2012-06-01
The Federal Reserve, FTC, and CFPB issued revised interagency examination procedures to guide regulators in assessing compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The document details specific disclosure requirements for adverse actions and risk-based pricing notices, including mandates for providing credit scores and key factors to consumers. It further defines operational methods for determining materially less favorable credit terms and outlines the necessary content for various regulatory notices.
Page 1 of 29 Module 3 Adverse Action Disclosures - Section 615(a) and (b); 15 U.S.C. § 1681m(a) and (b) Section 615(a)-(b) requires users of consumer reports, such as creditors, to make certain disclosures when they:
Page 2 of 29 b. A statement that the consumer reporting agency did not make the decision to take the adverse action and is unable to provide the consumer the specific reasons why the adverse action was taken; 4. Provide to the consumer an oral, written, or electronic notice of the consumer’s right to obtain a free copy of the consumer report from the consumer reporting agency within 60 days of receiving notice of the adverse action, and the consumer’s right to dispute the accuracy or completeness of any information in the consumer report with the consumer reporting agency. Information Obtained from Third Parties Other than Consumer Reporting Agencies (Including Affiliates) Section 615(b), Adverse Action Based on Information Obtained from Third Parties Other than Consumer Reporting Agencies, provides that, in general, whenever credit for personal, family, or household purposes involving a consumer is denied or the charge for such credit is increased either wholly or partly because of information obtained from a person other than a consumer reporting agency bearing upon the consumer’s credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living, the user of such information shall:
Page 3 of 29 Module 3 Risk-Based Pricing Notice - Section 615(h); 15 U.S.C. § 1681m(h); 12 CFR 1022 (Subpart H) Section 615(h) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) generally requires a user of consumer reports, such as a creditor, to provide a risk-based pricing notice to a consumer when the creditor, based on a consumer report, extends credit to the consumer on terms that are “materially less favorable” than the terms the creditor has extended to other consumers. On January 15, 2010, the Federal Reserve and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published final rules in the Federal Register (75 Fed. Reg. 2724) implementing this section of the FCRA. The risk-based pricing notice requirement is designed primarily to improve the accuracy of consumer reports by alerting consumers to the existence of negative information in their consumer reports so that the consumers can, if they choose, check their consumer reports for accuracy and correct any inaccurate information. This notice provision is meant to complement an existing provision of the FCRA, Section 615(a), whereby a creditor that denies a consumer’s application for credit, based in whole or in part on information in a consumer’s report, must provide an adverse action notice. Section 615(h), covers the situation where credit is offered on “materially less favorable terms,” rather than being denied. The Dodd-Frank Act amended section 615(h) of the FCRA to require a person to disclose a consumer’s credit score and certain information relating to the credit score, if a credit score is used in making the credit decision. On July 15, 2011, the Federal Reserve Board and the FTC published final rules (effective August 15, 2011) amending the risk-based pricing regulation to effect the Dodd-Frank Act changes (76 FR 41602). On December 21, 2011, the CFPB restated the FCRA regulations at 12 CFR Part 1022. (76 Fed. Reg. 79308). Key Definitions (12 CFR 1022.71) The following definitions pertain to the rules governing the risk-based pricing regulation: Material terms means in general: a. For open-end credit (except as provided in (b) and (d) below), the annual percentage rate (APR) required to be disclosed in the account opening disclosures required under Regulation Z. This does not include a temporary initial rate that is lower than the rate that will apply when the temporary rate expires, any penalty rate that applies upon the occurrence of specific events (such as a late payment), or any fixed APR option for a home equity line of credit; b. For credit cards (other than a credit card used to access a home equity line of credit or a charge card), the APR that applies for purchases. For credit cards without a purchase APR, “material terms” means the APR that varies based on consumer report information and that has the most significant financial impact on consumers; c. For closed-end credit, the APR required to be disclosed prior to consummation under the closed-end provisions of Regulation Z; and
Page 4 of 29 d. For credit that does not have an APR, the financial term that varies based on consumer report information and that has the most significant financial impact on consumers, such as an annual membership fee for a charge card. Materially less favorable means, generally, that the terms granted, extended, or otherwise provided to a consumer differ from the terms granted, extended, or otherwise provided to another consumer such that the cost of credit to a consumer would be significantly greater than the cost of credit granted, extended, or otherwise provided to the other consumer. Relevant factors in determining the significance of a difference in cost include the type of credit product, the term of the credit extension, and the extent of the difference between the material terms granted, extended, or otherwise provided to the two consumers. General requirements (12 CFR 1022.72-73) A person must provide to a consumer a notice (“risk-based pricing notice”) in the form and manner prescribed by the regulation if:
