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Compliance Specific News & Resources for GoWest Credit Unions
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Compliance Newsletter

COMPLIANCE HEADLINES

National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) 


Agencies Issue Statement on Elder Financial Exploitation 


The NCUA along with the other federal financial institution regulatory agencies, FinCEN, and state financial regulators issued a statement to provide supervised institutions with examples of risk management and other practices that may be effective in combatting elder financial exploitation. 


Older adults who experience financial exploitation can lose their life savings and financial security and face other harm. A FinCEN trend analysis of BSA reports found about $27 billion in reported suspicious activity was linked to elder financial exploitation. 


Credit unions play an important role in combatting elder financial exploitation and supporting their members who experience these crimes. The statement provides examples of risk management and other practices including: 

  • Developing effective governance and oversight, including policies and practices to protect account holders and the institution 

  • Training employees on recognizing and responding to elder financial exploitation 

  • Using transaction holds and disbursement delays, as appropriate, and consistent with applicable law 

  • Establishing a trusted contact designation process for account holders 

  • Filing suspicious activity reports to FinCEN in a timely manner 

  • Reporting suspected elder financial exploitation to law enforcement, Adult Protective Services, and other appropriate entities 

  • Providing financial records to appropriate authorities where consistent with applicable law 

  • Engaging with elder fraud prevention and response networks 

  • Increasing awareness through consumer outreach 

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Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) 


An Analysis of the First Seven Months of the Federal Student Loan Return to Repayment 


The CFPB released a research report which looked into how borrowers transitioned to repayments after the COVID-19 emergency multi-year pause on federal student loan interest and payments which ended Sept. 1, 2023. Key findings include: 

  • Around 40 percent of borrowers successfully made payments in April 2024. 

  • Approximately 20 percent of borrowers had a scheduled payment of $0 as of April 2024, about double the share of borrowers before the payment pause as the use and generosity of IDR plans increased. 

  • Approximately 30 percent of borrowers missed their payments in April 2024 which is similar to the share (27 percent) of borrowers in repayment who missed their most recent payment prior to the payment pause in our sample. 

  • Nearly 8.9 million borrowers appear to have benefitted at least once from the on-ramp policy as 28 million borrowers returned to repayment all at once. 

  • Almost half (47 percent) of student loan borrowers entering repayment for the first time are not actively repaying. Additionally, 21 percent of borrowers new to repayment successfully made their payments in April 2024, and another 21 percent had $0 scheduled payments. 

  • Delinquencies on non-student loan debts were higher at the end of the payment pause than before the pause. Borrowers with $0 scheduled payments or who missed their April 2024 payments were five times more likely to have a non-medical collection appear on their credit record during the payment pause than borrowers who made their student loan payments and about three times more likely to be using 90 percent or more of their total credit card limit. 

  • Borrowers who live in low-income areas remain more likely to struggle to repay their student loans and other types of credit. Borrowers who have missed student loan payments are 27 percent more likely to live in a high-poverty area, consistent with borrowers with missed payments struggling more broadly. These borrowers are also about 60 percent more likely to be delinquent on a non-student loan debt than student loan borrowers overall. Similarly, borrowers with $0 scheduled monthly payments (likely due to meeting required low-income thresholds under IDR plans) are 33 percent more likely to live in a high-poverty area and are about 30 percent more likely to have delinquencies on other types of credit accounts than borrowers overall. 


CFPB Issues Proposed Rule to Limit the Sale of Personal Identifies by Data Brokers 


The CFPB issued a proposed rule to amend Regulation V and update the Fair Credit Reporting Act’s (FCRA’s) definitions of consumer report and consumer reporting agency as well as certain of the FCRA’s provisions governing when consumer reporting agencies may furnish, and users may obtain, consumer reports. The proposed rule is designed to ensure that the FCRA’s protections are applied to sensitive consumer information that the statute was enacted to protect, including information sold by data brokers. 

To address risks from abuses in the sale of personal information, the proposed rule would: 

  • Treat data brokers just like credit bureaus and background check companies: Companies that sell data about income or financial tier, credit history, credit score, or debt payments would be considered consumer reporting agencies required to comply with the FCRA, regardless of how the information is used. 

