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Looking Ahead: Perspectives from the BCFP’s Office of Innovation

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Paul Watkins, Director of the Office of Innovation at the Bureau for Consumer Financial Protection (BCFP), is the luncheon speaker Oct. 24 at AFSA’s upcoming Annual Meeting.

Watkins will shed light on the Bureau’s plans in the technology space. Recent announcements regarding international cooperation and a reinvigorated disclosure “sandbox” demonstrate the Bureau’s eagerness to encourage innovation in consumer financial products and services. This session will be a unique opportunity to learn more about the Bureau’s agenda for innovation.

In his role, Watkins oversees the Bureau’s efforts to facilitate innovation, competition, and consumer access within the markets for financial products and services. He was previously the Civil Litigation Division Chief at the Arizona Office of the Attorney General where he managed the state’s litigation in areas such as consumer fraud, antitrust, and civil rights. In Arizona, he drafted and advocated for legislation establishing the first “FinTech sandbox” in the country.

Arizona AG Mark Brnovich addressed AFSA members in January at the association’s first Law & Compliance Symposium, outlining Arizona’s “FinTech sandbox,” which he described as a way to reduce regulations without stifling technology. He said this initiative would allow for fintech companies “to come up with a better mousetrap” to serve the citizens of Arizona.

Previously, Watkins practiced at Covington & Burling LLP in San Francisco, and Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett LLP in Palo Alto, California. He is a graduate of Hillsdale College and Harvard Law School, and a former clerk for Judge Dennis W. Shedd on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Registration for the Annual Meeting is open now at annual.afsaonline.org.

Looking Ahead: Perspectives from the BCFP’s Office of Innovation
Sep 24, 2018

Paul Watkins, Director of the Office of Innovation at the Bureau for Consumer Financial Protection (BCFP), is the luncheon speaker Oct. 24 at AFSA’s upcoming Annual Meeting.

Watkins will shed light on the Bureau’s plans in the… Read the rest

Webinar to Look at Income Verification
Sep 20, 2018

Join AFSA on Tuesday, October 2 at 2 p.m. ET for Verify to Clarify – Know More About Your Customers to Help Grow & Increase your Portfolio Profitability, presented by Equifax.

Verifying income and employment is an essential Read the rest

Federal Issues are the Focus of AFSA’s Second Podcast
Sep 20, 2018

The second podcast in AFSA’s recently-launched AFSA Today series is available at afsaonline.org/podcasts.

In this podcast, AFSA’s Jack Ferry, Vice President of Communications, interviews Bill Himpler, AFSA’s Executive… Read the rest

AFSA Attends Credit Visibility Symposium
Sep 18, 2018

AFSA staff attended the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection’s (BCFP) Building a Bridge to Credit Visibility Symposium on Sept. 17, the focus of which was using innovation to build economic opportunity.

The heads of several different… Read the rest

BCFP Engages with State Officials
Sep 17, 2018

The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (BCFP) this week posted a blog saying it is emphasizing growing its state and local government relationships, as part of its Strategic Plan and Objectives for this year.

“The Bureau has strong… Read the rest

Former Google CIO presents webinar on Machine Learning and Credit Models
Sep 13, 2018

Today’s financial institutions understand the power of artificial intelligence to drive profitability in their businesses. Many lenders employ data science teams who are experimenting with machine learning. But the challenge… Read the rest

BCFP, Fed, other agencies say “guidance” is not the same as law
Sep 12, 2018

The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (BCFP) and four other federal agencies this week issued a joint statement explaining the role of supervisory guidance for regulated institutions, clarifying that guidance does not have the same… Read the rest

Economist: Vehicle demand remains strong; headwinds possible for manufacturers and lenders
Sep 10, 2018

Despite the announcement last week that U.S. auto sales through August are tracking at an annual rate of 17 million units by year-end, certain economic headwinds are possible which would affect both auto manufacturers and lenders in the future.… Read the rest

AFSA Launches AFSA Today Podcast
Sep 07, 2018

The American Financial Services Association (AFSA) today launched a new communications channel for AFSA members and prospective members. AFSA Today, is AFSA’s first-ever podcast focusing on a discussion of issues relevant to the… Read the rest

AFSA to Hold Webinar on New Calif. Privacy Law
Aug 30, 2018

AFSA will host a webinar on September 7 about the recently-passed California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (AB 375/Chapter 55) and the new requirements for financial institutions doing business in the state. Although the requirements will… Read the rest

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