[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 78 (Tuesday, April 25, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19142-19178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07838]



[[Page 19141]]

Vol. 82

Tuesday,

No. 78

April 25, 2017

Part II





Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection





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





12 CFR Part 1003





Technical Corrections and Clarifying Amendments to the Home Mortgage 
Disclosure (Regulation C) October 2015 Final Rule; Proposed Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 82 , No. 78 / Tuesday, April 25, 2017 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 19142]]


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

BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION

12 CFR Part 1003

[Docket No. CFPB-2017-0010]
RIN 3170-AA64


Technical Corrections and Clarifying Amendments to the Home 
Mortgage Disclosure (Regulation C) October 2015 Final Rule

AGENCY: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

ACTION: Proposed rule with request for public comment.

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

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) proposes 
amendments to Regulation C to make technical corrections to and to 
clarify certain requirements adopted by the Bureau's Home Mortgage 
Disclosure (Regulation C) final rule (2015 HMDA Final Rule or the Final 
Rule), which was published in the Federal Register on October 28, 2015. 
The Bureau also proposes a new reporting exclusion.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 25, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. CFPB-2017-
0010 or RIN 3170-AA64, by any of the following methods:
    Email: [email protected]. Include CFPB-2017-0010 or 
RIN 3170-AA64 in the subject line of the email.
    Electronic: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for 
submitting comments.
    Mail: Monica Jackson, Office of the Executive Secretary, Consumer 
Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20552.
    Hand Delivery/Courier: Monica Jackson, Office of the Executive 
Secretary, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1275 First Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20002.
    Instructions: Because paper mail in the Washington, DC area and at 
the Bureau is subject to delay, commenters are encouraged to submit 
comments electronically. All submissions should include the agency name 
and docket number or Regulatory Information Number (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 1275 First Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20002, 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 telephoning (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: Joseph Devlin, Kathryn Lazarev, or 
Alexandra W. Reimelt, Counsels; or Terry J. Randall, Senior Counsel, 
Office of Regulations, at (202) 435-7700.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Summary of the Proposed Rule

    Regulation C implements the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), 12 
U.S.C. 2801 through 2810. For over four decades, HMDA has provided the 
public and public officials with information about mortgage lending 
activity within communities by requiring financial institutions to 
collect, report, and disclose certain data about their mortgage 
activities. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection 
Act (Dodd-Frank Act) amended HMDA, transferring rulewriting authority 
to the Bureau and expanding the scope of information that must be 
collected, reported, and disclosed under HMDA, among other changes.\1\ 
In October 2015, the Bureau issued the 2015 HMDA Final Rule 
implementing the Dodd-Frank Act amendments to HMDA.\2\ The Final Rule 
modified the types of institutions and transactions subject to 
Regulation C, the types of data that institutions are required to 
collect, and the processes for reporting and disclosing the required 
data.\3\ Most of these amendments take effect on January 1, 2018.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, 
Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376, section 2097-101 (2010).
    \2\ Home Mortgage Disclosure (Regulation C); 80 FR 66128 (Oct. 
28, 2015) (October 2015 HMDA Final Rule).
    \3\ October 2015 HMDA Final Rule, 80 FR 66128, 29.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Through outreach, the Bureau has identified a number of areas in 
which implementation of the 2015 HMDA Final Rule could be facilitated 
through clarifications, technical corrections, or minor changes and the 
Bureau proposes certain amendments to Regulation C to address those 
areas. The proposal would establish transition rules for two data 
points, loan purpose and the unique identifier for the loan originator. 
The transition rules would permit financial institutions to report not 
applicable for these data points when reporting certain loans that they 
purchased that were originated before certain regulatory requirements 
took effect. The proposal also would make additional amendments to 
clarify certain key terms, such as temporary financing and automated 
underwriting system, and create a new reporting exception for certain 
transactions associated with New York State consolidation, extension, 
and modification agreements.
    In addition, the proposal would facilitate reporting the census 
tract of the property securing, or, in the case of an application, 
proposed to secure, the covered loan required by Regulation C. The 
Bureau plans to make available on its Web site a geocoding tool (the 
Bureau's geocoding tool) that financial institutions may use to 
identify the census tract in which a property is located. The proposal 
would establish that a financial institution would not violate 
Regulation C by reporting an incorrect census tract for a particular 
property if the financial institution obtained the incorrect census 
tract number from the Bureau's geocoding tool, provided that the 
financial institution entered an accurate property address into the 
tool and the tool returned a census tract for the address entered. The 
proposal also would make certain technical corrections.

