Important arbitration news

[ESF]

SUCK IT BANKING INDUSTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!

mobile.nytimes.com/2016/05/05/business/dealbook/consumer-agency-moves-to-assert-bank-customers-right-to-sue.html?referer=https://www.google.com/

[ttt]

The nation’s consumer watchdog is unveiling a proposed rule on Thursday that would restore customers’ rights to bring class-action lawsuits against financial firms, giving Americans major new protections and delivering a serious blow to Wall Street that could cost the industry billions of dollars.

The proposed rule, which would apply to bank accounts, credit cards and other types of consumer loans, seems almost certain to take effect, since it does not require congressional approval.

In effect, the move by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — the biggest that the agency has made since its inception in 2010 — will unravel a set of audacious legal maneuvers by corporate America that has prevented customers from using the court system to challenge potentially deceitful banking practices.

Honing their plan over decades, credit card companies, banks and other lenders devised a way to use the fine print of their contracts to push consumers out of court and into arbitration, where borrowers must battle powerful companies on their own. Without the ability to pool resources, most people abandon their claims and never make it to arbitration.

The new rules would mean that lenders could not force people to agree to mandatory arbitration clauses that bar class actions when those customers sign up for financial products. The changes would not apply to existing accounts, though consumers would be free to pay off their old loans and open new accounts that are covered.

And while those rules are not final yet — there will be a 90-day public comment period — financial industry lawyers say they are tough to derail.

[aurora]

[WOT?*]

Because I'm on the iPad and don't want to bother with hunt, C&P, etc. since my Elaine gif won't post, I'll just say

WHEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NewOrleans]

[lolo]

Fuck yeah!!!

[OscarQ]

Thank you Elizabeth Warren for championing the creation of the CFPB!

[meshaliuknits]

I think this is the first post I've seen ESF post about arbitration that didn't want to make me cry.

[simpsongal]

Niiice.

I've thought about transferring to CFPB b/c I love their mission. But it's a political powder keg, so I'll probably stay put.

[elleblue]

Finally some good news in this shitshow of year in politics.