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Curated industry news and original merchant playbooks.
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California Governor Mobilizes Expert Panel to Strengthen AI Safety Laws
California's new push for AI regulation signals upcoming transparency and security requirements for consumer financing algorithms.
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FDIC’s Hill pushes faster merger review process
The FDIC is considering faster merger approvals and new rules to protect the lending models used by many consumer financing providers.
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Fed's Bowman previews new twists in stress test reforms
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman outlines reforms to bank stress tests that could lead to more stable and predictable consumer lending environments.
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Fed Deadline Passes as Payment Access Debate Continues
The battle over Federal Reserve access could reshape the cost and speed of consumer financing for retail operators.
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automotive
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Subprime auto lender agrees to $710M settlement with states
Credit Acceptance Corp. to pay $710 million in debt relief and restitution following a multi-state probe into predatory subprime auto lending.
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FDIC Proposes Fast Track for Bank Merger Reviews
New FDIC rules aim to speed up bank mergers, a move that could reshape the lender landscape and the financing programs available to retailers.
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House Votes to Modernize Bank Oversight and Kill the Penny
New House bill aims to modernize bank oversight with better technology, potentially speeding up innovation and reducing red tape for consumer lenders.
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House Passes Bill to Give Local Police More Tools Against Elder Financial Fraud
New federal legislation empowers local police to investigate senior financial fraud, signaling a tighter regulatory environment for merchants serving older adults.
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FDIC proposes faster merger reviews, preemption for state banks
New FDIC rules could stabilize cross-state lending and speed up bank mergers, ensuring more consistent financing options for retailers and their customers.
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State regulators float AI framework for banks, examiners
New state-level guidance for bank examiners signals a crackdown on how AI-driven lenders manage risk and fair lending compliance.
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CFPB director-designate Brian Johnson clears Senate Banking
Brian Johnson moves closer to leading the CFPB, signaling potential shifts in federal oversight for consumer credit and point-of-sale financing.
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tutoring
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Scammers fake student identities to siphon aid payments
FinCEN warns of a rise in student identity fraud, signaling a need for tighter identity verification in the education and tutoring sectors.
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Synapse victims look to small-claims court
As federal relief for the Synapse fintech collapse stalls, users turn to small-claims court to recover trapped funds from partner banks.
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Clarity Act bill stumbles
Federal crypto regulation stalls in the Senate, leaving retailers in a holding pattern for stablecoin payment integration and compliance.
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State bank examiners get a playbook for inspecting AI
State regulators issue a new AI audit roadmap, signaling tighter oversight for the technology powering consumer credit approvals.
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House Bills Aims to Give Financial Regulators Better Tech
New legislation moves financial regulators toward high-tech oversight, signaling a more data-intensive future for consumer lending compliance.
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UK Shifts AML Focus to Disrupting Illicit, Tech-Enabled Networks
The UK is investing £500M to disrupt tech-enabled financial crime, signaling tighter compliance for digital lenders and merchants.
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Visa, Mastercard settle Grubhub case
Visa and Mastercard settle a major swipe-fee lawsuit with Grubhub, signaling a continued legal shift in payment processing costs for retailers.
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Trade groups knock BNPL rules
New York’s proposed BNPL licensing rules could lead to tighter credit approvals and higher costs for retail merchants.
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Treasury Rethinks AML Rules for Banks That Know Their Customers
Proposed Treasury updates to AML rules could reduce compliance friction and speed up approvals for consumer financing and retail lending.
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home-improvement
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Fannie servicers can contact consumers about MI cancellations
FHFA orders Fannie Mae to notify homeowners when they can stop paying mortgage insurance, freeing up monthly cash flow for home projects.
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home-improvement
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Matt Jones nominated by White House to be FHA commissioner
The White House taps FHA insider Matt Jones to lead the agency, signaling policy continuity for the housing and home improvement markets.
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Enova Scraps Grasshopper Bank Acquisition After Pressure From State AGs
Enova abandons its bank acquisition bid following intense regulatory scrutiny and pressure from state Attorneys General.
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Amid protesters and a midterm, AI dominates Bessent hearing
Treasury Secretary Bessent signals a new regulatory era for AI in finance, focusing on transparency and fair lending for consumer credit tools.
