Finance

Litigation Finance Limits Advance in Louisiana With New Governor

Published

2 years ago

April 30, 2024

Litigation Finance Limits Advance in Louisiana With New Governor

Two Louisiana bills that put the brakes on the burgeoning litigation finance industry have advanced through initial hurdles, as lawmakers hope to take advantage of a change in governors after last year’s effort fell short with a veto.

One bill requires parties to disclose litigation finance agreements within 60 days after filing a civil action. The state House approved that measure, and it is pending with the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The second bill requires parties to disclose the presence of litigation finance in lawsuits if a foreign entity is the source of funding. That legislation cleared the state Senate and the House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure and needs approval by the full House.

The bills are part of a push in several states to restrict the practice of investors paying for the cost of lawsuits in return for a piece of the proceeds in successful cases. The US Chamber of Commerce is pushing for legislation, saying the $15.2 billion litigation finance industry encourages frivolous lawsuits.

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards last year vetoed legislation sent to him by the Republican-controlled House and Senate in Louisiana, saying the bill to require disclosure of litigation finance favored large corporations in civil suits. Republican lawmakers, who again hold majorities in both state bodies, hope for a different result this year with a member of their party, Jeff Landry, as the governor.

Republican Representative Emily Chenevert this year has modeled her disclosure bill (HB336) on the one Edwards vetoed. It allows parties to redact the dollar amount financed, makes the contracts subject to discovery and bars funders from directing or influencing litigation.

“The appetite was there already within the legislature and so now it’s like, let’s attempt this and let’s see with a new House and some new senators what could happen,” Chenevert said in an interview. “Let’s do this again, give it another shot.”

Chenevert’s bill was deferred in the Senate Judiciary Committee after the chairman announced that there were 56 proponents and 67 opponents in attendance in line to speak at a hearing. A new date has not yet been scheduled.

The second bill (SB355), introduced by the state Senate majority leader, Jeremy P. Stine, requires disclosure of litigation financed by governments in foreign countries of concern to the state Attorney General, such as China, Russia and Iran. It mirrors legislation brought forward at the federal level last year by Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).

Other bills

Litigation finance bills have faced mixed results in state legislatures. Earlier this year, Indiana enacted legislation into law that blocks foreign entities from funding lawsuits.

West Virginia updated an existing law to include litigation finance. The statute requires investors to provide a copy of contracts to consumers and does not allow firms to assign or securitize a contract to another party, among other regulations.

In Florida, a bill requiring disclosure of litigation finance agreements and of foreign investments stalled in the House. A bill in Kansas is pending and would allow discovery of litigation funding agreements.

The US Chamber backs the state efforts and earlier this month warned of the risks of litigation finance.

With outside funding, “plaintiffs face minimal risk in bringing forward claims, legitimate or not,” Matt Webb, a senior vice president for the Chamber’s Institute for Legal Reform, wrote in a post. “This dynamic often pressures businesses to settle out of court to avoid the costs and uncertainties of protracted litigation, even when the claims against them lack merit.”

In Louisiana, the Chamber backs Chenevert’s bill though calls Stine’s proposal “under inclusive.” The Stine proposal “addresses foreign funding only, but there are plenty of ways frankly that foreign dollars could be put into US investment vehicles and influences litigation,” said Nathan Morris, a vice president at the Chamber’s legal reform institute.

Litigation finance has defenders in state houses.

“The Chamber’s intentionally approaching states where there is not litigation financing, such as Louisiana, in an attempt to pass a bill that can then be used as a domino in support of national regulation,” said Dai Wai Chin Feman, managing director at funder Parabellum Capital.

He spoke out against Chenevert’s bill as a representative of the industry’s trade group, the International Legal Finance Association, but described Stine’s bill as “acceptable to our industry.”

Finance

Where in California are people feeling the most financial distress?

Published

6 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Where in California are people feeling the most financial distress?

Inland California’s relative affordability cannot always relieve financial stress.

My spreadsheet reviewed a WalletHub ranking of financial distress for the residents of 100 U.S. cities, including 17 in California. The analysis compared local credit scores, late bill payments, bankruptcy filings and online searches for debt or loans to quantify where individuals had the largest money challenges.

When California cities were divided into three geographic regions – Southern California, the Bay Area, and anything inland – the most challenges were often found far from the coast.

The average national ranking of the six inland cities was 39th worst for distress, the most troubled grade among the state’s slices.

Bakersfield received the inland region’s worst score, ranking No. 24 highest nationally for financial distress. That was followed by Sacramento (30th), San Bernardino (39th), Stockton (43rd), Fresno (45th), and Riverside (52nd).

Southern California’s seven cities overall fared better, with an average national ranking of 56th largest financial problems.

However, Los Angeles had the state’s ugliest grade, ranking fifth-worst nationally for monetary distress. Then came San Diego at 22nd-worst, then Long Beach (48th), Irvine (70th), Anaheim (71st), Santa Ana (85th), and Chula Vista (89th).

Monetary challenges were limited in the Bay Area. Its four cities average rank was 69th worst nationally.

San Jose had the region’s most distressed finances, with a No. 50 worst ranking. That was followed by Oakland (69th), San Francisco (72nd), and Fremont (83rd).

The results remind us that inland California’s affordability – it’s home to the state’s cheapest housing, for example – doesn’t fully compensate for wages that typically decline the farther one works from the Pacific Ocean.