II. Background

    HMDA requires certain banks, savings associations, credit unions, 
and for-profit nondepository institutions to collect, report, and 
disclose data about originations and purchases of mortgage loans, as 
well as mortgage loan applications that do not result in originations 
(for example, applications that are denied or withdrawn). As originally 
adopted, Congress stated the purposes of HMDA as providing the public 
and public officials with information to help determine whether 
financial institutions are serving the housing needs of the communities 
in which they are located and to assist public officials in their 
determination of the distribution of public sector investments in a 
manner designed to improve the private investment environment.\4\ 
Congress later expanded HMDA to require, among other things, financial 
institutions to report racial characteristics, gender, and income 
information on applicants and borrowers.\5\ In light of these 
amendments, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System 
(Board)

[[Page 19143]]

subsequently recognized a third HMDA purpose of identifying possible 
discriminatory lending patterns and enforcing antidiscrimination 
statutes, which now is codified with HMDA's other purposes in 
Regulation C.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Home Mortgage Disclosure (Regulation C), 76 FR 78465 section 
302(b) (Dec 19. 2012), 12 U.S.C. 2801(b); see also 12 CFR 
1003.1(b)(1)(i) and (ii).
    \5\ Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act 
of 1989, Public Law 101-73, section 1211 (``Fair lending oversight 
and enforcement'' section), 103 Stat. 183, 524-26 (1989).
    \6\ 54 FR 51356, 51357 (Dec. 15, 1989), codified at 12 CFR 
1003.1(b)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In 2010, Congress enacted the Dodd-Frank Act, which amended HMDA 
and also transferred HMDA rulemaking authority and other functions from 
the Board to the Bureau.\7\ Among other changes, the Dodd-Frank Act 
expands the scope of information relating to mortgage applications and 
loans that must be collected, reported, and disclosed under HMDA. New 
data points specified in the Dodd-Frank Act include the age of loan 
applicants and mortgagors, information relating to the points and fees 
payable at origination, the difference between the annual percentage 
rate (APR) associated with the loan and a benchmark rate or rates for 
additional loans, the term of any prepayment penalty, the value of real 
property to be pledged as collateral, the term of the loan and of any 
introductory interest rate for the loan, the presence of contract terms 
allowing nonamortizing payments, the origination channel, and the 
credit scores of applicants and mortgagors.\8\ The Dodd-Frank Act also 
authorizes the Bureau to require, ``as [it] may determine to be 
appropriate,'' a unique identifier that identifies the loan originator, 
a universal loan identifier, and the parcel number that corresponds to 
the real property pledged or proposed to be pledged as collateral for 
the mortgage loan.\9\ The Dodd-Frank Act also provides the Bureau with 
the authority to require ``such other information as the Bureau may 
require.'' \10\ The Dodd-Frank Act mandated that ``the Bureau, in 
consultation with other appropriate agencies . . . and, after notice 
and comment, shall develop regulations that--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, 
Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376, sections 1980, 2035-38, and 
2097-101 (2010). Also, in 2010, the Board conducted public hearings 
on potential revisions to Regulation C.
    \8\ Dodd-Frank Act section 1094(3)(A), amending HMDA section 
304(b), 12 U.S.C. 2803(b).
    \9\ Id.
    \10\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (A) prescribe the format for such disclosures, the method for 
submission of the data to the appropriate agency, and the procedures 
for disclosing the information to the public;
    (B) require the collection of data required to be disclosed under 
subsection (b) with respect to loans sold by each institution reporting 
under this title;
    (C) require disclosure of the class of the purchaser of such loans;
    (D) permit any reporting institution to submit in writing to the 
Bureau or to the appropriate agency such additional data or 
explanations as it deems relevant to the decision to originate or 
purchase mortgage loans; and
    (E) modify or require modification of itemized information, for the 
purpose of protecting the privacy interests of the mortgage applicants 
or mortgagors, that is or will be available to the public.'' \11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ Dodd-Frank Act section 1094(3)(B), amending HMDA section 
304(h), 12 U.S.C. 2803(h).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In October 2015, the Bureau issued the 2015 HMDA Final Rule which 
implemented the Dodd-Frank Act amendments to HMDA.\12\ The Final Rule 
modifies the types of institutions and transactions subject to 
Regulation C, the types of data that institutions are required to 
collect, and the processes for reporting and disclosing the required 
data.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ October 2015 HMDA Final Rule, 80 FR 66128.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Since issuing the Final Rule, the Bureau has conducted outreach 
with stakeholders, through participation in conferences concerning the 
Final Rule, communications with HMDA vendors, and informal inquiries 
submitted by financial institutions. As part of these efforts and 
through its own analysis of the 2015 HMDA Final Rule, the Bureau has 
identified certain technical errors in the Final Rule, potential ways 
to ease burden of reporting certain data requirements, and 
clarification of key terms that will facilitate compliance with the 
Final Rule. This proposal addresses these issues.

