Contact Information

Robert Savoie advises Fintech companies and other financial institutions on regulatory compliance in consumer and commercial financial services. He assists clients in navigating federal and state lending, licensing, and debt collection requirements and in preparing for examinations, investigations, and enforcement actions.

His clients include Fintech companies, start-ups, mortgage lenders and servicers, marketplace lenders, automotive and personal property finance companies, cryptocurrency exchanges, small loan companies, national and state banks, high and low dollar commercial lenders, and businesses engaged in merchant cash advance and factoring. He counsels them on compliance with the federal laws applicable to their programs, such as the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), Military Lending Act (MLA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), and related state laws.

Robert advises clients on corporate structuring, licensing, consultations with regulatory agencies regarding new products and technology, and strategic business planning. He works with clients on developing policies and procedures, aligning operations with regulatory requirements, and supporting multi-year growth and expansion plans.

Robert holds multiple individual nationwide Chambers rankings, including a Band 1 ranking in FinTech Legal: Payments and Lending and a separate individual nationwide ranking in Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance Compliance, placing him among a small group of U.S. lawyers recognized in both. Robert’s Band 1 ranking in Fintech Payments and Lending is the highest Chambers designation for that category, and is held by only six attorneys nationwide.  Robert also regularly publishes and speaks on consumer financial services compliance, including Fintech regulation, licensing, and industry trends.
 

Honors & Awards

  • Recognized in Chambers FinTech for FinTech Legal: Payments & Lending (USA – Nationwide), 2021-Present
  • Recognized in Chambers USA for Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance- Compliance (USA – Nationwide), 2021-Present
  • Named a Midwest Trailblazer by ALM/Law.com, 2022
  • Recognized by Ohio Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star” in Banking, 2016-2019
  • Honored as One to Watch by New Orleans CityBusiness, 2018
     

Professional & Civic Engagement

  • American Bar Association, Business Law Section
    • Membership Development Board, Vice Chair, 2020-Present; Membership, Vice Chair, 2018-2020; Marketing Board, 2018-2020
    • Committee on Consumer Financial Services, Co-Vice Chair; Electronic Financial Services and Digital Currency Subcommittee, 2021-Present
    • Young Lawyers Subcommittee, Chair, 2018-2020; Vice Chair, 2016-2018
    • Small-Dollar Lending Taskforce, Young Lawyer Liaison, 2014-2016
  • Louisiana State Bar Association
  • Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System State Regulatory Registry (NMLS SRR), Industry Advisory; Industry Development Working Group
     

