Last week, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged more than 20 individuals and companies with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) related to the buying and selling of investment-grade corporate bonds. The SEC charged the respondents with trading in corporate bonds without first registering as broker-dealers. Two respondents, Global
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CFPB Launches Inquiry into the Credit Card Industry
Last week, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced it is seeking public comment from consumers on how the credit card market is functioning following several initiatives imposed by the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, H.R. 627 (CARD Act), which amended various provisions of the Truth in Lending Act, 15 U.S.C
CFPB Releases Study on Use of Arbitration Clauses in Consumer Contracts
Last week, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released its 728-page report on the use of arbitration clauses in consumer financial products and services contracts. The findings in the report come from a three-year study, which CFPB Director Richard Cordray called “the most comprehensive empirical study of consumer financial arbitration ever conducted.” In addition to
Hearing, Report May Forecast CFPB Rulemaking on Arbitration Provisions
Section 1028 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act authorizes the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to limit or even prohibit the use of arbitration provisions that govern future disputes between a consumer and a financial services/products provider. This issue is the focus of a CFPB field hearing scheduled for 11 a.m.,
SEC Speaks 2015: Enforcement Highlights
On February 20, 2015, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) held its annual SEC Speaks conference, which updated the public regarding the staff’s work over the last year and its plans for 2015. The conference covered several areas, but this posting focuses on the chairman’s remarks regarding enforcement in 2014 and beyond.
In her opening
Second UBS Tax Investigation Shows the Continuing Allure of Whistleblower Law
News leaked late last week that Swiss banking giant UBS is again under DOJ investigation for aiding tax fraud by U.S. clients. In 2009, UBS pled guilty to a criminal tax conspiracy charge, and received a deferred prosecution agreement. UBS admitted that thousands of unreported and untaxed accounts at the bank were controlled by U.S.
White House Proposes Expansive Data Breach Notification Bill
Last week, President Obama proposed wide-reaching legislation to establish a uniform, nationwide standard for data breach notifications that envisions a significant enforcement role for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The proposal, titled the Personal Data Notification and Protection Act, can be found here. In terms of the types of covered data, the White
A Question of Ethics: May Former Staffers Discuss Legislation With Current Staffers?
Q. I have just completed more than a decade of service as a House staffer and am now preparing for a job in the private sector. I know there are rules about what I can and cannot do, and I am trying to make sure I understand them all.
CFPB Reaches Settlement Agreement with Debt Relief Company and Law Firm
Last Thursday, December 4, 2014, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) reached a settlement agreement with Premier Consulting Group LLC and the Law Office of Michael Lupoloverrequiring the defendants to pay a fine of roughly $69,000 for allegedly charging consumers illegal upfront fees for debt relief services. The Telemarketing Sales Rule prohibits companies from collecting fees
A Question of Ethics: The Year in Government Ethics
Roll Call | December 9, 2014
As long as there are governments, there will be government corruption. The temptations to abuse power are never going away, and neither is human frailty, which means government ethics will remain an important issue for, well, forever.
A look back on 2014 reveals yet another year of explosive government