Page 5 of 29 Credit Score Proxy Example The number of all, or a representative sample of, consumers to whom the person granted credit for a specific type of credit product 10,000 40 percent of consumers 4,000 Credit scores of the 4,000 consumers with the highest credit scores 700 or higher Cutoff score 700 Credit scores of those consumers to whom the person must provide a risk-based pricing notice, because the consumers’ scores are lower than cutoff score 699 or lower Alternative to 40/60 cutoff. The regulation provides an alternative to the 40/60 cutoff discussed above for situations where more than 40 percent of consumers (e.g., 80 percent) receive the most favorable material terms. In such situations, the person may set a different cutoff score based on its historical experience. The cutoff score would be set at a point at which the approximate percentage of consumers who historically have received the most favorable material terms based on their credit score would not receive a notice in the future. Under this alternative, the risk-based pricing notices would be provided to the approximate percentage of consumers who historically have been granted credit on material terms other than the most favorable terms. For example, based on a sample of credit extended in the past six months, a creditor may determine that approximately 80 percent of its consumers received credit at its lowest APR (i.e., the most favorable material terms), and 20 percent of its consumers received credit at a higher APR (i.e., material terms other than the most favorable). Approximately 80 percent of the sampled consumers had a credit score at or above 750, and 20 percent had a credit score below 750. As a result, the card issuer could select 750 as its cutoff score. Consumers who have credit scores lower than 750 would receive the risk-based pricing notice. See preamble to the final regulation (75 FR at 2733)(January 15, 2010). Recalculation. A person must recalculate the score no less than every two years. Specific type of product (sampling approach). A person must calculate the cutoff score by considering the credit scores of all, or a representative sample of, the consumers who have received credit for a specific type of credit product. New entrants or new products (secondary approach in limited circumstances). For new entrants into the credit business or for new products subject to risk-based pricing, a person may determine the cutoff score based on information from market research or other thirdparty sources for a specific type of credit product. For a newly acquired credit portfolio, a person may determine the cutoff score from information obtained from the party from which it acquired the portfolio. The person must recalculate the cutoff score using the scores of its own consumers within one year after it begins using a score derived from market research, third-party data, or the party from which it acquired the portfolio. If, within that one year, it has not granted credit to a sufficient number of new consumers, thus preventing it from having sufficient data with which to recalculate a cut-off score based on the credit scores of its own consumers, it may continue to use the original cutoff score until it obtains sufficient data on which to base the calculation. However, within two years, it must calculate its own cutoff score if it has granted credit to some new consumers within those two years.
Page 6 of 29 Use of multiple credit scores. For a person that generally uses two or more credit scores to set material credit terms, the person must determine the cutoff score using the same method used to evaluate multiple scores when making credit decisions (for example, using an average credit score). If the person does not consistently use the same method for evaluating multiple scores, the person must use a reasonable means. For example, the person may use any one of the methods that the person ordinarily uses or the average credit score of each consumer to calculate the credit score by a reasonable means. No credit score available for a consumer. If no credit score is available for a consumer, a person must assume that it is granting credit on materially less favorable terms and thus must provide a risk-based pricing notice to the consumer. 2. Tiered pricing method (12 CFR 1022.72(b)(2)). If a person sets the material terms of credit by assigning each consumer to one of a discrete number of pricing tiers for a specific type of credit product, based in whole or in part on a consumer report, the person may provide a risk-based pricing notice to each consumer who is not assigned to the top pricing tier or tiers. If the person uses four or fewer pricing tiers, it complies by providing risk-based pricing notices to all consumers who do not qualify for the top, best-priced tier. If the person uses five or more pricing tiers, it complies by providing the notices to all consumers who do not qualify for the two top, best-priced tiers and any other tier that, combined with the top two tiers, equals no less than the top 30 percent and no more than the top 40 percent of the total number of tiers.
