The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) soliciting responses to specific questions regarding bank consolidation, automation, relationship banking, and timely customer service.

In a move the Independent Community Bankers of America told Dodd Frank Update was “a step in the right direction,” the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a proposed rule to revise the bureau’s regulatory definitions of “small creditor” and “rural and underserved areas.” 

Pursuant to its duties under Section 165 of the Dodd-Frank Act, the Federal Reserve Board has proposed a rule in response to Basel’s international standards for global systemically important banks.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development altered its qualified mortgage definition in response to final Consumer Financial Protection Bureau amendments unveiled Oct. 22. Although HUD adopted the CFPB’s changes to an exemption for non-profit transactions, it did adopt the bureau’s new QM points and fees cure provisions.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is seeking comment on a proposed policy change that would see the bureau add consumer narratives to its complaint database. The CFPB said publishing the narratives would aid consumer decision making and drive improved customer service among industry participants. However, the policy is likely to face pushback from industry participants who have vigorously opposed such a move.

The federal banking agencies released the first in a series of requests for comments to identify outdated, unnecessary or unduly burdensome regulations imposed on insured depository institutions. The action stems from the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act, which requires the banking agencies to review regulations issued by the agencies at least every 10 years. The National Credit Union Administration also launched an EGRPRA review.

The federal banking agencies released the first in a series of requests for comments to identify outdated, unnecessary or unduly burdensome regulations imposed on insured depository institutions. The action stems from the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act, which requires the banking agencies to review regulations issued by the agencies at least every 10 years.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is continuing work on a proposed telephone survey that will be part of a Dodd-Frank-mandated study on credit card pre-dispute arbitration agreements. The bureau has been receiving feedback on the survey for months and recently sought additional comments on a revised survey proposal.

The Federal Housing Administration says too many creditworthy borrowers with lower credit scores are currently locked out of the mortgage market, and the agency plans to launch a pilot program to address the issue. The proposed Homeowners Armed with Knowledge Program would provide incentives for FHA-borrowers who commit to housing counseling.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency said it plans to expand the kinds of records that will be collected, maintained and stored in the National Mortgage Database, a comprehensive repository of mortgage loan information the agency is developing in partnership with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.