All in Regulation B

On 3/30/23, the CFPB released the long anticipated rule that implements section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act. This rule will require certain lenders to report information about the small business credit applications they receive, including geographic and demographic data, lending decisions, and the price of credit. As this rule was just released, we will be analyzing this rule and providing further guidance in the near future. That said, the CFPB provided several key elements in their release which you can view by clicking the link to to this article and going to our site. If you would like to get on our wait list to receive updates about resources we create (both free of paid) relating to the 1071 final rule, go to https://www.compliancecohort.com/1071-wait-list.

On May 9, 2022, the CFPB issued an Advisory Opinion to affirm that the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B protect not only those actively seeking credit but also those who sought and have received credit. ECOA is a civil rights law that protects individuals and businesses against discrimination in accessing and using credit on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age.

On 2/22/2022, the FRB, FDIC, NCUA, OCC, CFPB, HUD, the DOJ, and the FHFA issued an interagency statement to remind creditors of the ability under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and Regulation B to establish special purpose credit programs to meet the credit needs of specified classes of persons. The statement focuses on the special purpose credit options under ECOA and Regulation B, which have been publicly committed by many financial institutions to better serve underserved communities.

VIDEO: Are Changes Coming to Overdraft Programs?

In this Compliance Clip (video), Adam shares some interesting hints of change that relate to overdraft protection programs. While nothing has been formally planned to be changed, this video shows several actions by the regulators which could be a foreshadow to changes with guidance for overdraft protection programs. If your organization has an overdraft protection program, you won’t want to miss this 7 minute video. A transcript of this video is now available.

VIDEO: Inquiry as a Factor on Adverse Action Notices

In this Compliance Clip (video), Adam answers a unique question about listing inquiries as a factor in the adverse action notices. Specifically, the question is whether or not creditors are required to include the number of inquiries in the list of factors affecting the credit score if it is the fifth key factor. The answer to this question will come from the FCRA and Regulation B, but specifically from the preamble to the July 15, 2011 Regulation B final rule. A transcript of this video is now available.

VIDEO: Credit Report Fees and Fair Lending

In this Compliance Clip (video), Adam talks about how credit report fees can relate to fair lending. In particular, Adam describes how differences in credit report charges may lead to a fair lending violation under Regulation B. While this has been a known issue for decades, it seems this topic has resurfaced a bit, so feel free to share this with anyone on your lending team.

VIDEO: Executive Summary on CFPB Proposal for Small Business Data Collection

In this Compliance Clip (video), Adam provides a quick executive summary of the CFPB’s recent proposal to amend Regulation B, which will require small business data collection and reporting - much like HMDA - for many financial institutions. As this rule will have a significant impact on financial institutions, it is important to understand the direction this proposal is headed in regards to who might be required to report and what this rule is going to require. This video is a MUST WATCH for all compliance officer, senior lenders, and those who may be required to implement this new rule. (NOTE: Feel free to share this video with those in your team who may need to have this information as this video is free to all.)

It’s finally here. After a decade of anticipation of the Dodd-Frank Act’s requirement for the CFPB to establish small business data reporting, the CFPB has issued a proposal on how they plan to implement the requirement of the Dodd-Frank Act.

As you would expect, this topic will be covered in our Fall 2021 Quarterly Compliance Update, which should be available in mid-to-late October, 2021.

On 8/5/2021, the OCC issued Bulletin 2021-35 to inform national banks, federal savings associations, and other applicable branches/organizations of the appropriate names and addresses for certain notices. Specifically, the Bulletin provides the current addresses needed on notices/posters required by the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and the Fair Housing Act. Banks should make the appropriate changes to their notices and posters, if necessary, within 90 days of this bulletin’s date of issuance.