By Liz Coyle – American Bar Association Consumer protection laws exist for the purpose of leveling the playing field in the marketplace. In reality, the significant power imbalance that permeates society virtually ensures that only certain...
More infoSunTrust CEO talks community investment, merger updates with BB&T
By J. Scott Trubey – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution SunTrust Banks plans to double its annual community investment in metro Atlanta over the next three years, part of the company’s promise to remain a powerful local civic figure as it merges with...
More infoTell the CFPB Not to Repeal Protections Against 300% APR Car Title Loans
Comments are due May 15, 2019 to urge the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) not to repeal the heart of the payday and car title loan rule. Georgia voters across the state overwhelmingly support reform of the predatory lending industry...
More infoGeorgia House panel passes Kemp’s health insurance ‘waiver’ bill
Gov. Brian Kemp’s proposal to devise health care “waiver” programs that might ease insurance for some poor and middle-class Georgians passed a special House committee on Wednesday. The measure, Senate Bill 106, has already passed the state Senate...
More infoLending practices skirt Georgia law
Well, that’s easy, Renee McKoy thought, seeing the offer. The Gwinnett County woman knew she could buy shoes and groceries online. So why not also try to shop for a loan? She clicked an email link, squiggled a digital signature and watched $800 pop into...
More infoBCH: Can You Repay Your Loan?
Atlanta, GA (CBS46) – A new federal rule aimed at protecting borrowers from predatory lenders is set to take effect this August. The rule includes a key provision for borrowers to show they could repay their loan. But the Consumer Financial...
More infoCFPB Payday Rule Rollback Puts Georgians at Risk
Last week, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) moved to gut the agency’s own consumer protections against predatory payday and car-title lenders, leaving people exposed to the harms of these predatory products. Georgia thankfully already has...
More infoCFPB restores advisory boards with new appointments
By Francis Monofort – Mortgage Professional America The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has reassembled three advisory boards after Acting Director Mick Mulvaney dismantled them in June. Mulvaney has appointed a new set of experts from outside...
More infoA Look at Georgia’s Coverage Gap
By Daniel Thomas, Volunteer As part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), millions of Americans gained coverage through the implementation of Marketplaces for health insurance and Medicaid expansion. Medicaid expansion was meant to be a national policy as...
More infoDiscussing Energy Equity in Columbus
Before we know it, summer will be in full swing. For many families in Georgia trying to cool their homes, summer heat means high energy bills and tough choices. Families with low-to-moderate incomes living in energy inefficient homes may find themselves...
More infoGeorgia Financial Protection and Economic Opportunity Summit a Success
On March 8, Georgia Watch, Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, Prosperity Now, and Center for Responsible Lending hosted the first-ever Georgia Financial Protection and Economic Opportunity Summit. Nearly 50 partners from across the state and nation met...
More infoNew Legislation Would Undermine the CFPB’s Effectiveness
A bill introduced on Tuesday, HR 5266, co-sponsored by Georgia Representative David Scott (D – GA 13th District), would restructure the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) from an agency led by a single director to one headed by a five-member...
More info