Page 7 of 29 Tiered Pricing Example Four or fewer tiers Top tier = best rate APR Notice requirements. Tier 1 (top) 8% No risk-based pricing notice required. Tier 2 10% Risk-based pricing notice required for Tiers 2, 3 and 4. Tier 3 12% Tier 4 14% Five or more tiers (5 tiers) Top tier = best rate APR Tier 1 (top) 8% No risk-based pricing notice required for top 30% to 40% of tiers. Top two tiers comprise 2 out of 5 (40%) of the number of tiers. Tier 2 10% Tier 3 12% Risk-based notices required for Tiers 3-5. Tier 4 14% Tier 5 16% Five or more tiers (9 tiers) Top tier = best rate APR Tier 1 (top) 8% No risk-based pricing notice required for top 30% to 40% of tiers. Top three tiers comprise 3 out of 9 (33%) of the number of tiers. Tier 2 10% Tier 3 12% Tier 4 14% Risk-based notices required for Tiers 4-9. Tier 5 16% Tier 6 18% Tier 7 20% Tier 8 22% Tier 9 24%
Page 8 of 29 Application to credit card issuers (12 CFR 1022.72(c)). A credit card issuer may use any of the methods in 12 CFR 1022.72(b) to identify consumers to whom it must provide a riskbased pricing notice. Alternatively, the card issuer may provide the notice when:
Page 9 of 29 d. All of the key factors that adversely affected the credit score, which shall not exceed four key factors, except that if one of the key factors is the number of enquiries made with respect to the consumer report, the number of key factors shall not exceed five; e. The date on which the credit score was created; and f. The name of the consumer reporting agency or other person that provided the credit score; 8. A statement that the terms offered, such as the APR, have been set based on information from a consumer report; and 9. A statement that the terms offered may be less favorable than the terms offered to consumers with better credit histories. See Appendix H-1 and H-6 of the regulation for model forms for the risk-based pricing notice. Account Review (12 CFR 1022.72(d)). Generally, a person must provide an account review riskbased pricing notice to the consumer if the person, based in whole or in part on a consumer report, increases the consumer’s APR after a review of the consumer’s account, unless one of the exceptions in 12 CFR 1022.74 applies (for example, the creditor provides an adverse action notice). Content of account review risk-based pricing notice (12 CFR 1022.73(a)(2)). The account review risk-based pricing notice must include:
Page 10 of 29 a. A statement that a credit score is a number that takes into account information in a consumer report, that the consumer‘s credit score was used to set the terms of credit offered, and that a credit score can change over time to reflect changes in the consumer‘s credit history; b. The credit score used by the person in making the credit decision; c. The range of possible credit scores under the model used to generate the credit score; d. All of the key factors that adversely affected the credit score, which shall not exceed four key factors, except that if one of the key factors is the number of enquires made with respect to the consumer report, the number of key factors shall not exceed five; e. The date on which the credit score was created; and f. The name of the consumer reporting agency or other person that provided the credit score. 8. A statement that the person has conducted a review of the account using information from a consumer report; and 9. A statement that as a result of the review, the APR on the account has been increased based on information from a consumer report. NOTE: Items 1 through 7 for the account review risk-based pricing notice are substantially the same as items 1 through 7 for the risk-based pricing notice. Only the last two items in each list are different. See Appendix H-2 and H-7 of the regulation for model forms for the account review riskbased pricing notice. Form of the notice (12 CFR 1022.73(b)).The risk-based pricing notices and the account review risk-based pricing notices must be clear and conspicuous and provided to the consumer in oral, written, or electronic form. Persons, such as creditors, are deemed to be in compliance with the disclosure requirements through use of the optional, applicable model forms, found in Appendix H of the regulation. Timing (12 CFR 1022.73(c)). The timing requirement depends on the specific type of credit transaction as specified below:
Page 11 of 29 4. For automobile lending transactions made through an auto dealer or other party that is unaffiliated with the creditor, the creditor may provide a risk-based pricing notice in the time periods described above for closed-end credit. Alternatively, the creditor may arrange to have the auto dealer or other party provide a risk-based pricing notice to the consumer on its behalf within these time periods and maintain reasonable policies and procedures to verify that the auto dealer provides the notices to consumers within the applicable time periods. If the creditor arranges to have the auto dealer or other party provide a credit score disclosure exception notice, the creditor complies if the consumer receives a notice containing a credit score obtained by the dealer or other party, even if a different credit score is obtained and used by the creditor. 12 CFR 1022.73(c)(2) 5. For credit that is granted under an open-end credit plan to a consumer in person or by telephone for contemporaneous purchase of goods or services, the risk-based pricing notice may be provided at the earlier of: a. The time of the first mailing to the consumer after the decision is made to approve the credit, such as in a mailing containing the account agreement or a credit card; or b. Within 30 days after the decision to approve the credit. Multiple credit scores (12 CFR 1022.73(d)). When a person obtains or creates two or more credit scores and uses one of those credit scores in setting the material terms of credit (e.g., by using the low, middle, high, or most recent score), the risk-based pricing notice and the account review notice must include that credit score and the information about the credit score described in the notice content requirements above. When a person obtains or creates two or more credit scores and uses multiple credit scores in setting the material terms of credit (e.g., by computing the average of all the credit scores obtained or created, the risk-based pricing notice and the account review notice must include one of those credit scores and the information about the credit score described previously in the notice content requirements. The notice may, at the person‘s option, include more than one credit score and the related information for each credit score disclosed. Examples.
