The changes are almost exclusively focused on inserting language addressing "discrimination" as an unfair practice and providing related guidance to examiners. You should also review your third-party collection agencies' policies and procedures, call scripts, letters, and any consumer communications with an eye toward UDAAP, because the CFPB has used UDAAP claims to assert liability where there is no other statutory basis, i.e. These examination procedures provide insights into how the CFPB perceives and interprets UDAAP risk, along with general guidance on: The principles of unfairness, deception, and abuse in the context of offering and providing consumer financial products and services; Assessing the risk that a company's practices may be unfair, deceptive, or . On March 16, 2022, CFPB amended its UDAAP supervision exam manual. A good example would be the fairly recent update to the UDAAP section of the CFPB's Supervision and Examination Manual to include discrimination in . The CFPB earlier this year claimed a new tool to prevent discrimination in financial services by examining institutions for conduct that, while potentially falling outside the ambit of traditional fair lending laws, was nonetheless "unfair." . 2 Dodd-Frank Act, Title X, Subtitle C, Sec. This revision specifies that the agency will now target discrimination as an "unfair" practice in connection with all financial products and services and not just credit products. This revision of the UDAAP examination procedures guides examiners in evaluating discriminatory practices as potential unfair practices. The particular facts and circumstances in a case are crucial to the determination of UDAAPs. The non-credit products and services the Bureau . CFPB February 2015 Procedures 1 Credit Card Account Management 1 These Credit Card Account Management Examination Procedures (Procedures) consist of modules covering the various elements of credit card account management; each module identifies specific matters for review. (UDAAP) that may arise when entities communicate or attempt to communicate with consumers or third parties as part of their . the CFPB paired its announcement with revised examination procedures for assessing UDAAP . The CFPB will focus on financial institutions . With those nuanced changes to the text of the UDAAPs examination manual, the CFPB opened new, expanded horizons in its anti-discrimination efforts and authority. CFPB's updates to its UDAAP Examination Manual provide further insights. The changes made to Subpart B of Regulation E, effective July 21, 2020, (1) increased the Rule's safe harbor for compliance . of pronouncements to create binding law without characterizing them as "rules" for purposes of the Administrative Procedures Act. applied these standards through case law, official policy statements, guidance, examination procedures, and enforcement actions that may inform CFPB . In addition, examiners should consider whether an entity has complied with . To meet its newly expanded efforts, the CFPB updated the UDAAP exam manual. at 1-2 (3d ed. 1036; PL 111-203, July 21, 2010. 1024; 1025(b . The CFPB has announced that it will use UDAAP to target discriminatory conduct. On March 16, the CFPB "conflated the concepts by announcing, via a UDAAP exam manual 'update,' that it would examine financial institutions for alleged discriminatory conduct that it deemed to be 'unfair' under its UDAAP authority," the groups wrote. In March 2022, the CFPB announced what a TroutmanPepper blog called "an enormous change to its fair lending philosophy that will have major ramifications for financial services providers of all types." To meet this new enforcement authority, the CFPB updated its UDAAP Exam Manual. The exam manual, which notes that consumers can be harmed whether or not discrimination is intentional, requires examiners to look at a covered . The Consumer Compliance Examination Manual is a primary resource and reference tool for FDIC compliance examination staff to use in support of conducting Consumer Compliance and Community Reinvestment Act examinations and other supervisory activities. House Republican lawmakers this week slammed recent changes made by the CFPB to its supervision examination manual for unfair or deceptive acts and practices and its rules of practice and procedure regarding administrative adjudication procedures, noting that these actions "deviate significantly from past practices" and were taken outside of the notice and comment process. New White Paper Details Why CFPB Lacks Legal Authority for Recent Actions. CFPB Examination Procedures Debt Collection CFPB Procedures 1 Examination Procedures Debt Collection These examination procedures apply to larger participants in the consumer debt collection market defined by 12 CFR 1090.105 and other entities within the supervisory authority of the . 20. As the Troutman blog noted, "[w]hile this announcement will likely surprise the financial services industry . On March 16, 2022, the CFPB published a revised examination procedure guide (Guide) for unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices (UDAAP). CFPB Examination Procedures UDAAP Exam Date: Prepared By: Reviewed By: Docket #: CFPB Examination Procedures 2011 UDAAP 1 EXAMINATION OBJECTIVES xTo assess the quality of the regulated entity's compliance risk management systems, including internal controls and policies and procedures, for avoiding unfair, deceptive, or The U.S. Chamber submitted two letters to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regarding the agency's imprudent and unlawful actions.The first letter raises objections to: The Bureau's March 16, 2022 amendment of it Supervision and Examination Manual to examine financial institutions for alleged discriminatory conduct under its "unfair, deceptive, and abusive acts or practices . Critically, the CFPB also signaled that UDAAP examiners may employ a "disparate impact" theory of liability to identify "unfair" discriminatory practices, and institutions subject to the CFPB's authority should take this into account across all products — including products that do not involve extending credit. The CFPB has published its