NAFCU Compliance Blog

CFPB Proposes to Push Back Compliance Date for Credit Insurance; FSOC Report

Written by Steve Van Beek

Last week, the CFPB proposed to push back the compliance date for the prohibition on single-premium credit insurance. The prohibition - located in the loan originator final rule - is slated to become effective June 1, 2013. The proposed rule would provide a temporary delay to the new rule. In short, there has been quite a bit of confusion since the final rule was issued - mostly due to CFPB's inclusion of examples in the preamble to the final rule.

In addition to the delay, the CFPB has indicated they will be issuing another proposed rule on this issue to gain additional feedback in hopes of clarifying the requirements:

"In light of the interpretive questions that have arisen since publication of the Final Rule, the Bureau intends to publish a new proposal to seek further notice and comment on the provision in June 2013. In that proposal, among other things, the Bureau plans to (1) seek public comment, including from industry stakeholders and consumers, regarding the applicability of the prohibition to transactions in which credit insurance premiums are charged periodically; and (2) propose a new effective date for § 1026.36(i), under which the provision would take effect some time after finalization of that proposal."

Until that future proposed rule, the CFPB is issuing this proposal to temporarily delay the June 1, 2013 deadline. Are we having fun yet?  

***

FSOC Annual Report. The Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) recently issued their 2013 Annual Report detailing the activities of the Council, significant market and regulatory developments, and potential emerging threats to the financial stability of the United States. The report includes seven themes; however, notably absent is any discussion of regulatory burden on financial institutions. This is incredibly unfortunate as the FSOC has a statutory mandate from Dodd-Frank to facilitate coordination between federal regulators.   

Unfair, Deceptive or Abusive Acts or Practices: Airline Taxes Edition

Written by Steve Van Beek

Ok, we're going a bit off-topic for a couple of reasons.

1. It is Friday.
2. Why not?
3. It is interesting to think of the issues facing compliance officers in other industries.

The Washington Post ran a recent opinion piece from George Will which highlighted a requirement for airlines when they disclose taxes and fees:

"Spirit, Allegiant and Southwest are low-cost carriers that have thrived since the deregulation of the airline industry, which began in 1978. The government retains a narrow authority to prevent deceptive advertising practices. But as the airlines argued in petitioning the Supreme Court to hear their case, the government is micromanaging their speech merely to prevent the public from understanding the government’s tax burdens.

The government’s total price rule forbids the airlines from calling attention to the tax component of the price of a ticket by listing the price the airline charges and then the tax component with equal prominence. The rule mandates that any listing of the tax portion of a ticket’s price “not be displayed prominently and be presented in significantly smaller type than the listing of the total price.” The government is trying to prevent people from clearly seeing the burdens of government.

These three low-cost carriers compete for the most price-conscious travelers, and they want to tell those travelers which portion of a ticket’s cost the airlines control. The government, far from regulating to prevent customer confusion, is trying to prevent customers from understanding the taxes and fees that comprise approximately 20 percent of the average airline ticket." (Emphasis added).

I'm not trying to get political - but I found it very interesting that airlines face regulations which tell them their tax and fee disclosures cannot be displayed prominently. 

***

I wonder what the CFPB would say about such a regulation......Have a great weekend!

What is Three-Dimensional Compliance?

Written by Steve Van Beek

Last week, I shared two slides from my upcoming presentation How the CFPB Impacts Your Credit Union at NAFCU's Directors Conference in Asheville, NC. One of the key takeaways will be the idea of Three-Dimensional Compliance.

So, what is Three-Dimensional Compliance? In short, it is a new way to think about the role compliance plays in the credit union. Here is a snippet from my article in the May/June The Federal Credit Union magazine:

"Beyond the Checklist

The creation of the CFPB means that credit unions need to review the role compliance plays in the credit union. Often the compliance officer is brought into a discussion late in the process, and her job is to approve or disapprove a particular action based on the regulatory requirements. Going forward, this “yes or no” approach to compliance will need to change. The CFPB’s focus is principle-based as well as requirement-based. Not only will credit unions need to determine if their product or service is compliant with laws, regulations and guidance, but they will also need to expend resources to document that the product or service provides a benefit to members.

