Back to Basics, Continued—the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCen) and the Bank Secrecy Act August 17, 2022 United States: Well, it didn’t take long! Last week, I issued a challenge asking readers to name all of the federal agencies that touch and concern the lending practices of consumer finance companies. See Can you name all the federal agencies responsible for consumer credit compliance? I came up with ten.
Back to Basics, Continued—Can you name all the federal agencies responsible for consumer credit compliance? August 10, 2022 United States: I’ve also written about the many federal laws, rules and regulations that affect the contract relationship between creditor and consumer (Remember that our Notes and Contracts Reflect Both State and Federal Law).
Back to Basics, Continued—Demonstrating Professionalism August 3, 2022 United States: In every business, the need to act with professionalism and integrity is critical. That seems to be even greater in a highly regulated business such as consumer finance. After all, not only are customers looking over our shoulders, but so are regulators.
Back to Basics, Continued—Our federal system of government, and what that means to our business environment July 27, 2022 United States: I am in awe of our American system of government. We were the first nation on earth to form a union of independent colonies—states—and consolidate them into a unified government, while at the same time preserving the laws and privileges of the independent states.
Back to Basics, Continued—The Value of Trade Associations, Again July 20, 2022 United States: Several years ago, I wrote about the value of trade associations in the consumer finance industry. As we are in the height of the season, I think that this is a good time to remind ourselves of how trade associations protect the interest of association members.
Back to Basics, Continued—What About Non-traditional Installment Lending??? July 13, 2022 United States: The focus of this Back To Basics Blog is consumer finance. And, the target audience is creditors. All consumer finance though is not the same. All creditors are not the same. Consumer finance takes many forms.
Back to Basics, Continued—Elder Abuse and Elder Fraud July 6, 2022 United States: Several years ago, I blogged about the prevalence of elder abuse and the efforts of the CFPB to mitigate such abuse. See What to Do When We Suspect Elder Financial Abuse. A related topic to elder abuse is fraud upon the elderly.
Back to Basics, Continued—Keep Your Customers’ Information Safe – The New FTC Safeguards Rule June 29, 2022 United States: Are you doing everything you can to keep your customers’ information safe? These days, it certainly seems like there is a new, massive data breach making the frontpage on a daily basis.
Back to Basics, Continued—Determination and Computation of the Maximum Allowable Finance Charge June 22, 2022 United States: Determining and computing the maximum allowable finance charge applicable to a consumer loan is not always as easy as it may first seem. After all, you turn to the state code, find your code section and apply the math to the facts. Easy, right?
Back to Basics, Continued — Convenience Fees In Connection with Accepting Payment by Debit or Credit Card June 15, 2022 United States: I wrote two years ago about whether a convenience fee assessed to a consumer for use of a debit card or credit card in payment is permissible, or perhaps a finance charge. See Back to Basics, Continued—Is a Charge Assessed to the Consumer for Use of a Debit Card a Finance Charge? That blog focused on Alabama.