[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 164 (Monday, August 25, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50965-50966]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21569]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 164 / Monday, August 25, 2003 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 50965]]



FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

12 CFR Part 226

[Regulation Z; Docket No. R-1157]


Truth in Lending

AGENCY: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

ACTION: Final rule; staff commentary.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Board is publishing a final rule amending the staff 
commentary that interprets the requirements of Regulation Z (Truth in 
Lending). The Board is required to adjust annually the dollar amount 
that triggers requirements for certain home mortgage loans bearing fees 
above a certain amount. The Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 
1994 (HOEPA) sets forth rules for home-secured loans in which the total 
points and fees payable by the consumer at or before loan consummation 
exceed the greater of $400 or 8 percent of the total loan amount. In 
keeping with the statute, the Board has annually adjusted the $400 
amount based on the annual percentage change reflected in the Consumer 
Price Index that is in effect on June 1. The adjusted dollar amount for 
2004 is $499.

DATES:  January 1, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Minh-Duc T. Le, Staff Attorney, 
Division of Consumer and Community Affairs, Board of Governors of the 
Federal Reserve System, at (202) 452-3667. For the users of 
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (``TDD'') only, contact (202) 
263-4869.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The Truth in Lending Act (TILA; 15 U.S.C. 1601 - 1666j) requires 
creditors to disclose credit terms and the cost of consumer credit as 
an annual percentage rate. The act requires additional disclosures for 
loans secured by a consumer's home, and permits consumers to cancel 
certain transactions that involve their principal dwelling. TILA is 
implemented by the Board's Regulation Z (12 CFR part 226). The Board's 
official staff commentary (12 CFR part 226 (Supp. I)) interprets the 
regulation, and provides guidance to creditors in applying the 
regulation to specific transactions.
    In 1995, the Board published amendments to Regulation Z 
implementing HOEPA, contained in the Riegle Community Development and 
Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994, Pub. L. 103-325, 108 Stat. 2160 (60 
FR 15463). These amendments, contained in Sec. Sec.  226.32 and 226.34 
of the regulation, impose substantive limitations and additional 
disclosure requirements on certain closed-end home mortgage loans 
bearing rates or fees above a certain percentage or amount. As enacted, 
the statute requires creditors to comply with the HOEPA rules if the 
total points and fees payable by the consumer at or before loan 
consummation exceed the greater of $400 or 8 percent of the total loan 
amount. TILA and Regulation Z provide that the $400 figure shall be 
adjusted annually on January 1 by the annual percentage change in the 
Consumer Price Index (CPI) that was reported on the preceding June 1. 
(15 U.S.C. 1602(aa)(3) and 12 CFR 226.32(a)(1)(ii)). The Board adjusted 
the $400 amount to $488 for the year 2003.
    The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes consumer-based indices 
monthly, but does not``report'' a CPI change on June 1; adjustments are 
reported in the middle of each month. The Board uses the CPI-U index, 
which is based on all urban consumers and represents approximately 80 
percent of the U.S. population, as the index for adjusting the $400 
dollar figure. The adjustment to the CPI-U index reported by the Bureau 
of Labor Statistics on May 15, 2003, was the CPI-U index ``in effect'' 
on June 1, and reflects the percentage increase from April 2002 to 
April 2003. The adjustment to the $400 figure below reflects a 2.22 
percent increase in the CPI-U index for this period and is rounded to 
whole dollars for ease of compliance.

II. Adjustment and Commentary Revision

    Effective January 1, 2004, for purposes of determining whether a 
home mortgage transaction is covered by 12 CFR 226.32 (based on the 
total points and fees payable by the consumer at or before loan 
consummation), a loan is covered if the points and fees exceed the 
greater of $499 or 8 percent of the total loan amount. Comment 
32(a)(1)(ii)-2, which lists the adjustments for each year, is amended 
to reflect the dollar adjustment for 2004. Because the timing and 
method of the adjustment is set by statute, the Board finds that notice 
and public comment on the change are unnecessary.

III. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    The Board certifies that this amendment will not have a substantial 
effect on regulated entities because the only change is to raise the 
threshold for transactions requiring HOEPA disclosures.

List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 226

    Advertising, Federal Reserve System, Mortgages, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Truth in lending.


0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Board amends Regulation 
Z, 12 CFR part 226, as set forth below:

PART 226--TRUTH IN LENDING (REGULATION Z)

0
1. The authority citation for part 226 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 3806; 15 U.S.C. 1604 and 1637(c)(5).


0
2. In Supplement I to Part 226, under Section 226.32--Requirements for 
Certain Closed-End Home Mortgages, under Paragraph 32(a)(1)(ii), 
paragraph 2. ix. is added.

SUPPLEMENT I TO PART 226--OFFICIAL STAFF INTERPRETATIONS

* * * * *

Subpart E--Special Rules for Certain Home Mortgage Transactions

* * * * *

Section 226.32--Requirements for Certain Closed-End Home Mortgages

    32(a) Coverage
* * * * *

[[Page 50966]]

    Paragraph 32(a)(1)(ii)
* * * * *
    2. Annual adjustment of $400 amount. * * *
    ix. For 2004, $499, reflecting a 2.22 percent increase in the CPI-U 
from June 2002 to June 2003, rounded to the nearest whole dollar.
* * * * *
    By order of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 
acting through the Director of the Division of Consumer and Community 
Affairs under delegated authority, August 18, 2003.

Robert deV. Frierson,
Deputy Secretary of the Board.
[FR Doc. 03-21569 Filed 8-22-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6210-01-S