Clarifying the Myths About Debanking

The topic of debanking has become a significant subject, with hearings on Capitol Hill and policy statements from banking regulators highlighting concerns that banks might not serve certain industries. Lack of access to bank accounts is not a new problem, but recent narratives on the nature of who is excluded do not square with reality. While a few crypto firms may have been unable to get accounts, millions of regular people are unbanked or underbanked. Many lower-income households have left their banks because of high overdraft fees. Others have denied accounts because of a lack of indicia, presence on screening service, or due to anti-fraud software that cannot discern the difference between a well-intentioned consumer and a fraudster. In this panel, experts will discuss the real issues that shut people out of the banking system.

Dodd-Frank in Distress? How Deregulation is Impacting Consumers’ Mortgage Access and Foreclosure Prevention

The Dodd-Frank Act established critical protections to ensure safe, sustainable mortgages and a fair lending environment. These safeguards—strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic—expanded mortgage origination oversight, improved forbearance options and mortgage servicing standards, and helped millions of homeowners avoid foreclosure. However, recent deregulation, policy shifts, and mass firings at key agencies threaten to erode these protections, making it harder for consumers to access fair mortgage credit and receive the loss mitigation assistance they need during financial hardship. This panel will explore the current landscape of mortgage access and foreclosure prevention, examining how administrative actions and regulatory rollbacks are impacting consumers. Key questions include: How are changes in financial regulation affecting mortgage availability and affordability? What new risks do homeowners face in accessing loss mitigation options? And how can policymakers, advocates, and consumers push back against these threats and protect homeownership access and stability? Join leading experts in consumer finance and housing policy to discuss the challenges ahead and how we can protect homeowners and homebuyers in today’s era of deregulation.

The Premiums Are Too Damn High: The Fight to Protect Insurance Consumers At the State Level

With the blistering attacks on the federal government’s consumer protection role and with the dismantling of departments responsible for corporate accountability, state action seems as critical as ever. One area for which this is not a change is insurance consumer protection. Long regulated at the state level, insurance advocates have always had to adapt their reform efforts to local conditions, including widely differing state laws governing insurance. In this panel, state-based advocates will talk both about strategies for working on consumer issues at the state level with a particular focus on insurance policy battles going on around the country. The panelists will talk about campaigns to address unfair pricing in auto insurance markets, efforts to respond to the impact of climate change on homeowners insurance, and the politics around state insurance regulation.

Mobilizing Data for Advocacy: How to Make an Impact with Numbers

Effectively using numbers, stories, and data are essential if we wish to make an impact with our advocacy. Luckily, the facts are usually on our side. And the stories from impacted local communities and constituents often drive political willpower and policy change by lawmakers. Successful storytelling can counter the narratives spun by anti-consumer organizations and help reset the terms of the debate. Being trustworthy, and having the numbers to show for it, also may help your organization get media attention, elevate issues to public debate, and accomplish advocacy goals. This panel hosts experts on data-driven advocacy and storytelling from the research and communications world, to discuss how to make an impact with numbers.

Why Everyone Will Have to Care About Crypto (even if you never wanted to)

Eventually, crypto will impact every aspect of our consumer financial protection work. Whether you represent consumers, investors, retirement savers, and vulnerable communities; or your work centers on capital markets, banking, insurance and financial stability; or even if you advocate for affordable housing – your work will be affected by the rise of crypto markets. In this session, experts and advocates will break down myths that crypto is too complex to understand and detail how crypto represents the same challenges as any other financial product touted as an “innovation”.

Turning to the States: Lessons and Takeaways from Tech Policy – Developments in the 2025 Legislative Session

Given the rapid deregulatory efforts at the federal executive level, and the consistent failure to pass privacy, AI, or competition legislation in U.S. Congress for the last several decades, many eyes in the consumer protection space are turning to state legislatures and Attorneys General. In this session, you’ll hear about the active 2025 legislative session as well as the latest in tech-related enforcement actions, lessons learned this year, and priorities moving forward.

Tech Police Off the Beat? The Real-Life Consequences of a Deregulatory Approach to Federal Tech Policy

In the absence of updated and comprehensive digital regulation, federal agencies like the FTC, CFPB, DOJ, and EEOC have played a critical role in protecting consumers through privacy, security, and AI regulations. However, recent deregulatory actions, staff reductions, and diminished oversight have already led to significant risks. Consumers are now facing increased exposure to privacy violations, data breaches, and unchecked AI practices. This session will highlight the real, tangible consequences of weakening federal protections, from rising instances of data misuse to a lack of accountability in tech companies, and stress the urgent need for stronger policies to safeguard consumers in the digital era.

…and much, much more!

Questions? Please contact Anna Marie Lowery, Director of Meetings and Events.

Past Events