State regulators

Payday lenders have long used bank partnerships and similar means to circumvent state interest rate caps. Lawmakers should stop such practices now.

The Colorado Banking Board may be the first regulator to ever block a credit union-bank merger.

Colorado's State Banking Board voted 6-1 to stop Elevations Credit Union from buying Cache Bank & Trust. This is believed to be the first time regulators have blocked such a deal.

In another sign of state officials trying to outdo the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, governors in California and New York want greater authority to license and oversee the debt collection industry.

In another sign of state officials trying to outdo the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, governors in California and New York want greater authority to license and oversee the debt collection industry.

The Bay State is the latest to push its lawmakers to modernize how CUs do business in order to help state charters remain competitive with federal charters.

Former CFPB Director Richard Cordray and consumer advocates have designed a proposed state consumer agency that would subject more financial firms and fintechs to state oversight.

Former CFPB Director Richard Cordray and consumer advocates have designed a proposed state consumer agency that would subject more financial firms and fintechs to state oversight.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to ask the legislature to revamp the current Department of Business Oversight and rename it the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, modeled after the federal CFPB.

With fintech firms seemingly stuck in neutral in their efforts to gain banking charters, alternative state licensing options could get another look in 2020.