A peek inside the scorecard’s grades shows where trouble exists within California.

Credit scores were the lowest inland, with little difference elsewhere. Late payments were also more common inland. Tardy bills were most difficult to find in Northern California.

Bankruptcy problems also were bubbling inland, but grew the slowest in Southern California. And worrisome online searches were more frequent inland, while varying only slightly closer to the Pacific.

Note: Across the state’s 17 cities in the study, the No. 53 average rank is a middle-of-the-pack grade on the 100-city national scale for monetary woes.

Jonathan Lansner is the business columnist for the Southern California News Group. He can be reached at jlansner@scng.com

Finance

Why Chime Financial Stock Surged Nearly 14% Higher Today | The Motley Fool

Published

18 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Why Chime Financial Stock Surged Nearly 14% Higher Today | The Motley Fool

The up-and-coming fintech scored a pair of fourth-quarter beats.

Diversified fintech Chime Financial (CHYM +12.88%) was playing a satisfying tune to investors on Thursday. The company’s stock flew almost 14% higher that trading session, thanks mostly to a fourth quarter that featured notably higher-than-expected revenue guidance.

Sweet music

Chime published its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results just after market close on Wednesday. For the former period, the company’s revenue was $596 million, bettering the same quarter of 2024 by 25%. The company’s strongest revenue stream, payments, rose 17% to $396 million. Its take from platform-related activity rose more precipitously, advancing 47% to $200 million.

Image source: Getty Images.

Meanwhile, Chime’s net loss under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) more than doubled. It was $45 million, or $0.12 per share, compared with a fourth-quarter 2024 deficit of $19.6 million.

On average, analysts tracking the stock were modeling revenue below $578 million and a deeper bottom-line loss of $0.20 per share.

In its earnings release, Chime pointed to the take-up of its Chime Card as a particular catalyst for growth. Regarding the product, the company said, “Among new member cohorts, over half are adopting Chime Card, and those members are putting over 70% of their Chime spend on the product, which earns materially higher take rates compared to debit.”

Today’s Change

(12.88%) $2.72

Current Price

$23.83

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$7.9B

Day’s Range

$22.30 – $24.63

52wk Range

$16.17 – $44.94

Volume

562K

Avg Vol

3.3M

Gross Margin

86.34%

Double-digit growth expected

Chime management proffered revenue and non-GAAP (adjusted) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) guidance for full-year 2026. The company expects to post a top line of $627 million to $637 million, which would represent at least 21% growth over the 2024 result. Adjusted EBITDA should be $380 million to $400 million. No net income forecasts were provided in the earnings release.

It isn’t easy to find a niche in the financial industry, which is crowded with companies offering every imaginable type of service to clients. Yet Chime seems to be achieving that, as the Chime Card is clearly a hit among the company’s target demographic of clientele underserved by mainstream banks. This growth stock is definitely worth considering as a buy.

Finance

How young athletes are learning to manage money from name, image, likeness deals

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

How young athletes are learning to manage money from name, image, likeness deals

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Student athletes are now earning real money thanks to name, image, likeness deals — but with that opportunity comes the need for financial preparation.

Noah Collins Howard and Dayshawn Preston are two high school juniors with Division I offers on the table. Both are chasing their dreams on the field, and both are navigating something brand new off of it — their finances.

“When it comes to NIL, some people just want the money, and they just spend it immediately. Well, you’ve got to know how to take care of your money. And again, you need to know how to grow it because you don’t want to just spend it,” said Collins Howard.

What You Need To Know

High school athletes with Division I prospects are learning to manage NIL money before they even reach college

Glory2Glory Sports Agency and Advantage Federal Credit Union have partnered to give young athletes access to financial literacy tools and credit-building resources

Financial experts warn that starting money habits early is key to long-term stability for student athletes entering the NIL era

Preston said the experience has already been eye-opening.

“It’s very important. Especially my first time having my own card and bank account — so that’s super exciting,” Preston said.

For many young athletes, the money comes before the knowledge. That’s where Glory2Glory Sports Agency in Rochester comes in — helping athletes prepare for life outside of sports.

“College sports is now pro sports. These kids are going from one extreme to the other financially, and it’s important for them to have the tools necessary to navigate that massive shift,” said Antoine Hyman, CEO of Glory2Glory Sports Agency.

Through their Students for Change program, athletes get access to student checking accounts, financial literacy courses and credit-building tools — all through a partnership with Advantage Federal Credit Union.

“It’s never too early to start. We have youth accounts, student checking accounts — they were all designed specifically for students and the youth,” said Diane Miller, VP of marketing and PR at Advantage Federal Credit Union.

The goal goes beyond what’s in their pocket today. It’s about building habits that will protect them for life.

“If you don’t start young, you’re always catching up. The younger you start them, the better off they’re going to be on that financial path,” added Nihada Donohew, executive vice president of Advantage Federal Credit Union.

For these athletes, having the right support system makes all the difference.

“It’s really great to have a support system around you. Help you get local deals with the local shops,” Preston added.

Collins-Howard said the program has given him a broader perspective beyond just the game.

“It gives me a better understanding of how to take care of myself and prepare myself for the future of giving back to the community,” Collins-Howard said.

“These high school kids need someone to legitimately advocate their skills, their character and help them pick the right space. Everything has changed now,” Hyman added.

NIL opened the door. Programs like this one make sure these athletes walk through it — with a plan.