When new requirements are issued, credit unions won’t be able to simply work through a checklist of new requirements and make tweaks to their products and disclosures. They will also need to undertake a three-dimensional analysis of the product or service, asking: 

• Why is the regulator taking this action?

• How were consumers impacted by the prior practices?

• How do consumers view the product or service?

• How does the credit union market the product or service?

• Does the credit union’s marketing of the product or service correspond with how the product or service is used by members? 

In other words, when regulators identify a product or service that has been abused (by either consumers or financial institutions), credit unions need to complete a full 360-degree review of their offerings in order to reduce their compliance, reputation and strategic risks."

You can find the full article here.

***

Reading the CFPB's Tea Leaves. If that message sounds like something your senior managers or Board needs to hear, be sure to pass along information about NAFCU's Annual Conference - specifically our Regulation & Economy Track. We'll be meeting in Boston from July 9-13 and you can see the description of my talk below:

Reading the CFPB’s Tea Leaves 

The pace of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s rulemaking has put credit unions on the defensive. For example, the CFPB’s final mortgage regulations will require a complete overhaul of credit unions’ mortgage operations. Hear which requirements will need special time and attention from your staff and gain best practices to stay on track with your implementation plan. And, just as importantly, hear which areas the CFPB is looking at next. Today’s scrutiny leads to tomorrow’s regulatory requirements. We’ll discuss the CFPB’s focus on prepaid cards, private student lending, overdraft protection programs and checking account disclosures – including what steps your credit union can take now to prepare for new requirements. 
Steve Van Beek, Esq., NCCO, Director of Regulatory Compliance, NAFCU

Full information on the conference can be found here.

What Does Your Board Need to Know About the CFPB?

Written by Steve Van Beek

The headline above was my goal when I created a presentation for NAFCU's Board of Directors & Supervisory Committee Conference next month in Asheville, North Carolina. The first point is that the CFPB's regulations apply to all credit unions.

After that, you can see my overview and key takeaway slides below.

***

 

 

***

It's Not Too Late. Your Board can still sign up for the conference - May 15-17 in Asheville, NC - and we'll be having similar discussions at NAFCU's Annual Conference - July 9-13 in Boston, Massachusetts.  

Here is another question: How are you informing and updating your Board on the CFPB's actions (and potential actions)? 

CFPB Issues Escrow Guide; Proposes Changes to Ability-to-Repay & Servicing Requirements

Written by Steve Van Beek

Escrow Guide. On Friday, the CFPB issued a Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Amendments to the Escrow Requirement for Higher-Priced Mortgage Loans. As you work through the escrow changes - effective June 1, 2013 - be sure to review the Small Entity Guide as it is the CFPB's effort to explain the changes in plain English.

***

Proposed Clarifications. Also on Friday, the CFPB announced they were proposing clarifications to the ability to repay/qualified mortgage requirements as well as the mortgage servicing requirements. This proposal is in addition to the escrow proposal issued the week prior.

The announcement includes this language from the CFPB:

"These proposals are part of our commitment to facilitate implementation of the rules issued in January under the Dodd-Frank Act. We at the Bureau believe that we have a responsibility not just to write a rule, but to see that it is implemented effectively."

These proposals have a very short comment period - so be sure to weigh in on the issues causing your CU headaches. The escrow proposal has a 15 day comment period (comments due May 3, 2013) and the latest proposal indicates there will be a 30 day comment period.

We'll have more on the ability-to-repay/QM and servicing proposal, but for now - here are the main areas that will be clarified:

• Debt-to-income ratio

• Contract variances and the temporary QM provision

• Purchase, guarantee or insurability status and the temporary QM

• No field preemption under Regulation X

• Small servicer exemption

For additional information, see the announcement and the language of the proposed text. 

