InfoBytes Blog
CFPB settles with two mortgage lenders for misleading VA loan advertisements
On July 24, the CFPB announced settlements with two mortgage lenders (here and here) for allegedly mailing consumers advertisements for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mortgages that allegedly contained misleading statements or lacked required disclosures. According to the Bureau, both lenders offer and provide VA guaranteed mortgage loans, and allegedly disseminated direct-mail advertisements to servicemembers and veterans in violation of the Mortgage Acts and Practices – Advertising Rule (MAP Rule) and Regulation Z. Among other things, the Bureau alleges the advertisements (i) stated credit terms that the lenders were not actually prepared to offer; (ii) described introductory interest rates as “fixed,” when in fact, the rates were adjustable; (iii) gave the false impression the lenders were affiliated with the government; and (iv) used the name of the consumer’s current lender in a misleading way. Both consent orders impose bans on future advertising misrepresentations similar to those identified by the Bureau and require the companies to use a compliance official to review mortgage advertisements for compliance with consumer protection laws. The Bureau imposes a civil penalty of $460,000 against one lender and a civil penalty of $645,000 against the other.