Page 12 of 29 the material terms it will offer to the consumer. That person may choose one of these scores to include in the risk-based pricing notice and the account review notice. Exceptions (12 CFR 1022.74) The rules contain a number of exceptions to the risk-based pricing notice requirement, as follows:
Page 13 of 29 b. A statement that a credit score is a number that takes into account information in a consumer report and that a credit score can change over time to reflect changes in the consumer’s credit history; c. A statement that the consumer’s credit score can affect whether the consumer can obtain credit and what the cost of that credit will be; d. A statement that the consumer is encouraged to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the consumer report and has the right to dispute any inaccurate information in the report; e. A statement that federal law gives the consumer the right to obtain copies of his or her consumer reports directly from the consumer reporting agencies, including a free report from each of the nationwide consumer reporting agencies once during any 12- month period; f. Contact information for the centralized source from which consumers may obtain their free annual consumer reports; g. A statement directing consumers to the website of the CFPB to obtain more information about consumer reports; h. The information required to be disclosed to the consumer in Section 609(g) of the FCRA, and as described in Module 3 of these examination procedures, under “Disclosure of Credit Scores by Certain Mortgage Lenders (FCRA), Section 609(g);” and i. The distribution of credit scores among consumers who are scored under the same scoring model that is used to generate the consumer’s credit score. The distribution must: i. Use the same scale as that of the credit score provided to the consumer, and ii. Be presented: • In the form of a bar graph containing a minimum of six bars that illustrates the percentage of consumers with credit scores within the range of scores reflected in each bar, • By other clear and readily understandable graphical means, or • In a clear and readily understandable statement informing the consumer how his or her credit score compares to the scores of other consumers. The presentation may use a graph or statement obtained from the entity providing the credit score if it meets these requirements. Form of the notice. The Section 1022.74(d) notice must be:
Page 14 of 29 4. Provided to the consumer in writing and in a form that the consumer may keep. Timing. The Section 1022.74(d) notice must be provided to the consumer at the same time as the disclosure required by Section 609(g) of the FCRA is provided to the consumer, which must be provided as soon as reasonably practicable after the credit score has been obtained. In any event, the Section 1022.74(d) notice must be provided at or before consummation in the case of closed-end credit or before the first transaction is made under an open-end credit plan. Content of the notice when using multiple credit scores. When a person obtains two or more credit scores from consumer reporting agencies in setting material terms of credit, the content of the Section 1022.74(d) notice varies depending upon whether the person only relies upon one of the credit scores or relies upon multiple credit scores.
Page 15 of 29 2. The person provides to each consumer that requests such an extension of credit a notice that contains the following: a. A statement that a consumer report (or credit report) is a record of the consumer’s credit history and includes information about whether the consumer pays his or her obligations on time and how much the consumer owes to creditors; b. A statement that a credit score is a number that takes into account information in a consumer report and that a credit score can change over time to reflect changes in the consumer’s credit history; c. A statement that the consumer’s credit score can affect whether the consumer can obtain credit and what the cost of that credit will be; d. A statement that the consumer is encouraged to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the consumer report and has the right to dispute any inaccurate information in the report; e. A statement that federal law gives the consumer the right to obtain copies of his or her consumer reports directly from the consumer reporting agencies, including a free report from each of the nationwide consumer reporting agencies once during any 12- month period; f. Contact information for the centralized source from which consumers may obtain their free annual consumer reports; g. A statement directing consumers to the website of the CFPB to obtain more information about consumer reports; h. The current credit score of the consumer or the most recent credit score of the consumer that was previously calculated by the consumer reporting agency for a purpose related to the extension of credit; i. The distribution of credit scores among consumers who are scored under the same scoring model that is used to generate the consumer’s credit score. The distribution must: i. Use the same scale as that of the credit score provided to the consumer, and ii. Be presented: • in the form of a bar graph containing a minimum of six bars that illustrates the percentage of consumers with credit scores within the range of scores reflected in each bar, • by other clear and readily understandable graphical means, or • In a clear and readily understandable statement informing the consumer how his or her credit score compares to the scores of other consumers. The presentation may use a graph or statement obtained from the entity providing the credit score if it meets these requirements. j. The range of possible credit scores under the model used to generate the credit score;
Page 16 of 29 k. The date on which the credit score was created; and l. The name of the consumer reporting agency or other person that provided the credit score. NOTE: Items a, b, c, d, e, f, g, and i for the Section 1022.74(e) notice are the same as items a, b, c, d, e, f, g, and i for the Section 1022.74(d) notice. Form of the notice. The Section 1022.74(e) notice must be: a. Clear and conspicuous; b. Segregated from other information provided to the consumer; and c. Provided to the consumer in writing and in a form that the consumer may keep. Timing. The Section 1022.74(e) notice generally must be provided to the consumer as soon as reasonably practicable after the credit score has been obtained, but in any event at or before consummation in the case of closed-end credit or before the first transaction is made under an open-end credit plan. The notice may alternatively be provided in the following manner: a. For automobile lending transactions made through an auto dealer or other party that is unaffiliated with the person, such as a creditor, the person may provide a Section 1022.74(e) notice in the time periods described above. Alternatively, the creditor may arrange to have the auto dealer or other party provide a Section 1022.74(e) notice to the consumer on its behalf within these time periods and maintain reasonable policies and procedures to verify that the auto dealer provides the notice to the consumer within the applicable time periods. If the creditor arranges to have the auto dealer or other party provide a Section 1022.74(e) notice, the creditor complies if the consumer receives a notice containing a credit score obtained by the dealer, even if a different credit score is obtained and used by the creditor. 12 CFR 1022.73(c)(2). b. For credit that is granted under an open-end credit plan to a consumer in person or by telephone for contemporaneous purchase of goods or services, the Section 1022.74(e) notice may be provided at the earlier of: i. The time of the first mailing to the consumer after the decision is made to approve the credit, such as in a mailing containing the account agreement or a credit card; or ii. Within 30 days after the decision to approve the credit. (12 CFR 1022.73(c)(3)) Multiple credit scores. When a person obtains two or more credit scores from consumer reporting agencies in setting material terms of credit, the content of the Section 1022.74(e) notice varies depending if the person relies upon only one of the credit scores or relies upon multiple credit scores. These disclosures requirements are the same as those for the Section 1022.74(d) notices, as described previously.
