IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
BALTIMORE DIVISION
CONSUMER FINANCIAL
PROTECTION BUREAU
1700 G Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20552
STATE OF MARYLAND, Office of
the Attorney General of Maryland,
Consumer Protection Division
200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
Baltimore County
Plaintiffs,
v.
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
464 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
270 Park Avenue
New York City, NY 10017
ELAINE OLIPHANT COHEN
2100 Heritage Drive
Baltimore, MD 21209
Baltimore County
TODD COHEN
2100 Heritage Drive
Baltimore, MD 21209
Baltimore County
Defendants.
Case No. 1:15-cv-00179-RDB
STIPULATED FINAL JUDGMENT AND ORDER WITH RESPECT TO
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Case 1:15-cv-00179-RDB Document 3-1 Filed 01/22/15 Page 1 of 11
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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“Bureau”) and the State of Maryland’s
Office
of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division (“CPD”) commenced this
civil action
against Defendant JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“Chase”) on January 22, 2015, to
obtain damages
or other monetary relief, civil penalties, and other relief. The Complaint
alleges that from 2010
through 2013, Genuine Title, LLC provided Chase’s loan officers marketing
services that assisted
the loan officers in generating business and increasing the number of loans that
Chase originated or
refinanced. The Complaint alleges that under agreements or understandings
between Genuine Title
and the loan officers, the loan officers in return referred settlement-service
business to Genuine
Title, LLC.
The Complaint alleges violations of: (1) Section 8(a) of the Real Estate
Settlement
Procedures Act, 12 U.S.C. § 2607(a) (“RESPA”); (2) Section 1036(a)(1)(A) of the
Consumer
Financial Protection Act of 2010 (“CFPA”), 12 U.S.C. § 5536(a)(1)(A); and (3)
the Maryland
Consumer Protection Act, Md. Code Ann., Com. Law §§ 13-101 through 13-501 (2013
Repl. Vol.)
(“CPA”).
Plaintiffs and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., by and through respective counsel,
have
requested that the Court enter this Stipulated Final Judgment and Order
(“Order”).
FINDINGS
1. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter or this
action.
2. Plaintiffs and Chase agree to entry of this Order, without adjudication of
any issue of fact
or law, to settle and resolve all matters in this dispute arising from the
conduct alleged in
the Complaint to the date this Order is entered.
Case 1:15-cv-00179-RDB Document 3-1 Filed 01/22/15 Page 2 of 11
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3. Chase neither admits nor denies any allegations in the Complaint, except as
specifically
stated in this Order. For purposes of this Order, Chase admits the facts
necessary to
establish the Court’s jurisdiction over Chase and the subject matter of this
action.
4. Chase waives service under Rule 4(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
and waives
all rights to seek judicial review or otherwise challenge or contest the
validity of this
Order. Chase also waives any claim it may have under the Equal Access to Justice
Act, 28
U.S.C. § 2412, concerning the prosecution of this action to the date of this
Order. Each
party will bear its own costs and expenses, including without limitation
attorneys’ fees.
5. This Order is made without trial or adjudication of any issue of fact or law
and does not
contain any injunctive measures against Chase or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates.
6. Entry of this Order is in the public interest.
DEFINITIONS
7. The following definitions apply to this Order:
a. “Affected Consumers” means all consumers who closed loans during the Relevant
Period with Chase’s Specified Loan Officers for which Genuine Title, LLC
provided
settlement services.
b. “Defendant” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and its successors and assigns.
c. “Effective Date” means the date on which the Order is issued.
d. “Enforcement Director” means the Assistant Director of the Office of
Enforcement
for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or his/her delegee.
e. “Related Consumer Action” means a private action by or on behalf of one or
more
consumers or an enforcement action by another governmental agency brought
against
Chase based on substantially the same facts as described in the Order or the
Complaint.
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f. “Relevant Period” means from January 1, 2010 until Chase ceased doing
business with
Genuine Title, LLC.
g. “Specified Loan Officers” means the loan officers employed by Chase during
the
Relevant Period that received marketing services paid for by Genuine Title, LLC.
ORDER
IT IS ORDERED that:
I. Compliance Plan
8. In conjunction with the Bureau’s investigation and in resolution of this
matter, Chase
submitted a comprehensive compliance plan designed to ensure that Chase’s loan
officers
refrain from giving or accepting any fee, kickback, or thing of value and comply
with the
terms of this Order (“Compliance Plan”). The Bureau has not objected to Chase’s
Compliance Plan.
II. Monetary Provisions
9. A judgment for monetary relief is entered in favor of the Bureau and the CPD
against
Chase in the amount of $300,753.
