By: Geoff Walsh June 25, 2026 For years, a silent but lethal procedural trap has haunted consumer litigation. When a plaintiff initiates a lawsuit—often involving predatory lending, construction defects, or consumer fraud—the defendant frequently scours the plaintiff’s financial history. If the plaintiff had previously filed for bankruptcy and failed to disclose the potential lawsuit as…
WASHINGTON — In a move that has sent shockwaves through the consumer advocacy community, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has implemented a series of stringent new requirements for its consumer complaint database. Critics, led by the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), argue that the agency—once considered the primary watchdog for American families—is effectively shifting…
WASHINGTON — June 24, 2026 — In a landmark move aimed at addressing the systemic barriers to homeownership that have defined the American housing landscape for decades, Congress today passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The bipartisan legislative package represents a significant federal intervention into the ongoing housing affordability crisis, prioritizing the needs…
By: Alys Cohen (NCLC) and Corey Frayer (CFA) June 23, 2026 In an era defined by rapid financial digitization, the boundary between speculative digital assets and foundational government-backed housing finance has been breached. In a move that has sent shockwaves through housing advocacy groups and legislative watchdogs, the mortgage lender Better and the digital exchange…
June 12, 2026 — A recently issued federal advisory concerning the banking sector has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with civil rights advocates and legal experts warning that the guidance may be a calculated move to stifle economic mobility for immigrant populations. The advisory, which outlines "heightened compliance expectations" for financial institutions dealing with specific…
June 8, 2026 — For millions of Americans, the barrier to securing stable housing is not just the monthly rent, but the daunting upfront costs required to sign a lease. Between first-month rent, last-month rent, and the traditional security deposit, moving into a new apartment can easily cost thousands of dollars. In response to this…
June 18, 2026 — As the federal student loan landscape undergoes its most significant structural shift in recent years, a critical window of opportunity is rapidly closing for thousands of families. With a looming deadline of July 1, 2026, the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) has issued an urgent advisory: Parent PLUS borrowers who fail…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a high-stakes regulatory battle that could redefine the boundaries of American consumer protection, a broad-based coalition of over 60 organizations—spanning the spectrum of civil rights, labor unions, legal advocacy groups, and small business associations—has issued an urgent demand to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. The coalition is calling for full…
WASHINGTON – As the House Financial Services Committee convenes for a high-stakes markup session this Tuesday, June 29, 2026, the legislative agenda has drawn sharp condemnation from a coalition of over 200 labor, consumer, and civil rights organizations. At the heart of the controversy are four specific bills that opponents argue will dismantle critical safeguards…
WASHINGTON — In a move that has sent ripples of concern through the financial services sector and civil rights advocacy groups, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), under the leadership of Russell Vought, issued a controversial advisory on Friday, June 5, 2026. The guidance encourages lenders to incorporate a borrower’s immigration status into their assessment…