III. Legal Authority

    The Bureau is issuing this proposal pursuant to its authority under 
the Dodd-Frank Act and HMDA. This proposed rule consists of amendments 
and corrections to the 2015 HMDA Final Rule.\13\ Section 1061 of the 
Dodd-Frank Act transferred to the Bureau the ``consumer financial 
protection functions'' previously vested in certain other Federal 
agencies, including the Board.\14\ The term ``consumer financial 
protection function'' 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\ 
Section 1022(b)(1) of the Dodd-Frank Act authorizes the Bureau's 
Director to prescribe rules ``as may be necessary or appropriate to 
enable the Bureau to administer and carry out the purposes and 
objectives of the Federal consumer financial laws, and to prevent 
evasions thereof.'' \16\ Both HMDA and title X of the Dodd-Frank Act 
are Federal consumer financial laws.\17\ Accordingly, the Bureau has 
authority to issue regulations to administer HMDA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ October 2015 HMDA Final Rule, 80 FR 66128, 66136-37.
    \14\ 12 U.S.C. 5581. Section 1094 of the Dodd-Frank Act also 
replaced the term ``Board'' with ``Bureau'' in most places in HMDA. 
12 U.S.C. 2803 et seq.
    \15\ 12 U.S.C. 5581(a)(1)(A).
    \16\ 12 U.S.C. 5512(b)(1).
    \17\ Dodd-Frank Act section 1002(14), 12 U.S.C. 5481(14) 
(defining ``Federal consumer financial law'' to include the 
``enumerated consumer laws'' and the provisions of title X of the 
Dodd-Frank Act); Dodd-Frank Act section 1002(12), 12 U.S.C. 5481(12) 
(defining ``enumerated consumer laws'' to include HMDA).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    HMDA section 305(a) broadly authorizes the Bureau to prescribe such 
regulations as may be necessary to carry out HMDA's purposes.\18\ These 
regulations may include ``classifications, differentiations, or other 
provisions, and may provide for such adjustments and exceptions for any 
class of transactions, as in the judgment of the Bureau are necessary 
and proper to effectuate the purposes of [HMDA], and prevent 
circumvention or evasion thereof, or to facilitate compliance 
therewith.'' \19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ 12 U.S.C. 2804(a).
    \19\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A number of HMDA provisions specify that covered institutions must 
compile and make their HMDA data publicly available ``in accordance 
with regulations of the Bureau'' and ``in such formats as the Bureau 
may require.'' \20\ HMDA section 304(j)(1) authorizes the Bureau to 
issue regulations to define the loan application register information 
that HMDA reporters must make available to the public upon request and 
to specify the form required for such disclosures.\21\ HMDA section 
304(j)(2)(B) provides that ``[t]he Bureau shall require, by regulation, 
such deletions as the Bureau may determine to be appropriate to 
protect--(i) any privacy interest of any applicant . . . and (ii) a 
depository institution from liability under any Federal or State

