On Monday, AFSA submitted a letter to the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The letter was submitted in advance of the hearing to determine the 2020 fiscal year budget for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and urges the subcommittee to assist the FCC in adopting regulations implementing the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) as soon as possible.

The Court of Appeals on Wednesday, submitted an unpublished opinion on the rehearing of Ron Miller Enterprises v. Lobel Financial Corporation, Inc. While Lobel Finance did not succeed in it's case, the fact that this opinion is not published precludes it from being used as a citable authority, a positive outcome for the industry. AFSA filed an amicus brief in the matter on April 6th. Though the decision does not mention AFSA's amicus directly, it is likely that the court's decision to designate the opinion for non-publication was a result of the association's action.

On Tuesday, the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing entitled, “Legislating to Stop the Onslaught of Annoying Robocalls.” Attached is a letter that several trade associations signed and sent in advance of the hearing. AFSA prepared questions for members of the subcommittee to ask. One of the questions – asking witnesses how calls from legitimate businesses could still get through to consumers – was asked by a several members of Congress. Several members made the critical distinction between legitimate business calls and fraudulent robocalls.

Jack Ferry, Vice President of Communications for AFSA since 2015, announced to the staff this week that he will be retiring effective May 31, 2019.

Two House Financial Services Committee (HFSC) subcommittees held hearings of interest this week for AFSA members.

AFSA's State Government Affairs white paper for May focuses on state and local cash mandates. The rise of consumer use of payment cards and applications instead of cash has inspired many businesses to go completely cashless. In response, some states and municipalities have introduced legislation that would mandate cash acceptance, citing concerns over privacy and accessibility. The white paper takes an in-depth look into these state and local efforts and the effect these mandates would have on financial services companies.

AFSA this week responded to a request for information (RFI) from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regarding the credit card market. The bureau is seeking information as part of its mandate to “conduct a review…of the consumer credit market every two years.”

The Acting Superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) this week announced the department is creating a new Consumer Protection and Financial Enforcement Division. The new division combines the previously separate Enforcement & Financial Frauds with the Consumer Protection divisions. In the past few years, states have created their own mini-CFPBs in response to a perceived absence of federal enforcement. In addition to New York, there are mini-CPFBs in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and formerly in Maryland. Members of the California Assembly are considering introducing legislation to create their own mini-CFPB as well.

The latest episode, as well as previous editions of the AFSA Today podcast is available here.

Join AFSA on Thursday May 9, 2019 at 2 p.m. ET for the next installment of our popular webinar series with PCI Compliance & Your Call Centerpresented by PayNearMe.