Attorney General William Tong and a coalition of 10 attorneys general filed a lawsuit challenging a new OCC rule that preempts state laws requiring national banks to pay interest on homeowners' mortgage escrow accounts. The lawsuit argues the OCC ignored federal court decisions and bypassed safeguards, and seeks to block the rule.
The coalition seeks to block the OCC rule and preserve state authority to require interest payments on mortgage escrow accounts.
In-house counsel for financial institutions should review mortgage servicing agreements and escrow account provisions to assess reliance on federal preemption of state interest-on-escrow requirements. They should also review vendor contracts with national banks for clauses related to regulatory compliance and changes in law, and consider whether state escrow interest laws apply to their operations. If the lawsuit succeeds, banks may need to implement systems to track and pay interest on escrow accounts, so contracts with loan servicers should allocate responsibility for such payments and compliance.
Entity
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Industry
Financial ServicesOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2026-press-releases/attorney-general-william-tong-sues-to-block-lawless-handout-to-big-banks
states escrow interest complaint.pdf?rev=625aec749a9a4eb3b51
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ag/press_releases/2026/states-escrow-interest-complaint.pdf?rev=625aec749a9a4eb3b519a52084939f83&hash=A843E9E4F04B3A3690D8F53434E570C9
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
"filed a lawsuit today opposing a new rule issued by federal regulator of national banks, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), that would strip states of their authority to require national banks to pay interest on homeowners’ mortgage escrow accounts."
"Joining Attorney General Tong in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of California, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont."
"Attorney General William Tong and a coalition of 10 attorneys general filed a lawsuit today opposing a new rule"
Nine state attorneys general, led by New York AG Letitia James, sued the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to stop two rules that preempt state laws requiring banks to pay interest on escrow accounts. The coalition argues the rules exceed OCC's authority under Dodd-Frank and the Administrative Procedure Act. The suit seeks a court order declaring the rules illegal and preventing their implementation.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield co-led a coalition of 10 states in a federal lawsuit against the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to block a rule that invalidates state laws requiring mortgage lenders to pay interest on escrow accounts. The lawsuit argues the OCC's rule oversteps federal authority, gives national banks a competitive advantage over state-chartered banks, and takes money away from homeowners.
Attorney General Tong joined a coalition of 17 attorneys general in sending letters to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Reserve Board, urging them to deny Opportunity Financial's application to acquire BNC National Bank. The merger would grant OppFi a national bank charter, allowing it to circumvent state lending laws and charge triple-digit interest rates, posing risks to consumers and the banking system.
The court granted the States' motion finding that Nexstar violated the preliminary injunction by placing current or former Nexstar executives on TEGNA's Board of Directors. The court ordered regular reporting to the States and appointed a special master to oversee compliance.
Attorney General William Tong co-led a coalition of 34 attorneys general in a letter to congressional leaders urging them to preserve the federal redefinition of hemp and reject efforts to weaken reforms addressing intoxicating hemp-derived products. The coalition warns that reopening the loophole would create regulatory uncertainty, compromise public safety, and allow unregulated intoxicating hemp products to return to the marketplace.
$400.0M
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison joined a coalition of 43 states and territories in announcing a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz Inc. to resolve allegations that the generic drug manufacturer engaged in conspiracies to artificially inflate and manipulate prices, reduce competition, and unreasonably restrain trade for numerous generic prescription drugs. Sandoz will pay approximately $469 million total including prior settlements, and has agreed to injunctive terms and internal reforms.