[[Page 19144]]

privacy law.'' \22\ HMDA subsection 304(j)(7) also directs the Bureau 
to make every effort in prescribing regulations under the subsection to 
minimize the costs incurred by a depository institution in complying 
with such regulations.\23\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ See, e.g., HMDA section 304(a)(1), (j)(2)(A), (j)(3), 
(m)(2), 12 U.S.C. 2803(a)(1), (j)(2)(A), (j)(3), (m)(2); see also 
HMDA section 304(b)(6)(I), 12 U.S.C. 2803(b)(6)(I) (requiring 
covered institutions to use ``such form as the Bureau may 
prescribe'' in reporting credit scores of mortgage applicants and 
mortgagors). HMDA section 304(k)(1) also requires depository 
institutions covered by HMDA to make disclosure statements available 
``[i]n accordance with procedures established by the Bureau pursuant 
to this section.'' 12 U.S.C. 2803(k)(1).
    \21\ 12 U.S.C. 2803(j)(1).
    \22\ 12 U.S.C. 2803(j)(2)(B).
    \23\ 12 U.S.C. 2803(j)(7).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    HMDA section 304(e) directs the Bureau to prescribe a standard 
format for HMDA disclosures required under HMDA section 304.\24\ As 
amended by the Dodd-Frank Act, HMDA section 304(h)(1) requires HMDA 
data to be submitted to the Bureau or to the appropriate agency for the 
reporting financial institution ``in accordance with rules prescribed 
by the Bureau.'' \25\ HMDA section 304(h)(1) also directs the Bureau, 
in consultation with other appropriate agencies, to develop regulations 
after notice and comment that:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ 12 U.S.C. 2803(e).
    \25\ 12 U.S.C. 2803(h)(1); see also HMDA section 304(n), 12 
U.S.C. 2803(n) (discussing submission to the Bureau or the 
appropriate agency ``in accordance with regulations prescribed by 
the Bureau''). For purposes of HMDA section 304(h), HMDA section 
304(h)(2) defines the appropriate agencies for different categories 
of financial institutions. The agencies are the Federal banking 
agencies, the FDIC, the NCUA, and the Secretary of HUD. 12 U.S.C. 
2803(h)(2).

prescribe the format for such disclosures, the method for submission 
of the data to the appropriate agency, and the procedures for 
disclosing the information to the public;
require the collection of data required to be disclosed under [HMDA 
section 304(b)] with respect to loans sold by each institution 
reporting under this title; require disclosure of the class of the 
purchaser of such loans;
permit any reporting institution to submit in writing to the Bureau 
or to the appropriate agency such additional data or explanations as 
it deems relevant to the decision to originate or purchase mortgage 
loans; and
modify or require modification of itemized information, for the 
purpose of protecting the privacy interests of the mortgage 
applicants or mortgagors, that is or will be available to the 
public.\26\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ 12 U.S.C. 2803(h)(1). The Dodd-Frank Act also added new 
HMDA section 304(h)(3), which directs the Bureau to prescribe 
standards for any modification pursuant to HMDA section 
304(h)(1)(E), to effectuate HMDA's purposes, in light of the privacy 
interests of mortgage applicants or mortgagors. 12 U.S.C. 
2803(h)(1)(E), 2803(h)(3).

