A Deep Dive into the Fight for the CFPB’s Survival
Release Date: 08/28/2025
Significant 2025 Deregulatory Developments in Banking Law
Consumer Finance Monitor
Join host Alan Kaplinsky, founder and former longtime leader of Ballard Spahr's Consumer Financial Services Group and one of the foremost thought leaders in the industry, as he welcomes two special guests for a timely and insightful conversation about the most significant deregulatory developments in banking law during 2025. Alan is joined by his Ballard Spahr colleague Scott Coleman, a partner with more than 30 years of experience guiding banks and bank holding companies through mergers, acquisitions, and all facets of regulatory compliance, especially in the community banking sector. They're...
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The CFPB’s Most Ambitious Regulatory Agenda Ever – Part 2
Consumer Finance Monitor
Today’s episode features Part 2 of our November 4 webinar, “The CFPB’s Most Ambitious Regulatory Agenda Ever.” (Part 1 of this series was released on December 18. We encourage you to listen to that episode as well). In Part 2, we continue to unpack the far-reaching implications of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) regulatory ambitions. The CFPB has published a sweeping agenda that promises to reshape the landscape for consumer financial services, and our panel of seasoned attorneys offers vital context and actionable insights for industry professionals,...
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The CFPB’s Most Ambitious Regulatory Agenda Ever – Part 1
Consumer Finance Monitor
Today’s episode features Part 1 of our November 4 webinar, “The CFPB’s Most Ambitious Regulatory Agenda Ever.” In this packed episode, our expert panel breaks down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s largest and boldest regulatory agenda to date. Discussing an unprecedented lineup of 24 rulemaking items that could reshape the consumer financial services industry. What’s Included: Unprecedented Regulatory Activity: We unpack why this semi-annual agenda stands out, the record number of proposed rules, and what this means for financial institutions, FinTechs, and...
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The CFPB’s Reg B Proposal: Key Changes and Industry Impact
Consumer Finance Monitor
Today’s podcast brings listeners a timely and insightful discussion as our panel examines the CFPB’s proposed amendments to Regulation B under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). As our regular listeners know, we released an episode yesterday, and we are providing this additional special episode in light of a development we consider both time-sensitive and exceptionally important. The discussion is hosted by Alan Kaplinsky, Senior Counsel, founder and former chair for 25 years of Ballard Spahr’s Consumer Financial Services Group, and features these distinguished experts in...
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AI in Financial Services: Understanding the White House Action Plan – and What It Leaves Out – Part 2
Consumer Finance Monitor
Today’s episode features Part 2 of our October 30, 2025 webinar, “AI in Financial Services: Understanding the White House Action Plan – and What It Leaves Out.” In this installment, our panel dives deeper into the evolving intersection of artificial intelligence, regulation, and innovation in financial services. Moderated by Alan Kaplinsky, Senior Counsel, founder and former longtime leader of Ballard Spahr’s Consumer Financial Services Group, and Greg Szewczyk, chair of the firm’s Privacy and Data Security Group, the discussion cuts through hype and uncertainty to provide clear,...
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AI in Financial Services: Understanding the White House Action Plan – and What It Leaves Out – Part 1
Consumer Finance Monitor
Today’s episode features Part 1 of our October 30, 2025 webinar, “AI in Financial Services: Understanding the White House Action Plan – and What It Leaves Out.” In this installment, a panel of leading experts breaks down the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in financial services—from foundational concepts to the latest regulatory developments. Moderated by Alan Kaplinsky, Senior Counsel, founder and former longtime leader of Ballard Spahr’s Consumer Financial Services Group, and Greg Szewczyk, chair of the firm’s Privacy and Data Security Group,...