Page 17 of 29 Model form. Appendix H-4 of the regulation contains a model form of the Section 1022.74(e) notice. While use of the model form is optional, appropriate use of Model Form H-4 is deemed to comply with the requirements of Section 1022.74(e).
Page 18 of 29 Section 1022.74(f) exception - credit score not available. A person is not required to provide a riskbased pricing notice to a consumer under Section 1022.72(a) or (c) if the person:
Page 19 of 29 Example. A person, such as a creditor, uses consumer reports to set the material terms of non-mortgage credit granted, extended, or provided to consumers and regularly requests credit scores from a particular consumer reporting agency. As required by Section 1022.74(e), the creditor provides those credit scores and additional information to consumers. The consumer reporting agency provides to the creditor a consumer report on a particular consumer that contains one trade line, but does not provide the creditor with a credit score on that consumer. If the creditor does not obtain a credit score from another consumer reporting agency and, based in whole or in part on information in a consumer report, grants, extends, or provides credit to the consumer, the creditor may provide the Section 1022.74(f) notice. If, however, the creditor obtains a credit score from another consumer reporting agency, the creditor may not rely upon the Section 1022.74(f) exception, but must satisfy the requirements of Section 1022.74(e). Form of the notice. The Section 1022.74(f) notice must be:
Page 20 of 29 The rules clarify that, in general, only one risk-based pricing notice or one credit score exception notice is required to be provided per credit extension (however, an account review would still be required, if applicable). In a transaction involving two or more consumers who are granted, extended, or otherwise provided credit, a person must provide a risk-based pricing notice to each consumer. If the consumers have the same address, and the notice does not include a credit score(s), a person may satisfy the requirements by providing a single notice addressed to both consumers. However, if a notice includes a credit score(s), the person must provide a separate notice to each consumer whether the consumers have the same address or not. Each separate notice that includes a credit score(s) must contain only the credit score(s) of the consumer to whom the notice is provided, and not the credit score(s) of the other consumer. Similarly, for credit score disclosure exception notices, whether the consumers have the same address or not, the person must provide a separate notice to each consumer and each separate notice that includes a credit score(s) must contain only the credit score(s) of the consumer to whom the notice is provided. A purchaser or assignee of a credit contract with a consumer is not subject to the risk-based pricing notice requirements. Appendix H Appendix H contains seven optional model forms that may be used to comply with the regulatory requirements. The seven model forms are:
Page 21 of 29 Fair Credit Reporting Act Module 3 Adverse Action Disclosures - Sections 615(a) and (b); 15 U.S.C. § 1681m(a) and (b)
Page 22 of 29 Module 3 Risk-Based Pricing Notice - Section 615(h); 15 U.S.C. § 1681m(h); 12 CFR 1022 (Subpart H)
Page 23 of 29 following method as permitted by 12 CFR 1022.72(c) to identify consumers to whom it must provide a risk-based pricing notice: a) a consumer applies for a credit card either in connection with an application program, such as a direct-mail offer or a take-one application, or in response to a solicitation under 12 CFR 1026.60, and more than a single possible purchase annual percentage (APR) rate may apply under the program or solicitation; and b) based in whole or in part on a consumer report, the credit card issuer provides a credit card to the consumer with a purchase APR that is greater than the lowest purchase APR available in connection with the application or solicitation. iii. determine whether the card issuer provides a risk-based pricing notice to each consumer that is provided a credit card with a purchase APR greater than the lowest purchase APR available under the program or solicitation. 3. Determine whether the creditor provides a risk-based pricing notice to a consumer (12 CFR 1022.72(a)). For creditors that provide the notice, proceed to step #4. If the creditor does not provide a risk-based pricing notice, proceed to step #5 to determine whether an exception applies (12 CFR 1022.74). 4. Determine whether the risk based pricing notice contains (12 CFR 1022.73(a)(1)): a. a statement that a consumer report (or credit report) includes information about the consumer’s credit history and the type of information included in that history; b. a statement that the terms offered, such as the APR, have been set based on information from a consumer report; c. a statement that the terms offered may be less favorable than the terms offered to consumers with better credit histories; d. a statement that the consumer is encouraged to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the consumer report and has the right to dispute any inaccurate information in the report; e. the identity of each consumer reporting agency that furnished a consumer report used in the credit decision; f. a statement that federal law gives the consumer the right to obtain a copy of a consumer report from the consumer reporting agency or agencies identified in the notice without charge for 60 days after receipt of the notice; g. a statement informing the consumer how to obtain a consumer report from the consumer reporting agency or agencies identified in the notice and providing contact information (including a toll-free telephone number, where applicable) specified by the consumer reporting agency or agencies; h. a statement directing consumers to the website of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to obtain more information about consumer reports; and i. if a credit score of the consumer to whom a person grants, extends, or otherwise provides credit is used in setting the material terms of credit: i. a statement that a credit score is a number that takes into account information in a consumer report, that the consumer's credit score was used to set the terms of credit offered, and that a credit score can change over time to reflect changes in the consumer's credit history; i. the credit score used by the person in making the credit decision;