  • Protect consumers' personal identifiers from abuse and misuse: When consumer reporting agencies collect information like names, addresses, or ages for credit reports, any subsequent sale of that information would be covered by the FCRA's protections. 

  • Require clear consumer consent for data sharing: Under the proposed rule, companies relying on consumers’ consent to obtain or share a consumer’s credit report would need separate, explicit authorization to do so, rather than burying permissions in fine print. 


Comments are due by March 3, 2025. 



CFPB Bans Student Loan Pro and Owner for Fee Harvesting Scheme 


The CFPB has acted to permanently ban Student Loan Pro and Judith Noh, the owner of Student Loan Pro, from offering or providing consumer financial products. It has been alleged that Student Loan Pro and Noh violated federal law by charging borrowers upfront fees to file paperwork on their behalf to access free debt-relief programs available to the consumers with federal student loans. The CFPB’s stipulated judgement would also require Noh to dissolve Student Loan Pro and its related business, FNZA Marketing, LLC, and pay a civil penalty.  


Student Loan Pro, formed in 2015, is a California-based business that telemarketed debt-relief services for consumers with federal student loans. In 2021, the CFPB filed a lawsuit alleging that Student Loan Pro, Judith Noh, and Syed Gilani, the manager at the time, violated the Telemarketing Sales Rule by requesting and receiving advance fees as high as $795 for debt-relief services. Student Loan Pro’s advance-fee violations cost 3,300 consumers $3.5 million in advance fees.  



CFPB Announces Return of $1.8 Billion in Illegal Junk Fees to 4.3 Million Americans Harmed in Massive Credit Repair Scheme 


The CFPB will be distributing $1.8 billion to 4.3 million consumers that were illegally charged advance fees or were subjected to allegedly deceptive bait-and-switch advertising by credit repair companies including Lexington Law and CreditRepair.com. This will be the largest distribution from the CFPB’s victim relief fund to date.  


In August 2023, the CFPB secured a legal judgment against these credit repair companies after a district court ruled that the companies violated the Telemarketing Sales Rule’s advance fee prohibition. Under this law, credit repair companies that engage in telemarketing cannot collect fees until they provide documentation showing that they have achieved the promised results. Due to this ruling, the companies have had to fill Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.  

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U.S. District Court in Texas Issues Injunction Against Enforcement of Corporate Transparency Act 


U.S. District Court Opinion Enjoining Enforcement of CTA 


With less than one month to go before the mandatory compliance date for the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), a federal district court in Texas has issued a preliminary injunction which blocks the Department of Treasury from enforcing the reporting requirements of the CTA as provided for in FinCEN’s final rule. 


The CTA mandated that more than 32 million small businesses disclose information about the beneficial owners of the business to FinCEN. After the mandatory compliance date of Jan. 1, 2025, any business that had not reported the information to FinCEN could be assessed fines up to $500 per day. 


In the opinion, Judge Mazzant strongly rebuked the CTA for overstepping constitutional boundaries since corporate regulation generally falls within state jurisdiction. “For good reason, Plaintiffs fear this flanking, quasi-Orwellian statute and its implications on our dual system of government,” Mazzant wrote. 


For credit unions, this injunction does not change existing FinCEN regulation that requires the credit union to obtain and verify information about the beneficial owners of legal entity members doing business with the credit union. 


____________________________________________________________________________________


2025 Branch Signage Requirements 




OTHER CONSIDERATIONS 




EMPLOYEE SIGNAGE REQUIREMENTS
















League InfoSight Highlight


League InfoSight Highlight: The Power of Integration: InfoSight360!


For years, InfoSight, CU PolicyPro, and RecoveryPro have stood as leaders in their respective categories, each known for their unique functionality and industry-leading content. We have listened closely to credit union feedback and realized that the future is about creating a more unified experience – one where the strengths of our products come together in a way that not only amplifies their individual features but also creates new possibilities.


As you may have heard, in 2025, we will be unveiling InfoSight360, a groundbreaking product combination that brings together the best elements of our three flagship products into one seamless solution. This all-new offering promises to redefine how you interact with our technology, bringing comprehensive compliance information, policies, and business continuity planning (BCP) resources together in one place.