Thought Leadership

Publications

  • Co-author, "Changes to NMLS Individual Disclosure Questions Take Effect," Business Law Today, May 15, 2026
  • Co-author, "4 True Lender State Laws And 1 Appeal For Fintechs To Watch," Law360, April 23, 2026
  • Co-author, "FinTech Regulation: Follow the Law . . . and All These New Laws," ABA Business Law Section, The Business Lawyer, Volume 80, Issue 2, Spring 2025, June 2025
  • Author, "DIDMCA in the Age of True Lender Legislation and Opt-Outs," CCFL Quarterly Report, Volume 78, No. 1, March 2025
  • Co-author, "Colorado DIDMCA Opt-Out Litigation: District Court Enjoins the Colorado Attorney General and Administrator of the Colorado Uniform Consumer Credit Code," ABA Business Law Today, June Month-In-Brief: Business Regulation & Regulated Industries, June 2024
  • Author, "True Lender and Rate Exportation: Reviewing the Major 2023 Legislation," ABA Business Law Today, April 2024
  • Co-author, "Missouri and Washington Introduce True Lender Bills," ABA Business Law Today, Month-in-Brief, April 2024
  • Co-author, "Minnesota, Nevada, and Rhode Island Propose DIDMCA Opt-Outs," ABA Business Law Today, Month-in-Brief, April 2024
  • Co-editor, "The Law of Truth in Lending (Fourth Edition)" American Bar Association, The Law of Truth in Lending (Fourth Edition), October 2023
  • Co-author, "Interagency Guidance on Risks Associated with a Third-Party Relationship," ABA Business Law Today, Month-in-Brief, July 2023
  • Co-author, "IRS Provides Guidance on How to Answer Digital Asset Question on Tax Return," ABA Business Law Today, January 2023
  • Co-author, "OCC Advises “Careful and Cautious” Approach to FinTech-Bank Partnerships," ABA Business Law Today, Business Regulation and Related Industries, October 2022
  • Co-author, "Will the Push for a Bank Safe Harbor on Cannabis Succeed?" ABA Business Law Today, June Month-In-Brief: Business Regulation & Regulated Industries, June 2022
  • Co-author, "Kentucky and Virginia Enact Student Education Loan Servicing Laws," ABA Business Law Today, Business Regulation and Related Industries, May 2022
  • Co-author, "FinTech Regulation: How True Lender, Valid-When-Made, and the Fight About Usury Impact FinTech Business Models," The Business Lawyer, Volume 77, Issue 2, April 2022
  • Co-author, "Federal Court Upholds OCC and FDIC Valid When Made Rules," ABA Business Law Today, February Month-In-Brief: Business Regulation & Regulated Industries, February 2022
  • Co-author, "U.S. House of Representatives Votes to Override OCC True Lender Rule," ABA Business Law Today, June Month-In-Brief: Business Regulation & Regulated Industries, June 2021
  • Co-author, "Military Lending Act, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, and State Military Law Updates," The Business Lawyer, Volume 76, Issue 2, April 2021
  • Author, "Consumer Finance Law: Understanding Consumer Financial Services Regulations," "Chapter 13: The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act," and "Chapter 14: Military Lending Act,” ABA Business Law Section, February 2021
  • Author, "FDIC Issues Final Rule Codifying Valid When Made Doctrine, Cites McGlinchey Attorney," ABA Business Law Today, June Month-In-Brief: Business Regulation & Regulated Industries, June 2020
  • Co-author, "Developments in Fintech: The CFPB Product Sandbox and No-Action Letter Policy, State Sandboxes, and Federal Actions," The Business Lawyer, Volume 75, Issue 2, Spring 2020
  • Author, "Top Questions Lenders Should Ask Fintech Partners," Auto Finance Excellence, November 2019
  • Co-author, "The Evolving Regulatory Response to Innovation: Special Purpose National Bank Charters, Regulatory Sandboxes, and No-Action Letters," Spring 2019
  • Editor, "Transactions Involving Real Estate and Dwellings," ABA’s 2018 Supplement to The Law of Truth in Lending, 2018
  • Author, "Bank Partnership Programs and the Regulatory Response," Civic Research Institute’s Summer 2018 Journal of Taxation and Regulation of Financial Institutions, Summer 2018
  • Author, "Marketplace Lending and Fintech: The States Object," ABA Business Law Section’s The Business Lawyer, Volume 73, Issue 2, Spring 2018
  • Author, "Bank Partnership Programs and the Regulatory Response," The Review of Banking & Financial Services, November 2017
  • Author, "Madden v. Midland Funding: District Court Edition," ABA’s Consumer Financial Services Committee newsletter, June 2017
  • Author, "Marketplace Lending Developments: A Survey of Federal and State Issues Confronting the Industry," ABA Business Law Section’s The Business Lawyer, Volume 72, Issue 2, Spring 2017
  • Author, "CFPB Releases FDCPA Rule Outline; Creditor Collection Rule to Come," Consumer Finance Law Quarterly Report, Vol. 70, Nos. 1 & 2, 2016
  • Co-author, "Young Lawyers Subcommittee Spotlight," ABA Business Law Section’s Consumer Financial Services Committee Newsletter, July 2016
  • Author, "Consumer Lending to Military Members: The Military Lending Act Final Rule and Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Enforcement," 71 Bus. Law. 759, Spring 2016
  • Author, "Department of Defense Issues Final Rule Expanding Application of Military Lending Act," The Consumer Finance Law Quarterly Report, Vol. 69 No. 1, 2015
  • Author, "Madden v. Midland Funding: A Sea Change in Secondary Lending Markets," ABA Consumer Financial Services Committee Newsletter, December 2015
  • Author, "Transactions Involving Real Estate and Dwellings: Higher-Priced Mortgage Loans," The Law of Truth in Lending, Supplement, 2015
  • Author, "A Survey of Small Dollar Lending, State Law Trends, and CFPB Action" ABA Consumer Financial Services Committee 101 Series Publications, July 2015
  • Author, "Transactions Involving Real Estate and Dwellings: High-Cost Mortgage Loans," The Law of Truth in Lending, ed. Update of Truth in Lending, 2014
  • Author, "Federal and Municipal Developments Affecting Debt Collection, Foreclosure, Servicemember and FCRA Requirements," Consumer Finance Law Quarterly Report, Volume 67, Nos. 3 & 4, 2013
  • Author, "The Durbin Derby: Are There Any Winners?" ABA Business Law Today, February 2012