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Why nonbank lender Enova pulled the plug on buying a bank
Enova drops its bid for Grasshopper Bank, highlighting the growing regulatory hurdles for non-bank lenders seeking banking charters.
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Walmart slams card fee pact, again
Walmart leads a massive merchant revolt against the Visa-Mastercard swipe fee settlement, calling the $30 billion deal inadequate for business owners.
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Merchants call on judge to reject Visa-Mastercard interchange fee settlement
A coalition of 1,000 U.S. merchants is fighting to block a Visa-Mastercard settlement, calling for deeper and more permanent cuts to swipe fees.
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Ez Britton appointed to steer UK open finance blueprint
UK appoints lead for Open Finance blueprint, paving the way for more accurate consumer credit data and higher financing approval rates.
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What banks can expect if Democrats sweep Congress
A Democratic congressional sweep could usher in stricter consumer protection laws and tighter oversight for point-of-sale financing providers.
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Federal Agencies Overhaul Bank Partner Rules to Drive Innovation
New federal guidance targets bank-fintech partnerships, signaling stricter compliance and oversight for consumer financing programs.
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New York tells banks to find their single points of failure
New York regulators are requiring lenders to identify vendor dependencies that could cause systemic outages for merchants and consumers.
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GENIUS Act Pushes Stablecoin Compliance Into Banks’ Back Offices
New stablecoin regulations are forcing banks to upgrade compliance, paving the way for digital tokens to become a standardized consumer payment method.
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Fed, Bowman sued over capital-requirements process
A new lawsuit alleges secret meetings between the Fed and big banks, a move that could delay regulatory clarity and impact consumer lending appetites.
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Regulators propose new guidance on core providers
Federal regulators propose stricter oversight for core tech providers to increase transparency and prevent disruptions in banking and credit services.
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California Starts Regulating the People Who Audit AI
California's new AI auditing laws will force consumer lenders to be more transparent about the algorithms used to approve customer financing.
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Banks keep cannabis at arm’s length over perceived risk: GAO
A GAO report finds that federal regulatory fears continue to block cannabis retailers from accessing mainstream banking and financing.
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9/11 inspired counterterrorism. Now we have counter-fraud.
Federal anti-terror tools are being repurposed to fight consumer fraud, leading to tighter security and new data-sharing norms for lenders.
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Industry backs UK National Payments Vision but confidence it will work lags
UK industry leaders support a major overhaul of national payment systems but remain skeptical about the government's ability to execute the plan.
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The 9/11 attacks marked a sea change in bank regulation
How post-9/11 security laws created the identity verification and KYC hurdles that define modern consumer financing.
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Regulators allow more banks to opt for 18-month exam cycle
Federal regulators extend the exam cycle for nearly 200 community banks, potentially easing operational burdens for local consumer lending partners.
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NYDF issues cybersecurity guidance
New York's DFS issues strict new cybersecurity risk assessment rules that will impact how lenders and merchants handle consumer data.
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DOJ’s New Fraud Division Puts Data at Center of Corporate Enforcement
The DOJ’s new National Fraud Enforcement Division will use proactive data analytics to hunt for corporate misconduct in financial transactions.
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Lawsuit accuses Bowman, Fed of 'rigging' comment process
A new lawsuit alleges the Fed 'rigged' the comment process for capital rules, a move that could ultimately impact consumer credit availability.
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Trump renews his calls to cap credit card fees
Renewed political pressure to cap credit card swipe fees could lead to significant cost savings for retail merchants and service providers.
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Trump pledges card fee cuts, again
Proposed caps on credit card fees could slash merchant overhead but may lead to tighter consumer credit approvals.
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BMO payments partner to pay $12M for serving shell companies
A $12 million FTC settlement highlights the growing regulatory pressure on payment processors to vet merchants and eliminate shell company fraud.
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Clarity Act Faces Sept. 15 Make-or-Break Vote in Senate
A critical Senate vote on the Clarity Act will determine if consumer lenders face a unified federal framework or continued regulatory uncertainty.
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Processor pays $12M to settle ‘sham’ merchant case
A $12 million FTC settlement with Humboldt Merchant Services signals a major crackdown on processors who ignore fraudulent merchant activity.
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Compliance burden key barrier to cannabis banking, GAO finds
A GAO report finds that heavy compliance costs and SAR filing requirements are keeping traditional banks away from the cannabis industry.
