[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 7, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66748-66757]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26008]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 216 / Wednesday, November 7, 2012 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 66748]]



BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION

12 CFR Part 1026

[Docket No. CFPB-2012-0039]
RIN 3170-AA28


Truth in Lending (Regulation Z)

AGENCY: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) is 
proposing to amend Regulation Z, which implements the Truth in Lending 
Act (TILA), and the official interpretation to the regulation, which 
interprets the requirements of Regulation Z. Regulation Z generally 
prohibits a card issuer from opening a credit card account for a 
consumer, or increasing the credit limit applicable to a credit card 
account, unless the card issuer considers the consumer's ability to 
make the required payments under the terms of such account. Regulation 
Z currently requires that issuers consider the consumer's independent 
ability to pay, regardless of the consumer's age; in contrast, TILA 
expressly requires consideration of an independent ability to pay only 
for applicants who are under the age of 21. The Bureau requests comment 
on proposed amendments that would remove the independent ability-to-pay 
requirement for consumers who are 21 and older, and permit issuers to 
consider income to which such consumers have a reasonable expectation 
of access.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 7, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. CFPB-2012-
0039 or Regulatory Identification Number (RIN) 3170-AA28, by any of the 
following methods:
     Electronic: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Monica Jackson, Office of the 
Executive Secretary, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, 1700 G 
Street NW., Washington, DC 20552.
    All submissions must include the agency name and docket number or 
RIN for this rulemaking. In general, all comments received will be 
posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov. In addition, 
comments will be available for public inspection and copying at 1700 G 
Street NW., Washington, DC 20552, on official business days between the 
hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time. You can make an appointment 
to inspect the documents by calling (202) 435-7275.
    All comments, including attachments and other supporting materials, 
will become part of the public record and subject to public disclosure. 
Sensitive personal information, such as account numbers or social 
security numbers, should not be included. Comments will not be edited 
to remove any identifying or contact information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea Edmonds, Senior Counsel, Office 
of Regulations, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, 1700 G Street 
NW., Washington, DC 20552, at (202) 435-7000.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 
2009 (Credit Card Act) was signed into law on May 22, 2009.\1\ The 
Credit Card Act primarily amended the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and 
instituted new substantive and disclosure requirements to establish 
fair and transparent practices for open-end consumer credit plans.
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    \1\ Public Law 111-24, 123 Stat. 1734 (2009).
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    The Credit Card Act added TILA section150 which states that ``[a] 
card issuer may not open any credit card account for any consumer under 
an open end consumer credit plan, or increase any credit limit 
applicable to such account, unless the card issuer considers the 
ability of the consumer to make the required payments under the terms 
of such account.'' \2\ The Credit Card Act also added TILA section 
127(c)(8), which applies special requirements for consumers under the 
age of 21. Section 127(c)(8)(A) provides that ``[n]o credit card may be 
issued to, or open end consumer credit plan established by or on behalf 
of, a consumer who has not attained the age of 21, unless the consumer 
has submitted a written application to the card issuer'' that meets 
certain specific requirements.\3\ Section 127(c)(8)(B) sets forth those 
requirements and provides that ``an application to open a credit card 
account by a consumer who has not attained the age of 21 as of the date 
of submission of the application shall require * * * (i) the signature 
of a cosigner, including the parent, legal guardian, spouse, or any 
other individual who has attained the age of 21 having a means to repay 
debts incurred by the consumer in connection with the account, 
indicating joint liability for debts incurred by the consumer in 
connection with the account before the consumer has attained the age of 
21; or * * * (ii) submission by the consumer of financial information, 
including through an application, indicating an independent means of 
repaying any obligation arising from the proposed extension of credit 
in connection with the account.'' \4\
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    \2\ 15 U.S.C. 1665e.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 1637(c)(8)(A).
    \4\ 15 U.S.C. 1637(c)(8)(B).
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    On January 12, 2010, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve 
System (Board) issued a final rule (January 2010 Final Rule) 
implementing new TILA Sections 150 and 127(c)(8) in a new 12 CFR 
226.51.\5\ The general rule in Sec.  226.51(a) provided, in part, that 
``[a] card issuer must not open a credit card account for a consumer 
under an open-end (not home-secured) consumer credit plan, or increase 
any limit applicable to such account, unless the card issuer considers 
the ability of the consumer to make the required minimum periodic 
payments under the terms of the account based on the consumer's income 
or assets and current obligations.'' \6\ Consistent with the statute, 
Sec.  226.51(b) set forth a special rule for consumers who are less 
than 21 years old and provided, in part, that a card issuer may not 
open a credit card account for a consumer less than 21 years old unless 
the consumer has submitted a written application and the card issuer 
has either: (i) Financial

[[Page 66749]]

information indicating the consumer has an independent ability to make 
the required minimum periodic payments on the proposed extension of 
credit in connection with the account; or (ii) a signed agreement of a 
cosigner, guarantor, or joint applicant that meets certain 
conditions.\7\ Accordingly, consistent with the statute, the Board's 
rule required that consumers under 21 years of age demonstrate an 
independent ability to pay, while the general rule applicable to 
consumers 21 and over did not impose a similar independence 
requirement. The Board's rule became effective on February 22, 2010.
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    \5\ See 75 FR 7658, 7719-7724, 7818-7819, 7900-7901 (Feb. 22, 
2010).
    \6\ Id. at 7818.
    \7\ Id.
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    On March 18, 2011, the Board issued a final rule amending Sec.  
226.51(a) to apply the independent ability-to-pay requirement to all 
consumers, regardless of age (March 2011 Final Rule).\8\ The Board 
adopted this change, in part, in response to concerns regarding card 
issuers prompting applicants to provide ``household income'' on credit 
card applications. To address this specific concern, in addition to 
adopting an independent ability-to-pay requirement for consumers who 
are age 21 and older, the Board clarified in amended comment 51(a)(1)-
4.iii that consideration of information regarding a consumer's 
household income does not by itself satisfy the requirement in Sec.  
226.51(a) to consider the consumer's independent ability to pay. The 
Board stated that in its view it would be inconsistent with the 
language and intent of section 150 of TILA to permit card issuers to 
establish a consumer's ability to pay based on the income or assets of 
individuals who are not responsible for making payments on the 
account.\9\ The Board's amendments to Sec.  226.51 became effective on 
October 1, 2011.\10\
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    \8\ 76 FR 22948, 22974-22977 (Apr. 25, 2011). The Board proposed 
this provision for comment in November 2010. 75 FR 67458, 67473-
67475 (Nov. 2, 2010).
    \9\ 76 FR 22948, 23020-23021.
    \10\ Id. at 22948.
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    Rulemaking authority for sections 150 and 127(c)(8) of TILA 
transferred to the Bureau on July 21, 2011, pursuant to the Dodd-Frank 
Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act).\11\ On 
December 22, 2011, the Bureau issued an interim final rule to reflect 
its assumption of rulemaking authority over Regulation Z.\12\ The 
interim final rule made only technical changes to Regulation Z, such as 
noting the Bureau's authority and renumbering Regulation Z as 12 CFR 
Part 1026.\13\
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    \11\ Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010).
    \12\ 76 FR 79768 (Dec. 22, 2011).
    \13\ Accordingly, the provision addressed in this proposal is 
cited as 12 CFR 1026.51.
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    Since the Bureau's assumption of responsibility for TILA and 
Regulation Z, members of Congress and others have expressed concerns 
about Sec.  1026.51 and the implementation of the ability-to-pay 
provisions of the Credit Card Act. In particular, they objected to the 
Board's extension of the ``independent'' ability-to-pay standard in 
section 127(c)(8) of TILA to consumers who are 21 or older, and 
expressed specific concerns about the impact of the Board's March 2011 
Final Rule on the ability of spouses and partners who do not work 
outside the home to obtain credit card accounts. These groups urged the 
Bureau to further study or reconsider the application of the 
``independent'' standard set forth in section 127(c)(8) of TILA--which, 
they noted, the statute applies only to consumers who are under 21--
more generally to consumers who are 21 and older.\14\ As discussed 
further elsewhere in this Federal Register notice, the Bureau believes 
that the most appropriate reading of sections 150 and 127(c)(8) is that 
the ``independent'' ability-to-pay standard set forth in section 
127(c)(8) was intended to apply only to consumers who are under the age 
of 21. Accordingly, the Bureau believes that Sec.  1026.51(a), as 
currently in effect, may unduly limit the ability of certain 
individuals who are 21 or older to obtain credit and is proposing 
amendments to Regulation Z that it believes are more consistent with 
the plain language and intent of the Credit Card Act.
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    \14\ See, e.g., Written Statement of Ashley Boyd, MomsRising, 
U.S. House Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer 
Credit Hearing on ``An Examination of the Federal Reserve's Final 
Rule on the CARD Act's `Ability to Repay' Requirement'' (June 6, 
2012), available at http://financialservices.house.gov/uploadedfiles/hhrg-112-ba15-wstate-aboyd-20120606.pdf; Letter from 
Representatives Maloney, Slaughter, Bachus, and Frank to Raj Date 
(December 5, 2011), available at http://maloney.house.gov/press-release/reps-maloney-slaughter-bachus-and-frank-call-cfpb-study-impact-credit-card-act%E2%80%99s-.
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II. Legal Authority

