Week ahead: Early voting, ADA back in court and more

Just eight days remain until the Nov. 6 midterm elections, and credit unions are encouraging members to get to the polls.

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With that in mind, the Credit Union National Association has launched “Credit Unions Vote,” a component of CUNA’s Member Activation Program focused on ensuring credit union members make it to the ballot box. The initiative includes a website where credit union members can look up necessary voting information such as registration status and nearby polling precincts, along with links to register to vote and participate in early voting.

According to CUNA, 44 percent of registered voters are credit union members.

Another lawsuit regarding credit union website compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act is underway this week in Richmond, Va., where tomorrow a court will hear oral arguments in the Griffin vs. Department of Labor Federal Credit Union Case. A court previously dismissed a suit alleging the CU’s website violated the ADA.

The National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions has filed amicus briefs supporting multiple credit unions facing such suits, and members of the trade group’s staff are expected to attend Tuesday’s hearing.

CFPB to move on payday lending

The week also begins with the prospect of new payday lending rules from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which last week announced its intention to issue new rules in January regarding its short-term, small-dollar lending rule. As reported, Acting director Mick Mulvaney is looking to water down the forthcoming ability-to-repay requirements payday lenders face, along with extending the compliance date to allow the agency and industry ample time to loop in these changes.

Final decisions of the proposed scope will be announced closer to January, but the CFPB plans to revisit the ability-to-repay provisions rather than the payments provisions.

HMDA webinar

Registration is now open for a Nov. 14 webinar from the National Credit Union Administration on consumer compliance and the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act. Registration can be completed online and attendees can email questions in advance to ocfpccpo@ncua.gov.