[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4674-4675]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01607]


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BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION


Academic Research Council Solicitation of Applications for 
Membership

AGENCY: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Section 1013(b)(1) of the Consumer Financial Protection Act, 
12 U.S.C. 5493(b)(1), establishes the Consumer Financial Protection 
Bureau's (``Bureau'') Office of Research and assigns to it the 
responsibility of researching, analyzing, and reporting on topics 
relating to the Bureau's mission, including developments in markets for 
consumer financial products and services, consumer awareness, and 
consumer behavior. The Bureau established the Academic Research Council 
as a technical advisory body comprised of scholars to provide the 
Office of Research with guidance as it performs its responsibilities. 
Director Richard Cordray invites qualified individuals to apply for 
appointment to the Academic Research Council. Appointments to the 
Council are typically for two years. However, the Director may amend 
the Council charter from time to time during the charter terms, as the 
Director deems necessary to accomplish the purpose of the Council. 
There are two vacancies on the Academic Research Council. Bureau 
expects to announce the selection of new members in March 2014.

DATES: Complete application packets received on or before February 11, 
2014 will be given consideration for membership on the Council.

ADDRESSES: Complete application packets must include a 
r[eacute]sum[eacute] for each applicant and a completed application. 
The appropriate forms can be accessed at: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/blog/accepting-applications-for-our-academic-research-council.
    If electronic submission is not feasible, the completed application 
packet can be mailed to Christopher Banks, Consumer Financial 
Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street NW., 6108 E-A, Washington, DC 20552.
    All applications for membership on the Academic Research Council 
should be sent:
     Electronically: [email protected]. We 
strongly encourage electronic submissions.
     Mail: Christopher Banks, Consumer Financial Protection 
Bureau, 1700 G Street NW., 6111 E-B, Washington, DC 20552. Post marked 
on or before 5:00 p.m. eastern standard time on February 11, 2014.
     Hand Delivery/Courier in Lieu of Mail: Christopher Banks, 
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street NW., 6111 E-B, 
Washington, DC 20552. Received on or before 5:00 p.m. eastern standard 
time on February 11, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
should be directed to Christopher Banks, Consumer Financial Protection 
Bureau, (202) 435-9064.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Bureau is charged with regulating ``the offering and provision 
of consumer financial products or services under the Federal consumer 
financial laws,'' so as to ensure that ``all consumers have access to 
markets for consumer financial products and services and that markets 
for consumer financial products and services are fair, transparent, and 
competitive.'' Pursuant to Section 1021(c) of the Dodd-Frank Wall 
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Public Law 111-203 (``Dodd-
Frank Act''), the Bureau's primary functions are:
    1. Conducting financial education programs;
    2. Collecting, investigating, and responding to consumer 
complaints;
    3. Collecting, researching, monitoring, and publishing information 
relevant to the function of markets for consumer financial products and 
services to identify risks to consumers and to the proper functioning 
of such markets;
    4. Supervising persons covered under the Dodd-Frank Act for 
compliance with

[[Page 4675]]

Federal consumer financial law, and taking appropriate enforcement 
action to address violations of Federal consumer financial law;
    5. Issuing rules, orders, and guidance implementing Federal 
consumer financial law; and
    6. Performing such support activities as may be needed or useful to 
facilitate the other functions of the Bureau.

II. Academic Research Council

    Section 1013(b)(1) of the Consumer Financial Protection Act, 12 
U.S.C. 5493(b)(1), establishes the Consumer Financial Protection 
Bureau's Office of Research and assigns to it the responsibility of 
researching, analyzing, and reporting on topics relating to the 
Bureau's mission, including developments in markets for consumer 
financial products and services, consumer awareness, and consumer 
behavior. The Bureau established the Academic Research Council as a 
technical advisory body comprised of scholars to provide the Office of 
Research methodological and technical advice and feedback on its 
research work by framing research questions; suggesting new data 
collection strategies and methods of analysis; providing feedback, both 
backward and forward looking, on the Office of Research's research 
program; providing input into its research strategic planning process 
and research agenda; collaborating with CFPB research staff on high 
value research projects which shall allow for transfer of specialized 
expertise; and supporting high quality recruitment.

III. Qualifications

    In appointing members of the Council, the Office of Research seeks 
to recruit tenured academics, with a world class research and 
publishing background, and a record of public or academic service. We 
are seeking prominent experts who are recognized for their professional 
achievements and objectivity in economics, statistics, psychology or 
behavioral science. In particular, academics with strong methodological 
and technical expertise in structural or reduced form econometrics, 
modeling of consumer decision-making, behavioral economics, 
experimental economics, program evaluation, psychology, and financial 
choice. The members of the Council will collectively provide a balance 
of expertise across these areas.
    The Council is composed of no more than eight members. Currently we 
have six Council members. We are looking to fill two additional seats 
on the Council in 2014. You can learn more about current Academic 
Research Council members at http://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/1209_cfpb_arcbios.pdf.
    The Bureau has a special interest in ensuring that the perspectives 
of women and men, all racial and ethnic groups, and individuals with 
disabilities are adequately represented on the Board and Councils, and 
therefore, encourages applications from qualified candidates from these 
groups. The Bureau also has a special interest in establishing a 
Council that is represented by a diversity of viewpoints and 
constituencies, and therefore encourages nominations for qualified 
candidates who:
    1. Represent the United States' geographic diversity; and
    2. Understand the interests of special populations identified in 
the Dodd-Frank Act, including servicemembers, older Americans, 
students, and traditionally underserved consumers and communities.

IV. Application Procedures

    Any interested person may apply for membership on the Council.
    A complete application packet must include:
    1. A complete r[eacute]sum[eacute] or curriculum vitae for the 
applicant; and
    2. Completed application--http://www.consumerfinance.gov/blog/accepting-applications-for-our-academic-research-council.
    To evaluate potential sources of conflicts of interest, the Bureau 
will ask potential candidates to provide information related to 
financial holdings and/or professional affiliations, and to allow the 
Bureau to perform a background check. The Bureau will not review 
nominations and will not answer questions from internal or external 
parties regarding applications until the application period has closed.
    The Bureau will not entertain nominations of federally registered 
lobbyists and individuals who have been convicted of a felony for a 
position on the Council.
    Only complete applications will be given consideration for review 
of membership on the Council.

    Dated: January 23, 2014.
Christopher D'Angelo,
Chief of Staff, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
[FR Doc. 2014-01607 Filed 1-28-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-AM-P