[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 164 (Thursday, August 23, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51020-51021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20700]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request

    Agency: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau), as part 
of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, 
invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this 
opportunity to comment on a proposed information collection, as 
required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The Bureau is 
soliciting comments concerning the information collection efforts 
relating to the collection titled, ``CFPB Office of Intergovernmental 
Affairs Outreach Activities.'' The proposed collection has been 
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and 
approval. A copy of the submission, including copies of the proposed 
collection and supporting documentation, may be obtained by contacting 
the agency contact listed below.

DATES: Written comments are encouraged and must be received on or 
before September 24, 2012 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by ``Consumer Financial 
Protection Bureau'' and the collection title below, to:
     Agency: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Attention: 
PRA Office), 1700 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20552; (202) 435-9011; 
and [email protected].
     OMB: Shagufta Ahmed, Office of Management and Budget, New 
Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503; (202) 395-
7873.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
should be directed to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 
(Attention: PRA Office), 1700 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20552, (202) 
435-9011 or through the Internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: CFPB Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Outreach 
Activities.
    OMB Number: 3170-00xx.
    Type of Review: New generic collection.
    Abstract: The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection 
Act (Dodd-Frank Act) contemplates that the Bureau will conduct outreach 
activities, as appropriate. See, e.g. 12 U.S.C. 5495; 12 U.S.C. 
5512(c)(1), 12 U.S.C. 5493(d), 12 U.S.C. 5493(b)(2), 12 U.S.C. 
5511(c)(6). The Bureau's Office of Intergovernmental Affairs seeks to 
conduct outreach by collecting information from state, local, and 
tribal governments related to the Bureau's exercise of its functions 
under the Dodd-Frank Act. These governments interact closely with 
consumers and are critical partners in promoting transparency and 
competition in the marketplace, preventing unfair and unlawfully 
discriminatory practices, and enforcing consumer financial laws.
    The information collected through the Office of Intergovernmental 
Affairs Outreach Activities will be shared, as appropriate, within the 
Bureau in the exercise of its functions, such as the Bureau's financial 
education, rulemaking, market monitoring, outreach to traditionally 
underserved populations, fair lending monitoring, supervision, and 
enforcement functions.
    The information collected may be used to form policies and programs 
presented to state, local, and tribal governments, as well as to other 
federal agencies and the general public. Nearly all information 
collection will involve the use of electronic communication or other 
forms of information technology and telephonic means.
    The Bureau received one comment letter on the proposed collection 
from a coalition of cities committed to local action for financial 
empowerment and consumer protection. The comment supported the Bureau's 
proposal to formalize processes for information collection from local 
governments, noting that the proposed information collection would 
maximize efficiency of information sharing and minimize burden on 
cities. The letter recommended that the Bureau set up protocols to 
solicit information and develop a mechanism for local governments to 
provide information to the Bureau. The letter further recommended that 
the Bureau offer cities a distinct communication channel through which 
cities can obtain information from the Bureau and inform regulatory or 
enforcement actions. The Bureau notes that this regular and structured 
solicitation of information may help mitigate the effects of future 
ruptures in consumer financial markets by helping to facilitate 
effective monitoring of local markets for risks to consumers.
    Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Governments.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 1,600.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: 2 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,200.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of 
information displays a valid OMB control number.
    The Bureau issued a 60-day Federal Register notice on April 30, 
2012, 77 FR 25438-39. Comments were solicited and continue to be 
invited on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the Bureau, including 
whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy 
of the Bureau's estimate of the burden of the collection of 
information, including the validity of the methodology and the 
assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden 
of the collection of information on respondents, including through the 
use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.


[[Page 51021]]


    Approved: August 17, 2012.
Chris Willey,
Chief Information Officer, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
[FR Doc. 2012-20700 Filed 8-22-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-AM-P