Page 24 of 29 ii. the range of possible credit scores under the model used to generate the credit score; iii. all of the key factors that adversely affected the credit score, which shall not exceed four key factors, except that if one of the key factors is the number of enquiries made with respect to the consumer report, the number of key factors shall not exceed five; iv. the date on which the credit score was created; and v. the name of the consumer reporting agency or other person that provided the credit score. Proceed to step #10. 5. If the creditor does not provide a risk-based pricing notice, determine if one of the following situations that qualify for a regulatory exception applies (12 CFR 1022.74(a)-(f)): a. a consumer applies for specific terms of credit, and receives them, unless those terms were specified by the creditor using a consumer report after the consumer applied for the credit and after the creditor obtained the consumer report; b. a creditor provides a notice of adverse action; c. a creditor makes a firm offer of credit in a prescreened solicitation (even if the person makes other firm offers of credit to other consumers on more favorable material terms); d. a creditor generally provides a credit score disclosure to each consumer that requests a loan that is or will be secured by residential real property (if so, proceed to step #6); e. a creditor generally provides a credit score disclosure to each consumer that requests a loan that is not or will not be secured by residential real property (if so, proceed to step #7); or f. a creditor, which otherwise provides credit score disclosures to consumers that request loans, provides a disclosure for when no credit score is available (if so, proceed to step #8). 6. For creditors that choose to provide a credit score disclosure to consumers that request a loan that is or will be secured by residential real property, determine whether the Section 1022.74(d) notice generally is provided to each consumer that requests such an extension of credit and that each notice contains: a. a statement that a consumer report (or credit report) is a record of the consumer’s credit history and includes information about whether the consumer pays his or her obligations on time and how much the consumer owes to creditors; b. a statement that a credit score is a number that takes into account information in a consumer report and that a credit score can change over time to reflect changes in the consumer’s credit history; c. a statement that the consumer’s credit score can affect whether the consumer can obtain credit and what the cost of that credit will be; d. a statement that the consumer is encouraged to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the consumer report and has the right to dispute any inaccurate information in the report; e. a statement that federal law gives the consumer the right to obtain copies of his or her consumer reports directly from the consumer reporting agencies, including a free report from each of the nationwide consumer reporting agencies once during any 12-month period;
Page 25 of 29 f. contact information for the centralized source from which consumers may obtain their free annual consumer reports; g. a statement directing consumers to the website of the CFPB to obtain more information about consumer reports; h. the information required to be disclosed to the consumer in Section 609(g) of the FCRA, and as described in Module 3 of these examination procedures, under “Disclosure of Credit Scores by Certain Mortgage Lenders (FCRA), Section 609(g)”; and i. the distribution of credit scores among consumers who are scored under the same scoring model that is used to generate the consumer’s credit score. The distribution must: i. use the same scale as that of the credit score provided to the consumer, and ii. be presented: a) in the form of a bar graph containing a minimum of six bars that illustrates the percentage of consumers with credit scores within the range of scores reflected in each bar, b) by other clear and readily understandable graphical means, or c) in a clear and readily understandable statement informing the consumer how his or her credit score compares to the scores of other consumers. The presentation may use a graph or statement obtained from the entity providing the credit score if it meets these requirements. 7. For creditors that choose to provide a credit score disclosure to consumers that request a loan that is not or will not be secured by residential real property, determine whether the Section 1022.74(e) notice generally is provided to each consumer that requests such an extension of credit and that each notice contains: a. a statement that a consumer report (or credit report) is a record of the consumer’s credit history and includes information about whether the consumer pays his or her obligations on time and how much the consumer owes to creditors; b. a statement that a credit score is a number that takes into account information in a consumer report and that a credit score can change over time to reflect changes in the consumer’s credit history; c. a statement that the consumer’s credit score can affect whether the consumer can obtain credit and what the cost of that credit will be; d. a statement that the consumer is encouraged to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the consumer report and has the right to dispute any inaccurate information in the report; e. a statement that federal law gives the consumer the right to obtain copies of his or her consumer reports directly from the consumer reporting agencies, including a free report from each of the nationwide consumer reporting agencies once during any 12-month period; f. contact information for the centralized source from which consumers may obtain their free annual consumer reports; g. a statement directing consumers to the website of CFPB to obtain more information about consumer reports; h. the current credit score of the consumer or the most recent credit score of the consumer that was previously calculated by the consumer reporting agency for a purpose related to the extension of credit;
