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CFPB Drops Major Lawsuit: JPMorgan, Bank of America, Wells Fargo Off the Hook for Zelle Fraud

04 March, 2025 | 3 Min Read

tickers: BAC, WFC

source: CNBC

tickers affected by this

tickerpolaritywhy?
BACnegativelyThe dismissal of the CFPB lawsuit against Bank of America (assuming BAC is the ticker for it) and other major banks by Russell Vought leaves shareholders of (BAC) them at a higher risk of not realising any gains of future refunds to clients, which impacts Bank of America’s reputation about how they handle their customers after large sums were stolen and the CFPB gave up on getting redress. This dismissed litigation of liability could impact future investor sentiment and their confidence under new leadership.
WFCnegativelyThe dismissal of the CFPB’s lawsuit against Wells Fargo (WFC) and other banks over Zelle fraud may negatively impact the ticker WFC, as it means that the company will not have to compensate fraud victims, potentially affecting its financial liabilities and reputation. This decision could also result in increased scrutiny and pressure from shareholders and the public, who may question the bank’s commitment to consumer protection and the potential for other issues.

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summary

CFPB Drops Lawsuit Against Major Banks Over Zelle Fraud

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has dismissed its lawsuit against the operator of the Zelle payments network and three major U.S. banks. The lawsuit, filed in December, targeted Early Warning Services, along with JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo. The CFPB alleged that these entities had failed to sufficiently investigate fraud complaints and compensate victims. The dismissal, made with prejudice, implies that the case cannot be refiled, effectively shutting down any potential avenues for consumer relief.

Changes Under New Leadership

Since Russell Vought assumed the role of acting director of the CFPB, the agency has dismissed at least half a dozen cases initiated by his predecessor, Rohit Chopra. This shift in the CFPB’s enforcement strategy has sparked controversy, especially amid ongoing legal battles over mass firings and data purging at the agency.

Impact on Consumers

The CFPB had previously reported that customers of the three banks involved have collectively lost over $870 million due to fraud since Zelle launched in 2017. The.linspace service was designed to offer an alternative to other peer-to-peer payment platforms like PayPal. Despite its utility, the service has faced significant scrutiny over fraudulent activities.

Industry Response

The Zelle brand welcomed the dismissal, asserting that the CFPB’s lawsuit was “legally and factually flawed.” Bank representatives, including a JPMorgan spokeswoman, emphasized the need for a broader, coordinated effort across public and private sectors to combat fraud. Lindsey Johnson, president of the Consumer Bankers Association, praised the dismissal and called for more collaborative efforts to address the root causes of fraud.

Further Developments

The dismissal of these cases closes the possibility of recovering funds for consumer relief. With the CFPB now under new direction, the future of consumer protections and fraud investigations in the financial sector remains in flux. This development has already led to legal challenges from unions representing CFPB employees, who have sued to halt mass firings and data purging.

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