Federal appeals court revives legal challenge to consumer financial protection office

A federal appeals court has revived a constitutional challenge to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the federal office created to protect consumers in financial dealings with banks, lenders and credit card companies.

The federal appeals court in Washington ruled Friday that a Texas bank can challenge the watchdog agency's powers even though the bank's conduct has not been subject to any enforcement.

A federal district judge had dismissed the lawsuit in 2013 after finding the bank had no legal standing to bring the claims.

The bureau was created in 2010 by a sweeping law that overhauled financial regulations following the recession. Wall Street interests and Republicans in Congress fiercely opposed the agency.

The appeals court sent the case back to the lower court to consider the challenges.