    HMDA also authorizes the Bureau to issue regulations relating to 
the timing of HMDA disclosures.\27\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ HMDA section 304(l)(2)(A), 12 U.S.C. 2803(l)(2)(A) (setting 
maximum disclosure periods except as provided under other HMDA 
subsections and regulations prescribed by the Bureau); HMDA section 
304(n), 12 U.S.C. 2803(n).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As amended by the Dodd-Frank Act, HMDA section 304 requires 
itemization of specified categories of information and ``such other 
information as the Bureau may require.'' \28\ Specifically, HMDA 
section 304(b)(5)(D) requires reporting of ``such other information as 
the Bureau may require'' for mortgage loans, and section 304(b)(6)(J) 
requires reporting of ``such other information as the Bureau may 
require'' for mortgage loans and applications. HMDA section 304 also 
identifies certain data points that are to be included in the 
itemization ``as the Bureau may determine to be appropriate.'' \29\ It 
provides that age and other categories of data shall be modified prior 
to release ``as the Bureau determines to be necessary'' to satisfy the 
statutory purpose of protecting the privacy interests of the mortgage 
applicants or mortgagors.\30\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ HMDA section 304(b)(5)(D), (b)(6)(J), 12 U.S.C. 
2803(b)(5)(D), (b)(6)(J).
    \29\ HMDA section 304(b)(6)(F), (G), (H), 12 U.S.C. 
2803(b)(6)(F), (G), (H).
    \30\ HMDA section 304(h)(3)(A)(ii), 12 U.S.C. 2803(h)(3)(A)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Dodd-Frank Act amendments to HMDA also authorize the Bureau's 
Director to develop or assist in the improvement of methods of matching 
addresses and census tracts to facilitate HMDA compliance by depository 
institutions in as economical a manner as possible.\31\ The Bureau, in 
consultation with the Secretary of HUD, may also exempt for-profit 
mortgage-lending institutions that are comparable within their 
respective industries to a bank, savings association, or credit union 
that has total assets of $10,000,000 or less.\32\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ HMDA section 307(a), 12 U.S.C. 2806(a) (authorizing the 
Bureau's Director to utilize, contract with, act through, or 
compensate any person or agency to carry out this subsection).
    \32\ HMDA section 309(a), 12 U.S.C. 2808(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In preparing this proposed rule, the Bureau has considered the 
changes below in light of its legal authority under HMDA and the Dodd-
Frank Act. The Bureau has determined that each of the changes addressed 
below is consistent with the purposes of HMDA and is authorized by one 
or more of the sources of statutory authority identified in this part.

IV. Effective Date

    For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau proposes that the 
amendments included in this proposal take effect when the related 
amendments to Regulation C adopted by the 2015 HMDA Final Rule take 
effect. As discussed more fully below, the proposed amendments to 
Regulation C would make technical corrections to and address certain 
areas to facilitate implementation of the 2015 HMDA Final Rule. For the 
proposed amendments to have the intended effect, the proposed 
amendments' effective dates should be synchronized with the related 
effective dates in the HMDA Final Rule.
    The HMDA Final Rule takes effect in stages between January 1, 2017 
and January 1, 2020, with most of the amendments included in the Final 
Rule taking effect on January 1, 2018. Accordingly, the Bureau 
proposes, as provided in the proposed amendatory instructions included 
below, that most of the proposed amendments take effect on January 1, 
2018. The Bureau proposes that some proposed amendments take effect on 
January 1, 2019 or January 1, 2020, respectively, to correspond to 
related effective dates for amendments included in the Final Rule. The 
proposed amendments that would take effect on January 1, 2019 or 
January 1, 2020, respectively, are noted in the applicable section-by-
section discussion in part V below and proposed amendatory instructions 
included below. The proposed amendatory instructions are organized 
sequentially by effective date, starting with all proposed amendments 
that would take effect on January 1, 2018. The Bureau solicits comment 
on the proposed effective dates.