Spring 2022 rulemaking . CFPB Manual — Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices provides an introduction to UDAAP and outlines regulatory requirements as well as related examination procedures. "larger participants" in the automobile financing market and conduct an examination of businesses' practices and procedures with respect to the use of . In a revision to its supervisory examination procedures, the Bureau asserted that discrimination on the basis of protected characteristics (e.g., race, religion, sex, age) in the provision of consumer financial products or . As previously covered by a Buckley Special Alert, the Bureau revised its UDAAP exam manual to highlight the CFPB's view that its broad These developments call for . The CFPB highlighted several areas of concern in automobile lending in its recent blog post titled "Rising car prices means more auto loan debt." . On March 16, 2022, the CFPB updated its UDAAP Examination Procedures to guide examiners in identifying unfair discrimination in the offering or providing of consumer financial products or services. "larger participants" in the automobile financing market and conduct an examination of businesses' practices and procedures with respect to the use of . This revision of the UDAAP examination procedures guides examiners in evaluating discriminatory practices as potential unfair practices. As such, the CFPB will use its authority to ensure companies are appropriately testing for and eliminating discrimination. policies and procedures through the lens of . Then, on March 22, the CFPB published policy guidance on prohibited conduct under the CFPA relating to consumer reviews. of pronouncements to create binding law without characterizing them as "rules" for purposes of the Administrative Procedures Act. and procedures avoid such actions, especially on a . The new introduction to UDAAP examination manual notes that the examination procedures provide general guidance on "understanding the interplay between unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts and practices and other consumer protection and antidiscrimination statutes." CFPB Risk Assessment Entity Name: Prepared by: Docket Number: Date: CFPB Manual V.2 (October 2012) Template 1 Consumer Risk Assessment CFPB's Risk Assessment process is designed to evaluate on a consistent basis the extent of risk to consumers arising from the activities of a particular supervised entity and to identify the even if a creditor can't be liable for an FDCPA claim, it can be . On March 16, 2022, the CFPB updated its UDAAP Examination Procedures to guide examiners in identifying unfair discrimination in the offering or providing of consumer financial products or services . Additionally, appendix A, "UDAP and UDAAP Red Flags," in this booklet identifies warning signs of potential UDAP or UDAAP risks. The Bureau revised its UDAAP examination manual[13] to reflect that discrimination may meet the elements for unfairness, which are as follows: the act or practice (1) causes or is likely to cause substantial injury to consumers; (2) is not reasonably avoidable by . Examinations will also . The CFPB's revised UDAAP examination procedures describe how the agency believes discrimination may meet the standard for unfairness, which is when an act or practice (i) causes or is likely to cause substantial injury to consumers; (ii) the injury is not reasonably avoidable by consumers, and (iii) the injury is not outweighed by . NAFCU Friday updated its unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices (UDAAP) issue brief to reflect the CFPB's recently revised examination procedure guide for UDAAP. All records regarding President Biden's July 9, 2021 executive order on promoting competition in the . CFPB examiners will require supervised companies to show their processes for assessing risks and discriminatory outcomes, including documentation of customer demographics and the impact of products and fees on different demographic groups. provides CFPB with rule-making authority and, with respect to entities within its jurisdiction, enforcement authority to prevent unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices in connection with . The Act also provides the CFPB with supervisory and enforcement authority to detect and prevent UDAAPs in connection with any consumer financial product or service. At the same time, the CFPB announced plans to target discrimination as an "unfair" practice under the Consumer Financial Protection Act's prohibition against UDAAPs. Washington, D.C. (June 28, 2022) — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and other groups issued a joint white paper detailing why recent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau actions to expand its examination of banks for discrimination exceeds the bureau's legal authority. An automobile finance company subject to such an examination can expect the CFPB to utilize its UDAAP standards to identify conduct that misleads or is likely to mislead a consumer, causes a substantial injury to a consumer and is difficult for a consumer to understand, among other factors. The updated UDAAP Examination Procedures outline how the agency examiners will require financial institutions to demonstrate their processes for assessing risks, potential discriminatory outcomes, and compliance with UDAAP, including documentation of customer demographics and the impact of products and fees on different demographic groups. Please refer to the UDAAP examination procedures, Marketing and Disclosures, for more information. 3 Dodd-Frank Act, Secs. In its press release, the CFPB states that the agency is now targeting discrimination as an unfair practice in connection with all financial products and services and not just credit products.This is a serious change in the CFPB's stance on UDAAP . CFPB examiners are being directed to apply the Consumer Financial Protection Act's unfairness standard to conduct considered to be discriminatory if it is not covered by the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. CFPB Prepaid Examination Procedures Accounts CFPB March 2019 Procedures 2 Prepaid Account Examination Objectives 1. These procedures include guidance for examination of all aspects of debt collection, according to the CFPB's summary. At a minimum, financial institutions should update their policy, procedures, and training materials to incorporate the expanded definition of sex discrimination and ensure their employees are aware of the change. 