CRL Research Finds Higher Amounts of Student Debt Cancellation Are Required to Provide Significant Relief to Low-Wealth and Borrowers of Color, Help Stabilize the Middle Class and Boost National Economy

WASHINGTON – New research released today by the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) shows that cancelling $10,000 of federal student loan debt—the minimal amount most often discussed— would only retire 22 percent of Black student debt and 28 percent of Latino debt. It would also provide similarly limited relief to other borrowers, including first generation college students and those already...

Bank Regulators’ Proposal to Modernize CRA Rules

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Federal banking regulators today announced proposed rules to revise and modernize the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). In response, Mike Calhoun, president of the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), made the following statement: Federal banking regulators today issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to modernize the rules that implement the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). This represents a significant...

Consumer Advocates Urge CFPB to Protect Consumers From “Junk Fees”

WASHINGTON – In response to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) call for public input on how to save Americans billions in junk fees charged by financial companies, leading consumer advocacy organizations submitted an extensive comment letter detailing junk fees across a wide range of consumer financial products and services. The letter was submitted by Americans for Financial Reform (AFR)...

CRL Financial Literacy Month Video Shows Why APR Matters and Why Payday Lenders Resist Clearly Disclosing It

Hiding Ability to Compare True Costs of Loan Options Lets Lenders Take Advantage of Consumers WASHINGTON – The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) today released a video for Financial Literacy Month to educate the public on why readily providing the APR (annual percentage rate) of payday loans is essential to providing financial fairness for consumers, and to urge Congress and...

CFPB Director Chopra’s Actions to Protect Consumers Deserve Praise, Not Criticism, at Congressional Hearings

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Starting today at 10 AM ET, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Rohit Chopra testifies before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs on the CFPB’s Semiannual Report to Congress. He will also testify on the report before the House Committee on Financial Services tomorrow at 10 AM ET. “Director Chopra’s actions to protect...

CRL Statement on Department of Education’s Recent Changes to Student Loan Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Education announced today changes to its income-driven repayment (IDR) programs that will allow thousands of borrowers to receive immediate relief. About 40,000 borrowers are also scheduled to have their loans cancelled through the Department’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. In response, Jaylon Herbin, outreach and policy manager at the Center for Responsible...

CRL Statement on Nomination of Michael Barr as Federal Reserve Vice Chair of Supervision

WASHINGTON, D.C. –The Biden Administration announced today that it will nominate Michael Barr as Vice Chair for Supervision at the Federal Reserve. In response, Mike Calhoun, president of the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), made the following statement: More than ever, our country needs knowledgeable financial regulators at the helm of our country. Michael Barr is a well-qualified choice for...

CRL Statement on Extension of Federal Student Loan Payment Pause

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Biden Administration announced today that it will extend the federal student loan payment pause until August 31st, 2022. In response, Jaylon Herbin, outreach and policy manager at the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), made the following statement: The latest extension of the federal student loan payment pause signals the need for a more permanent solution –...

Banks, Credit Unions and Consumer Groups Call for Passage of Bipartisan Solution to Close ILC Loophole

Washington, D.C. — A broad coalition of bank and credit union associations and consumer organizations submitted a letter today to the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services urging passage of the Close the ILC Loophole Act, introduced by Representatives Chuy Garcia (D-IL) and Lance Gooden (R-TX). The ILC loophole allows large technology companies — such as Japanese e-commerce firm Rakuten...

Income-Share Agreements Burden Women, Students of Color with Unfair Terms and Unforeseen Costs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Borrowers using both federal student loans and Income-Share Agreements (ISAs) could pay as much as 25 percent of their discretionary income in repayment for a decade, according to a report published today by the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL). The report also found that ISA underwriting criteria could lead to negative impacts for women and people of...