FRB and FTC: Credit Score Disclosure - Final Rules

On July 6, 2011, the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) jointly issued final rules (Rules) to implement the credit score disclosure requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank).

Our previous notifications relating to this rule were on 1-3-11, and 3-2-11.

If a credit score is used in setting material terms of credit or in taking adverse action, the statute requires creditors to disclose credit scores and related information to consumers in notices under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

The Rules amend Regulation V (Fair Credit Reporting) to revise the content requirements for risk-based pricing notices, and to add related model forms that reflect the new credit score disclosure requirements.

The Rules also amend certain model notices in Regulation B (Equal Credit Opportunity), which combine the adverse action notice requirements for Regulation B and the FCRA, to reflect the new credit score disclosure requirements.

The rules under Regulations V and B are effective 30 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register, which is expected soon.

Effective Date: July 21, 2011

 REGULATION V

The Rules amend Regulation V (Fair Credit Reporting) to revise the content requirements for risk-based pricing notices, and to add related model forms that reflect the new credit score disclosure requirements.

Section 1100F of the Dodd-Frank Act (Dodd-Frank) amends section 615(h) of the FCRA to require that additional content be disclosed to consumers in risk-based pricing notices; specifically, if a credit score is used in making the credit decision, the creditor must disclose that score and certain information relating to the credit score.

Rulemaking authority for the risk-based pricing provisions of the FCRA, including the amendments prescribed by section 1100F of the Dodd-Frank, will not be vested in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau until the date that the section 1100F amendments become effective.

 REGULATION B

The Rules also amend certain model notices in Regulation B (Equal Credit Opportunity), which combine the adverse action notice requirements for Regulation B and the FCRA, to reflect the new credit score disclosure requirements.

Section 1100F of the Dodd-Frank Act amends section 615(a) of the FCRA to require creditors to disclose on FCRA adverse action notices a credit score used in taking any adverse action and information relating to that score.

The FRB is issuing revised model adverse action notices substantially as proposed, and revised to the extent necessary for the adverse action model notices in Regulation B to be consistent with the requirements of section 1100F of the Dodd-Frank.

 LIBRARY

 

 FRB: 12 CFR Part 222, Regulation V and
FTC: 16 CFR Parts 640 and 698
Fair Credit Reporting Risk-Based Pricing Regulations
July 6, 2011

 FRB: 12 CFR Part 202, Regulation B
Equal Credit Opportunity
Final Rule
July 6, 2011

NEW Risk-Based Pricing Rules - January 1, 2011

MAGAZINE ARTICLE: by JONATHAN FOXX

Jonathan Foxx is a former Chief Compliance Officer of two publicly traded financial institutions, and the President & Managing Director of Lenders Compliance Group, the nation’s first full-service, mortgage risk management firm in the country.

I think you will be interested in reading my newest article in the National Mortgage Professional Magazine, the national publication that is considered the premier mortgage industry magazine for residential mortgage originators.

In this month's Regulatory Compliance Outlook, I discuss Risk-Based Pricing, which refers to the practice of using a consumer's credit report, reflecting his or her risk of nonpayment, in setting or adjusting the price and other terms of credit offered or extended to a particular consumer.

I consider the use of credit reports or scores in connection with a credit decision, notice requirements, and the disclosure requirements when a lender grants credit on material terms that are not the most favorable terms offered to a substantial proportion of consumers.

TOPICS

• What are Material Terms?
• Who provides the RBP Disclosures?
• Who receives the RBP Disclosures?
• When are the RBP Disclosures sent?
• What are the model forms?
• Are there exceptions?

EXCERPT

WHO PROVIDES THE RBP DISCLOSURES?

Two-Prong Test

There is a two-prong test to determine the RBP compliance requirement, and both conditions must be met:

(1) determine that a consumer report is being used in connection with an application for, or a grant, extension, or other provision of, credit (for personal, household, and family - not business - purposes) to a consumer; and

(2) based in whole or in part on the consumer report, determine if credit is granted, extended, or otherwise provided to that consumer on "material terms" that are materially less favorable than the most favorable terms available to a substantial proportion of consumers from or through the credit grantor.

I am pleased to share this article with you. I hope you will share it with your colleagues.

We provide expert guidance in all areas of residential mortgage compliance.

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If you have questions about this matter or would like assistance or guidance, please contact me at any time.

Jonathan Foxx
President & Managing Director
(516) 442-3456 X 100