Source: Fred O. Williams, CreditCards.com

Three big credit card companies agreed to refund about $435 million to their customers in 2012 under agreements with the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau -- but now the bureau's actions are being called into question.

Richard Cordray, director of the CFPB, was appointed to a temporary term without Senate approval last year in a procedural move. The president renominated him for the job in January, but it looks like Senate confirmation is still going to be an uphill battle. Tuesday, the Senate Banking Committee approved his nomination -- but Republicans on the committee were unanimously opposed, a signal of trouble ahead in the full Senate. If Republicans again filibuster his nomination, it would take 60 votes to override the move, and Democrats plus independents have only 55.

Read Full Article: Consumer bureau faces court challenge