The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) informed a federal court on Tuesday that it is dropping its lawsuit against three of the nation’s largest banks—JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo—over their handling of the payment service Zelle, according to court filings.
CFPB’s Allegations Against Major Banks
The lawsuit, filed in December under the Biden administration, accused the banks of failing to protect consumers from fraud that resulted in losses amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. The CFPB alleged that Zelle, operated by Early Warning Services (EWS), a joint venture of seven major banks, was introduced without adequate consumer protections in an effort to compete with Venmo and Cash App.
According to the CFPB, hundreds of thousands of consumers filed fraud complaints, only to be denied assistance, with some even being advised to request refunds directly from the alleged fraudsters.
Trump Administration’s Changes at CFPB
The CFPB was effectively shuttered last month by President Donald Trump, who has previously stated that the agency should be eliminated. The decision to drop the lawsuit comes amid broader efforts to overhaul the CFPB, including pausing or dismissing multiple enforcement cases initiated under former President Joe Biden. Among the seven dropped cases is one against Capital One.
Despite these changes, government lawyers have maintained that the administration intends to operate a “streamlined” CFPB in compliance with legal obligations.
Legal and Consumer Advocacy Response
Consumer advocacy groups and an employee union have filed lawsuits against the administration, arguing that these moves are effectively dismantling the agency and preventing it from fulfilling its mandate under federal law.
Representatives for the CFPB, JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, and Early Warning Services did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while Bank of America declined to comment on the lawsuit’s dismissal.
Conclusion: Future of Consumer Protection in Question
The CFPB’s decision to drop the lawsuit raises concerns about the future of consumer financial protection enforcement. With the agency scaling back its regulatory efforts, consumer advocates fear that financial institutions may face less scrutiny, potentially leaving customers more vulnerable to fraud and financial misconduct.