2013 HMDA Getting it Right Guide; New NAFCU Calendar; Reg Alert on Escrow Proposal

Written by Steve Van Beek

2013 HMDA Guide. Yesterday, the Federal Financial Institution Examination Council (FFIEC) issued the 2013 HMDA Getting it Right! guide. According to the main page:

"The 2013 edition reflects the transfer of authority over Regulation C from the Federal Reserve Board to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Appendix D, comment 1003.2 (Financial Institution)-2 is updated with the asset-size threshold exemption applicable to collection of 2013 data. There are also minor changes to the general text of the Guide, including updates to Sources of Geographic Information and Submitting the LAR."

You can find the full PDF of the 2013 Guide here.  

***

Long Time Coming. Now, you may be wondering when the last version of the Guide was issued?  2010.  The 2011 version would have been the lame duck one when the Federal Reserve still had authority for Regulation C (HMDA). However, there was no guide issued. On July 21, 2011, the CFPB took over Regulation C and they failed to release a guide in 2012.  Fortunately, in year two, the CFPB found the time to update the Guide and provide guidance to HMDA-reporting institutions.

***

Garbage In, Garbage Out? The CFPB is a self-described "data-driven" agency. If you doubt it, take a read through this Bloomberg.com story: U.S. Amasses Data on 10 Million Consumers as Banks Object. To me, if you want to be data-driven - the best first step is to make sure your regulatory requirements are clear and understandable so that the data you collect (whether it be consumer complaints, HMDA data, or anything else) is as reliable as possible. But, that's just me.  

***

NAFCU Calendar.  NAFCU has a new calendar on our website that features:

• Compliance Deadlines;

• Important Regulatory Dates;

• Education & Conferences;

• CU Research Survey Deadlines; and

• Other Important Dates.

The calendar allows you to navigate month-by-month, click to find more information and add dates to your own calendar. For example, the "more information" link on the June 1st Escrow Changes Deadline includes this information:

CFPB Compliance Deadline: Escrow Requirement

Description:

Amended escrow requirements for higher-priced mortgage loans. Added a new small creditor exemption for credit unions that meet a four-part test.

Regulatory Text: 12 CFR 1026.35

NAFCU Compliance Blog: Mortgage Reform - Escrows

NAFCU Resources: www.nafcu.org/mortgagerules/#escrow

Download the latest full Compliance Calendar, including proposed regulations, past deadlines and more.

Date:Jun 01, 2013    

Add to Calendar                                             Back to Calendar

***

NAFCU Members. The Mortgage Rules webpage includes NAFCU's Regulatory Alert on the CFPB's recent proposed rule. The proposal was published in the Federal Register yesterday and only provided 15-days for comments (comments to NAFCU on the Regulatory Alert are due on Wednesday, April 24).  

30 Minutes to Report Credit Card Plans?; Consumer Compliance Outlook; HELOC Webcast

Written by Steve Van Beek

Information Collection on Report for Credit Card Plans. Remember back on February 1 where I got all bent out of shape regarding the CFPB's expansion of their Credit Card Survey to certain credit unions with 10 days notice? 

Yesterday, the CFPB issued an Information Collection Request which asks whether the 30 minutes it estimates for financial institutions - including approximately 20 of the largest credit unions - is accurate. 

"Request for Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Bureau, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) The accuracy of the Bureau's estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methods and the assumptions used; (c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All comments will become a matter of public record."  (Emphasis added).

The reporting form is FR 2572. And, you can also review the instructions and form (opens as an Excel document) for responding to the report. After reading the instructions, would you say that completing the task would take 30 minutes?  Me neither.  

For the 20 or so credit unions who were recently added to the Report - did it take your credit union 30 minutes?  For those credit unions who weren't covered - how long did it take you to determine you weren't covered?  

