Americans for Financial Reform

Letter to Regulator: AFR, 8 organizations provide detailed recommendations to FHFA to improve language access in the mortgage industry

“The burden of interpreting financial services jargon and communicating with lenders and servicers should not rest solely on borrowers. . . . Expanding access to language services throughout the mortgage process would begin to equalize a system that currently undermines the ability of LEP borrowers to understand the complexities of their future homeownership prospects and to protect their home after purchasing it.”

Letter to Regulator: AFR, 86 organizations call for FHFA to make mortgages more accessible to people with limited English proficiency

“As dominant actors in the mortgage industry with a statutory duty to facilitate underserved communities’ access to homeownership, we welcome the FHFA, Freddie Mac, and Fannie Mae’s consideration of steps to expand access to the mortgage market.”

Letter to Congress: AFR opposes nomination of Joseph Otting for Comptroller of the Currency

“Mr. Otting previously served as the CEO of OneWest from 2010 to 2015. During that time, the bank had a well-documented record of consumer complaints, a questionable response to regulatory inquiries, and executed tens of thousands of foreclosures. “

AFR Statement: House Vote on CFPB Forced Arbitration Rule a Victory for Big Banks and Predatory Lenders

House vote to roll back CFPB rule limiting forced arbitration aids big banks and predatory lenders while stopping ordinary Americans from getting their day in court.

Letter to Congress: Randal Quarles should not be confirmed as Federal Reserve Vice-Chair for Supervision

“In selecting Mr. Quarles, the Trump Administration has reached back to the economic team of the Bush Treasury, where Mr. Quarles served from 2001 to 2006…. Like the rest of the Bush Administration team, Mr. Quarles showed no evidence of being aware of the historic meltdown of the U.S. and global financial sector that was about to occur, or of the significance of the toxic and fraudulent Wall Street activities that were taking place on his watch.”

AFR Statement: House Lawmakers Voting to Roll Back CFPB Forced Arbitration Rule Defy Public Sentiment

In a tough test for the public’s view of the rule, likely voters concluded the rule helps hold companies accountable, and rejected notions that it will encourages frivolous lawsuits.

AFR/CRL Poll: Bipartisan, National Majorities Support CFPB Rule Curbing Forced Arbitration

Strong, bipartisan majorities nationwide back the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s rule curbing forced arbitration and giving consumers their day in court.

AFR Statement: Oppose Effort to Roll Back CFPB Rule Banning Forced Arbitration

Rolling back CFPB rule banning forced arbitration would be a giveaway to Wells Fargo and predatory lenders. Lawmakers should oppose this cynical effort.

TOWS Press Release: Leading Members of Congress Propose An Agenda to Take on Wall Street

“Seven years ago this week the Dodd Frank act was signed into law, setting in motion measures to protect consumers and make the financial system more stable. Unfortunately, some lawmakers wish to turn back the clock and undo these reforms, and we are stepping up the fight to stop them. But the important work of defending Dodd-Frank must not be the end of the story. We need to do more to build a financial system that works for most Americans, not against them.”

Letter to Regulators: AFR Opposes SoFi’s Deposit Insurance Application

“…The essence of SoFi’s application is a request to seek the benefits of federal deposit insurance without subjecting SoFi itself or its private equity owners to the well-founded requirements for bank holding companies. The FDIC should not approve the application to facilitate this regulatory arbitrage. …If its application is granted, SoFi will be the first new ILC to secure deposit insurance in over a decade. That will send a clear signal to the marketplace that the FDIC intends once again to approve ILC deposit insurance applications. FDIC should not grant SoFi’s application and allow the ILC loophole to be revived.”