The FRB recently hosted a fair lending “hot topics” webinar in conjunction the DOJ, HUD, CFPB, FDIC, OCC, and NCUA. The seven agencies discussed fair lending developments, including the revised HMDA reporting requirements, compliance management for consumer loans, and various issues related to fair lending complaints, investigations, and enforcement.

HMDA and Revised Regulation C:

Eric Wang, Deputy Fair Lending Director of the CFPB’s Office of Fair Lending and Equal Opportunity, emphasized that the CFPB is currently updating its HMDA exam procedures and that the industry should be “on the lookout” for the revised “Getting it Right” guide.… Continue Reading

On August 2, 2013, the CFPB responded to the June 20, 2013 letter from 35 Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives, questioning the manner in which the CFPB developed recent guidance regarding indirect auto finance and requesting details concerning the Bureau’s methodology for analyzing potential fair lending violations. Specifically, Congress’ letter took issue with the CFPB “initiating [a] process without a public hearing, without public comment, and without releasing the data, methodology, or analysis it relied upon to support such an important change in policy,” expressed concern that the CFPB’s model must be reliable and accurate, and requested that the CFPB provide all pertinent details regarding its methodology.… Continue Reading