Page 26 of 29 i. the distribution of credit scores among consumers who are scored under the same scoring model that is used to generate the consumer’s credit score. The distribution must: i. use the same scale as that of the credit score provided to the consumer, and ii. be presented: a) in the form of a bar graph containing a minimum of six bars that illustrates the percentage of consumers with credit scores within the range of scores reflected in each bar, b) by other clear and readily understandable graphical means, or c) in a clear and readily understandable statement informing the consumer how his or her credit score compares to the scores of other consumers. The presentation may use a graph or statement obtained from the entity providing the credit score if it meets these requirements; j. the range of possible credit scores under the model used to generate the credit score; k. the date on which the credit score was created; and l. the name of the consumer reporting agency or other person that provided the credit score. 8. For creditors that otherwise provide credit score disclosures to consumers that request loans, determine whether the Section 1022.74(f) notice is provided to the applicable consumers in situations where no credit score is available for the consumer, as required by 1022.74(f). Determine whether each notice contains: a. a statement that a consumer report (or credit report) includes information about the consumer’s credit history and the type of information included in that history; b. a statement that a credit score is a number that takes into account information in a consumer report and that a credit score can change over time in response to changes in the consumer’s credit history; c. a statement that credit scores are important because consumers with higher credit scores generally obtain more favorable credit terms; d. a statement that not having a credit score can affect whether the consumer can obtain credit and what the cost of that credit will be; e. a statement that a credit score about the consumer was not available from a consumer reporting agency, which must be identified by name, generally due to insufficient information regarding the consumer’s credit history; f. a statement that the consumer is encouraged to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the consumer report and has the right to dispute any inaccurate information in the consumer report; g. a statement that federal law gives the consumer the right to obtain copies of his or her consumer reports directly from the consumer reporting agencies, including a free consumer report from each of the nationwide consumer reporting agencies once during any 12-month period; h. the contact information for the centralized source from which consumers may obtain their free annual consumer reports; and i. a statement directing consumers to the website of the CFPB to obtain more information about consumer reports.
Page 27 of 29 9. For creditors that provide credit score exception notices and that obtain multiple credit scores in setting material terms of credit, determine whether the score(s) is disclosed in a manner consistent with the regulation (12 CFR 1022.74(d)(4) and .74(e)(4)): a. if a creditor only relies upon one of those credit scores in setting the material terms of credit granted, extended, or otherwise provided to a consumer (for example, by using the low, middle, high, or most recent score), determine whether the notice includes that credit score and the other information required by Section 1022.74(d). b. if a creditor relies upon multiple credit scores in setting the material terms of credit granted, extended, or otherwise provided to a consumer (for example, by computing the average of all the credit scores obtained), determine whether the notice includes one of those credit scores and the other information required by Section 1022.74(d). 10. Regardless of whether the creditor provides risk-based pricing notices or credit score exception notices, if the creditor increases the consumer’s APR as the result of a review of a consumer’s account, determine whether the creditor provided the consumer with an account review riskbased pricing notice (12 CFR 1022.72(d)) if an adverse action notice was not already provided. 11. Determine whether the account review risk-based pricing notice contains (12 CFR 1022.73(a)(2)): a. a statement that a consumer report (or credit report) includes information about the consumer’s credit history and the type of information included in that history; b. a statement that the consumer is encouraged to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the consumer report and has the right to dispute any inaccurate information in the report; c. the identity of each consumer reporting agency that furnished a consumer report used in the credit decision; d. a statement that federal law gives the consumer the right to obtain a copy of a consumer report from the consumer reporting agency or agencies identified in the notice without charge for 60 days after receipt of the notice; e. a statement that informs the consumer how to obtain a consumer report from the consumer reporting agency or agencies identified in the notice and provides contact information (including a toll-free telephone number, where applicable) specified by the consumer reporting agency or agencies; f. a statement that directs consumers to the website of the CFPB to obtain more information about consumer reports; g. a statement that the creditor has conducted a review of the account using information from a consumer report; h. a statement that, as a result of the review, the APR on the account has been increased based on information from a consumer report; and i. if a credit score of the consumer whose extension of credit is under review is used in increasing the APR: i. a statement that a credit score is a number that takes into account information in a consumer report, that the consumer's credit score was used to set the terms of credit offered, and that a credit score can change over time to reflect changes in the consumer's credit history; ii. the credit score used by the person in making the credit decision;