***

Consumer Compliance Outlook. The First Quarter issue of the Philadelphia Federal Reserve's Consumer Compliance Outlook is now available. The articles this issue include:

• Servicemember Financial Protection Webinar: Questions and Answers
• 2012 Year in Review Webinar: Questions and Answers
• Credit CARD Act Requirements for Gift Certificates, Store Gift Cards, and General-Use Prepaid Cards

You can also download the full PDF here.

***

HELOC Webcast. Don't miss NAFCU's webcast tomorrow on Which New Requirements Apply to HELOCs? - where I'll be walking through the new mortgage requirements that apply to HELOCs.   

***

Wow - you couldn't ask for a better game last night (a different outcome, sure!).  Hats off to Louisville on a great season and an outstanding game. For Michigan - what a run and well done. 

I'll leave you with my favorite image from the game (Getty Images):

Oh, yeah - that was called a foul. One thing is for sure, the blog has definitely upped its basketball coverage since the days of Anthony's Penn State Nittany Lions. Fred also mentioned the coverage was a little too skewed to Michigan - so here is a link to Navy's season as well (does David Robinson have any eligibility left?).   

CFPB to Begin Issuing Information to Help Credit Unions Comply with Mortgage Rules

Written by Steve Van Beek

Last week I was at a conference with other credit union attorneys and I noted the only parts of the CFPB's Implementation Plan for the new mortgage rules was the press release (sent on February 13th) and one blog post on the preliminary rural and underserved counties list.

Well, the CFPB must have been listening because on Friday afternoon they announced their plans to provide their first substantive guides to the mortgage rules in the upcoming weeks.  Below is from their email:

"In the coming months, we’ll release plain language compliance guides, updates of the official interpretations, examination procedures, and other materials. We’re planning to release the first set of materials next week. 
 
If you’re in the mortgage industry or just want to know what we’re doing to help them get ready, sign up for our regulations-specific email list. The signup form is in the upper-right section of the page. 
 
consumerfinance.gov/Regulations 
 
A good implementation plan reduces confusion and costs for industry. That means less time figuring out what the rules mean and more time designing business practices that serve consumers and follow the rules. That’s a market that works better for everyone."

I'd encourage you to sign-up for the announcements and set aside time to review the materials the CFPB provides. 

***

Back in early 2013 (just before the rules were finalized) the CFPB reached out to NAFCU for input on their Implementation Plan for the Mortgage Rules. While I was hopeful at the time, as the days passed by I became more convinced the CFPB missed a huge opportunity by waiting so long to begin communicating with compliance officers on the new rules.

Below are the suggestions I sent to the CFPB back in January:  

• "Applicability.  It is very important to credit unions that the CFPB be specific regarding which new requirements apply to which types of mortgage products.  Credit unions usually think in terms of the mortgage products they offer and not which regulation might apply.  The more the CFPB can do to make distinctions in their communications (and in the actual regulation and commentary), the less burden credit unions will face.  Some of the distinctions that would allow credit unions to know if the regulations apply to their product are included below. 
  • Open-End Credit versus Closed-End Credit
  • First lien versus Subordinate lien
  • Principal dwelling versus Any dwelling
  • Real-estate secured versus secured by personal property (which might be a dwelling – e.g., manufactured homes, mobile homes)

• Fact Sheet for Compliance Officers.  In the CFPB’s prior releases, there have been Fact Sheets for consumers and Fact Sheets for the press.  It would be very helpful if the CFPB released a Fact Sheet for compliance officers. 

• Ask CFPB & Prior Q&As.  Compliance officers should have an avenue to ask questions about the applicability and requirements of the new regulations.  The CFPB would then be able to post these questions and answers on their website to provide guidance to other compliance officers.  Very similar to the process the CFPB already uses to provide information to consumers. 

• One-Page Document with Compliance Dates.  It would be very helpful if the CFPB created and released a one (or two) page document that contains the compliance dates for all the new requirements.

• Webinars and Small Entity Guides.  These are very helpful to credit unions.  However, in order to have the greatest impact – they need to be released in a timely manner and clearly explain the applicability of the new rules.

