Unfair” Should be Overturned

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A federal district court judge in Texas ruled last Friday that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) may not monitor companies that provide checking accounts and other non-credit financial services to ensure they are not discriminating based on protected characteristics, such as a person’s race, religion, or sex. The CFPB had pointed to this discrimination as also...

Press Call with Legal Experts to Preview Upcoming Supreme Court Lawsuit CFPB v. CFSA

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 2 pm ET, Americans for Financial Reform (AFR), the Constitutional Accountability Center, and the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) will host a press call to preview one of the most important cases coming before the Supreme Court this term: CFPB v CFSA, a constitutional challenge to the funding structure of the Consumer...

Senate and House Introduce CRAs to Block Student Loan Repayment Plan That Helps Low Income Borrowers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) introduced companion Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions yesterday to repeal the Saving on a Valuable Education, or “SAVE,” income-driven repayment (IDR) plan announced by the Biden administration earlier this year. The CRA is a tool Congress can use to overturn final rules from federal agencies. Under SAVE...

CRL Survey: Earned Wage and Digital Cash Advance Users Pay Fees and Tips and Take Multiple Advances to Cover Basic Living Expenses

DURHAM, NC - Consumers who use Earned Wage Advance (EWA) and digital cash advance applications are taking them repeatedly, paying fees and so-called tips, and using the advances to cover basic living expenses, according to survey results released today by the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL). The survey, which asked consumers about their experiences with EWA and cash advance apps...

California Regulator Reports Rebound in Post-COVID Predatory Payday Lending

OAKLAND, CA - Payday lending activity increased significantly in California from 2021 to 2022, according to an annual report released by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) last month. The report tracks the activity of 109 lenders who voluntarily reported their lending. The number of payday loans surged by over 18.4 percent and the dollar value by...

Appeals Court Blocks Rules to Ease Student Debt Relief for Defrauded Borrowers

Washington, D.C. – A federal appeals court on Monday blocked the Biden administration’s new borrower defense to repayment rules aimed at protecting student loan borrowers who attended for-profit institutions and were defrauded by their school. In response, Jaylon Herbin, director of federal campaigns at the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), made the following statement: The decision by the appeals court...

CRL Condemns Supreme Court Decision on Student Loan Relief, Urges President Biden to Help Student Borrowers

Washington, D.C. – The Supreme Court of the United States ruled today that President Biden did not have the legal authority to provide up to $20,000 in needed COVID-19 relief to millions of eligible borrowers. Relying upon the emergency authority created by the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2003 (HEROES Act), the Biden administration sought to cancel...

Self-Help and CRL Congratulate Advocates Who Worked to Defeat Harmful Consumer Finance Bill Vetoed by Florida Governor

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Self-Help Credit Union and the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) congratulate advocates who worked to defeat a bill vetoed by Governor Ron DeSantis yesterday that would have increased interest rates on large personal loans made to Florida residents. Advocates from consumer groups, faith groups, legal services and others joined Self-Help and CRL in calling to reject the...