Other Consumer Issues

Blacks Face Bias in Bankruptcy, Study Suggests (New York Times)
Blacks are about twice as likely as whites to wind up in the more onerous and costly form of consumer bankruptcy as they try to dig out from their debts, a new study has found. Read More

One Last Bite: Final Year for Bank Tax Refund Anticipation Loans
A bright note for consumers as this tax season begins: This is the final year in which refund anticipation loans (RALs) will be available from banks on a large scale, nationwide basis. After this season, there will be an end to the hundreds of millions drained from taxpayer refunds by these high-cost, high-risk loans. Read More

Memorandum in Opposition: New Yorkers Do Not Need Check Cashers as Lenders in New York
Empire Justice Center strongly opposes A.7047/S.3841, referred to as the “short-term financial services loan act.” We believe the bill would create an unlevel playing field by allowing check cashers to make loans that are currently prohibited from being made by mainstream, regulated banks and credit unions. Read More

Memorandum of Support: Amend Social Services Law § 106 to Protect the Homes of Welfare Recipients
New York is one of only two states in the nation that takes deeds and mortgages against the homes of welfare recipients to recover the public assistance paid to these homeowners. This bill would exempt persons who own and reside in one, two or three family homes from this archaic provision. If the goal of New York’s public assistance policy is to restore individuals to self-sufficiency, then it is time to pass this bill! Read More

U.S. Senate Needs to Confirm Cordray to Lead Consumer Bureau
Empire Justice Center is among 220 organizations urging Senate to confirm Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Read More

Memo of Opposition: Don’t Legalize Debt Settlement Scams in New York State
As other state legislatures add or strengthen needed consumer protections, New York should not legalize a for-profit debt settlement model that is inherently unworkable and abusive. Read More

Room for Debate: Are Banks Making Too Much Money From Fees?
Since the collapse of the housing bubble, and the recession, banks have been making more money from consumer fees. Do these charges need to be more closely regulated or limited, or are they necessary for the health of the banks, and the economy. Read More

Fair Notice on Fair Lending
We are letting both lenders and consumers know that in our examination and enforcement work, we will combat unlawful, discriminatory practices—including those that have an illegal disparate impact on protected borrowers. We will look not only at mortgage lending, but also at other types of credit including student loans, loans for cars, and credit cards. Read More