California Court Issues Final Decision In Oppfi True Lender Case

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Gary D. Roberts filed a final Statement of Decision and Judgment in favor of Opportunity Financial, LLC (“OppFi”) in a key “true lender” case. See Statement of Decision and Judgement, Opportunity Financial, LLC, v. Hewlett, No. 22STCV08163 (Cal. Super. Ct., dated May 19, 2026 and May 20, 2026, respectively). For background on this case, see our ALERTS of Mar. 13, 2026 and Mar. 28, 2022 and Elizabeth L. Anstaett and Mercedes C. Ramsey, Opportunity Financial LLC v. Hewlett: True Lender and Usury Issues, 77 CONSUMER FIN. L.Q. REP. 221 (2024). The court affirmed its rejection of the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation’s (“DFPI”) claim that OppFi was the “true lender” of certain loans originated by FinWise Bank, a federally insured Utah bank, under the OppFi name (“OppFi Loans”). The DFPI could now appeal.
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