    The Bureau is issuing this proposal pursuant to its authority under 
TILA and the Dodd-Frank Act. Effective July 21, 2011, section 1061 of 
the Dodd-Frank Act transferred to the Bureau the ``consumer financial 
protection functions'' previously vested in certain other Federal 
agencies. The term ``consumer financial protection functions'' is 
defined to include ``all authority to prescribe rules or issue orders 
or guidelines pursuant to any Federal consumer financial law, including 
performing appropriate functions to promulgate and review such rules, 
orders, and guidelines.'' \15\ TILA is a Federal consumer financial 
law.\16\ Accordingly, effective July 21, 2011, except with respect to 
persons excluded from the Bureau's rulemaking authority by sections 
1027 and 1029 of the Dodd-Frank Act, the authority of the Board to 
issue regulations pursuant to TILA transferred to the Bureau.
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    \15\ Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010), section 
1061(a)(1). Effective on the designated transfer date, the Bureau 
was also granted ``all powers and duties'' vested in each of the 
Federal agencies, relating to the consumer financial protection 
functions, on the day before the designated transfer date. Id. 
section 1061(b)(1).
    \16\ Public Law. 111-203, section 1002(14) (defining ``Federal 
consumer financial law'' to include the ``enumerated consumer 
laws''); id. section 1002(12) (defining ``enumerated consumer laws'' 
to include TILA).
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    TILA, as amended by the Dodd-Frank Act, authorizes the Bureau to 
``prescribe regulations to carry out the purposes of [TILA].'' \17\ 
These ``regulations may contain such additional requirements, 
classifications, differentiations, or other provisions, and may provide 
for such adjustments and exceptions for any class of transactions,'' 
that in the Bureau's judgment are ``necessary or proper to effectuate 
the purposes of [TILA], to prevent circumvention or evasion thereof, or 
to facilitate compliance therewith.'' \18\
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    \17\ Public Law 111-203, section 1100A(2); 15 U.S.C. 1604(a).
    \18\ Id.
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III. Summary of the Proposed Rule

Section 1026.51 Ability To Pay

Overview
    The Bureau is proposing to amend 12 CFR 1026.51 and the official 
interpretation to the regulation in order to address concerns that, in 
light of the statutory framework established by sections 150 and 
127(c)(8) of TILA, current Sec.  1026.51(a) may be unduly limiting the 
ability of certain individuals 21 or older, including spouses or 
partners who do not work outside the home, to obtain credit.\19\
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    \19\ The Bureau notes that several comments on its notice 
regarding streamlining of inherited regulations (76 FR 75825 (Dec. 
5, 2011)) discussed aspects of Sec.  1026.51 that are not being 
addressed in this proposal. The Bureau is continuing to consider 
comments on other aspects of Sec.  1026.51; accordingly, commenters 
on this proposal should limit their comments to the amendments being 
specifically proposed herein by the Bureau.
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51(a) General Rule

    Section 1026.51(a) sets forth the general ability-to-pay rule that

[[Page 66750]]

