In a long-awaited decision, the Court of Appeals of Maryland holds that foreign statutory trusts do not need to be licensed as debt collectors before initiating in rem foreclosure proceedings. This holding will allow numerous...more
In a long-awaited decision, on July 31, 2018, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced that it will move ahead with accepting applications for national bank charters from nondepository FinTech companies. While...more
The Second Circuit held that a debt collector’s follow-up questions regarding the nature of a consumer’s verbal dispute of a debt in an attempt to resolve the issue did not rise to the level of a misleading or abusive...more
In a significant ruling for businesses, technological progress, and the economy at large, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously granted in part, and denied in part, various petitions for review of the Federal...more
Action Item: The Eleventh Circuit held that a first voicemail from a debt collector constitutes a “communication” based on a plain reading of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”). In addition, in a case of first...more
Action Item: On remand from the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that a consumer’s allegations that the operator of a website reported inaccurate information about him...more
Action Item: U.S. Supreme Court unanimously holds that New York law limiting credit card disclosures regulates speech under the First Amendment.
In a unanimous decision in Expressions Hair Design, et. al. v....more
Action Item: New York’s Appellate Division, Second Department, affirms that dismissal under Civil Practice Law and Rules (“CPLR”) 3215(c) does not constitute neglect to prosecute and therefore a plaintiff may avail itself of...more
Action Item: If a prior foreclosure action has been dismissed with prejudice, mortgagees may bring new actions to foreclose on mortgages based upon post-dismissal payment default, so long as the new action is brought within...more
Action Item: The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirms that activities incident to the non-judicial foreclosure of a deed of trust under California state law is not “debt collection” within the scope of...more
Action Item: Financial institutions currently subject to CFPB enforcement proceedings should be aware of the D.C. Circuit’s decision ruling that the CFPB cannot (i) circumvent applicable statutes of limitation in the context...more
Action Item: The Ninth Circuit reversed the Arizona District Court’s summary judgment in favor of a defendant debt collector in an action under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. In a case of first impression, the Ninth...more
Action Item: The United States Supreme Court declined to review a Second Circuit ruling that non-national bank assignees of debt are not entitled to preemption of state usury laws under the National Bank Act. The Supreme...more
Action Item: Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal finds that Florida’s statute of limitations for foreclosure actions does not bar a second foreclosure action filed on a subsequent payment default occurring within the...more
Action Item: In a ruling last week, the California Supreme Court supported Glaski and issued a narrow holding that, post-foreclosure, borrowers have standing to assert wrongful foreclosure based on allegations that an...more
Action Item: The U.S. Supreme Court clarifies the split among the circuits and holds that an unaccepted Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 68 offer and unaccepted settlement offer neither moots an individual or class claim. But...more
Action Item: The United States Supreme Court continues to find that federal law strongly favors arbitration clauses. The Supreme Court’s decision in DIRECTV should provide some reassurance to companies that arbitration...more
Action Item: Lenders and servicers should continue to evaluate whether their policies and procedures may result in claims being brought under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), including claims brought by parties...more
Action Item: In light of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Davidson, the definition of “debt collector,” for purposes of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (the “FDCPA”), is strictly limited to the...more
Action Item: In light of this decision, debt collectors should avoid the use of account numbers and/or QR codes on envelopes or within the viewing area of clear plastic envelope windows. Revealing such information on...more
Action Item: Lenders and servicers should continue to maintain policies and procedures that minimize third-party communications and ensure maintenance of sufficient records documenting the frequency and purpose of those...more
In Texas Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project, Inc., decided on June 25, 2015, the United States Supreme Court held that disparate impact claims are cognizable under the Fair Housing Act....more
6/29/2015
It is well-established that the federal Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) does not offer borrowers a private right of action to allege a lender or servicer violated HAMP. However, the New Jersey Appellate Division...more
Action Item: To avoid possible state law claims related to denial of loan modifications, trial modification offers should clearly define the requirements a borrower must fulfill to receive a loan modification, and lenders and...more
Action Item: In light of the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Jesinoski, lenders should be aware that written notice provided by the borrower, within three years of the loan consummation, is sufficient to exercise...more