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medical
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Congress Returns With Sweeping AI Bills Targeting Superintelligence, Health Insurance
New congressional bills targeting AI decision-making could reshape health insurance approvals and consumer credit transparency.
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Former FTC commissioner in Supreme Court battle joins NYU
Former FTC commissioner's move signals continued focus on consumer protection and retail financing oversight.
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Nuvei pays $4.9M to settle FTC case
Nuvei’s $4.9M FTC settlement signals a new era of strict oversight for payment processors and the merchants they support.
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How Regulation Helped Lift Infrastructure and Interoperability to the Next Level
Discover how evolving financial regulations are streamlining backend technology to create more flexible and secure consumer financing options for merchants.
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Safety and soundness rule puts nonmaterial risk onus on banks
New FDIC and OCC rules put banks under a microscope, potentially leading to tighter credit boxes for consumer financing programs.
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home-improvement
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Pulte, FHFA fraud crackdown heightens counterparty vetting risks
Federal regulators are blacklisting record numbers of individuals for fraud, signaling a new era of aggressive vetting for consumer finance partners.
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Pulte: 'cartel-like' bureaus should cut costs, eyes bi-merge
High-ticket retailers could see lower financing overhead as industry leaders push to end the three-bureau credit report monopoly.
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Banks without holding companies need better disclosure rules: GAO
Federal watchdogs call for stricter transparency rules for thousands of banks currently exempt from SEC oversight.
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Colorado AG takes on EWA provider EarnIn
Colorado's lawsuit against EarnIn signals a major regulatory shift that could redefine Earned Wage Access as traditional consumer lending.
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Banks can question customer activity without disclosing SARs
New federal guidance allows lenders to investigate suspicious activity through direct communication without breaking confidentiality laws.
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For-profit settlement is the wrong answer for troubled borrowers
Retailers should beware of for-profit debt settlement services that encourage customers to default on financing to force negotiations.
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As feds retreat, California boosts fair-lending enforcement
California's new fair-lending bill means stricter scrutiny for consumer financing programs and credit algorithms.
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Agencies clarify banks may contact customers tied to SARs
New federal guidance allows lenders to discuss suspicious transaction details with customers, potentially reducing friction for high-ticket financing.
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Fed Governor Points Lenders Toward Second-Chance Borrowers
Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr urges lenders to use AI and cash-flow data to approve more 'second-chance' consumers.
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The FTC Is Coming for AI’s Honesty Problem
The FTC is targeting AI systems that steer consumers toward specific financial products under the guise of neutral advice.
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Republicans unveil bill to change CFPB funding structure
A new House bill seeks to strip the CFPB of its independent funding and curb its broad authority to penalize lenders for 'deceptive' practices.
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The antitrust question is moving up the stack: What California’s new push and NVIDIA’s retreat mean for finance
Increased antitrust scrutiny on tech-led financing programs like NVIDIA's could disrupt how retailers access and fund new financial technology.
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House Republicans debut CFPB reform package
New House Republican bill targets the CFPB’s funding and enforcement power, potentially easing oversight on consumer lenders and retailers.
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Visa delivers 6M documents to DOJ
Visa faces a massive DOJ antitrust suit over debit dominance, which could eventually reshape payment processing costs for retailers.
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BofE governor warns that frontier AI models pose risk to global financial stability
Bank of England warns that heavy reliance on frontier AI could trigger systemic financial risks and automated cyber threats.
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Small firms hate SBA's new size standards; lenders are intrigued
New SBA size standards could make it easier for mid-sized retailers to secure government-backed loans, despite pushback from smaller firms.
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OCC Rewrites Enforcement Playbook to Focus on Big Bank Risks
The OCC is tightening the screws on big banks, which could mean stricter compliance and more red tape for merchant financing partners.
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These are the most important state-level elections for banks
State-level elections are poised to reshape consumer financing rules as local officials ramp up enforcement on fees and lending terms.
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California Moves Into Federal Consumer Protection Void Under Chopra
California's new aggressive regulatory stance under Rohit Chopra signals a crackdown on lending fees and disclosure transparency for merchants.
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OCC, FDIC cement drill-down on ‘material financial risks’
New federal guidelines for bank risk management could lead to stricter credit approvals for consumer financing programs.