implements section 150 of TILA.\20\ Currently, Sec.  1026.51(a)(1)(i) 
provides that a card issuer must not open a credit card account for a 
consumer under an open-end (not home-secured) consumer credit plan, or 
increase any limit applicable to such account, unless the card issuer 
considers the consumer's independent ability to make the required 
minimum periodic payments under the terms of the account based on the 
consumer's income or assets and current obligations. Section 
1026.51(a)(1)(ii) further provides that card issuers must establish and 
maintain reasonable written policies and procedures to consider a 
consumer's independent income or assets and current obligations, and 
that such policies and procedures must include consideration of at 
least one of: the ratio of debt obligations to income; the ratio of 
debt obligations to assets; or the income the consumer will have after 
paying debt obligations. Finally, Sec.  1026.51(a)(1)(ii) states that 
it would be unreasonable for a card issuer to not review any 
information about a consumer's income, assets, or current obligations, 
or to issue a credit card to a consumer who does not have any 
independent income or assets. Comments 51(a)(1)(i)-1 through 
51(a)(1)(i)-6 set forth additional guidance on compliance with the 
requirements of Sec.  1026.51(a)(1).
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    \20\ Section 127(c)(8) of TILA, which sets forth a special rule 
for consumers who have not attained the age of 21, is implemented in 
Sec.  1026.51(b) of Regulation Z.
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    The Bureau is proposing to amend Sec.  1026.51(a) in two related 
respects. First, the Bureau is proposing to remove all references to an 
``independent'' ability to pay from Sec.  1026.51(a)(1) and the 
associated commentary. Second, as discussed in more detail below, the 
Bureau is proposing to permit issuers to consider income or assets to 
which an applicant who is 21 or older--and thus subject to Sec.  
1026.51(a) rather than Sec.  1026.51(b)--has a reasonable expectation 
of access. The Bureau's proposal would clarify by examples in the 
commentary those circumstances in which the expectation of access is 
deemed to be reasonable or unreasonable.
    As discussed above in the Background section of this Federal 
Register notice, the independence requirement was added to Sec.  
1026.51(a), and thus made applicable to applicants 21 or older, in the 
Board's March 2011 Final Rule. In the supplementary information to the 
March 2011 Final Rule, the Board acknowledged concerns from members of 
Congress, card issuers, trade associations and consumers that 
application of an ``independent income'' standard might restrict access 
to credit for consumers who do not work outside the home, including 
certain married women.\21\ Ultimately, however, the Board concluded 
that application of this standard would not diminish access to credit 
for this population of married women and others who do not work outside 
the home.\22\ In particular, the Board suggested that an issuer's 
request for ``income'' would protect credit access for these 
populations. However, information made available to the Bureau after 
the rule went into effect raises several questions about the Board's 
assumption in this respect.
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    \21\ 76 FR 22948, 22976.
    \22\ Id.
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    Specifically, the Bureau has become aware that several issuers have 
denied card applications from otherwise creditworthy individuals based 
on the applicant's stated income. Credit bureau data, including data 
regarding payment history and size of payment obligations, suggest that 
some of these applicants had demonstrable access to funding sources. 
Although the Bureau does not have direct evidence of precisely who the 
unsuccessful applicants are, indirect evidence suggests a meaningful 
proportion of these denials may have involved applicants who do not 
work outside the home but who have a spouse or partner who does work 
outside the home. The Bureau bases this conclusion on summary data from 
a number of issuers on denials of credit card applications from 
otherwise creditworthy individuals due to the applicants' stated 
income.
    The Bureau also does not believe that section 150 of TILA requires 
consideration of the ``independent'' ability to pay for applicants who 
are 21 or older. Section 150 of TILA refers to ``the ability of the 
consumer to make the required payments under the terms of the account'' 
and does not expressly include an independence requirement. In 
contrast, section 127(c)(8)(B)(ii) of TILA, which sets forth analogous 
requirements that apply to consumers who are under 21, expressly 
requires that the consumer demonstrate ``an independent means of 
repaying any obligation arising from the proposed extension of credit * 
* *.'' The Bureau believes that the better reading of section 150 of 
TILA, in light of section 127(c)(8), is that it does not impose an 
independence requirement in the ability-to-pay provision for consumers 
who are 21 or older.\23\
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    \23\ The Bureau notes that section 127(c)(8)(B) of TILA itself 
also sets forth two different ability-to-pay standards, depending on 
the age of the individual; the Bureau believes that this further 
suggests that Congress did not intend to apply an independent 
ability-to-pay requirement to individuals who are 21 or older. 
Section 127(c)(8)(B)(i) sets forth the standard that applies to an 
individual age 21or older who is serving as a cosigner or otherwise 
assuming liability on an account being opened by a consumer who is 
under 21. Section 127(c)(8)(B)(i) states that such over-21 cosigner 
or similar party must ``hav[e] a means to repay debts incurred by 
the consumer in connection with the account.'' In contrast, as 
discussed above, section 127(c)(8)(B)(ii) requires the under-21 
consumer to submit financial information ``indicating an independent 
means of repaying any obligation arising from the proposed extension 
of credit in connection with the account.''
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    The Bureau notes that the Board came to the contrary conclusion 
that, because section 150 of TILA requires card issuers to consider 
``the ability of the consumer to make the required payments'' (emphasis 
added), it indicates that Congress intended card issuers to consider 
only the ability to pay of the consumer or consumers who are 
responsible for making payments on the account.\24\ The Board further 
noted that, to the extent that card issuers extend credit based on the 
income of persons who are not liable on the account, it would be 
consistent with the purposes of section 150 of TILA to restrict this 
practice.\25\
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    \24\ See 76 FR 22975.
    \25\ See id.
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    The Bureau agrees with the Board that the application of an overly 
broad standard under section 150 of TILA could undermine the purposes 
of the statute by permitting issuers to open accounts for consumers 
based on income or assets of other individuals in cases where reliance 
on such income or assets would not reasonably reflect the consumer's 
ability to use such income or assets to make payments on a credit card 
debt. Therefore, as discussed below, the Bureau is proposing additional 
guidance to clarify when reliance on a third party's income or assets 
would be considered unreasonable and, accordingly, could not be used to 
satisfy Sec.  1026.51(a). However, the Bureau also believes that there 
are other situations in which it is quite reasonable to rely on the 
income or assets of a third party in assessing an applicant's ability 
to pay. Nothing in the text of TILA section 150 suggests that it was 
intended to impose a blanket prohibition on extending credit in the 
latter circumstances. Rather, the plain language of section 150 of TILA 
suggests that it was intended to impose a more flexible standard than 
the independent ability-to-pay requirement of section 127(c)(8).
    Accordingly, given the likely impact of the Board's March 2011 
Final Rule on

[[Page 66751]]