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Opportunities in the Solar Finance Industries Despite Trump 2.0
Consumer Finance Monitor
Step into the intersection of consumer finance law and the solar energy industry with host Alan Kaplinsky, senior counsel at Ballard Spahr, and special guest Steven Burt, attorney and former public policy leader at major residential solar companies. In this episode, listeners will get an insider’s look at today’s solar landscape. Discover the key market segments, from utility-scale projects to commercial installations, community solar, and residential rooftop systems. Explore how recent shifts in federal policy under the Trump administration have changed energy priorities, from cancelling...
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Fair Lending Developments Under Trump 2.0 – Part 2
Consumer Finance Monitor
Today’s episode marks the second of a two-part series, with Part One having been released on November 13th. In this installment, we continue our conversation on the many changes in fair lending policy and enforcement under the second Trump administration. The discussion is moderated by Alan Kaplinsky, Senior Counsel, founder and former chair for 25 years of Ballard Spahr’s Consumer Financial Services Group, and features these distinguished experts in the field: Bradley Blower, Founder of Inclusive Partners LLC. John Culhane, Jr., Senior Partner and charter member of Ballard...
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Fair Lending Developments Under Trump 2.0 – Part 1
Consumer Finance Monitor
Today’s episode marks the first of a two-part series, with Part Two scheduled for release on November 20th. In this installment, we examine the sweeping changes in fair lending policy and enforcement under the second Trump administration. The discussion is moderated by Alan Kaplinsky, Senior Counsel, founder and former chair for 25 years of Ballard Spahr’s Consumer Financial Services Group, and features these distinguished experts in the field: Bradley Blower, Founder of Inclusive Partners LLC. John Culhane, Jr., Senior Partner and charter member of Ballard Spahr’s fair lending team....
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A New Era for Banking: What President Trump’s Debanking Executive Order and Related State Laws Mean for Financial Institutions, Government, and Banking Customers – Part 2
Consumer Finance Monitor
Today’s podcast features the second part of a recent webinar produced on September 24, 2025, titled: "A New Era for Banking: What President Trump's Debanking Executive Order and Related State Laws Mean for Financial Institutions, Government, and Banking Customers." In Part 2, we discuss the following topics: 1. What are the areas of uncertainty with respect to the Executive Order, including: · Defining an...
info_outlineWe recently wrote about the August 15th D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals decision in the lawsuit brought by the labor unions representing CFPB employees against Acting Director Russell Vought. The unions sought injunctive relief in response to what they described as an attempted “shutdown” of the Bureau.
In a 2–1 ruling, the Court of Appeals vacated a preliminary injunction issued by the District Court. That injunction had temporarily blocked the CFPB from carrying out a reduction-in-force (“RIF”) that would have left the Bureau with only about 200 employees to carry out its statutory responsibilities.
Today, our Consumer Finance Monitor podcast takes a deep dive into this critical decision and its implications. Alan Kaplinsky (founder and former practice group leader, now Senior Counsel in our Consumer Financial Services Group) joins Joseph Schuster (a partner in the Group) for a wide-ranging conversation covering:
- The majority opinion by Judge Katsos
- The dissenting opinion by Judge Pillard
- The plaintiffs’ options for further review — and why the odds may be at least 50–50 that the full D.C. Circuit (with 11 judges, 7 appointed by Democratic presidents) will grant en banc review
- Why plaintiffs might choose to continue litigating in the District Court as the CFPB implements the RIF and scales back activities to only those that are statutorily mandated
- How the CFPB’s sharply reduced budget (cut nearly in half by the “Big Beautiful Bill”) shapes the Bureau’s future functions
- What the CFPB could look like once litigation ends and “the dust settles”
- The impact of the just-released semiannual regulatory agenda
- The current status of the complaint portal
- What’s happening with the CFPB’s supervision and enforcement efforts
- How the DOJ and FTC are approaching consumer financial services issues
- Whether state attorneys general are stepping up enforcement to fill the gap left by a diminished CFPB
This is a must-listen episode for anyone following the future of the CFPB, the role of other federal agencies, and the actions of state AGs in regulating consumer financial services.