Here, by Douglas Gillison. The memo, from Chief Examiner Fatima Batie, said “I promise you if you say something inflammatory or newsworthy it will get back to you in the most unpleasant manner and I’m not referring to my or [CFPB examination head] Calvin [Hagin]’s reaction.” Is it inflammatory or newsworthy to tell a financial institution that its conduct violates the law? This warning is so vague that it risks chilling a lot of appropriate speech. Which may be the point. Between this and the humility pledge, the Bureau may have found a way to conduct supervision without conducting supervision.
I wonder if CFPB director-nominee Brian Johnson was consulted about this before it was sent.
