The Consumer Finance Podcast

In this episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast, host Chris Willis is joined by Troutman Pepper Locke Partner Lori Sommerfield and Relman Colfax Co-Managing Partner Stephen Hayes for a candid discussion about how redlining has traditionally been defined, how redlining was defined and applied during the Biden administration, and how it may return under a future administration or in cases brought by state regulators or private litigants. This episode further explores the tension between the standards set forth in enforcement actions and those applied in supervisory examinations, and the role of statistical analysis and HMDA data in redlining cases. The podcast also tackles issues like digitally targeted advertising and what shifting regulatory priorities under the current administration may mean for future redlining enforcement risk, offering a balanced look at where redlining law has been — and where it may be headed next. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast, Chris Willis is joined by Ted Augustinos and Kim Phan to introduce The Money Matrix, an upcoming webinar series helping financial institutions navigate privacy, data security, and AI in today's complex digital landscape. The teaser highlights strategies to secure financial data, overcome barriers to adopting AI, and stay ahead of regulatory trends. Each session offers practical guidance to help teams like Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus remain innovative, compliant, and trusted. The series explores how financial institutions can balance innovation with data privacy while leveraging AI responsibly. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast, host Chris Willis is joined by Troutman Pepper Locke Partner Lori Sommerfield and Charles River Associates VP and Practice Leader of Financial Economics Marsha Courchane to discuss the current administration's "debanking" initiative established through Executive Order 14331. They discuss key actions taken by federal agencies to implement it, expectations for financial institutions and small business lenders to conduct internal reviews, regulatory reporting deadlines, and consequences for noncompliance. This episode also features practical tips on tools and technology that institutions/small business lenders can use to facilitate conducting debanking reviews and highlights the tension between the debanking initiative and financial institutions' need to comply with the Bank Secrecy Act and other federal anti-money laundering laws. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this crossover episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast and Payments Pros, Jason Cover sits down with Brooke Conkle and Caleb Rosenberg to demystify the Federal Trade Commission's Holder Rule and its day‑to‑day impact on point‑of‑sale (POS) finance programs. They explain why creditors and assignees inherit customers' claims and defenses against merchants, what transactions are in scope and out of scope, how liability is generally capped at amounts paid (and why attorneys' fees remain a live issue), and how merchant/vendor/dealer agreements can shift risk back to sellers. The conversation turns practical with a compliance toolkit: robust upfront diligence, continuous monitoring of merchant and consumer complaints (including requiring merchants to forward complaints), and a risk‑based response that separates meritless claims from those requiring redress. The panel also highlights enforcement and litigation trends and why, at 50 years old, the Holder Rule remains bedrock law that POS lenders cannot ignore, even as strong contracts and oversight materially mitigate exposure. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this crossover episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast and Payments Pros, Jason Cover, Mark Furletti, and Andrew Thurmond return to unpack the complex landscape of residential solar finance. They highlight practical complications lenders face with home improvement projects involving power purchase agreements, leases, tax credit, retail installment contracts, renewable energy certificates, and more. The discussion also provides insight on trends in the solar industry, bankruptcy, the rise of solar disclosure requirements and state-level oversight, and compliance measures to mitigate risk. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this special crossover episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast and Payments Pros, host Jason Cover is joined by colleagues Taylor Gess and Andrew Thurmond to unpack the legal and operational complexities of home solicitation and home improvement finance. The conversation analyzes the Federal Trade Commission’s Cooling-Off Rule and state analogs, highlighting practical pitfalls around oral and written cancellation notices, dealer obligations, and extended rescission periods or differing notice requirements in certain jurisdictions. The team explores how funding timing, change orders, electronic contracting, and foreign-language sales can impact risk.  They also dive into contractor and home improvement laws, e.g., down payment and progress payment restrictions, licensing, and conspicuous disclosure obligations plus state home improvement financing acts that may impose registration requirements, finance charge or fee limits, and specialized disclosures. The episode offers practical insights on issues to consider when doing business as in-home sales or under home improvement/contractor laws.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast, Chris Willis is joined by colleagues Jason Manning, Angelo Stio, and Rob Jenkin to unpack the surge of litigations arising from the use of tracking technologies (e.g., cookies, pixels, and session tools) on websites. This episode explains how plaintiff firms are repurposing federal and state wiretap and “trap-and-trace” laws, as well as the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), to assert claims associated with a business’s use of tracking technologies without consent.The Troutman attorneys tackle the state law statutes and the federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) that plaintiffs typically rely on, the statutory damages that may be available, and the defenses and mitigation options to prevent and combat the claims being pursued, including the use of consent banners, transparent disclosures, the supervision of vendors, and regular audits of the tracking technologies being deployed and the information being shared. Tune in for a concise, actionable guide to reducing litigation risk while maintaining marketing and analytics capabilities. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this insightful crossover episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast and Payments Pros, host Jason Cover is joined by colleagues Mark Furletti and Taylor Gess to explore the complexities of home improvement finance. The discussion delves into the unique risks associated with point-of-sale financing in the home improvement sector, such as contractor oversight issues, promotions, and the intricacies of state and federal regulations. Gain valuable insights into best practices for lenders and finance companies to mitigate these risks, ensure compliance, and protect consumers. This episode offers essential guidance on navigating the evolving landscape of home improvement finance. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast, Chris Willis is joined by colleagues Jason Manning and Carter Nichols to explore the intricacies of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). As the current administration emphasizes the protection of servicemembers, understanding the SCRA's provisions is more crucial than ever. The discussion covers the array of legal protections offered to active duty military members, reservists, and National Guard members, including interest rate caps, eviction protections, and lease terminations. The episode also delves into the complexities of active duty status and the differences between the SCRA and the Military Lending Act. With a surge in litigation and regulatory scrutiny, this episode provides timely insights for financial institutions navigating compliance and litigation risks. Tune in to grasp the nuances of these critical statutes and their implications for the consumer finance industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this engaging crossover episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast and Payments Pros, host Taylor Gess is joined by colleagues Jason Cover, Andrew Thurmond, and Samer Roshdy to explore the complexities of contracting with merchants and dealers in the point-of-sale finance sector. The discussion highlights the diverse needs of merchants and finance administrators, the impact of industry-specific regulations, and the importance of clear contractual terms. Discover the common pain points in negotiations, the role of regulatory compliance, and the evolving nature of contracts in this dynamic space. Gain valuable insights into how businesses can effectively manage these relationships and ensure compliance with state and federal laws. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.