the access to credit for spouses or partners who do not work outside 
the home, and based on the Bureau's statutory interpretation of 
sections 127(c)(8) and 150 of TILA, the proposed rule would remove 
references to an ``independent'' ability to pay from Sec.  
1026.51(a)(1) and the commentary to Sec.  1026.51(a)(1).
    Although the Bureau believes that removing the independent ability-
to-pay requirement from Sec.  1026.51(a)(1) best promotes consistency 
with the statute and will help to mitigate unintended impacts of the 
rule on spouses or partners who do not work outside the home, the 
Bureau also believes that it is important to clarify in more detail the 
income or assets on which a card issuer may rely in order to comply 
with Sec.  1026.51(a). Therefore, the Bureau is proposing to amend 
Sec.  1026.51(a)(1)(ii) to clarify that the consideration of a 
consumer's current income or assets may include any income or assets to 
which the consumer has a reasonable expectation of access. The Bureau 
believes that the purposes of section 150 of TILA are best effectuated 
by placing limitations on the income or assets on which an issuer may 
rely when opening new credit card accounts or increasing credit limits 
for consumers who are 21 or older; accordingly, the proposed rule and 
proposed commentary would clarify that there are certain sources of 
income or assets on which it would be unreasonable for an issuer to 
rely.\26\
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    \26\ The Bureau also is proposing several nonsubstantive, 
technical changes to Sec.  1026.51(a)(1)(ii) for clarity.
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    Current comment 51(a)(1)-4 sets forth guidance regarding the 
consideration of income and assets under Sec.  1026.51(a). The proposed 
rule would replace current comment 51(a)(1)-4 with new comments 
51(a)(1)-4 through -6; current comments 51(a)(1)-5 and -6 would be 
renumbered as comments 51(a)(1)-7 and -8. Amended comment 51(a)(1)(i)-4 
would generally incorporate portions of existing comment 51(a)(1)-4.ii, 
which provides guidance on the income or assets that may be considered 
for purposes of Sec.  1026.51(a), with reorganization for clarity. In 
addition, for consistency with proposed Sec.  1026.51(a)(1)(ii), 
proposed comment 51(a)(1)-4 would be revised to expressly provide that 
a card issuer may consider any income and assets to which an applicant, 
accountholder, cosigner, or guarantor who is or will be liable for 
debts incurred on the account has a reasonable expectation of access.
    Proposed comment 51(a)(1)-5 would generally incorporate portions of 
existing comment 51(a)(1)-4.i and -4.iii, which provide guidance on the 
sources of information about a consumer's income and assets on which a 
card issuer may rely. Currently, comment 51(a)(1)-4.iii provides that 
if a card issuer requests on its application forms that applicants 
provide their income without reference to household income (such as by 
requesting ``income'' or ``salary''), the card issuer may rely on the 
information provided by applicants to satisfy the requirements of Sec.  
1026.51(a). Proposed comment 51(a)(1)-5.i would similarly provide that 
card issuers may rely on information provided by applicants in response 
to a request for ``salary,'' ``income,'' or ``assets.'' In addition, 
proposed comment 51(a)(1)-5.i would clarify that, for purposes of Sec.  
1026.51(a), card issuers also may rely on information provided by 
applicants in response to a request for ``available income,'' 
``accessible income,'' or other language requesting that the applicant 
provide information regarding current or reasonably expected income 
and/or assets or any income and/or assets to which the applicant has a 
reasonable expectation of access.
    The Bureau notes that it is retaining in proposed comment 51(a)(1)-
5.i existing guidance regarding requests by issuers for ``household 
income.'' Proposed comment 51(a)(1)-5.i would state that card issuers 
may not rely solely on information provided in response to a request 
for ``household income''; rather, the card issuer would need to obtain 
additional information about the applicant's income (such as by 
contacting the applicant). The Bureau believes that it would be 
inappropriate to permit an issuer to rely on the income of one or more 
third parties when opening a credit card account for a consumer merely 
because the applicant(s) and the other individual(s) share a residence. 
For example, a household might consist of two roommates who do not have 
access to one another's income or assets. The Bureau believes that in 
this case it generally would be inappropriate to permit one roommate to 
rely on the income or assets of the other; however, given that they 
share a household, it is possible that one roommate applicant might 
interpret the request for ``household income'' to include the other 
roommate's income.
    Proposed comment 51(a)(1)-6 would provide further guidance on when 
it is permissible to consider a household member's income for purposes 
of Sec.  1026.51(a).\27\ Proposed comment 51(a)(1)-6 sets forth four 
illustrative examples regarding the consideration of a household 
member's income. Three of the proposed examples describe circumstances 
in which the Bureau believes that the applicant has a reasonable 
expectation of access to a household member's income. Proposed comment 
51(a)(1)-6.i notes that if a household member's salary is deposited 
into a joint account shared with the applicant, an issuer is permitted 
to consider that salary as the applicant's income for purposes of Sec.  
1026.51(a). Proposed comment 51(a)(1)-6.ii assumes that the household 
member regularly transfers a portion of his or her salary, which in the 
first instance is directly deposited into an account to which the 
applicant does not have access, from that account into a second account 
to which the applicant does have access. The applicant then uses the 
account to which he or she has access for the payment of household or 
other expenses. An issuer is permitted to consider the portion of the 
salary deposited into the account to which the applicant has access as 
the applicant's income for purposes of Sec.  1026.51(a). The third 
example in proposed comment 51(a)(1)-6.iii assumes that no portion of 
the household member's salary is deposited into an account to which the 
applicant has access. However, the household member regularly uses that 
salary to pay for the applicant's expenses. The example clarifies that 
an issuer is permitted to consider the household member's salary as the 
applicant's income for purposes of Sec.  1026.51(a) because the 
applicant has a reasonable expectation of access to that salary.
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    \27\ For simplicity and ease of reference, the proposed examples 
in comment 51(a)(1)-6 address scenarios involving two individuals 
who reside in the same household (i.e., the applicant and another 
individual). The examples refer to the second member of the 
applicant's household as a ``household member.'' However, the Bureau 
notes that the proposed rule and commentary also would apply to 
households in which more than two individuals reside.
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    The final example in proposed comment 51(a)(1)-6.iv describes a 
situation in which the consumer's expectation of access would not be 
deemed to be reasonable. The example states that no portion of the 
household member's salary is deposited into an account to which the 
applicant has access, the household member does not regularly use that 
salary to pay for the applicant's expenses, and no Federal or State 
statute or regulation grants the applicant an ownership interest in 
that salary. The proposed comment clarifies that an issuer would not be 
permitted to consider the household member's salary

[[Page 66752]]

as the applicant's income for purposes of Sec.  1026.51(a).
    The Bureau solicits comment on whether the examples set forth in 
proposed comment 51(a)(1)-6 are appropriate, as well as on whether 
there are additional examples that should be included.
    As noted above, the Bureau is merely renumbering current comment 
51(a)(1)-5--which concerns ``current obligations''--as comment 
51(a)(1)-7. However, the Bureau solicits comment on whether additional 
guidance on this subject is appropriate or necessary in light of the 
proposed changes to Sec.  1026.51(a) and the official interpretation to 
that subsection.

51(b) Rules Affecting Young Consumers

    Section 1026.51(b) implements section 127(c)(8) of TILA and sets 
forth special ability-to-pay rules for consumers who are under the age 
of 21. Section 1026.51(b)(1) currently provides that a card issuer may 
not open a credit card account under an open-end (not home-secured) 
consumer credit plan for a consumer less than 21 years old unless the 
consumer has submitted a written application and the card issuer has 
either: (i) Financial information indicating the consumer has an 
independent ability to make the required minimum periodic payments on 
the proposed extension of credit in connection with the account, 
consistent with Sec.  1026.51(a); or (ii) a signed agreement of a 
cosigner, guarantor, or joint applicant, who is at least 21 years old, 
to be either secondarily liable for any debt on the account incurred 
before the consumer has attained the age of 21 or jointly liable with 
the consumer for any debt on the account, and financial information 
indicating that such cosigner, guarantor, or joint applicant has the 
independent ability to make the required minimum periodic payments on 
such debts, consistent with Sec.  1026.51(a).
    The Bureau is proposing several amendments to Sec.  1026.51(b) for 
conformity with the proposed amendments to Sec.  1026.51(a) discussed 
above. First, Sec.  1026.51(b)(1)(i) currently provides that a card 
issuer may open a credit card account for an underage consumer if the 
card issuer has ``[f]inancial information indicating the consumer has 
an independent ability to make the required minimum periodic payments 
on the proposed extension of credit in connection with the account, 
consistent with paragraph (a) of this section.'' (Emphasis added.) As 
discussed above, the proposal would remove the independence standard 
from the general ability-to-pay test in Sec.  1026.51(a), but Sec.  
1026.51(b) would continue to require that underage consumers without a 
cosigner or similar party have an independent ability to pay, 
consistent with section 127(c)(8) of TILA. Accordingly, the Bureau is 
proposing to delete the phrase ``consistent with paragraph (a) of this 
section'' from Sec.  1026.51(b)(1)(i), to reflect the difference in 
ability to pay standards for consumers who are 21 or older and 
consumers who are under the age of 21. Similarly, the Bureau is 
proposing to delete from Sec.  1026.51(b)(1)(ii)(B) a reference to the 
independent ability to pay of a cosigner, guarantor, or joint applicant 
who is 21 or older, because proposed Sec.  1026.51(a) would require 
only that consumers who are 21 or older have the ability to pay, 
consistent with the guidance set forth in Sec.  1026.51(a), rather than 
the independent ability to pay.
    The Bureau is proposing several new comments to specifically 
explain how the independent ability-to-pay standard under Sec.  
1026.51(b)(1)(i) differs from the more general ability-to-pay standard 
in Sec.  1026.51(a). Proposed comment 51(b)(1)(i)-1 would generally 
mirror proposed comment 51(a)(1)-4 and would address sources of income 
and assets that an issuer may consider, except that it would not 
include references to income and assets to which the applicant has only 
a reasonable expectation of access. For example, proposed comment 
51(b)(1)(i)-1.i would note that, because Sec.  1026.51(b)(1)(i) 
requires that the consumer who has not attained the age of 21 have an 
independent ability to make the required minimum periodic payments, the 
card issuer may only consider the current or reasonably expected income 
and assets of an applicant or accountholder who is less than 21 years 
old under Sec.  1026.51(b)(1)(i). In addition, proposed comment 
51(b)(1)(i)-1.i would specifically note that the card issuer may not 
consider income or assets to which an applicant, accountholder, 
cosigner, or guarantor, in each case who is under the age of 21 and is 
or will be liable for debts incurred on the account, has only a 
reasonable expectation of access under Sec.  1026.51(b)(1)(i).
    Proposed comment 51(b)(1)(i)-2 would generally mirror comment 
51(a)(1)-5, with several amendments to reflect the different ability-
to-pay standard for consumers who are under 21. For example, proposed 
comment 51(b)(1)(i)-2.i would state that card issuers may rely on 
information provided by applicants in response to a request for 
``salary,'' ``income,'' ``assets,'' or other language requesting that 
the applicant provide information regarding current or reasonably 
expected income and/or assets. The proposed comment would further 
provide, however, that card issuers may not rely solely on information 
provided in response to a request for ``available income,'' 
``accessible income,'' or ``household income.'' Instead, the card 
issuer would need to obtain additional information about an applicant's 
income (such as by contacting the applicant).
    The Bureau recognizes that, as a practical matter, a card issuer 
will likely use a single application form for all consumers, regardless 
of age. In such circumstances, the Bureau notes that card issuers might 
choose to ask a series of questions regarding income in order to gather 
enough information to satisfy both of the different standards that 
apply to consumers depending on whether a particular applicant has 
attained the age of 21. For example, a card issuer might provide two 
separate blanks on its application form, one prompting applicants to 
provide their ``income,'' and the other prompting applicants for 
``other accessible income.'' The Bureau solicits comment on how, as a 
practical matter, card issuers are likely to prompt consumers for 
income and assets in light of the different standards that the proposal 
applies based on a consumer's age. The Bureau further solicits comment 
on whether additional clarification or guidance on this issue is 
necessary in the rule or the commentary.
    Proposed comment 51(b)(1)(i)-3 would set forth the same four 
factual scenarios that are provided in proposed comment 51(a)(1)-6 and 
would explain how income and assets would be treated in those scenarios 
pursuant to the independent ability-to-pay test in Sec.  1026.51(b). 
The Bureau solicits comment on whether the examples set forth in 
comment 51(b)(1)(i)-3 are appropriate, as well as on whether there are 
additional examples that should be included.
    Finally, the Bureau is proposing to amend existing comment 
51(b)(1)-2 and to redesignate it as comment 51(b)(1)(ii)-1. Existing 
comment 51(b)(1)-2 states that information regarding income and assets 
that satisfies the requirements of Sec.  1026.51(a) satisfies the 
requirements of Sec.  1026.51(b)(1). The Bureau notes that, as 
proposed, income and assets that satisfy the requirements of Sec.  
1026.51(a) might no longer satisfy the requirements under Sec.  
1026.51(b) for an applicant who is under the age of 21; however, income 
and assets that satisfy the requirements of Sec.  1026.51(a) would 
satisfy the ability-

