Federal Reserve System June 23, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Board is publishing for public comment a proposed rule amending Regulation B (Equal Credit Opportunity). Section 704B of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), as added by Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act or Act), requires that financial institutions collect and report information concerning credit applications made by women- or minority- owned businesses and by small businesses. ECOA Section 704B becomes effective on the date that rulemaking authority for ECOA is transferred to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which is July 21, 2011. Although the CFPB will have the authority to issue rules to implement ECOA Section 704B for most entities, the Board retains authority to issue rules for certain motor vehicle dealers. This proposed rule excepts motor vehicle dealers that are subject to the Board's jurisdiction from the requirements of ECOA Section 704B temporarily, until the effective date of final rules that will be issued by the Board to implement that provision.