Steve Roennau
Vice President
Compliance
EFG Companies
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has not come out unscathed in the wake of the Wells Fargo scandal. While some say the CFPB’s enforcement action demonstrates a need to strengthen the agency, others use the scandal as a case study to demonstrate the bureau’s inept and over-reaching practices. What’s behind the controversy surrounding the CFPB on this case? The L.A. Times broke the story of Wells Fargo deceptive practices in 2013, yet it just recently got the attention of the CFPB. Regulators are now asking the CFPB to account for this lapse.
In the background of all this, the Senate is scheduled to vote on legislation that could curb the CFPB’s independence. While both dealers and lenders avidly await that decision, it’s important to remember that the legislation does not dismantle with the bureau. And, with everything still up in the air, the best practice to undertake is to keep on overhauling your own compliance practices.
Regardless of any legislative changes, compliance will continue to be in the spotlight in the coming years. Whether the CFPB functions under more strict parameters or continues to have free reign over lending practices, we can expect them to continue to work to expand their influence.
