Category Archives: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Danielle Beavers on Charges of Discrimination at CFPB: Consumer financial protection is under attack by phony claims

Here, in The Hill. Beavers is director of diversity and inclusion at The Greenlining Institute.  Excerpt: Some critics—not previously known as leaders on diversity or civil rights—claim that the CFPB has become “a breeding ground” for discrimination that devalues employees of color and women. As an advocate for diversity—and specifically as an advocate for communities of color—I have […]

Dean Baker: The Economic Efficiency Argument for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Here.  Excerpt: The basic story is that if it's possible to make lots of money by using deceptive contracts to ripoff consumers, then many very talented and hard-working people will spend their time developing schemes to ripoff consumers. Instead of doing things that contribute to consumers' well-being (e.g. developing better products), these people will be […]

Politico: ” Rumors continue to burn through the financial lobbyist community that the new Trump administration is ready to fire CFPB Director Richard Cordray”

by Jeff Sovern Here, in Morning Money.  Excerpt: THE POLITICS of firing Cordray would be tough for Trump. He could argue that the CFPB is an unaccountable agency lead by a too-powerful single director. Banking groups, especially those representing smaller and midsize institutions, would be would be thrilled. But the CFPB polls pretty highly and […]

The Hill: Cordray: No change for consumer bureau under Trump

Here. Excerpt: Cordray, who has helmed the CFPB as its first and only director, said Tuesday that he has no intention of stepping down early, despite pressure from Republicans eager to overhaul the 5-year-old agency. “It really shouldn’t change the job at all,” said Cordray of Trump assuming power. “We have an independent mandate to […]

Ken Cuccinelli Column: Reforming CFPB isn’t enough. Eliminate it. [Proposes Solution that Led to the Great Recession]

by Jeff Sovern Here, in the American Banker (free content). Cuccinellis is general counsel to the FreedomWorks Regulatory Action Center, and former AG for Virginia. Excerpt: Rather than tinkering with this regulatory monstrosity, let’s pursue a simpler course: simply eliminate the standalone agency. Most of the regulatory powers that the CFPB now wields were previously […]

My Times Dealbook Op-Ed: Trump Faces Stark Choice: Protect Consumers or Banks

Here.  Here's the beginning and the end:   President-elect Donald J. Trump will soon face a stark choice: whether to protect consumers, the ordinary Americans he pledged to defend against a system he criticized as rigged — or to side with that system. * * * If Mr. Trump chooses not to preserve a strong, […]

The Hill: Dem senators to Trump: Don’t tell consumer bureau chief ‘you’re fired’

Here. Excerpt: Schumer said Trump’s decision to “govern as a hard-right Republican” and possibly replace Cordray breaks his campaign promise to “drain the swamp” by fighting corporate interests on behalf of middle-class Americans. * * * The CFPB is currently finalizing rules on arbitration clauses, payday lending and debt collecting. Warren said the push to […]

Am Banker: Trump team signals it will oust CFPB’s Cordray

by Jeff Sovern Here (behind paywall). Excerpt: Exactly how President-elect Donald Trump intends to get rid of Cordray is unclear. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, Cordray can only be fired "for cause," and some speculate that the Trump administration is already building a case against the CFPB chief. One source with knowledge of the situation told […]