The Federal Trade Commission has announced the agenda for its Sept. 15 workshop, Putting Disclosures to The Test, which will include 22 presentations covering a wide variety of topics on how consumers think about, notice, understand, and act on disclosures made to them in advertising and other materials. The conference, which will take place in […]
Monthly Archives: August 2016
FTC Closes Investigation into Merger of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., and The Williams Companies, Inc.
The Federal Trade Commission has withdrawn its acceptance of a proposed consent order that would have required energy company Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., to divest assets in settlement of charges that its proposed acquisition of The Williams Companies would likely harm competition. For reasons unrelated to the Commission’s investigation or the proposed order, ETE terminated […]
FTC Action: Texas Car Dealers to Pay $85,000 Civil Penalty
Three Dallas area auto dealers, collectively known as Southwest Kia, have agreed to pay an $85,000 civil penalty to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they violated an FTC administrative order barring them from deceptively advertising the cost of buying or leasing a car. According to the FTC, New World Auto Imports Inc., New World […]
FTC Staff Comment: Delaware Dietetics/Nutrition Board Proposal to Expand Access to Telehealth Services Could Benefit Consumers
Federal Trade Commission staff submitted a comment to the Delaware Board of Dietetics/Nutrition regarding its proposed telehealth regulation that would require in-person initial evaluations of patients, and then allow licensed dietitians and nutritionists to determine whether to use telehealth thereafter. Responding to the Board’s request for public comments, Staff of the FTC’s Office of Policy […]
Ability-to-Repay and Qualified Mortgages Rule Videos Updated
FIL-56-2016 August 17, 2016 Ability-to-Repay and Qualified Mortgages Rule Videos Updated Summary: As part of the FDIC’s Community Banking Initiative, the FDIC is announcing the release of updated technical assistance videos on the Ability-to-Repay and Qualified Mortgages Rule. The updated videos provide financial institution management, compliance officers, and staff with resources for a better understanding […]
Proposed New Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income for Small Institutions
FIL-55-2016 August 17, 2016 Proposed New Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income for Small Institutions Summary: The banking agencies are requesting comment on a proposed new streamlined and less burdensome version of the Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income (Call Report) for eligible small institutions and proposed burden-reducing revisions to the other two versions […]
FTC Approves Final Order Preserving Competition In Five Regional U.S. Markets for Cement
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that the proposed $4.2 billion merger of German cement producer HeidelbergCement AG and Italian producer Italcementi S.p.A. would likely be anticompetitive. Under the order, first announced in June 2016, the companies are required to divest to an FTC-approved buyer […]
FTC Approves Final Order Preserving Competition for Customers of Aluminum Beverage Cans
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Ball Corporation’s proposed $8.4 billion acquisition of Rexam PLC would likely be anticompetitive. Under the order, first announced in June 2016, the companies are required to divest eight aluminum can plants and related assets in the United States […]
FTC Approves Final Order in Practice Fusion Privacy Case
After a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order resolving the Commission’s complaint against Practice Fusion. In its complaint, the FTC charged that Practice Fusion misled consumers by soliciting reviews for doctors in connection with an online healthcare satisfaction survey, without disclosing adequately that these reviews would be publicly posted […]
FTC Announces Agenda for Sept. 7 Event on Ransomware
The Federal Trade Commission has announced the agenda for its Sept. 7 event looking at ransomware, which is one of the most challenging cybersecurity problems affecting consumers and businesses. Hackers use ransomware to gain access to consumer and business computers and encrypt files including photos, documents and other critical data, demanding a ransom in exchange […]