CFPB Releases Small Entity Compliance Guide for Payday Rule; CFPB Updates List of Rural and Under-served Counties; CFPB Seeks Assistant Director for the Office of Regulations.

In a rather unusual move, the CFPB earlier this month released written guidance to clarify certain aspects of the integrated mortgage dis-closure rule. This left many industry watchers looking at clues as to whether it signals a change in the agency’s attitude towards written guidance.

Democratic lawmakers recently introduced a bill to both chambers of Congress to repeal the partial exemption granted last year to smaller institutions from certain mortgage reporting requirements.

The CFPB appears to have shifted away from addressing lending discrimination via enforcement actions, according to the bureau’s first semi-annual report to Congress under Director Kathy Kraninger. The report covers bureau activities from April 1, 2018, to Sept. 30, 2018.

In yet another effort for deregulation following the controversial payday lending rule proposal, the CFPB is likely to propose changes to the mortgage disclosure rule, according to industry observers.

CFPB Updates Reference Chart for 2019 HMDA Data Collection; CFPB Sued for Withholding Records on its Decision to Stop Military Lending Act Supervision; CFPB Clarifies Participation in "Disclosure Sandbox."

Consumer groups have called on the CFPB to oppose a regulatory proposal which will significantly expand the number of non-agency mortgages that will not need a full appraisal.

The CFPB recently provided informal guidance in the form of frequently asked questions, addressing issues related to the integrated mortgage disclosure rule.

CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger assured Republican senators that the CFPB will examine industry concerns regarding the integrated mortgage disclosure rule.

The critical ability-to-repay provision related to the 2017 payday lending rule is likely to be scrapped by the CFPB, industry attorneys observed.