| Washington, D.C. – Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) circulated a bicameral letter calling on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to explain its decision to terminate, three years early, a consent order against Citigroup Inc. (Citi) stemming from findings that the bank discriminated against Armenian American credit card applicants.
In the April 23 letter to CFPB Acting Director Russell Vought, Senator Schiff and fellow signatories express deep concern over the Bureau’s October 2025 decision to end the order before its original 2028 expiration. The lawmakers note that the 2023 CFPB consent order found that Citi had engaged in a practice of applying “extra scrutiny” to, negatively assessing, and often denying certain credit card applications based on Armenian national origin, including by targeting applicants with surnames ending in “-ian” and “-yan,” particularly in and around Glendale, California.
The original judgment required Citi to pay $1.4 million to affected consumers, pay a $24.5 million civil penalty, and implement a compliance management system designed to monitor training materials, employee communications, and other practices related to credit card application review. The order was intended to remain in place until 2028 to allow continued CFPB oversight.
“The Armenian Assembly of America welcomes Senator Schiff’s leadership in demanding accountability and transparency in this deeply troubling matter,” said Armenian Assembly Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan. “Discrimination against Armenian Americans impeding access to credit is unacceptable. The Armenian American community deserves clear answers about why this enforcement action was ended early, whether all victims have received redress, and what concrete steps have been taken to ensure this kind of conduct never happens again.”
In their letter, the lawmakers ask the CFPB to explain why the consent order was terminated early, identify which obligations Citi has fulfilled and which it has not, disclose how many victims received redress and the total amount paid, and detail what changes to procedures and policies Citi has made to prevent future discrimination. The letter also asks whether the CFPB’s current leadership still agrees with the 2023 finding that Citi’s discriminatory pattern or practice was not explained by any legitimate, non-discriminatory reason.
Additionally, the lawmakers request any communications from White House officials that direct, suggest, or otherwise relate to the termination of the consent order, if such communications exist. Responses were requested by May 7, 2026.
Along with Senator Schiff, the letter was signed by Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Brad Sherman (D-CA), as well as Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA), Laura Friedman (D-CA), and Luz Rivas (D-CA). |
