Trump-appointed regulators gave the industry the green light to offer installment loans during the pandemic. But with concerns that the light could turn red in 2021, bankers remain extra cautious.

Wells Fargo buys $14B of delinquent mortgages tied to pandemic; CFPB launches investigation of Quicken Loans real estate affiliate Rocket Homes Real Estate; Truist accelerates cost-cutting plans; and more from this week’s most-read stories.

The Detroit lender disclosed that the consumer bureau had sent a civil investigative demand to Rocket Homes Real Estate for potential violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.

The consumer agency alleges Townstone Financial's CEO and president made statements on a radio show discouraging applicants living in Black neighborhoods from seeking home loans.

A recent ruling declaring the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s structure unconstitutional signaled that a similar outcome awaits the Federal Housing Finance Agency. But the FHFA will argue in a new case that it does not deserve the same fate.

Consumers now have more control over their own financial decisions and loan options.

Policymakers have eased some rules and the Supreme Court recently dealt a blow to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. But as the landmark legislation approaches its 10th anniversary, the post-crisis regulatory regime has stayed largely intact.

The high court ruled June 29 that the structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau violated the separation of powers.

But Boston Fed chief sees more interest among banks and borrowers if the economy worsens; the failed payments company is being investigated for its alleged role in a $100 million caper.

Consumers now have more control over their own financial decisions and loan options.

The German bank agreed to pay $150 million to New York State for its dealings with Jeffrey Epstein; the new tool will help lenders determine which borrowers are in the best shape to weather a crisis.

The agency sought to provide certainty that most actions from the past eight years remain in effect despite the ruling that the bureau's leadership structure is unconstitutional.

The agency delivered long-anticipated regulatory relief to the small-dollar loan industry by eliminating ability-to-repay requirements imposed under the bureau’s former director.

As PPP enters forgiveness phase, some banks see outsourcing as best move; after the Fed’s stress tests, Wells Fargo to cut dividend while other big banks boost capital buffer; Supreme Court strikes down CFPB leadership structure; and more from this week’s most-read stories.

Tom Pahl, a former longtime regulator at the Federal Trade Commission, has led key rulemaking efforts for the consumer bureau.

Legal experts say it is now more likely that the Supreme Court will strike down the single-director governance framework for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s regulator.

The agency has proposed letting firms seek specific guidance, which can be applied to other institutions. But consumer groups worry the plan circumvents formal rulemaking.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's leadership structure could be set for a revamp, but there may be political reasons for both parties to maintain the status quo. Either option could prove problematic for the industry.

Supreme Court says the president has the power to remove the director at will; the bank is the only one of the six largest U.S. banks to say it will cut its dividend next quarter.

The Supreme Court threw out a key statutory provision concerning the agency’s leadership structure, but the presidential election and possible legislative reforms could bring about more changes to the embattled bureau.