Blog

Info for consumers

Published JAN 03, 2017

What you need to know: Understanding why offers for “your” credit score are not all the same

There are many credit scores available to you as a consumer as well as to lenders. A credit score you receive may not be the same score your lender is using...

By Stephanie Brenowitz

• • Credit reports and scores
• • Enforcement

At the CFPB

Published DEC 16, 2016

Fair lending priorities in the new year

A look at the CFPB’s fair lending focus in the new year.

By Patrice Alexander Ficklin

• • Discrimination
• • Equal Credit Opportunity Act
• • Fair lending

Info for consumers

Published DEC 12, 2016

Who are the Credit Invisible?

In 2015, the Bureau published a report finding that 26 million Americans are "credit invisible." We've broken down the report to capture its most compelling...

By Michele Scarbrough

• • Credit cards
• • Credit reports and scores
• • Financial well-being

Info for consumers

Published DEC 02, 2016

Some people may experience refund delays this tax season

If you’re claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, due to a new law, you won’t receive your refund until after February 15, 2017.

By David Sieminski

• • Saving

Policy and compliance

Published DEC 02, 2016

Fall 2016 rulemaking agenda

The semiannual update of our rulemaking agenda.

By Kelly Cochran

• • Rulemaking

Info for consumers

Published DEC 01, 2016

CFPB Ombudsman’s Office 2016 annual report

This month marks the fifth anniversary of the CFPB Ombudsman's Office. As we observe this anniversary, today I also want to share with you our fifth annual...

By Wendy Kamenshine

• • CFPB Ombudsman

Info for consumers

Published NOV 17, 2016

Technology is changing how people access their financial records. Share your story.

Many new financial innovations rely on people choosing to give a company access to their digital financial records held by another company. If you're using...

By Dan Quan and Will Wade-Gery

• • Banking
• • Data
• • Financial well-being
• • Innovation
• • Project Catalyst

Data, research, and reports

Published NOV 10, 2016

A Veterans Day complaint review: VA home loan refinancing

Our report highlights trends and issues reported in servicemember complaints about VA mortgage refinances. We also have direct-to-consumer tips to remember...

By Holly Petraeus

• • Consumer complaints
• • Mortgages
• • Servicemembers

At the CFPB

Published NOV 10, 2016

Honoring our veterans

This Veterans Day, the CFPB would like to recognize veterans, both within the Bureau and nationwide, to thank them for their service.

By Richard Cordray

• • Servicemembers

Info for consumers

Published NOV 02, 2016

What you need to know about the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and how it can help you: Know your rights

In October, we celebrate the enactment of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), a law that protects consumers from discrimination in the financial...

By Rebecca Gelfond and J Frank Vespa-Papaleo

• • Equal Credit Opportunity Act
• • Fair lending

Info for consumers

Published OCT 31, 2016

What you need to know about the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and how it can help you: Why it was passed and what it is

In October, we celebrate the enactment of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), a law that protects consumers from discrimination in the financial...

By Brian Kreiswirth and Anna-Marie Tabor

• • Equal Credit Opportunity Act
• • Fair lending

At the CFPB

Published OCT 27, 2016

Join the 2017 Your Money, Your Goals Cohort

The Office of Financial Empowerment is requesting Letters of Interest from organizations who wish to join the 2017 Your Money, Your Goals cohort.

By Daniel Dodd-Ramirez

• • Financial well-being
• • Partnerships

Data, research, and reports

Published OCT 20, 2016

Financial coaching can benefit consumers

Financial coaching can help consumers achieve their financial goals. It's a strategy that financial educators can implement with the people they serve. Read...

By Irene Skricki

• • Financial coaching
• • Financial education
• • Financial well-being
• • Research

Info for consumers

Published OCT 18, 2016

CFPB Ombudsman’s Office celebrates Conflict Resolution Month

Did you know that October is conflict resolution month?

By Wendy Kamenshine

• • CFPB Ombudsman

Info for consumers Policy and compliance

Published OCT 11, 2016

Lo que necesita saber para recibir dinero del acuerdo de compensación con Honda Finance por cobrarles de más a las minorías

Prestatarios minoritarios a quienes American Honda Finance Corporation les cobró de más en sus préstamos para automóviles serán contactados para recibir...

By Patrice Alexander Ficklin

• • Fair lending

Info for consumers

Published OCT 11, 2016

New financial empowerment tools for native communities

"Your Money, Your Goals: Focus on Native Communities" provides tips and tools based on the wisdom of tribal staff and organizations that serve native...

By Daniel Dodd-Ramirez

• • Financial education
• • Native communities

Info for consumers Policy and compliance

Published OCT 06, 2016

Administrador del Acuerdo de Provident planea ponerse en contacto con prestatarios elegibles próximamente

Prestatarios minoritarios a quienes Provident Funding Associates L.P les cobró de más por honorarios de corredor serán contactados para recibir dinero tras...

By Patrice Alexander Ficklin

• • Fair lending

Info for consumers Policy and compliance

Published OCT 05, 2016

We’ve issued a new rule to help protect consumers using prepaid accounts

Prepaid cards can look and act like other types of cards, but they haven't always had the same protections. Our new rule will help make prepaid cards and...

By David Silberman

• • Prepaid cards
• • Rulemaking

Data, research, and reports

Published OCT 03, 2016

Project Catalyst research pilot: Tools for saving

We released the results of a Project Catalyst research project finding that offering a small incentive to prepaid card users to put some of their money...

By Melissa Knoll, Dan Quan, and Dave Sieminski

• • Financial education
• • Innovation
• • Project Catalyst
• • Saving

Info for consumers Policy and compliance

Published OCT 03, 2016

What you need to know to get money from the settlement with Honda Finance for overcharging minorities

Minority borrowers who were overcharged for their auto loans by American Honda Finance Corporation will be contacted to get money from the settlement.

By Patrice Alexander Ficklin

• • Fair lending

Policy and compliance

Published OCT 03, 2016

We’re exploring the use of a list of companies that offer free credit scores

We're exploring the use of a list of companies that offer free credit scores to their existing customers. Give us your input by commenting on the Federal...

By Gail Hillebrand and Dan Smith

• • Credit cards
• • Credit reports and scores

Info for consumers Policy and compliance

Published SEP 28, 2016

Provident Settlement Administrator to contact eligible borrowers soon

Minority borrowers who were overcharged for their broker fees by Provident Funding Associates, L.P. will be contacted to get money from the settlement.

By Patrice Alexander Ficklin

• • Fair lending

At the CFPB Info for consumers

Published SEP 27, 2016

What happens to you counts

What 1 million complaints – and people from all over the U.S. – tell us about the financial marketplace.

By Chris Johnson

• • Consumer complaints

Info for consumers

Published SEP 26, 2016

You have the right to pay off your student loan as fast as you can, without a penalty

All student loan borrowers have the right to pay off their student loans as fast as they can, but some borrowers who try to make extra payments may run into...

By Seth Frotman

• • Student loans

Info for consumers

Published SEP 23, 2016

How to avoid credit repair service scams

Look out for these five red flag examples when offered credit repair services.

By Desmond Brown

• • Credit reports and scores
• • Financial well-being
• • Identity theft and fraud