

The Consumer Finance Podcast
Chris Willis, Troutman Pepper Locke
The Consumer Finance Podcast provides reliable, insightful, and entertaining industry-specific content central to consumer finance services. Hosted by veteran Troutman Pepper Locke CFS Partner Chris Willis, this podcast features industry experts, insiders, and other Troutman Pepper Locke attorneys delivering easily digestible segments on a variety of topics.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 18, 2025 • 20min
Navigating Corporate Restructuring: Strategies to Optimize Value and Manage Liabilities
In this episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast, Chris Willis, co-leader of Troutman Pepper Locke’s Consumer Financial Services Regulatory practice, delves into the intricacies of corporate restructuring with Alex Rovira, a partner in the Bankruptcy + Restructuring group. They explore two key strategies — optimization restructuring and liability management transactions — that financial services companies can employ to isolate liabilities and enhance asset value. Learn how these methods can help businesses manage distress, improve credit lines, and maintain operational efficiency amid regulatory challenges and market fluctuations. Tune in for insights on aligning business structures and leveraging balance sheet adjustments to navigate financial complexities effectively. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 11, 2025 • 25min
Point-of-Sale Finance Series: Innovations, Regulations, and Future Trends of Modern Credit Cards
In this crossover episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast and Payments Pros, Jason Cover is joined by Mark Furletti, Taylor Gess, and Jeremy Sairsingh to discuss the intricate world of credit cards. Whether plastic, metal, or digital, credit cards have significantly evolved over time, along with their regulations. This episode examines the historical roots, modern functionalities, and the regulatory landscape that governs credit cards. Discover how innovations like buy now, pay later models are reshaping consumer credit, and gain insights into the future of credit card regulation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 4, 2025 • 20min
Illinois Mortgage Foreclosure Shake-Up: Navigating Statute of Limitations Challenges
In this episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast, Chris Willis and Louis Manetti delve into the evolving legal landscape surrounding the statute of limitations for mortgage foreclosures in Illinois. With recent cases challenging long-held assumptions, lenders face new uncertainties. This discussion provides insights into how these cases could set binding precedents, potentially altering foreclosure practices statewide. Tune in to understand the implications for lenders and servicers and learn strategies to navigate these legal challenges effectively. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 28, 2025 • 24min
Regulatory Rollback: Impact of the CFPB's Withdrawal of Overdraft and Deposit Account Fee Guidance on Financial Institutions and Related Litigation Risks
In this episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast, Chris Willis, Heryka Knoespel, and Lori Sommerfield discuss overdraft and deposit account fees as they continue to dive into the CFPB's guidance withdrawal. They highlight the regulatory and litigation impacts of the rescinded guidance and its impact on banks and financial institutions, particularly in terms of compliance burdens and fee income, while also weighing potential reputational risks and operational challenges that may arise if policy changes follow the CFPB's withdrawn guidance. This episode also emphasizes the importance of financial institutions being prepared to defend against lawsuits, specifically those related to Regulation E and affirmative consent. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 21, 2025 • 21min
Point-of-Sale Finance Series: Understanding the Development and Regulation of Buy Now, Pay Later Products
In this crossover episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast and Payments Pros, guest host Taylor Gess is joined by Jason Cover and Jeremy Sairsingh to discuss buy now, pay later (BNPL) products as they continue to dive into the Point-of-Sale Finance Series. They highlight the complexities of BNPL offerings and the transformation of these payment models with varying fee structures and repayment terms. As these BNPL products mature, they challenge traditional definitions and regulatory frameworks, prompting a closer look at how consumers and providers are adapting to this financing option and its effects. With continuous industry innovations, regulators are working to keep pace, raising questions about the future direction of BNPL regulation and its impact. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 14, 2025 • 16min
Regulatory Rollback: CFPB's Withdrawal of Informal Guidance Sparks New Litigation Dynamics
In this episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast, Chris Willis is joined by veteran litigators Jason Manning and Carter Nichols to explore litigation implications following the CFPB's withdrawal of nearly 70 pieces of informal guidance earlier this year. The discussion examines how this significant shift impacts private litigation, particularly in cases where courts previously relied on these guidance documents, opening new avenues for legal arguments and challenges in a landscape where statutory interpretation and legal strategy become paramount with opportunities to redefine precedents and discover uncharted legal territories. The episode underscores the evolving nature of consumer finance litigation and the strategic considerations that come with these regulatory changes. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 31, 2025 • 17min
Point-of-Sale Finance Series: Unpacking Leases and RTO Models
In this crossover episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast and Payments Pros, Chris Willis, Jason Cover, and Taylor Gess expand on the Point-of-Sale Finance Series to focus on leases and rent-to-own (RTO) models. This conversation spotlights the legal frameworks and best practices for structuring these models and integrating alternative financial options into point-of-sale offerings for goods and services. They also discuss market trends driving the creation of innovative products that are becoming increasingly popular, including virtual RTOs, solar panel leasing, and short-term renewable transactions for ride-share programs. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 24, 2025 • 25min
Regulatory Rollback: Legal Challenges and Opportunities in Earned-Wage Access
This discussion features Keith Barnett, host of the Payments Pros podcast, and Mark Furletti, a partner at Troutman Pepper Locke, who specializes in Consumer Financial Services. They explore the recent changes in regulatory guidance on earned-wage access (EWA) products, especially after the CFPB's withdrawal. The conversation highlights the history of EWA, the challenges posed by varying state laws, and the importance of compliance for fintechs. They also touch on the rising trend of litigation surrounding EWA, emphasizing the need for clarity in legal frameworks.

Jul 17, 2025 • 26min
Wire Fraud Litigants Beware: Fourth Circuit Ruling Protects the Banks
In this episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast, Chris Willis is joined by veteran litigators and Troutman Pepper Locke Partners Mary Zinsner and Heryka Knoespel to dissect a groundbreaking Fourth Circuit decision on bank liability in wire transfer fraud cases. The ruling clarifies the actual knowledge standard under the Uniform Commercial Code, rejecting negligence-based liability and safeguarding the speed and efficiency of the banking system. Discover how this decision impacts future litigation and the banking industry's approach to fraud prevention. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 10, 2025 • 16min
From Banks to Fintech: The Evolution of Small Business Lending
In this special crossover edition of Payments Pros and The Consumer Finance Podcast, Carlin McCrory and Jason Cover are joined by their colleague Caleb Rosenberg to explore the evolving landscape of small business financing. They highlight the significant growth in diverse financing products and providers, which have expanded funding access for small businesses, particularly startups.The discussion outlines the evolution from traditional bank lending to the rise of online and fintech solutions, which have filled gaps left by conventional lenders. The group also examines the complexities of the regulatory environment, focusing on the increased scrutiny from state legislatures and the introduction of consumer-like disclosure requirements for small business lending.Additionally, they consider the impact of recent legislative changes in states like Texas and Louisiana, which could transform financing practices. The conversation includes best practices for structuring and servicing financial products while also speculating on future regulatory trends and the potential influence of federal oversight by the FTC. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.


