As observers ponder the CFPB’s future in a Trump Administration, the Federal Trade Commission’s continuing role as an enforcer of federal consumer financial protection laws should not be overlooked.  Over the approximately five years the CFPB has been operational, the FTC has demonstrated its intention to vigorously use its enforcement authority as to nonbanks even where it shares that authority with the CFPB.

Under the Consumer Financial Protection Act, the FTC retained its authority to enforce Section 5 of the FTC Act against all nonbanks within its jurisdiction.  Section 5 prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices.  It also retained its enforcement authority for nonbanks under the “enumerated consumer financial laws.”  Such laws include the TILA, CLA, EFTA, ECOA, FDCPA, FCRA and Gramm-Leach-Bliley.

Other laws that can be enforced by the FTC as to nonbanks include the Military Loan Act, the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Protection Act, and the Credit Repair Organizations Act.