InfoSight360 Key Features

While we can’t give everything away just yet, here’s a glimpse of what you can expect from InfoSight360:

  • Enhanced AI Search: Whether asking specific questions or searching key words and phrases, the AI Search feature intelligently analyzes all available content to provide comprehensive answers.
  • Easy Access to Resources: Our new landing page puts quick links to the most relevant and frequently used features right at your fingertips, making it easier than ever to access the tools and content you need with just a click.
  • My 360 View: For users who prefer a more detailed and personalized experience, the My 360 View dashboard offers flexible widgets and real-time data feeds, so you can design a workspace that highlights the content and features most important to you.
  • Content Update Notifications: Stay informed on the latest developments that matter most to you through tailored notifications regarding changes to compliance content, model content, and the credit union’s custom content.
  • State-Specific Content: Research state-specific content and compare information across two different states to quickly access relevant data, identify key differences, and make informed decisions with minimal effort.

InfoSight360 goes beyond simply blending existing technologies – it creates a powerful foundation for further innovation and development.


As we approach the release date, we will be sharing more updates, sneak peeks, and behind-the-scenes looks at the product development.


Please reach out to info@leagueinfosight.com if you have any ideas or questions. We would love to hear from you!


Mary Ann Koelzer

Senior Technology Products Manager, League InfoSight




ARTICLES OF INTEREST



FinCEN Joins Public-Private Partnership to Combat Fraud and Scams Impacting Innocent Americans 


FinCEN and IRS-CI Convene Public-Private Sector Meeting in Philadelphia to Discuss Combating Illicit Finance Related to Fentanyl Trafficking 


CreditRepair.com and Lexington Law refund checks: What you need to know  


SCAM UPDATES


Don’t Let Scammers Get in the Way of Your Holiday Shopping 


Give to a Charity, Not a Scam 


IRS Warns of Holiday Scams 


Scammers Are Delivering Phishing Messages this Holiday Season 


Alleged Cryptocurrency Scams Continue to Incorporate in Washington State 


FTC Takes Aim to Top Fraud Driving Losses Among Older Americans 


That Random Text Offering You a Job? It’s Probably a Scam 


IRS Alert: Charitable Contribution Scams on the Rise 



COMPLIANCE CALENDAR

Dec. 25, 2024: Christmas Day – Federal Holiday 


Jan. 1, 2025: Department of Labor (DOL) - Fair Labor Standards Act Amendment 


Jan. 27, 2025: FCC – Targeting and Eliminating Unlawful; Text Messages 


Mar. 2, 2025: CFPB Proposed Rule – Amendments to Regulation V to Limit Data Broker Sales of Personal Information 


July 1, 2025: CFPB and FRB – Reg CC Threshold Adjustments 


July 18, 2025: CFPB – Small Business Lending Data – ECOA 


Oct. 1, 2025: Quality Control Standards AVMs 


June 19, 2026: NACHA – Fraud Return Reason Code


TOOLS & RESOURCES

Effective Dates
Bulletins & Alerts
Webinar Calendar
AffirmX and GoWest Partnership

Q&A OF THE WEEK

I just received an IRS levy on my member's account. There aren't enough funds in the account to satisfy the levy, and my member will be paid (via direct deposit) in three days. Do I freeze the funds currently on deposit AND those that will be added soon or just those currently on deposit? 


The credit union can only freeze the funds currently in the account.  Wages, salary, and/or other income payable to your member after the levy is made are exempt from levy.  The wages, salary and/or other income your member received before the levy are not exempt.  Therefore, you should only freeze the funds currently on deposit. 

For your individualized login, select your state below. 

Arizona
Colorado
Idaho
Oregon
Washington
Wyoming

If you have questions about this communication, contact us at 800.546.4465 or via our shared email inbox at compliance@gowest.org.

Have a great weekend!

Your GoWest Compliance Team, 

David Curtis

CUCE

Director, Compliance Services
P: 206.340.4785

Tiarra Sanders-Hausa

NCCO

Manager, Compliance Services

P: 206.618.9302

Copyright © 2023 GoWest Credit Union Association. All Rights Reserved.

Mailing Address:
GoWest Credit Union Association, 18000 International Blvd Ste. 1102, SeaTac, WA 98188, United States
1.800.995.9064

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