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Illinois seeks to support cash use
Illinois mandates cash acceptance for transactions under $500, imposing steep fines for retailers that refuse physical currency.
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OCC and FDIC finalize narrower bank supervision procedures
New OCC and FDIC rules streamline bank audits, potentially stabilizing the lending environment for retail financing partners.
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SBA Proposal Could Push Small Business Lending Into the Middle Market
A new SBA proposal seeks to expand loan eligibility for over 114,000 firms by raising revenue and employee size standards.
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Asic and Apra warn frontier AI awareness must turn to action
Global regulators shift focus from AI awareness to enforcement, signaling stricter oversight for AI-driven credit and lending tools.
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UK Government tells Bank of England to support innovation in payment systems
The UK government is mandating the Bank of England to foster innovation in digital payments, paving the way for faster, cheaper merchant transactions.
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Bank of England Welcomes Government Plan to Drive UK Payments Innovation
The British Treasury is pushing the Bank of England to prioritize payment innovation and digital currency integration.
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US treasury establishes 'Quantum-Readiness Task Force'
The U.S. Treasury is setting the stage for new security standards to protect consumer financing data from future quantum computing threats.
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Banks ended aid to minority borrowers before official ban
New federal guidance bans targeted lending programs for minority borrowers, forcing lenders to adopt strictly race-neutral financing models.
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The FTC is turning its sights on personalized pricing. What does it mean for customers?
The FTC is investigating 'surveillance pricing,' signaling a new era of regulatory scrutiny for retailers using AI to personalize costs and financing.
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Debit fee battle 'huge looming threat' to large retail banks
A high-stakes legal battle over debit card fees could lower processing costs for retailers while squeezing bank revenues.
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These are the most important midterm House races for banks
The House Financial Services Committee is up for grabs, and the outcome will dictate the next two years of consumer lending oversight.
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Indebted Americans need help, not restrictions on settlement services
New federal debt settlement regulations could impact how customers resolve balances and regain eligibility for consumer financing.
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Federal agencies reverse Biden-era credit guidance
Federal agencies withdraw support for Special Purpose Credit Programs, signaling a shift toward more traditional lending oversight.
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5 AI-related steps to take before the SEC examiner knocks
Regulators are ramping up oversight of AI in financial services; here is how to ensure your consumer financing tools stay compliant.
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A $111 million scheme to keep bad merchants banked
A federal case highlights the legal dangers of using fraudulent services to artificially lower merchant charge-back ratios.
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What Colorado's amended AI law means for banks
Colorado’s new AI transparency law requires lenders to explain automated credit denials and let customers correct data errors.
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Midterm Senate races bankers need to watch
Control of the U.S. Senate will dictate the future of consumer credit regulation and the availability of point-of-sale financing for your customers.
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The 'FDIC illusion': Consumer trust in nonbanks outpaces reality
Consumers wrongly assume fintech apps offer the same FDIC safety as banks, sparking regulatory concerns that could impact digital payment adoption.
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How the debit fee battle pushes banks to other processing options
A looming court decision on debit fee caps could force banks to abandon traditional card rails for faster, alternative payment methods.
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CDFIs file lawsuit against Treasury to release funding
A legal battle over federal funding for community lenders could impact credit availability for underserved consumer segments.
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home-improvement
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Pulte nears LLPA fee tweaks as GSE margin shifts loom
Federal regulators are eyeing changes to mortgage fees that could shift borrowing costs for home buyers and major renovation projects.
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Alabama’s SouthPoint under fire by the Fed
Federal regulators order SouthPoint Bank to overhaul management and credit risk protocols following 'unsafe' business practices.
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CAMELS commenters seek clarity on ‘material financial risk’
Proposed changes to bank health ratings could impact how easily your customers get approved for financing.
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New York Moves Sweeping BNPL Regulation Closer to Implementation
New York’s latest BNPL rules require lenders to secure licenses and improve consumer protections, signaling a new era of oversight for alternative payments.
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Visa, DOJ lawyers clash ahead of trial
The DOJ’s monopoly lawsuit against Visa heats up, potentially impacting the debit fees merchants pay at the point of sale.
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Withholding CDFI funds harms the nation's most vulnerable communities
Federal funding delays for community lenders could tighten credit availability for low-income consumers and impact retail sales.