Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Overdraft Protection Act of 2021

Findings and purpose

(a)

Findings

The Congress finds the following:(1)Overdraft coverage is a form of short-term credit that financial institutions market for consumer accounts. Historically, financial institutions covered overdrafts for a fee on an ad hoc basis.(2)With the growth in specially designed software programs and in consumer use of debit cards, overdraft coverage for a fee has become more prevalent.(3)Many financial institutions market a range of overdraft options but aggressively encourage consumers to consent to the most expensive option, where a high flat fee is collected for every individual overdraft transaction.(4)Many financial institutions collect a high flat fee, including for small dollar transactions, each time the institution covers an overdraft, impose multiple overdraft coverage fees within a single day, and charge additional fees for each day during which the account remains overdrawn.(5)Such abusive practices in connection with overdraft coverage fees have deprived consumers of meaningful options and placed significant financial burdens on low- and moderate-income consumers.(6)African Americans and Latinos are disproportionately harmed by overdraft coverage fees and more likely to pay multiple overdraft coverage fees annually.(b)

Purpose

It is the purpose of this Act to protect consumers by limiting abusive overdraft coverage fees and practices, and by providing meaningful disclosures and consumer choice in connection with overdraft coverage fees.

Definitions

(a)

Additional definitions

Section 140B of the Truth in Lending Act, as added by section 4, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(o)

Definitions relating to overdraft coverage

For purposes of this section:(1)

Check

The term check has the same meaning as in section 3(6) of the Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act (12 U.S.C. 5001 et seq.), other than a travelers check.(2)

Financial institution

The term financial institution has the same meaning as in the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (15 U.S.C. 1693a(9)).(3)

Nonsufficient fund fee

The term nonsufficient fund fee means a fee or charge assessed in connection with an overdraft for which a financial institution declines payment.(4)

Overdraft

The term overdraft means, in a withdrawal by check or other debit from a consumer account in which there are insufficient or unavailable funds in the account to cover such check or debit, the amount of such withdrawal that exceeds the available funds in the account.(5)

Overdraft coverage

The term overdraft coverage means the payment of a check presented or other debit posted against a consumer account by the financial institution in which such account is held, even though there are insufficient or unavailable funds in the account to cover such checks or other debits.(6)

Overdraft coverage fee

The term overdraft coverage fee means any fee or charge assessed in connection with overdraft coverage, or in connection with any negative account balance that results from overdraft coverage, unless such fee or charge is imposed in connection with—(A)an extension of credit through an overdraft line of credit program where such fee or charge was considered a finance charge under this title as in effect immediately prior to the enactment of the Overdraft Protection Act of 2021; or(B)any transfer from an account linked to another account.

Such fee shall be considered a finance charge for purposes of section 106(a), but shall not be included in the calculation of the rate of interest for purposes of section 107(5)(A)(vi) of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1757(5)(A)(vi)).

(7)

Overdraft coverage program

The term overdraft coverage program means a service under which a financial institution assesses an overdraft coverage fee for overdraft coverage.(8)

Account

The term account has the same meaning as in the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (15 U.S.C. 1693a(2)).

(b)

Conforming amendment

Section 107(5)(A)(vi) of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1757(5)(A)(vi)) is amended by inserting , other than an overdraft coverage fee, as defined in section 140B(o) of the Truth in Lending Act after inclusive of all finance charges.

Fair marketing and provision of overdraft coverage programs

(a)

In general

Chapter 2 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1631 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

140B.

Overdraft coverage program disclosures and consumer protection

(a)

Prohibitions

No financial institution may engage in acts or practices in connection with the marketing of or the provision of overdraft coverage that are unfair, deceptive, or designed to evade the provisions of this section.(b)

Marketing disclosures

Each financial institution that provides or offers to provide overdraft coverage with respect to accounts held at that financial institution shall clearly and conspicuously disclose in all marketing materials for such overdraft coverage—(1)any overdraft coverage fees with respect to such overdraft coverage; and(2)that by not opting in to such overdraft coverage—(A)a consumer’s transaction may be declined if there are insufficient funds in the related account; and(B)the consumer will not be charged a fee if such transaction is declined.(c)

Consumer consent opt-In

A financial institution may charge overdraft coverage fees with respect to the use of an automatic teller machine or point of sale transaction only if the consumer has consented in writing, in electronic form, or in such other form as is permitted under regulations of the Bureau.(d)

Consumer disclosures

Each financial institution shall clearly disclose to each consumer covered by an overdraft coverage program of that financial institution—(1)that—(A)the consumer may be charged for not more than one overdraft coverage fee in any single calendar month and not more than 6 overdraft coverage fees in any single calendar year, per account; and(B)the financial institution retains the discretion to pay (without assessing an overdraft coverage fee) or reject overdrafts incurred by the consumer beyond the numbers described in subparagraph (A);(2)the overdraft coverage fee as an annual percentage rate, so as to permit consumers to meaningfully compare the overdraft coverage to alternative forms of overdraft options and other sources of credit;(3)information about any alternative overdraft products that are available (such as linked accounts, lines of credit, and alerts), including a clear explanation of how the terms and fees for such alternative services and products differ; and(4)such other information as the Bureau may require, by rule.(e)