10. Within 20 days of the Effective Date, Chase must pay to the Bureau, by wire
transfer to
the Bureau or to the Bureau’s agent, and according to the Bureau’s wiring
instructions,
$300,753 in full satisfaction of the judgment as ordered in Paragraph 11 of this
Section.
11. Any funds received by the Bureau in satisfaction of this judgment will be
deposited into a
fund or funds administered by the Bureau or to the Bureau’s agent according to
applicable
statutes and regulations to be used for redress for injured consumers, including
but not
limited to refund of moneys, restitution, damages, or other monetary relief, and
for any
attendant expenses for the administration of any such redress.
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12. If the Bureau determines, in its sole discretion, that redress to consumers
is wholly or
partially impracticable, or if funds remain after redress is completed, the
Bureau may apply
any remaining funds for such other equitable relief (including
consumer-information
remedies) as determined by the Bureau to be reasonably related to the violations
described
in the Complaint. Any funds not used for such equitable relief will be deposited
in the U.S.
Treasury as disgorgement. Chase will have no right to challenge any actions that
the
Bureau or its representatives may take under this paragraph.
13. Payment of redress to any Affected Consumer under this Order shall not limit
Affected
Consumers’ rights in any way.
III. Civil Money Penalties
14. Chase must pay a civil money penalty of $500,000 to the Bureau.
15. Within 20 days of the Effective Date, Chase must pay the civil money penalty
by wire
transfer to the Bureau or to the Bureau’s agent in compliance with the Bureau’s
wiring
instructions.
16. The civil money penalty paid under this Order will be deposited in the Civil
Penalty Fund
of the Bureau as required by Section 1017(d) of the CFPA, 12 U.S.C. § 5497(d).
17. Chase must treat the civil money penalty paid under this Order as a penalty
paid to the
government for all purposes. Regardless of how the Bureau ultimately uses those
funds,
Chase may not:
a. claim, assert, or apply for a tax deduction, tax credit, or any other tax
benefit for any civil
money penalty paid under this Order; or
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b. seek or accept, directly or indirectly, reimbursement or indemnification from
any source,
including but not limited to payment made under any insurance policy, with
regard to
any civil money penalty paid under this Order.
18. To preserve the deterrent effect of the civil money penalty in any Related
Consumer
Action, Chase may not argue that Chase is entitled to, nor may Chase benefit by,
any
offset or reduction of any compensatory monetary remedies imposed in the Related
Consumer Action because of the civil money penalty paid in this action (“Penalty
Offset”). If the court in any Related Consumer Action grants such a Penalty
Offset, Chase
must, within 30 days after entry of a final order granting the Penalty Offset,
notify the
Bureau, and pay the amount of the Penalty Offset to the U.S. Treasury. Such a
payment
will not be considered an additional civil money penalty and will not change the
amount of
the civil money penalty imposed in this action.
19. Chase must pay a civil money penalty of $100,000 to the CPD.
20. Within 20 days of the Effective Date, Chase must pay the civil money penalty
by wire
transfer to the CPD or to the CPD’s agent in compliance with the CPD’s wiring
instructions.
IV. Additional Monetary Provisions
21. In the event of any default on Chase’s obligations to make payment under
this Order,
interest, computed under 28 U.S.C. § 1961, as amended, will accrue on any
outstanding
amounts not paid from the date of default to the date of payment, and will
immediately
become due and payable.
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22. Chase must relinquish all dominion, control, and title to the funds paid to
the fullest
extent permitted by law and no part of the funds may be returned to Chase.
23. Under 31 U.S.C. § 7701, Chase, unless it already has done so, must furnish
to the Bureau
its taxpayer identifying numbers, which may be used for purposes of collecting
and
reporting on any delinquent amount arising out of this Order.
24. Within 30 days of the entry of a final judgment, consent order, or
settlement in a Related
Consumer Action, Chase must notify the Enforcement Director of the final
judgment,
consent order, or settlement in writing. That notification must indicate the
amount of
redress, if any, that Chase paid or is required to pay to consumers and describe
the
consumers or classes of consumers to whom that redress has been or will be paid.
V. Reporting Requirements
25. Chase must notify the Bureau of any development that may affect compliance
obligations
arising under this Order, including but not limited to a dissolution,
assignment, sale,
merger, or other action that would result in the emergence of a successor
company; the
creation or dissolution of a subsidiary, parent, or affiliate that engages in
any acts or
practices subject to this Order; the filing of any bankruptcy or insolvency
proceeding by or
against Chase; or a change in Chase’s name or address. Chase must provide this
notice at
least 30 days before the development or as soon as practicable after the
learning about the
development, whichever is sooner.