Presentations

  • "Financial Services Legislative Update for Consumer Finance and Debt," National Multistate Licensing System Annual Meeting, February 17-20, 2026
  • "Statehouses to Startups: Legislating the Future of Finance One State At a Time," 2025 American FinTech Council (AFC) Policy Summit, November 2025
  • "Optimizing Bank Partnerships: Structuring Programs for Success," 24th Annual Consumer Finance Legal Conference, October 2025
  • "What Is Lending? What Is Not Lending? Does Anyone Care?" 24th Annual Consumer Finance Legal Conference, October 2025
  • "Legal and Compliance When Building Programs and Products: How Is It Changing in the World of Artificial Intelligence?" 24th Annual Consumer Finance Legal Conference, October 2025
  • "AI in Action: Use Cases from the Leading Banks and FinTechs," AI-Native Banking and Fintech Conference, September 2025
  • "Future of Finance Webinar Series: Routing Payment Innovation Within Regulatory Checkpoints," American Fintech Council The Future of Finance Webinar Series, July 2025
  • "From Legal Obscurity to Innovation in Consumer Credit: The Shift Towards Responsible Access through Non-Traditional Methods," NACCA 90th Annual Meeting and Regulators' Training Symposium, May 2025
  • "2024 Fall Conference on Consumer Finance Law," 2024 Fall Conference on Consumer Finance Law, November 2024
  • "Where is the Love: Bridging the Gap Between Regulators, Banks and Fintech to Serve Consumers," American Fintech Council (AFC) Policy Summit, November 2024
  • "Dark Patterns and UDAAP – A New Name (and New Standards)," Client Presentation, October 2024
  • "Generative AI Transparency: State and Federal Legislative Approaches," AI-Native Banking & Fintech Conference, October 2024
  • "AARMR Industry Panel," AARMR Annual Regulatory Conference & Training, August 2024
  • "Looking West to the U.S.: Launching a Regulated Business in the U.S." Osborne Clarke 2024 Future of Financial Services Week “Regulatory Day”, February 2024
  • "American Bar Association Business Law Fall Meeting 2023," September 2023
  • "Debt: Law and Licensing – a Banking & Finance Perspective," Utah State Bar Banking and Finance Section, April 2023
  • "Deep Dive into DeFi Clients-Only Q&A," November 2022
  • "Webinar: When Is Virtual Currency Treated as Currency Under State Law," September 2022
  • "FinTech Bank Program Legislation, Actions, and Collateral Damage," San Francisco Bank Attorneys Association, October 2021
  • "Earned Wage Access: The Benefits and What to Watch Out For," Marketplace Risk Management Conference, September 2021
  • "Congressional Review Act and the OCC True Lender Rule: Implications for Private Education Lending," NCHER Private Education Loan Committee Call, April 2021
  • "Collateral Damage for Traditional Banking: Valid When Made, True Lender, and Beyond," Emerging Issues in Banking Law CLE, December 2020
  • "Economic Trends: What Have They Done to Your Business and How Will This Continue to Affect You?" 2020 Virtual Consumer Finance Legal Conference, October 2020
  • "Working from Home: Compliance and Licensing Considerations Across Industries," 2020 Virtual Consumer Finance Legal Conference, October 2020
  • "Litigation and Regulation Developments on the True Lender and Valid-When-Made Issues," 2020 Virtual Consumer Finance Legal Conference, October 7, 2020
  • "The State and Federal Regulatory Landscape," RegTech 2019, November 2019
  • "Litigation Trends in Fintech," CCCFL Annual Consumer Financial Services Conference, November 2019
  • "State License Examination Trends and Best Practices," 2019 Consumer Finance Legal Conference, October 2019
  • "Innovation in Financial Services: Practical Applications, Regulator Reactions, and Compliance," 2019 Consumer Finance Legal Conference, October 2019
  • "Rolling Out a New Product," 2019 Consumer Finance Legal Conference, October 2019
  • "Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on In House Counsel," ABA Consumer Financial Services Committee Business Law Section 2019 Annual Meeting, September 2019
  • "Alternative Data for Credit Approvals," ABA Consumer Financial Services Committee Business Law Section 2019 Annual Meeting, September 2019
  • "Making Sense of FinTech Regulation," Auto Finance Innovation Summit, May 2019
  • "Meade v. Avant and its Impact on the Bank Partnership Program and Loan Securitization," ABA Business Law Section Spring Meeting, March 2019