1. With the announcement, the CFPB also updated its UDAAP exam manual, which adds detail on the CFPB's approach, including expectations for compliance management tied to this theory. The ECOA, over which the CFPB has authority, prohibits discrimination on the basis of, among other things, race and ethnicity. This is from the CFPB's Supervision and Examination Manual and this section of the Mortgage Origination exam procedures shows you how the CFPB will test you on your mortgage advertising compliance with law procedures. when examining policies and procedures for potential udaap concerns, the examiner should now also consider whether (a) the examined entity has processes to prevent discrimination in relation to all aspects of consumer products or services and to monitor for such discrimination and (b) the examined entity has a compliance program which includes an … The associations offer to work with the CFPB and Congress to address these issues and ensure the Bureau follows the law. The change is "contrary to law and subject to legal challenge" as well as . General Considerations 2. The CFPB highlighted several areas of concern in automobile lending in its recent blog post titled "Rising car prices means more auto loan debt." . udaap fairness guide 6 key areas. The revised examination manual similarly expands the scope of documents CFPB examiners will review to assess potential discrimination, including documents related to models, algorithms, and decision-making processes; information "collected, retained, or used regarding customer demographics"; and demographic research or analysis related to . All records as to changes to the CFPB's examination procedures published on March 16. The updated exam manual provides that discrimination may meet the criteria for "unfairness" by causing substantial harm to consumers that they cannot reasonably . The Manual incorporates examination policies, procedures, and guidance and is available on the FDIC website as a resource for FDIC staff . The CFPB intends to use its authority under the Consumer Financial Protection Act to identify, prohibit, and prosecute discrimination as a UDAAP—an "unfair" act or practice in any financial services category, whether it be banking (including deposits), servicing, collections, credit reporting, payments, or money transfers and remittances. The CFPB's revised UDAAP examination procedures describe how the agency believes discrimination may meet the standard for unfairness, which is when an act or practice (i) causes or is likely to cause substantial injury to consumers, (ii) the injury is not reasonably avoidable by consumers and (iii) the injury is not outweighed by . The CFPB will focus on financial institutions . the cfpb's revised udaap examination procedures describe how the agency believes discrimination may meet the standard for unfairness, which is when an act or practice (i) causes or is likely to cause substantial injury to consumers; (ii) the injury is not reasonably avoidable by consumers, and (iii) the injury is not outweighed by countervailing … In the joint white paper, entitled Unfairness and Discrimination: Examining the CFPB's Conflation of Distinct Statutory Concepts, the groups call on the CFPB to rescind its recent "update" of its examination manual, and . Under the new policy, unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices (UDAAPs). The most significant aspect of the Manual lies in those sections devoted to the new UDAAP provision from Section 1031 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act ("Dodd-Frank"), part of Title X, the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010. The examination procedures contain a series of modules, grouping similar requirements together. CFPB, UDAAP Examination Manual. 1 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), "CFPB Targets Unfair Discrimination in Consumer Finance," press release, March 16, 2022. FTC Policy Statement on Unfairness delineates the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) views of the boundaries of its consumer unfairness jurisdiction. On March 16, 2022, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB") updated the section of its examination manual covering unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices ("UDAAP"). As part of its anti-discrimination efforts, the CFPB announced revisions to its examination procedures used in evaluating discriminatory practices as potential unfair practices. A good example would be the fairly recent update to the UDAAP section of the CFPB's Supervision and Examination Manual to include discrimination in . Dodd- Frank Act, Sec s. 1024 . On February 14, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) updated its Supervision and Examinations Manual to reflect changes it made to the Remittance Transfer Rule (Rule) in a final rule published on June 5, 2020. procedures to review, test, and monitor any decision-making processes it uses for potential UDAAP concerns" of any nature, as well as policies to mitigate the concerns it uncovers. The CFPB has broad . The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has been actively reshaping the scope of its supervisory and enforcement priorities with respect to unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices (UDAAPs) under the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA). As set out . Regulation F became effective on November 30, 2021. The first letter raises objections to: The Bureau's March 16, 2022 amendment of it Supervision and Examination Manual to examine financial institutions for alleged discriminatory conduct . [17] . standards have been met before a UDAAP violation is cited. As part of its anti-discrimination efforts, the CFPB announced revisions to its examination procedures used in evaluating discriminatory practices as potential unfair