Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Outlines Responsibilities of Financial Firms During Pandemic

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) today released a statement and FAQs outlining the responsibility of certain financial firms during the pandemic. In the statement, the Bureau outlines the billing error responsibilities of credit card issuers and other open-end non-home secured creditors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, the Bureau encourages financial firms to continue to provide the kind of assistance to their communities that many have been providing, such as waiving fees, lowering minimum-balance requirements, and implementing changes in account terms that benefit consumers.

In order to help consumers, the Bureau released two FAQ documents. First, the FAQs remind providers of checking, savings, or prepaid accounts that they can offer consumers immediate relief by changing account terms without advance notice where the change in terms is clearly favorable to the consumer. For example, in light of the Federal Reserve Board’s April 2020 interim final rule deleting the six-per-month transfer limit on savings accounts, an institution may eliminate transfer fees on savings accounts without providing advance notice. Second, the Bureau issued FAQs focusing on existing regulatory flexibilities for open-end credit (that is not home-secured) that may be useful for assisting customers. For example, there is no advance notice requirement should a creditor choose to extend a credit card account’s grace period.

Additionally, the Bureau released a statement to assist consumers, small business owners, and their creditors in managing the challenges that the current pandemic poses. The statement highlights creditors’ responsibilities during the crisis and provides them with temporary and targeted relief to ensure that they are able to assist their consumers and accurately resolve their billing error claims.

The CFPB is committed to providing consumers with up-to-date information and resources to protect and manage their finances during this difficult time as the situation evolves. Consumers can learn more on consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus.

Statement on Supervisory and Enforcement Practices Regarding Regulation Z Billing Error Resolution Timeframes in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Bureau’s Payments and Deposits Rules FAQs related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Bureau’s Open-End (not Home-Secured) Rules FAQs related to the COVID-19 Pandemic