[[Page 66753]]

to-pay requirements of Sec.  1026.51(b)(1)(ii)(B) (i.e., those that 
apply to a cosigner, guarantor, or joint applicant who is 21 or older). 
Proposed comment 51(b)(1)(ii)-1 would accordingly state that 
information regarding income and assets that satisfies the requirements 
of Sec.  1026.51(a) also satisfies the requirements of Sec.  
1026.51(b)(1)(ii)(B).
    The Bureau notes that one consequence of the proposed rule is that 
a spouse or partner who does not work outside the home who is 21 or 
older could rely on income to which that consumer has a reasonable 
expectation of access. In many cases, spouses or partners who do not 
work outside the home who are 21 or older could, accordingly, rely on 
the income of a working spouse or partner and could open a new credit 
card account without needing a cosigner, guarantor, or joint applicant. 
However, the proposed rule would not permit an applicant who is under 
the age of 21 to rely on income or assets that are merely accessible; 
accordingly, the Bureau expects that in some cases, depending on the 
specific circumstances, nonworking spouses or partners under the age of 
21 may need to apply jointly with their income-earning spouse or 
partner or to offer that spouse or partner as a guarantor on the 
account. The Bureau believes that this outcome is consistent with the 
independent ability-to-pay standard that section 127(c)(8) of TILA 
applies to applicants who have not attained the age of 21. At the same 
time, the Bureau understands that the proposed rule may make it more 
difficult for spouses or partners under 21 who do not work outside the 
home to obtain credit, as compared to spouses or partners who are 21 or 
older who do not work outside the home.
    The Bureau solicits comment on whether additional guidance is 
appropriate or necessary to clarify application of the rule to 
applicants under the age of 21, particularly spouses or partners who do 
not work outside the home. If such clarification is warranted, the 
Bureau solicits comment on how such guidance could be provided in a 
manner consistent with both section 127(c)(8) of TILA, the Equal Credit 
Opportunity Act, and Regulation B.\28\ The Bureau notes that a 
prohibition on discrimination based on marital status is a long-
standing and fundamental tenet of fair lending law and, given that 
section 127(c)(8) of TILA imposes a more stringent independent ability-
to-pay standard on applicants who are under the age of 21 than on those 
who are 21 or older, the Bureau believes it would be inappropriate to 
apply the ``reasonable expectation of access'' income standard to all 
applicants who are under 21.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ 15 U.S.C. 1691 et seq.; 12 CFR part 1002.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Section 1022(b)(2) of the Dodd-Frank Act

    In developing the proposed rule, the Bureau has considered the 
potential benefits, costs, and impacts,\29\ and has consulted or 
offered to consult with the prudential regulators and the Federal Trade 
Commission, including regarding consistency with any prudential, 
market, or systemic objectives administered by such agencies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ Specifically, section 1022(b)(2)(A) of the Dodd-Frank Act 
calls for the Bureau to consider the potential benefits and costs of 
a regulation to consumers and covered persons, including the 
potential reduction of access by consumers to consumer financial 
products or services; the impact on insured depository institutions 
and credit unions with $10 billion or less in total assets as 
described in section 1026 of the Act; and the impact on consumers in 
rural areas. This discussion considers the impacts of the proposed 
rule relative to existing law.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposal would amend Sec.  1026.51(a) to permit the 
consideration, for applicants 21 or older, of income and assets to 
which the applicant has a reasonable expectation of access. Currently, 
Sec.  1026.51(a) requires that issuers consider the consumer's 
independent ability to make the required minimum periodic payments 
under the terms of the account, based on the consumer's income or 
assets.
    The proposal would allow issuers to extend credit (either open 
credit card accounts under open end consumer credit plans, or increase 
credit limits applicable to such accounts) in circumstances where they 
are currently prohibited from doing so, notably in response to 
applications from consumers 21 or older that rely on income or assets 
to which the applicant only has a reasonable expectation of access. 
Extensions of credit based on the consideration of such income or 
assets would likely benefit both covered persons (the creditors) and 
consumers (the applicants) since in most circumstances, creditors would 
not extend credit, nor would adult applicants accept the offer were it 
not in the mutual interest of both parties. While in theory certain 
consumer and issuer behaviors could lead to situations where consumers 
enter into credit contracts that are harmful to their own financial 
situation, it seems unlikely that preventing creditors from extending 
credit in such situations would prevent many such cases, while it may 
prevent many mutually beneficial transactions. At present, the Bureau 
does not have data with which to quantify the relative credit 
performance of applicants who received credit on the basis of income or 
assets to which the applicant had only a reasonable expectation of 
access compared to other types of applicants. The Bureau seeks data on 
the prevalence of such applications and evidence regarding the 
performance of such loans.
    The proposal itself does not impose additional compliance costs on 
covered persons since all methods of compliance under current law will 
remain available to covered persons if the proposal is adopted,\30\ and 
a covered person who is in compliance with current law need not take 
any additional action if the proposal is adopted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ While proposed Sec.  1026.51(a) would permit a card issuer 
to consider a third party's income or assets to which a consumer has 
a reasonable expectation of access, an issuer also would be 
permitted to continue to consider only the applicant's independent 
ability to pay.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, the proposed rule would have no unique impact on insured 
depository institutions or insured credit unions with $10 billion or 
less in assets as described in section 1026 of the Dodd-Frank Act, nor 
would the proposed rule have a unique impact on rural consumers.
    The Bureau requests comments on the potential benefits, costs, and 
impacts of the proposal.

V. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), as amended by the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, requires each 
agency to consider the potential impact of its regulations on small 
entities, including small businesses, small governmental units, and 
small not-for-profit organizations.\31\ The RFA defines a ``small 
business'' as a business that meets the size standard developed by the 
Small Business Administration pursuant to the Small Business Act.\32\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. The Bureau is not aware of any 
governmental units or not-for-profit organizations to which the 
proposal would apply.
    \32\ 5 U.S.C. 601(3). The Bureau may establish an alternative 
definition after consultation with the Small Business Administration 
and an opportunity for public comment. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The RFA generally requires an agency to conduct an initial 
regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) and a final regulatory 
flexibility analysis (FRFA) of any rule subject to notice-and-comment 
rulemaking requirements, unless the agency certifies that the rule will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.\33\ The Bureau also is subject to certain additional 
procedures under the RFA

[[Page 66754]]

involving the convening of a panel to consult with small business 
representatives prior to proposing a rule for which an IRFA is 
required.\34\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ 5 U.S.C. 603-605.
    \34\ 5 U.S.C. 609.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    An IRFA is not required for the proposal because the proposal, if 
adopted, would not have a significant economic impact on any small 
entities. The Bureau does not expect the proposal to impose costs on 
covered persons. All methods of compliance under current law will 
remain available to small entities if the proposal is adopted. Thus, a 
small entity that is in compliance with current law need not take any 
additional action if the proposal is adopted.
    Accordingly, the undersigned certifies that this proposal, if 
adopted, would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities.

VI. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This proposal would amend Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026. The 
collections of information related to Regulation Z have been previously 
reviewed and approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) \35\ and 
assigned OMB Control Number 3170-0015. Under the PRA, the Bureau may 
not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, an 
information collection unless the information collection displays a 
valid control number assigned by OMB. As discussed below, the Bureau 
does not believe that this proposed rule would impose any new 
collection of information or any increase to the previously approved 
estimated burden associated with the information collections in 
Regulation Z.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If this proposal to amend Regulation Z is adopted, card issuers 
will be permitted, but not required, to consider additional sources of 
income and assets for purposes of Sec.  1026.51(a), when evaluating an 
application for a new credit card account under an open-end (not home-
secured) consumer credit plan. The Bureau believes that any burden 
associated with updating compliance under the proposed provisions is 
already accounted for in the previously approved burden estimates 
associated with the collection in Regulation Z under the Board's 
January 2010 Final Rule estimates, which were incorporated by reference 
in the Board's March 2011 Final Rule.\36\ Accordingly, for the reasons 
stated above, the Bureau estimates that there would not be an increase 
in the one-time or ongoing burden to comply with the requirements under 
proposed Sec.  1026.51.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ See 75 FR 7658, 7791 (Feb. 22, 2010) for the Board's burden 
analysis under the Paperwork Reduction Act. See also 76 FR 22948, 
22996 (Apr. 25, 2011).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Although the Bureau does not believe that the proposed rule imposes 
any new collection of information or any increase to the previously 
approved estimated burden associated with the collections in Regulation 
Z, the Bureau solicits comment on the proposed modification to Sec.  
1026.51 or any other aspect of the proposal for purposes of the PRA. 
Comments on the collection of information requirements should be sent 
to the Office of Management and Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for the 
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Washington, DC 20503 or via the Internet to http://[email protected], with copies to the Bureau at the Consumer 
Financial Protection Bureau (Attention: PRA Office), 1700 G Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20552, or by the Internet to [email protected]. 
All comments will become a matter of public record.

Text of Proposed Revisions

    Certain conventions have been used to highlight the proposed 
changes to the text of the regulation and official interpretation. New 
language is shown inside [rtrif]bold-faced arrows[ltrif], while 
language that would be deleted is set off with [lsqbb]bold-faced 
brackets[rsqbb].

List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 1026

    Advertising, Consumer protection, Credit, Credit unions, Mortgages, 
National banks, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings 
associations, Truth in lending.

Authority and Issuance

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble above, the Bureau 
proposes to amend part 1026 of Chapter X in Title 12 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 1026--TRUTH IN LENDING (REGULATION Z)

    1. The authority citation for part 1026 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 5512, 5581; 15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.

Subpart G--Special Rules Applicable to Credit Card Accounts and 
Open-End Credit Offered to College Students

    2. Section 1026.51 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(1) and 
(b)(1) as follows:


Sec.  1026.51  Ability to Pay.

    (a) General rule. (1)(i) Consideration of ability to pay. A card 
issuer must not open a credit card account for a consumer under an 
open-end (not home-secured) consumer credit plan, or increase any 
credit limit applicable to such account, unless the card issuer 
considers the consumer's [lsqbb]independent[rsqbb] ability to make the 
required minimum periodic payments under the terms of the account based 
on the consumer's income or assets and [rtrif]the consumer's[ltrif] 
current obligations.
    (ii) Reasonable policies and procedures. Card issuers must 
establish and maintain reasonable written policies and procedures to 
consider a consumer's [rtrif]income or assets and a consumer's current 
obligations, which may include any income and assets to which the 
consumer has a reasonable expectation of access[ltrif] 
[lsqbb]independent income or assets and current obligations[rsqbb]. 
Reasonable policies and procedures to consider a consumer's 
[lsqbb]independent[rsqbb] ability to make the required payments include 
the consideration of at least one of the following: The ratio of debt 
obligations to income; the ratio of debt obligations to assets; or the 
income the consumer will have after paying debt obligations. It would 
be unreasonable for a card issuer to not review any information about a 
consumer's [rtrif]current obligations,[ltrif] income, [rtrif]or [ltrif] 
assets [lsqbb], or current obligations[rsqbb], or to issue a credit 
card to a consumer who does not have any [lsqbb]independent[rsqbb] 
income or assets.
* * * * *
    (b) Rules affecting young consumers. (1) Applications from young 
consumers. A card issuer may not open a credit card account under an 
open-end (not home-secured) consumer credit plan for a consumer less 
than 21 years old, unless the consumer has submitted a written 
application and the card issuer has:
    (i) Financial information indicating the consumer has an 
independent ability to make the required minimum periodic payments on 
the proposed extension of credit in connection with the account[lsqbb], 
consistent with paragraph (a) of this section[rsqbb]; or
    (ii)(A) A signed agreement of a cosigner, guarantor, or joint 
applicant who is at least 21 years old to be either secondarily liable 
for any debt on the account incurred by the consumer before the 
consumer has attained the age of 21 or jointly liable with the consumer 
for any debt on the account; and
    (B) Financial information indicating such cosigner, guarantor, or 
joint applicant has the [lsqbb]independent[rsqbb] ability

