Search Results for keywords:"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau"

The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB) has established a new system of records called the CFPB.029, Public Health and Safety System. This system, created under the Privacy Act of 1974, is designed to collect and manage information necessary for maintaining a safe and healthy environment during public health emergencies, like pandemics or other incidents. It will include data from individuals who access CFPB facilities or events to trace possible exposures to pathogens or hazardous materials. This system aims to protect all those at CFPB locations and to ensure compliance with relevant health and safety laws and regulations.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is seeking public comments on their request to extend the existing information collection related to the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (Regulation E). This rule ensures that consumers receive clear information about electronic fund transfers and their rights. People have until May 9, 2025, to share their opinions. This effort is meant to evaluate whether the information collection is necessary and how it can be improved while minimizing the burden on respondents.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued a final rule aimed at protecting consumers in Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing, a program that lets property owners fund energy-efficient home improvements through tax assessments. This rule ensures that consumers' ability to repay is considered before PACE loans are approved and includes new disclosure requirements to help consumers better understand their financial obligations. The rule includes adjustments specific to PACE loans to address their unique nature and excludes PACE loans from qualifying as "qualified mortgages," which typically have regulatory protections. The changes are meant to standardize practices across states, improve consumer understanding, and ultimately prevent unaffordable loans that could lead to financial difficulties.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has published its 37th edition of Supervisory Highlights, which outlines recent findings from examinations of financial institutions completed in 2024. The report highlights unfair practices in the areas of deposits, such as unauthorized overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees, and issues with credit reporting related to identity theft and dispute investigations. It also discusses problems with short-term lending, including misleading loan terms and denial of credit under unfair conditions. The document emphasizes the importance of accurate information and consumer protection in financial services, noting efforts to correct violations and implement safeguards.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has updated the asset-size exemption threshold for banks, savings associations, and credit unions under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) to $58 million for 2025, based on an average 2.9% increase in the Consumer Price Index. This change means that institutions with assets of $58 million or less as of December 31, 2024, will not have to collect certain data in 2025. The amendment, which eliminates the need for public comment due to its technical and non-discretionary nature, will take effect on January 1, 2025.

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has agreed to continue, for three more years, the existing disclosure requirements related to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Regulation DD, without making any changes. These requirements involve financial institutions providing specific account information, including fees and terms, to help consumers make informed decisions when comparing deposit accounts. Though the Board requested public comment on this extension, only one comment was received, which did not pertain to the matter at hand. The Board officially adopted this extension as initially proposed.

The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection issued a final rule to adjust civil penalties for inflation, as mandated by several federal acts. These adjustments are meant to maintain the effectiveness of penalties in promoting compliance with the law. The changes are technical and non-discretionary, following a statutory method, and they apply to penalties assessed from January 15, 2021, for violations occurring on or after November 2, 2015. The rule does not require a public comment process due to its technical nature.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued a final rule to identify larger participants in the market for digital consumer payment apps, like digital wallets and payment apps used for personal payments. A nonbank must manage at least 50 million transactions annually and not be a small business to qualify as a larger participant and fall under CFPB supervision. This new rule, effective January 9, 2025, will not add new consumer protection obligations but will help the CFPB monitor compliance with federal consumer financial laws and assess risks to consumers. The rule follows a public comment phase and consultation with other federal agencies.

The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection issued a correction to a previously published rule regarding the definition of a Qualified Mortgage under the Truth in Lending Act, which appeared in the Federal Register on December 29, 2020. The correction fixes a minor error in the wording of an amendatory instruction related to the regulation that guides mortgage definitions. The change will become effective on March 1, 2021. For further details, individuals can contact Amanda Quester at the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a circular addressing whether credit card issuers or their partners can violate the law by lowering the value of rewards or making it hard for consumers to redeem them. According to the CFPB, such actions might be unfair, deceptive, or abusive, especially if rewards are reduced, canceled, or denied due to unclear conditions. The circular also warns that technical issues affecting the redemption of rewards could be considered unlawful. This guidance aims to ensure that financial practices are fair and transparent for consumers.