  • "New Computer Overlords?: Responding to Promises and Threats of Machine Learning in Financial Services," ABA Business Law Section Webinar, March 2019
  • "Innovative Technology in Financial Services: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotic Process Automation, and More," October 2018
  • "Marketplace Lending Update: Litigation, Enforcement, and Regulatory Challenges," October 2018
  • "Regulatory Impact on Commercial Finance," 2018 Consumer Finance Legal Conference, October 2018
  • "FinTechs and Community Banking – How are Banks Successfully Partnering With FinTechs and What are the Challenges and Opportunities?" 13th Annual Community Bank Technology and Compliance Funnels and Executive Forum, Saltmarsh, September 2018
  • "New Computer Overlords? Responding to the Promises and Threats of Machine Learning," ABA Business Law Section Annual Meeting 2018, September 2018
  • "OCC’s Initiative for Fintech Companies," ABA Business Law Section Annual Meeting 2018, September 2018
  • “Yes, there really are 50 of them,” Online Lending State Licensing and Examination Challenges" ABA’s Consumer Financial Services Committee Business Law Section Spring 2018 Meeting, April 2018
  • "Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning – Business Applications, No Action Letters, and Regulatory Compliance Issues," ABA Business Law Section Consumer Financial Services Committee Webinar, January 2018
  • "Last Minute HMDA Compliance Overview: Where you Should Be on January 1," Lorman Banking Live Webinar, December 2017
  • "Electronic Contracting in Banking: Going Paperless," Louisiana Bankers Association (LBA) Webinar, November 2017
  • "Lead Generation and Aggregation," Short-Term Loan Bar Association Annual Conference, November 2017
  • "Overcoming Hurdles in Online Lending," Short-Term Loan Bar Association Annual Conference, November 2017
  • "Surviving a CFPB Examination and Investigation," National Council of Higher Education Resources’ 2017 Knowledge Symposium, November 2017
  • "Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Regulatory Compliance Issues," 2017 Citi Consumer Legal Conference, October 2017
  • "Regulatory Compliance Issues in Implementing Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning," Client Webinar, October 2017
  • "SCRA, MLA, and the Adoption of State “All-In” APR; MLA Compliance for Credit Cards," October 2017
  • "AI, Machine Learning, and Emerging Technology in Consumer Lending," October 2017
  • "The Future of the Bank Partnership Program," October 2017
  • "Online Lending Examination and Licensing Update," October 2017
  • "Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Regulatory Compliance Issues in Banking," September 2017
  • "Online Lending and E-Commerce 2.0," ABA Business Law Section Annual Meeting, September 2017
  • "Preparing for HMDA: What You Should be Doing," Webinar, June 2017
  • "Balancing Innovation with Consumer Protection: How to Make it to Market in the Evolving Payments and FinTech Ecosystem," American Conference Institute Payment Systems and FinTech Regulatory & Compliance Conference, April 2017
  • "CFPB Audits: Being Prepared and Staying Compliant to Save Time and Money," Lorman Banking Live Webinar, February 2017
  • "State Licensing of Foreign Entities," 9th Annual NMLS Conference, February 2017
  • General Licensing Update," September 2016
  • "Lead Generation Issues: General Vendor Management; Licensing Due Diligence Issues with Broker Licenses (Even for Non-Real Estate)," September 2016
  • "FinTech/Online Lending," September 2016
  • "MLA & SCRA Update," September 2016
  • "FinTech – Introduction and Overview," ABA Business Law Section “In the Know” Series webinar, July 2016
  • "CFPB Issues Final HMDA Rule: What this Means for You and Your Bank," Lorman Banking Live Webinar, June 2016
  • "CFPB Audits: Being Prepared and Staying Compliant to Save Time and Money," Lorman Banking Live Webinar, October 2015
  • "Payday Lender Legalities: Tips and Tricks for the Attorney," Lorman Banking Live Webinar, July 2015
  • "The Impact of the McMahon Decision and the FTC/CFPB’s Position on Collecting Time-Barred Debt," ABA Business Law Section Annual Meeting, September 2014
  • "Expansion of State Licensing Requirements and Traps for the Unwary," 12th Annual Consumer Finance Legal Conference, October 2013
  • "The (Slightly) Less Scary CFPB Final Rules," ABA Consumer Financial Services Committee: Housing Finance Subcommittee Teleconference, May 2013
     

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