[[Page 66755]]

to make the required minimum periodic payments on such debts, 
consistent with paragraph (a) of this section.
    (2) Credit line increases for young consumers. If a credit card 
account has been opened pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this 
section, no increase in the credit limit may be made on such account 
before the consumer attains the age of 21 unless the cosigner, 
guarantor, or joint applicant who assumed liability at account opening 
agrees in writing to assume liability on the increase.
    3. In Supplement I to part 1026 under Section 1026.51 Ability to 
Pay:
    A. Under subheading 51(a) General rule and subheading 51(a)(1)(i) 
Consideration of ability to pay:
    i. Paragraphs 1, 2, and 4 are revised.
    ii. Paragraphs 5 and 6 are redesignated as paragraphs 7 and 8 
respectively.
    iii. New paragraphs 5 and 6 are added.
    B. Under subheading 51(b)(1) Applications from young consumers:
    i. Paragraph 2 is removed.
    ii. Add subheading Paragraph 51(b)(1)(i), and paragraphs 1 through 
3.
    iii. Add subheading Paragraph 51(b)(1)(ii) and paragraph 1.
    The revisions and additions read as follows:

Supplement I to Part 1026--Official Interpretations

* * * * *

Section 1026.51--Ability To Pay

51(a) General Rule

51(a)(1) Consideration of Ability To Pay

    1. Consideration of additional factors. Section 1026.51(a) requires 
a card issuer to consider a consumer's [lsqbb]independent[rsqbb] 
ability to make the required minimum periodic payments under the terms 
of an account based on the consumer's [lsqbb]independent[rsqbb] income 
or assets and current obligations. The card issuer may also consider 
consumer reports, credit scores, and other factors, consistent with 
Regulation B (12 CFR part 1002).
    2. Ability to pay as of application or consideration of increase. A 
card issuer complies with Sec.  1026.51(a) if it bases its 
determination regarding a consumer's [lsqbb]independent[rsqbb] ability 
to make the required minimum periodic payments on the facts and 
circumstances known to the card issuer at the time the consumer applies 
to open the credit card account or when the card issuer considers 
increasing the credit line on an existing account.
* * * * *
    [rtrif]4. Consideration of income and assets. For purposes of Sec.  
1026.51(a):
    i. A card issuer may consider any current or reasonably expected 
income and assets of the consumer or consumers who are applying for a 
new account or will be liable for debts incurred on that account, 
including a cosigner or guarantor. Similarly, when a card issuer is 
considering whether to increase the credit limit on an existing 
account, the card issuer may consider any current or reasonably 
expected income and assets of the consumer or consumers who are 
accountholders, cosigners, or guarantors, and are liable for debts 
incurred on that account. A card issuer may also consider any income 
and assets to which an applicant, accountholder, cosigner, or guarantor 
who is or will be liable for debts incurred on the account has a 
reasonable expectation of access.
    ii. Current or reasonably expected income includes, for example, 
current or expected salary, wages, bonus pay, tips, and commissions. 
Employment may be full-time, part-time, seasonal, irregular, military, 
or self-employment. Other sources of income include interest or 
dividends, retirement benefits, public assistance, alimony, child 
support, or separate maintenance payments. Assets include savings 
accounts or investments.
    iii. Consideration of the income and assets of authorized users, 
household members, or other persons who are not liable for debts 
incurred on the account does not satisfy the requirement to consider 
the consumer's income or assets, unless the consumer has a reasonable 
expectation of access to such income or assets or a Federal or State 
statute or regulation grants a consumer who is liable for debts 
incurred on the account an ownership interest in such income and 
assets.
    5. Information regarding income and assets. For purposes of Sec.  
1026.51(a), a card issuer may consider the consumer's income and assets 
based on the following information:
    i. Information provided by the consumer in connection with the 
account, including information provided by the consumer through the 
application process. For example, card issuers may rely on information 
provided by applicants in response to a request for ``salary,'' 
``income,'' ``assets,'' ``available income,'' ``accessible income,'' or 
other language requesting that the applicant provide information 
regarding current or reasonably expected income and/or assets or any 
income and/or assets to which the applicant has a reasonable 
expectation of access. However, card issuers may not rely solely on 
information provided in response to a request for ``household income.'' 
Instead, the card issuer would need to obtain additional information 
about an applicant's income (such as by contacting the applicant).
    ii. Information provided by the consumer in connection with any 
other financial relationship the card issuer or its affiliates have 
with the consumer (subject to any applicable information-sharing 
rules).
    iii. Information obtained through third parties (subject to any 
applicable information-sharing rules).
    iv. Information obtained through any empirically derived, 
demonstrably and statistically sound model that reasonably estimates a 
consumer's income and/or assets, including any income and/or assets to 
which the consumer has a reasonable expectation of access.
    6. Examples of considering income. Assume that an applicant is not 
employed but shares a household with another individual (the 
``household member'') who is employed. The applicant is age 21 or older 
so Sec.  1026.51(b) does not apply.
    i. If the household member's salary is deposited into a joint 
account shared with the applicant, a card issuer may consider that 
salary to be the applicant's income for purposes of Sec.  1026.51(a).
    ii. The household member's salary is deposited into an account to 
which the applicant does not have access. However, the household member 
regularly transfers a portion of that salary into an account to which 
the applicant does have access, which the applicant uses for the 
payment of household or other expenses. A card issuer is permitted to 
consider the portion of the salary deposited into the account to which 
the applicant has access as the applicant's income for purposes of 
Sec.  1026.51(a).
    iii. No portion of the household member's salary is deposited into 
an account to which the applicant has access. However, the household 
member regularly uses that salary to pay for the applicant's expenses. 
A card issuer is permitted to consider the household member's salary to 
be the applicant's income for purposes of Sec.  1026.51(a) because the 
applicant has a reasonable expectation of access to that salary.
    iv. No portion of the household member's salary is deposited into 
an account to which the applicant has access, the household member does 
not regularly use that salary to pay for the applicant's expenses, and 
no Federal or State statute or regulation grants the applicant an 
ownership interest in that salary. A card issuer is not permitted to 
consider the household member's salary

[[Page 66756]]

