On May 3, 2022, the FHFA announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will require lenders to use the Supplemental Consumer Information Form (SCIF) as part of the application process for loans that will be sold to the said Enterprises. The purpose of the SCIF is to collect information about the borrower's language preference, if any, and on any homebuyer education or housing counseling the borrower received, to help lenders facilitate communications with borrowers in their preferred language. Lenders will be required to adopt these changes and reporting requirements for loans with application dates on or after March 1, 2023.

On May 2, 2022, the CFPB published an article to highlight its initiative in ensuring a fair, transparent, and competitive auto lending market, including taking action against sloppy servicing practices that cause harm. As we published previously, the Bureau released a bulletin in late February which aims to mitigate illegal automobile repossessions.

On April 29, 2022, the FSB published a report that aims to assist supervisory and regulatory authorities in developing their approaches to monitor, manage and mitigate cross-sectoral and system-wide risks arising from climate change and to promote consistent approaches across sectors and jurisdictions.

On May 2, 2022, the CFPB released an article on how to prevent and report scams targeting older adults. In partnership with the Federal Trade Commission, the CFPB aims to help older adults and their families and friends know what to do if someone demands payment by these methods, and where to report fraud.

On April 29, 2022, FinCEN announced the renewal and expansion of its Geographic Targeting Orders (GTOs) that require U.S. title insurance companies to identify the natural persons behind shell companies used in all-cash purchases of residential real estate. The terms of the GTOs are effective beginning April 30, 2022, and ending on October 26, 2022.

On April 29, 2022, OFAC re-issued the amended the Ukraine-Related Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. part 589, renaming it to Ukraine-/Russia-Related Sanctions Regulations. This administrative action replaces the regulations that were published in abbreviated form on May 8, 2014 with a more comprehensive set of regulations that includes additional interpretive and definitional guidance, general licenses, and other regulatory provisions that will provide further guidance to the public.

On April 28, 2022, FinCEN released a statement by Acting Director Himamauli Das before the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services where he provided an update on FinCEN’s implementation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 (AML Act), including the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA).

On April 26, 2022, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra testified before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in conjunction with the CFPB’s submission of the Semiannual Report to Congress. In his speech, Chopra enumerated the CFPB’s efforts to align with the objectives that Congress set out for the agency.

On April 25, 2022, the CFPB announced that it is invoking a largely unused legal provision to examine nonbank financial companies that pose risks to consumers. Through the use of this dormant authority, the CFPB believes that it will protect consumers and level the playing field between banks and nonbanks. In addition, the CFPB is seeking public comments on a procedural rule to make this process more transparent.