Page 28 of 29 iii. the range of possible credit scores under the model used to generate the credit score; iv. all of the key factors that adversely affected the credit score, which shall not exceed four key factors, except that if one of the key factors is the number of enquiries made with respect to the consumer report, the number of key factors shall not exceed five; v. the date on which the credit score was created; and vi. the name of the consumer reporting agency or other person that provided the credit score. 12. For all notices, determine whether the notices are clear and conspicuous and comply with the specific format requirements for the notices (12 CFR 1022.73(b), .74(d)(2), .74(e)(2), and .74(f)(3)). 13. For all notices, determine whether the notices are provided within the required time frames (12 CFR 1022.73(c), .74(d)(3), .74(e)(3), and .74(f)(4)), as set out as follows: Risk-based pricing notices and account review risk-based pricing notices • For closed-end credit, the notice generally must be provided to the consumer after the decision to approve a credit request is communicated to the consumer, but before consummation of the transaction. • For open-end credit, the notice generally must be provided after the decision to grant credit is communicated to the consumer, but before the first transaction under the plan has been made. • For account reviews, the notice generally must be provided at the time that the decision to increase the APR is communicated to the consumer or no later than five days after the effective date of the change in the APR. Credit score disclosures for loans secured by residential real property • The credit score disclosure for loans secured by residential real property must be provided to the consumer at the same time as the disclosure required by Section 609(g) of the FCRA is provided to the consumer. The 609(g) notice must be provided as soon as reasonably practicable after the credit score has been obtained. In any event, the credit score disclosure for loans secured by residential real property must be provided at or before consummation in the case of closed-end credit or before the first transaction is made under an open-end credit plan. Credit score disclosures for loans not secured by residential real property • The notice generally must be provided to the consumer as soon as reasonably practicable after the credit score has been obtained, but in any event at or before consummation in the case of closed-end credit or before the first transaction is made under an open-end credit plan. Credit score exception notices when no credit score is available • The notice generally must be provided to the consumer as soon as reasonably practicable after the creditor has requested the credit score, but in any event not later than consummation of a transaction in the case of closed-end credit or when the first transaction is made under an open-end credit plan.
Page 29 of 29 Application to certain automobile lending transactions • For automobile lending transactions made through an auto dealer that is unaffiliated with the creditor, the creditor may provide a notice in the time periods described above. Alternatively, the creditor may arrange to have the auto dealer provide a notice to the consumer on its behalf within these time periods and maintain reasonable policies and procedures to verify that the auto dealer provides the notice to the consumer within the applicable time periods. If the creditor arranges to have the auto dealer provide a credit score disclosure for loans not secured by residential real property, the creditor complies if the consumer receives a notice containing a credit score obtained by the dealer with these time periods, even if a different credit score is obtained and used by the creditor. • For credit that is granted under an open-end credit plan to a consumer in person or by telephone for contemporaneous purchase of goods or services, the notice may be provided at the earlier of: o the time of the first mailing to the consumer after the decision is made to approve the credit, such as in a mailing containing the account agreement or a credit card; or o within 30 days after the decision to approve the credit. 14. For all notices, determine whether the creditor follows the rules of construction pertaining to the number of notices provided to the consumer(s) (12 CFR 1022.75). In a transaction involving two or more consumers, a creditor must provide a risk-based notice to each consumer. If the consumers have the same address, and the notice does not include a credit score(s), a person may satisfy the requirements by providing a single notice addressed to both consumers. However, if a notice includes a credit score(s), the person must provide a separate notice to each consumer whether the consumers have the same address or not. Each separate notice that includes a credit score(s) must contain only the credit score(s) of the consumer to whom the notice is provided, and not the credit score(s) of the other consumer. Similarly, for credit score disclosure exception notices, whether the consumers have the same address or not, the creditor must provide a separate notice to each consumer and each separate notice that includes a credit score(s) must contain only the credit score(s) of the consumer to whom the notices is provided. 15. For all notices, determine whether the creditor uses the model forms in Appendix H of the regulation. If yes, determine that it does not modify the model form so extensively as to affect the substance, clarity, comprehensibility, or meaningful sequence of the forms (Appendix H).