Banking Brief: Financial Services Insights

On May 12, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) filed a notice that seeks to rescind changes made in 2022 for administrative adjudications. The rules for administrative adjudications allowed the CFPB to enforce many cases in-house instead of in federal court. Recission of these rules would decrease the authority of the director of the CFPB in the management of cases, in turn leading to fewer regulations for lenders.

Financial institutions that use code-based tracking technologies may soon find themselves facing increased scrutiny and legal exposure as the next wave of class action litigation begins. A recent class action lawsuit alleging Everwise Credit Union disclosed sensitive personal and financial information underscores the importance of transparency and consent in the handling of personal and financial information.

The Federal Reserve Board (Federal Reserve), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) have recently taken steps to permit traditional financial institutions to incorporate crypto and digital asset services.

On April 23, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order titled “Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy.” This order states that the U.S. aims to limit the use of disparate-impact liability in order to stay aligned with the Constitution, federal civil rights laws, and core American values. For banks and other financial organizations, this signals a big change in how they will be regulated.

While AI presents challenges and opportunities to all types of organizations, banks must be especially aware of the risks of unchecked AI use. A well-defined policy identifies permissible AI tools, establishes protocols for their use, enforces ethical safeguards, and ensures rigorous vetting of practices and procedures.

On January 16, 2025, Representative Andy Barr (R-KY) introduced a bill aimed at increasing the formation of new banks by easing regulatory requirements, particularly for de novo and rural financial institutions. Banks, financial institutions, and industry stakeholders should monitor this legislation closely, as it could present new opportunities for growth and investment.

It is critical for commercial lenders and credit officers to recognize when the risk and complexity of a loan transaction exceeds the capability or intent of automated lending software. Here are five common triggers for when lenders should consider involving their counsel in all or part of a commercial lending transaction.

Federal contractors have until December 9, 2024, to file an objection to the public release of their Type 2 Consolidated EEO-1 Report for the year 2021. Failure to submit an objection by this deadline could result in the disclosure of sensitive employment and demographic data to the public.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has proposed a new rule that could impact lenders using forms of artificial intelligence in their lending practice.

The Interchange Fee Prohibition Act (IFPA), signed into law in June of 2024 by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, prohibits banks, savings associations, credit union, and others from receiving or charging an interchange fee on the tax and gratuity (tips) portions of debit and credit transactions, as well as placing restrictions on the use or transmittal of electronic payment transactions data.