practices. UDAAP, technology and privacy. The CFPB stated it will review its examination guidance and make updates if needed. The changes are almost exclusively focused on inserting language addressing "discrimination" as an unfair practice and providing related guidance to examiners. official policy statements, guidance, examination procedures, and enforcement actions that may inform CFPB. If a NAL is issued, it will provide the recipient institution with a safe harbor from UDAAP-related supervisory findings or enforcement actions by the CFPB. The CFPB has updated the section of its Supervision and Examination Manual on debt collection examination procedures. March 20, 2022 CFPB Expansion of UDAAP Enforcement Federal Review In March 2022, the CFPB announced what a TroutmanPepper blog called "an enormous change to its fair lending philosophy that will have major ramifications for financial services providers of all types." To meet this new enforcement authority, the CFPB updated its UDAAP Exam Manual. The CFPB intends to use its authority under the Consumer Financial Protection Act to identify, prohibit, and prosecute discrimination as a UDAAP—an "unfair" act or practice in any financial services category, whether it be banking (including deposits), servicing, collections, credit reporting, payments, or money transfers and remittances. Policies, Procedures, and Due Diligence Identify potential UDAAP concerns by reviewing all relevant written policies and procedures, member complaints received by the credit union, the NCUA, or CFPB, internal and external audit reports, statistical and management reports, and examination . 3 CFPB, "Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices (UDAAPs) examination procedures," press release, March 16, 2022. Please refer to the examination procedures regarding UDAAPs in the CFPB examination manual for information about the legal standards and the CFPB's approach to examining for UDAAPs. The revision also guides examiners in evaluating entities' decision-making processes, as well as the safeguards they have in place to prevent discrimination in connection with consumer financial products and . On March 16, 2022, the CFPB updated its UDAAP Examination Procedures to guide examiners in identifying unfair discrimination in the offering or providing of consumer financial products or services . These examination procedure s provide general guidance on: • The principles of unfairness, deception, and abuse in the context of offering and providing . On March 16, 2022, the CFPB updated its UDAAP Examination Procedures to guide examiners . The CFPB recognized its expanded authority in the area of prohibiting discrimination in the manual's discussion of the relationship between UDAAP and other consumer protection laws. In an extraordinary announcement on March 16, 2022, the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB" or "Bureau") unveiled a broad expansion of its supervisory procedures to include examining supervised entities for discriminatory conduct that the agency alleges could constitute unfair practices in violation of the Dodd-Frank Act. met before a UDAAP violation is cited. This booklet provides expanded procedures to assist examiners in evaluating UDAP and UDAAP risks and in assessing associated risk management (including evaluating a bank's CMS). June 22, 2022. The update reflects the requirements of Regulation F, the Bureau's final debt collection rule that implements the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The updated UDAAP Examination Procedures outline how the agency examiners will require financial institutions to demonstrate their processes for assessing risks, potential discriminatory outcomes, and compliance with UDAAP, including documentation of customer demographics and the impact of products and fees on different demographic groups. On March 16, 2022, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB") updated the section of its examination manual covering unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices ("UDAAP"). In a press release, the CFPB announced that it will begin targeting discrimination as an unfair practice under its unfair, deceptive, and abusive acts or practices (UDAAP) authority, vastly expanding the reach of its anti-discrimination enforcement beyond the limits of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). UDAAP Examination Manual Update. These examination procedures provide general guidance, according to the CFPB, on: The principles of unfairness, deception, and abuse in the context of offering and providing consumer financial products and services. The U.S. Chamber submitted two letters to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regarding the agency's imprudent and unlawful actions. . 1 the updated examination guidance makes clear that the cfpb will take an expansive view of "unfairness" under udaap to encompass fair lending and anti-discrimination … CFPB, UDAAP Examination Manual at 1-2 . On March 16, 2022, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a press release and an updated UDAAP exam manual setting forth its intentions to use the Consumer Financial Protection Act's (CFPA) prohibition against unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices (UDAAPs) as a supervisory and enforcement tool against alleged discriminatory practices, including in instances where the . on march 15, 2022, the consumer financial protection bureau ("cfpb") issued an updated examination procedures manual for unfair deceptive or abusive acts or practices ("udaap"). The CFPB has published its Spring 2022 rulemaking . Background While this announcement will likely surprise the financial services industry, the idea that discrimination could be enforced under UDAAP authority has been simmering . 3. . . The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced an update to its Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices (UDAAP) examination procedures on March 16, 2022 in connection with its broadening of authority to address discriminatory practices in accordance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) in the offering of all financial services.