26. Chase designates the following points of contact, which the Bureau may use
to
communicate with Chase regarding this Order:
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Matthew P. Previn
BuckleySandler LLP
1133 Avenue of the Americas
Suite 3100
New York, NY 10036
mprevin@buckleysandler.com
and
Jason Sabot
Senior VP and Associate General Counsel
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
4 New York Plaza
19th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Jason.Sabot@chase.com
VI. Order Distribution and Acknowledgment
27. Within 30 days of the Effective Date, Chase must deliver a copy of this
Order to board
members, executive officers, and certain employees as described in the
Compliance Plan.
28. For 5 years from the Effective Date, Chase will provide a copy of this Order
to certain
individuals as described in the Compliance Plan.
29. Chase must secure a signed and dated statement acknowledging receipt of a
copy of this
Order, ensuring that any electronic signatures comply with the requirements of
the E-Sign
Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et seq., within 30 days of delivery, from all persons
receiving a copy
of this Order under this Section.
VII. Recordkeeping
30. Chase must create, for at least 5 years from the Effective Date, the
following business
records:
a. all documents and records necessary to demonstrate full compliance with each
provision
of this Order, including all submissions to the Bureau; and
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b. for each individual Affected Consumer, copies of any record of the consumer’s
name;
address; phone number; email address; amount of settlement service charges paid
to
Genuine Title; and the Affected Consumer’s loan file.
31. Chase must retain the documents identified in Paragraph 30 for at least 5
years.
32. Chase must make the documents identified in Paragraph 30 available to the
Bureau upon
the Bureau’s request.
VIII. Notices
33. Unless otherwise directed in writing by the Bureau, Chase must provide all
submissions,
requests, communications, or other documents relating to this Order in writing,
with the
subject line, “In re Genuine Title, LLC, Case No. 2013-0607-02,” and send them
to:
Assistant Director for Enforcement
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
ATTN: Office of Enforcement
1700 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20552
Enforcement_Compliance@cfpb.gov
IX. Cooperation with the Bureau
34. Chase must preserve consumer records and cooperate fully to help the Bureau
determine
the identity and location of, and the amount of injury sustained by, each
Affected
Consumer. Chase must provide such information in their or their agents’
possession or
control within 14 days of receiving a written request from the Bureau.
35. Chase must cooperate fully with the Bureau in this matter and in any
investigation related
to or associated with the conduct described in the Complaint. Chase must provide
truthful
and complete information, evidence, and testimony. Chase must appear and must
cause its
officers, employees, representatives, or agents to appear for interviews,
discovery,
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hearings, trials, and any other proceedings that the Bureau may reasonably
request upon 5
days written notice, or other reasonable notice, at such places and times as the
Bureau may
designate, without the service of compulsory process.
X. Compliance Monitoring
36. Within 14 days of receipt of a written request from the Bureau, Chase must
submit
additional compliance reports or other requested information, which must be made
under
penalty of perjury; provide sworn testimony; or produce documents.
37. Chase must permit Bureau representatives to interview any employee or other
person
affiliated with Chase who has agreed to such an interview. The person
interviewed may
have counsel present.
38. Nothing in this Order will limit the Bureau’s lawful use of compulsory
process, under 12
C.F.R. § 1080.6.
XI. Release
39. The Bureau and the CPD release and discharge Chase from all potential
liability for law
violations that the Bureau has or might have asserted based on the practices
alleged in the
Complaint, to the extent such practices occurred before the Effective Date and
the Bureau
knows about them as of the Effective Date. Notwithstanding this release, the
Bureau may
use the practices alleged in the Complaint in future enforcement actions against
Chase or
its affiliates to establish a pattern or practice of violations or the
continuation of a pattern
or practice of violations or to calculate the amount of any penalty. This
release does not
preclude or affect any right of the Bureau to determine and ensure compliance
with this
Order, or to seek penalties for any violations of this Order.
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XII. Modifications to Non-Material Requirements
1. Chase may seek a modification to non-material requirements of this Order
(e.g., reasonable
extensions of time and changes to reporting requirements) by submitting a
written request
to the Enforcement Director.
2. The Enforcement Director may, in his discretion, modify any non-material
requirements
of this Order (e.g., reasonable extensions of time and changes to reporting
requirements) if
he determines good cause justifies the modification. Any such modification by
the
Enforcement Director must be in writing.
XIII. Retention of Jurisdiction
3. The Court will retain jurisdiction of this matter for purposes of
construction,
modification, and enforcement of this Order.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED this ___ day of ______________, 2015.
_________________________________
Richard D. Bennett
United States District Judge
http://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201501_cfpb_stamped-exhibit-a-jpmorgan-consent-judgment-document-3-1.pdf
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/administrativeadjudication/