• Citations.  Whenever possible, the CFPB should use citations when discussing new requirements so that credit unions can conduct further research and analyze the underlying regulatory text, any staff commentary and the preamble to the new regulatory requirement. 

• Annotated Model Forms.  The CFPB’s proposed model forms for the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosures included annotated model forms which allowed users to click on various sections of the model form and see the underlying citation and a link to the proposed rule.  Including this feature with the final rules would be extremely beneficial to credit unions – especially as they work with third-party forms providers.  The annotated model forms will allow credit unions to show their vendors the underlying regulatory requirement and why the particular language or formatting is required. 

• Break Up Topics/Changes Into Manageable Sections.  One of the aspects that NAFCU has found most effective in explaining large changes to regulations (such as from the Credit CARD Act or prior RESPA reform) has been to break up the new requirements in manageable pieces.  For example, the mortgage servicing sections could be clearly broken up in the following sections: (1) adjustable-rate notices; (2) periodic statements; (3) error resolution procedures; (4) information requests); etc.  This allows credit unions, who have very limited compliance staffs, to focus on certain changes initially and move on after implementing those changes rather than trying to comprehend the entire regulation at once."   

We'll have to wait and see how they do overall, but they certainly didn't make educating compliance officers a focus of their new rules. Instead, they worked the media angle and touted the past abuses by certain mortgage lenders and servicers while simply dumping the new rules and forcing everyone to wade through the 3507 pages.

***

And, I must include your Moment of Zen (or at least mine) for today. Go Blue!

Read the Playbook - NCUA's Examination Focus for 2013

Written by Steve Van Beek

My colleague Anthony Demangone had a great blog post yesterday on NCUA tipping their hand on their Examination Focus for 2013. Anthony showed two slides from NCUA which highlighted:

• Ten Red Flags for Examiners

• Ten Things Your Examiner Will Like to See

I encourage you to view the slides on Anthony's blog post.

***

Those slides are very helpful to credit unions, but don't stop there. NCUA has provided tons of information on what their focus will be in 2013. NCUA has given you the playbook, be sure you read it!

Below are four resources from NCUA that you'll want to review:

• Letter to Credit Unions 13-CU-01 on NCUA's Supervisory Focus for 2013

• Capacity, Clarity and Consistency Guide NCUA Exams in 2013 (from January NCUA Report)

• NCUA's Examination Issues in 2013 Webinar (aired initially on March 27, 2013)

• NAFCU’s May 1^st Webcast on NCUA’s National Supervision Policy Manual

Have a great weekend and Go Blue!

NCUA Fair Lending Webinar; Additional Research Tip - Internet Explorer

Written by Steve Van Beek

Note: NAFCU's compliance team will be out of the office the next two days at a training conference in DC. NAFCU members, if you have a compliance question - the best way to contact us via email: compliance@nafcu.org. Keep in mind our responses will be delayed a little longer than usual.

***

NCUA Fair Lending Webinar. Today is NCUA's free Fair Lending Webinar. You can sign-up for the webinar here. The announcement is located here. The webinar is today at 1 p.m. - register here.

***

Yesterday, I blogged about saving certain blog posts to your desktop. I used Chrome as my browser but the same process works for Mozilla Firefox. For Internet Explorer, the instructions are below along with screenshots.

Saving Important Blog Posts to Your Desktop - Internet Explorer.

1. Click on the Title of the blog post to be taken directly to the blog post site.

2. After clicking the Title, you'll be taken to the blog's main webpage - showing the blog post you clicked on. Your screen should look similar to below.

3. On this page, right click and choose "Create Shortcut" and choose Yes to the question of whether you want to create a "shortcut to this website on your desktop."

4. Go to your Desktop and look for the new shortcut. You should see something similar to below.  Double-click on this shortcut and you'll be taken directly to the blog post on the internet.

Using Internet Explorer, there is a direct shortcut created rather than the separate files stored locally on your desktop. Both work and should help ensure you have quick access to important blog posts to increase your efficiency when researching the new mortgage regulations.