V. Section-by-Section Analysis

    The discussion below uses the following shorthand to refer to the 
individual provisions in Regulation C: ``Current Sec.  1003.X'' refers 
to the provision currently in effect, as of the date of this proposal; 
``Revised Sec.  1003.X'' refers to the provision as revised by the 
Final Rule; ``Sec.  1003.X, as adopted by the Final Rule;'' refers to a 
provision newly adopted by the Final Rule; and, ``Proposed Sec.  
1003.X'' refers to the proposed amendments to the provision.

Section 1003.2 Definitions

2(d) Closed-End Mortgage Loan
    In the Final Rule, the Bureau adopted Sec.  1003.2(d) to provide 
that a ``closed-end mortgage loan'' is a dwelling-secured ``extension 
of credit'' that is not an open-end line of credit. Comment 2(d)-2, as 
adopted by the Final Rule, provides guidance on ``extension of 
credit,'' including an example of a transaction that would not be 
viewed as a closed-end mortgage loan because no credit is extended. 
Comment 2(d)-2 also explains that, for purposes of Regulation C, an 
``extension of credit'' refers to the granting of credit pursuant to a 
new debt obligation. The comment provides that if a transaction 
modifies, renews, extends, or amends the terms of an

[[Page 19145]]

existing debt obligation without satisfying and replacing the original 
debt obligation with a new debt obligation, the transaction generally 
is not an extension of credit under Regulation C. For the reasons 
discussed below, the Bureau proposes certain clarifying amendments to 
comment 2(d)-2.
    The example in comment 2(d)-2, as adopted by the Final Rule, 
illustrating a transaction in which there is no extension of credit, 
discusses installment land sales contracts. The Bureau believes that 
the specific example included in the Final Rule is not helpful for 
illustrating a transaction in which there is no extension of credit 
because whether installment land sales contracts are extensions of 
credit is a fact-specific inquiry that depends on the particular 
installment contract's terms and other facts and circumstances. 
Therefore, the Bureau proposes to remove the specific example from 
comment 2(d)-2, while also providing more generally that installment 
land sales contracts, depending on the facts and circumstances, may or 
may not involve extensions of credit rendering the transactions closed-
end mortgage loans. The Bureau solicits comment on this change.
    Comment 2(d)-2.ii as adopted by the Final Rule provides a narrow 
exception to revised Regulation C's general rule that an ``extension of 
credit'' occurs only when a new debt obligation is created.\33\ The 
exception covers transactions completed pursuant to a New York State 
consolidation, extension, and modification agreement and classified as 
a supplemental mortgage under New York Tax Law section 255, such that 
the borrower owes reduced or no mortgage recording taxes (New York 
CEMAs). As explained in the Final Rule \34\ and discussed more fully 
below in relation to Sec.  1003.3(c)(13), the Bureau believes that 
transactions completed pursuant to New York CEMAs represent situations 
where a new debt obligation is created in substance, if not in form, 
and that the benefits of requiring such transactions to be reported 
justify the burdens. The Bureau proposes no changes to the ``extension 
of credit'' exception that requires reporting of New York CEMAs but 
proposes a complementary exclusion from reporting, in Sec.  
1003.3(c)(13), for any preliminary transaction providing new funds 
prior to consolidation as part of the CEMA, as discussed below. The 
Bureau proposes to include in comment 2(d)-2.ii a clarifying reference 
to the new Sec.  1003.3(c)(13) exclusion. The Bureau solicits comment 
on this clarifying reference.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ Comment 2(d)-2.i provides a second exception, for 
assumptions, which Regulation C historically has covered. The Bureau 
is not proposing any change to the assumptions exception.
    \34\ 80 FR 66128, 66142-66143 (Oct. 28, 2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2(f) Dwelling
    In revised Sec.  1003.2(f) and comment 2(f)-2, the Final Rule 
revised and clarified the definition of ``dwelling'' in Regulation C to 
provide, among other things, that multifamily residential structures 
include housing complexes and manufactured home communities and that 
such communities are dwellings. The Bureau believed that providing 