Periodic statements

Each financial institution that offers an overdraft coverage program shall, in each periodic statement for any account that has an overdraft coverage program feature, clearly disclose to the consumer the dollar amount of all overdraft coverage fees and nonsufficient fund fees charged to the consumer for the relevant period and year to date.(f)

Exclusion from account balance information

No financial institution may include the amount available under the overdraft coverage program of a consumer as part of the account balance of that consumer and the account balance shall be more prominently displayed than any amount available under the overdraft coverage program.(g)

Prompt notification

Each financial institution shall promptly notify consumers, through a reasonable means selected by the consumer, when overdraft coverage has been accessed with respect to the account of the consumer, not later than on the day on which such access occurs, including—(1)the date of the transaction;(2)the type of transaction;(3)the overdraft amount;(4)the overdraft coverage fee;(5)the amount necessary to return the account to a positive balance; and(6)whether the participation of a consumer in an overdraft coverage program will be terminated if the account is not returned to a positive balance within a given time period.(h)

Terminated or suspended coverage

Each financial institution shall provide prompt notice to the consumer, using a reasonable means selected by the consumer, if the institution terminates or suspends access to an overdraft coverage program with respect to an account of the consumer, including a clear rationale for the action.(i)

Overdraft coverage fee limits

(1)

Notice and Opportunity To Cancel

Each financial institution shall—(A)warn any consumer covered by an overdraft coverage program who engages in a transaction through an automated teller machine or a branch teller if completing the transaction would trigger overdraft coverage fees, including the amount of the fees; and(B)provide to the consumer the opportunity to cancel the transaction before it is completed.(2)

Frequency

A financial institution may charge not more than one overdraft coverage fee in any single calendar month, and not more than 6 overdraft coverage fees in any single calendar year, per account.(3)

Reasonable and proportional overdraft coverage fees

(A)

In general

The amount of any overdraft coverage fee that a financial institution may assess for paying a transaction (including a check or other debit) shall be reasonable and proportional to—(i)the amount of the overdraft; and(ii)the cost to the financial institution in providing the overdraft coverage for that transaction.(B)

Safe harbor rule authorized

The Bureau, in consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the National Credit Union Administration Board, may issue rules to provide an amount for any overdraft coverage fee that is presumed to be reasonable and proportional to the amount of the overdraft and the cost to the financial institution in providing the overdraft coverage for the transaction.(4)

Posting order

Each financial institution shall post transactions with respect to accounts in such a manner that minimizes overdraft coverage fees and nonsufficient fund fees.(j)

Debit holds

No financial institution may charge an overdraft coverage fee on any category of transaction, if the overdraft results solely from a debit hold amount placed on a account that exceeds the actual dollar amount of the transaction.(k)

Nondiscrimination for not opting In

In implementing the requirements of this section, each financial institution shall provide to consumers who have not consented to participate in an overdraft coverage program, accounts having the same terms, conditions, or other features as those that are provided to consumers who have consented to participate in such overdraft coverage program, except for features of such overdraft coverage.(l)

Nonsufficient fund fee limits

(1)

In general

No financial institution may charge any nonsufficient fund fee with respect to—(A)any transaction at an automated teller machine; or(B)any debit card transaction.(2)

Reasonable and proportional overdraft coverage fees

The amount of any nonsufficient fund fee shall be reasonable and proportional to the cost to the financial institution directly associated with returning the transaction.(3)

Safe harbor rule authorized

The Bureau, in consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the National Credit Union Administration Board, may issue rules to provide an amount for any non-sufficient fund fee that is presumed to be reasonable and proportional to the costs to the financial institution of returning the transaction.(m)

Reports to consumer reporting agencies

No financial institution may report negative information regarding the use of overdraft coverage by a consumer to any consumer reporting agency (as that term is defined in section 603 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a)) when the overdraft amounts and overdraft coverage fees are repaid under the terms of an overdraft coverage program.(n)

Rule of construction

No provision of this section may be construed as prohibiting a financial institution from retaining the discretion to pay, without assessing an overdraft coverage fee or charge, an overdraft incurred by a consumer.

(b)

Technical amendment

The table of contents for chapter II of the Truth in Lending Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 140A the following new item:

140B. Overdraft coverage program disclosures and consumer protection.

Regulatory authority of the Bureau

Not later than 24 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (hereafter in this Act referred to as the Bureau) shall issue such final rules and publish such model forms as necessary to carry out section 140B of the Truth in Lending Act, as added by this Act.

Effective date

(a)

In general

This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, whether or not the rules of the Bureau under this Act or such amendments are prescribed in final form.(b)

Moratorium on fee increases

(1)

In general

During the 1-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, no financial institution may increase the overdraft coverage fees or charges assessed on accounts for paying a transaction (including a check or other debit) in connection with an overdraft or for nonsufficient funds.(2)

Definitions

As used in this section, the terms financial institution, overdraft, overdraft coverage fee, account, and nonsufficient fund fee have the same meanings as in section 140B(o) of the Truth in Lending Act, as added by this Act.