When companies develop marketing strategies for brand and product awareness they will need to consider many forms of media to carry their messages.

Join us on May 30 at 2:00 p.m. ET for Repo on the Rise: 3 things for motor vehicle lenders to consider today, presented by Wolters Kluwer

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Dr. Lewis Mandell, author of MoneySKILL.

Call limits were the most discussed issue at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) May 9 Town Hall on debt collection in Philadelphia. Also discussed were; whether consumers should be able to opt-in to communications from debt collectors, communicating with consumers via text and email, the content of a voice mail message from a debt collector, debt validation notices, and whether the CFPB should permit the collection of time-barred debt.

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The Court of Appeals on Wednesday, submitted an unpublished opinion on the rehearing of Ron Miller Enterprises v. Lobel Financial Corporation, Inc. While Lobel Finance did not succeed in it's case, the fact that this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.