comment 2(f)-2 relating to multifamily residential structures would 
facilitate compliance by providing guidance on when loans related to 
multifamily dwellings would be considered loans secured by a dwelling 
for purposes of Regulation C. In revised Sec.  1003.2(n), the Bureau 
provides that a ``multifamily dwelling'' is a dwelling that contains 
five or more individual dwelling units. Revised Sec.  1003.4(a) 
excludes many data points for covered loans secured by multifamily 
dwellings because such data may not be easily available, relevant, or 
useful for multifamily transactions. For example, except for purchased 
covered loans, revised Sec.  1003.4(a)(23) requires reporting of the 
ratio of the applicant's or borrower's total monthly debt to the total 
monthly income relied on in making the credit decision. However, 
comment 4(a)(23)-6 makes clear that a financial institution complies 
with Sec.  1003.4(a)(23) by reporting that the requirement is not 
applicable for a covered loan secured by, or an application proposed to 
be secured by, a multifamily dwelling.
    During implementation of the Final Rule, the Bureau was asked 
whether loans that are secured by five or more separate dwellings that 
each contain fewer than five individual dwelling units in more than one 
location are loans secured by multifamily dwellings. For example, a 
landlord might use a covered loan to improve five or more single-family 
dwellings in different locations, with those properties securing the 
loan. Because such a loan would not be secured by a housing complex or 
manufactured home community, it is not clear under Sec.  1003.2(f) as 
adopted by the Final Rule how it should be reported. The Bureau 
believes that such a loan should be reported as secured by a 
multifamily dwelling. As with loans that are secured by multifamily 
dwellings in one location, the information that would be excluded from 
reporting under revised Sec.  1003.4(a), such as the debt-to-income 
ratio discussed above, might also not be easily available, relevant, or 
useful for loans secured by five or more separate non-multifamily 
dwellings in more than one location. Consequently, to facilitate 
implementation and ensure the relevance and usefulness of the data 
collected, the Bureau proposes to add language to comment 2(f)-2 making 
clear that a loan secured by five or more separate dwellings in more 
than one location is a loan secured by a multifamily dwelling and 
providing an example. The Bureau solicits comment on this added 
language.
    In addition, the Bureau proposes a technical correction to comment 
2(f)-2. The Bureau proposes to change the term ``complexes'' to 
``housing complexes,'' for clarity. No change in meaning is intended. 
The Bureau requests comment on this technical correction.
2(g) Financial Institution
    As discussed below, the Bureau proposes an exclusion from 
reporting, in proposed Sec.  1003.3(c)(13), for any preliminary 
transaction providing new funds prior to consolidation as part of a New 
York CEMA. In addition, the Bureau proposes a conforming change to 
Sec. Sec.  1003.2(g)(1)(v)(A) and (2)(ii)(A) as adopted by the Final 
Rule in the definition of ``financial institution,'' adding the new 
exclusion to a list of exclusions referenced in that definition. 
Although the definition of financial institution includes thresholds 
for non-excluded closed-end mortgage loans and non-excluded open-end 
lines of credit, this conforming change is limited to the portions of 
Sec.  1003.2(g) listing exclusions for closed-end mortgage loans 
because the Bureau does not believe that open-end lines of credit are 
used to provide new funds prior to consolidation as part of a New York 
CEMA. The Bureau requests comment on this conforming change, including 
whether open-end lines of credit may be used in this way.
2(i) Home Improvement Loan
    HMDA section 303(2) defines a ``mortgage loan'' as a loan that is 
secured by residential real property or a home improvement loan. 
Regulation C currently defines ``home improvement loan'' and provides 
guidance in commentary about mixed-use property. Pursuant to the 
Bureau's authority under HMDA section 305(a), the Bureau revised the 
current definition of home improvement loan in Sec.  1003.2(i) as 
adopted by the Final Rule and revised the accompanying commentary 
regarding mixed-use property. For the reasons set forth below, the 
Bureau

