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§ 1002.3 Limited exceptions for certain classes of transactions.

(a) Public utilities credit

1. Definition. This definition applies only to credit for the purchase of a utility service, such as electricity, gas, or telephone service. Credit provided or offered by a public utility for some other purpose - such as for financing the purchase of a gas dryer, telephone equipment, or other durable goods, or for insulation or other home improvements - is not excepted.

2. Security deposits. A utility company is a creditor when it supplies utility service and bills the user after the service has been provided. Thus, any credit term (such as a requirement for a security deposit) is subject to the regulation's bar against discrimination on a prohibited basis.

3. Telephone companies. A telephone company's credit transactions qualify for the exceptions provided in § 1002.3(a)(2) only if the company is regulated by a government unit or files the charges for service, delayed payment, or any discount for prompt payment with a government unit.

See interpretation of 3(a) Public-utilities credit. in Supplement I

(1) Definition. Public utilities credit refers to extensions of credit that involve public utility services provided through pipe, wire, or other connected facilities, or radio or similar transmission (including extensions of such facilities), if the charges for service, delayed payment, and any discount for prompt payment are filed with or regulated by a government unit.

(2) Exceptions. The following provisions of this part do not apply to public utilities credit:

(i) Section 1002.5(d)(1) concerning information about marital status; and

(ii) Section 1002.12(b) relating to record retention.

(b) Securities credit

(1) Definition. Securities credit refers to extensions of credit subject to regulation under section 7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or extensions of credit by a broker or dealer subject to regulation as a broker or dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

(2) Exceptions. The following provisions of this part do not apply to securities credit:

(i) Section 1002.5(b) concerning information about the sex of an applicant;

(ii) Section 1002.5(c) concerning information about a spouse or former spouse;

(iii) Section 1002.5(d)(1) concerning information about marital status;

(iv) Section 1002.7(b) relating to designation of name to the extent necessary to comply with rules regarding an account in which a broker or dealer has an interest, or rules regarding the aggregation of accounts of spouses to determine controlling interests, beneficial interests, beneficial ownership, or purchase limitations and restrictions;

(v) Section 1002.7(c) relating to action concerning open-end accounts, to the extent the action taken is on the basis of a change of name or marital status;

(vi) Section 1002.7(d) relating to the signature of a spouse or other person;

(vii) Section 1002.10 relating to furnishing of credit information; and

(viii) Section 1002.12(b) relating to record retention.

(c) Incidental credit

1. Examples. If a service provider (such as a hospital, doctor, lawyer, or merchant) allows the client or customer to defer the payment of a bill, this deferral of debt is credit for purposes of the regulation, even though there is no finance charge and no agreement for payment in installments. Because of the exceptions provided by this section, however, these particular credit extensions are excepted from compliance with certain procedural requirements as specified in § 1002.3(c).

See interpretation of 3(c) Incidental credit. in Supplement I

(1) Definition. Incidental credit refers to extensions of consumer credit other than the types described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section:

(i) That are not made pursuant to the terms of a credit card account;

(ii) That are not subject to a finance charge (as defined in Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.4); and

(iii) That are not payable by agreement in more than four installments.

(2) Exceptions. The following provisions of this part do not apply to incidental credit:

(i) Section 1002.5(b) concerning information about the sex of an applicant, but only to the extent necessary for medical records or similar purposes;

(ii) Section 1002.5(c) concerning information about a spouse or former spouse;

(iii) Section 1002.5(d)(1) concerning information about marital status;

(iv) Section 1002.5(d)(2) concerning information about income derived from alimony, child support, or separate maintenance payments;

(v) Section 1002.7(d) relating to the signature of a spouse or other person;

(vi) Section 1002.9 relating to notifications;

(vii) Section 1002.10 relating to furnishing of credit information; and

(viii) Section 1002.12(b) relating to record retention.

(d) Government credit

1. Credit to governments. The exception relates to credit extended to (not by) governmental entities. For example, credit extended to a local government is covered by this exception, but credit extended to consumers by a Federal or state housing agency does not qualify for special treatment under this category.

See interpretation of 3(d) Government credit. in Supplement I

(1) Definition. Government credit refers to extensions of credit made to governments or governmental subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities.

(2) Applicability of regulation. Except for § 1002.4(a), the general rule against discrimination on a prohibited basis, the requirements of this part do not apply to government credit.