The Native American Financial Services Association (NAFSA) formed in 2012 to advocate for Native American sovereign rights and enable tribes to offer responsible online lending products. The Native American Financial Services Association (NAFSA) recently applauded President Obama for creating the White House Council on Native American Affairs to promote and sustain prosperous and resilient Native American tribal governments.
“We are grateful for President Obama’s leadership on behalf of Native Americans,” said NAFSA Executive Director, Barry Brandon. A citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Brandon brings a wealth of experience and expertise in Native American law and policy to the Native American Financial Services Association. After 20 years as a litigator, corporate executive, policy strategist, and regulatory advisor, Brandon is a highly regarded authority on federal Indian law and policy.
NAFSA is a key Native American advocacy group working on behalf of tribes that offer responsible online lending products. Through the protection of consumer rights and sovereign immunity, NAFSA provides vital services to tribally operated lenders serving the under-banked with better short term financial services, furthering economic development opportunities in Indian Country.
The council is expected to coordinate the progress of federal agencies on tribal programs in consultation with the tribes. NAFSA said it hoped this will include the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). NAFSA urged the CFPB to follow the president’s lead by including Indian nations and tribes in their process to ensure the protection of Native American sovereignty.
“The creation of this council reaffirms that U.S. policy protects the inherent sovereignty of our Indian nations and tribes,” said Brandon. “ We urge the CFPB to follow the president’s lead and consult with our member tribes. Our members are committed to protecting consumers and ensuring access to short-term financial services by offering responsible online lending products. We are hopeful the CFPB will recognize the tribes we represent should be part of the process established by this council.”
President Obama created the new council by Executive Order declaring it the policy of the United States to recognize the inherent sovereignty of our Indian nations and tribes, to promote Indian sovereignty and tribal self-government and to respect treaty rights.