as the applicant's income for purposes of Sec.  1026.51(a).[ltrif]
    [lsqbb]4. Income and assets. i. Sources of information. For 
purposes of Sec.  1026.51(a), a card issuer may consider the consumer's 
income and assets based on:
    A. Information provided by the consumer in connection with the 
credit card account under an open-end (not home-secured) consumer 
credit plan;
    B. Information provided by the consumer in connection with any 
other financial relationship the card issuer or its affiliates have 
with the consumer (subject to any applicable information-sharing 
rules);
    C. Information obtained through third parties (subject to any 
applicable information-sharing rules); and
    D. Information obtained through any empirically derived, 
demonstrably and statistically sound model that reasonably estimates a 
consumer's income and assets.
    ii. Income and assets of persons liable for debts incurred on 
account. For purposes of Sec.  1026.51(a), a card issuer may consider 
any current or reasonably expected income and assets of the consumer or 
consumers who are applying for a new account and will be liable for 
debts incurred on that account. Similarly, when a card issuer is 
considering whether to increase the credit limit on an existing 
account, the card issuer may consider any current or reasonably 
expected income and assets of the consumer or consumers who are 
accountholders and are liable for debts incurred on that account. A 
card issuer may also consider any current or reasonably expected income 
and assets of a cosigner or guarantor who is or will be liable for 
debts incurred on the account. However, a card issuer may not use the 
income and assets of an authorized user or other person who is not 
liable for debts incurred on the account to satisfy the requirements of 
Sec.  1026.51, unless a Federal or State statute or regulation grants a 
consumer who is liable for debts incurred on the account an ownership 
interest in such income and assets. Information about current or 
reasonably expected income and assets includes, for example, 
information about current or expected salary, wages, bonus pay, tips, 
and commissions. Employment may be full-time, part-time, seasonal, 
irregular, military, or self-employment. Other sources of income could 
include interest or dividends, retirement benefits, public assistance, 
alimony, child support, or separate maintenance payments. A card issuer 
may also take into account assets such as savings accounts or 
investments.
    iii. Household income and assets. Consideration of information 
regarding a consumer's household income does not by itself satisfy the 
requirement in Sec.  1026.51(a) to consider the consumer's independent 
ability to pay. For example, if a card issuer requests on its 
application forms that applicants provide their ``household income,'' 
the card issuer may not rely solely on the information provided by 
applicants to satisfy the requirements of Sec.  1026.51(a). Instead, 
the card issuer would need to obtain additional information about an 
applicant's independent income (such as by contacting the applicant). 
However, if a card issuer requests on its application forms that 
applicants provide their income without reference to household income 
(such as by requesting ``income'' or ``salary''), the card issuer may 
rely on the information provided by applicants to satisfy the 
requirements of Sec.  1026.51(a).]
    [rtrif]7[ltrif] [lsqbb]5[rsqbb]. Current obligations. A card issuer 
may consider the consumer's current obligations based on information 
provided by the consumer or in a consumer report. In evaluating a 
consumer's current obligations, a card issuer need not assume that 
credit lines for other obligations are fully utilized.
    [rtrif]8[ltrif] [lsqbb]6[rsqbb]. Joint applicants and joint 
accountholders. With respect to the opening of a joint account for two 
or more consumers or a credit line increase on such an account, the 
card issuer may consider the collective ability of all persons who are 
or will be liable for debts incurred on the account to make the 
required payments.
* * * * *

51(b)(1) Applications From Young Consumers

    * * *
    [rtrif]Paragraph 51(b)(1)(i).
    1. Consideration of income and assets for young consumers. For 
purposes of Sec.  1026.51(b)(1)(i):
    i. A card issuer may consider any current or reasonably expected 
income and assets of the consumer or consumers who are applying for a 
new account or will be liable for debts incurred on that account, 
including a cosigner or guarantor. Similarly, when a card issuer is 
considering whether to increase the credit limit on an existing 
account, the card issuer may consider any current or reasonably 
expected income and assets of the consumer or consumers who are 
accountholders, cosigners, or guarantors and are liable for debts 
incurred on that account. However, because Sec.  1026.51(b)(1)(i) 
requires that the consumer who has not attained the age of 21 have an 
independent ability to make the required minimum periodic payments, the 
card issuer may only consider the current or reasonably expected income 
and assets of an applicant or accountholder who is less than 21 years 
old under Sec.  1026.51(b)(1)(i). The card issuer may not consider 
income or assets to which an applicant, accountholder, cosigner, or 
guarantor, in each case who is under the age of 21 and is or will be 
liable for debts incurred on the account, has only a reasonable 
expectation of access under Sec.  1026.51(b)(1)(i).
    ii. Current or reasonably expected income includes, for example, 
current or expected salary, wages, bonus pay, tips, and commissions. 
Employment may be full-time, part-time, seasonal, irregular, military, 
or self-employment. Other sources of income include interest or 
dividends, retirement benefits, public assistance, alimony, child 
support, or separate maintenance payments. Assets include savings 
accounts or investments.
    iii. Consideration of the income and assets of authorized users, 
household members, or other persons who are not liable for debts 
incurred on the account does not satisfy the requirement to consider 
the consumer's income or assets, unless a Federal or State statute or 
regulation grants a consumer who is liable for debts incurred on the 
account an ownership interest in such income and assets.
    2. Information regarding income and assets for young consumers. For 
purposes of Sec.  1026.51(b)(1)(i), a card issuer may consider the 
consumer's income and assets based on the following information:
    i. Information provided by the consumer in connection with the 
account, including information provided by the consumer through the 
application process. For example, card issuers may rely on information 
provided by applicants in response to a request for ``salary,'' 
``income,'' ``assets,'' or other language requesting that the applicant 
provide information regarding current or reasonably expected income 
and/or assets. However, card issuers may not rely solely on information 
provided in response to a request for ``available income,'' 
``accessible income,'' or ``household income.'' Instead, the card 
issuer would need to obtain additional information about an applicant's 
income (such as by contacting the applicant).
    ii. Information provided by the consumer in connection with any 
other financial relationship the card issuer or its affiliates have 
with the consumer (subject to any applicable information-sharing 
rules).

[[Page 66757]]

    iii. Information obtained through third parties (subject to any 
applicable information-sharing rules).
    iv. Information obtained through any empirically derived, 
demonstrably and statistically sound model that reasonably estimates a 
consumer's income and/or assets.
    3. Examples of considering income for young consumers. Assume that 
an applicant is not employed but shares a household with another 
individual (the ``household member'') who is employed. The applicant is 
under the age of 21 so Sec.  1026.51(b) does apply.
    i. If the household member's salary is deposited into a joint 
account shared with the applicant, a card issuer may consider that 
salary to be the applicant's income for purposes of Sec.  
1026.51(b)(1)(i).
    ii. The household member's salary is deposited into an account to 
which the applicant does not have access. However, the household member 
regularly transfers a portion of that salary into an account to which 
the applicant does have access, which the applicant uses for the 
payment of household or other expenses. Whether a card issuer may 
consider the portion of the salary that is deposited into the account 
to be the applicant's income for purposes of Sec.  1026.51(b)(1)(i) 
depends on whether a Federal or state Statute or regulation grants the 
applicant an ownership interest in the account to which the applicant 
has access.
    iii. No portion of the household member's salary is deposited into 
an account to which the applicant has access. However, the household 
member regularly uses that salary to pay for the applicant's expenses. 
A cards issuer may not consider the household member's salary as the 
applicant's income for purposes of Sec.  1026.51(b)(1)(i) because the 
salary is not current or reasonably expected income of the applicant.
    iv. No portion of the household member's salary is deposited into 
an account to which the applicant has access, the household member does 
not regularly use that salary to pay for the applicant's expenses, and 
no Federal or State statute or regulation grants the applicant an 
ownership interest in that salary. The card issuer may not consider the 
household member's salary to be the applicant's income for purposes of 
Sec.  1026.51(b)(1)(i).

Paragraph 51(b)(1)(ii)

    1. Financial information. Information regarding income and assets 
that satisfies the requirements of Sec.  1026.51(a) also satisfies the 
requirements of Sec.  1026.51(b)(1)(ii)(B) and card issuers may rely on 
the guidance in comments 51(a)(1)-4, -5, and -6 for purposes of 
determining whether a cosigner, guarantor, or joint applicant who is at 
least 21 years old has the ability to make the required minimum 
periodic payments in accordance with Sec.  1026.51(b)(1)(ii)(B). [See 
comment 51(a)(1)-4.] [ltrif].
* * * * *

    Dated: October 17, 2012.
Richard Cordray,
Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
[FR Doc. 2012-26008 Filed 11-6-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-AM-P