[[Page 19146]]

proposes to amend the commentary to Sec.  1003.2(i) to clarify further 
the reporting requirements for home improvement loans secured by mixed-
use property, that is, a dwelling used for both residential and 
commercial purposes.
    The Bureau understands there may be uncertainty regarding the 
reporting requirements for mixed-use property under Sec.  1003.2(i), as 
adopted by the Final Rule, in light of Sec.  1003.3(c)(10), which the 
Bureau adopted by the Final Rule to exclude certain loans and lines of 
credit made primarily for a commercial or business purpose from 
coverage. Comment 2(i)-4 explains, in relevant part, that a closed-end 
mortgage loan or an open-end line of credit to improve a dwelling used 
for residential and commercial purposes (for example, a building 
containing apartment units and retail space) or the real property on 
which such a dwelling is located, is a home improvement loan if the 
loan's proceeds are used either to improve the entire property (for 
example, to replace the heating system) or if the proceeds are used 
primarily to improve the residential portion of the property. Section 
1003.3(c)(10) excludes loans and lines of credit made primarily for a 
commercial or business purpose unless they are for the purpose of home 
purchase under Sec.  1003.2(j), home improvement under Sec.  1003.2(i), 
or refinancing under Sec.  1003.2(p). Comment 3(c)(10)-3 provides 
illustrative examples of business- or commercial-purpose loans and 
lines of credit that are covered loans under the Final Rule. Comment 
3(c)(10)-3.ii explains that a closed-end mortgage loan or an open-end 
line of credit to improve an office, for example, a doctor's office, 
that is located in a dwelling, would be a covered loan.
    The Bureau is concerned that comments 2(i)-4 and 3(c)(10)-3.ii, as 
adopted by the Final Rule, could be interpreted as providing 
inconsistent guidance regarding when a closed-end mortgage loan or 
open-end line of credit to improve property used for both residential 
and commercial purposes would be considered a home improvement loan 
under Sec.  1003.2(i). Comment 2(i)-4 explains that a closed-end 
mortgage loan or open-end line of credit is a reportable home 
improvement loan under Sec.  1003.2(i) if the proceeds are used to 
improve the entire property or primarily the residential portion of the 
property. However, comment 3(c)(10)-3.ii provides an example indicating 
that a closed-end mortgage loan or open-end line of credit to improve 
an office in a dwelling would be a reportable home improvement loan 
under Sec.  1003.2(i), even though its primary purpose is to improve 
the commercial portion of the property.
    To resolve this apparent tension, the Bureau proposes to amend 
comment 2(i)-4 to clarify that the comment applies only to multifamily 
dwellings.\35\ The proposed amendment would clarify that the Bureau 
intends comment 2(i)-4 to apply to multifamily dwellings of the type 
referenced in the comment (for example, a building containing five or 
more apartment units and retail space), and not to non-multifamily 
dwellings that have both residential and commercial purposes (for 
example, a single-family dwelling with a doctor's office). The Bureau 
believes that loans or lines of credit to improve primarily the 
commercial portion of a multifamily dwelling should not be reportable 
home improvement loans because such loans or lines of credit involve 
relatively small housing components and large commercial components of 
the dwelling in comparison to loans or lines of credit to improve 
primarily the commercial portion of a dwelling other than a multifamily 
family dwelling. The Bureau also believes that loans or lines of credit 
to improve primarily the commercial portion of a multifamily dwelling 
would provide limited information to help determine whether financial 
institutions are serving the housing needs of the communities in which 
they are located. Accordingly, the proposed amendments to comments 
2(i)-4 and 3(c)(10)-3.ii together would clarify that a loan to improve 
commercial space in a multifamily dwelling would not be a home 
improvement loan, but a loan to improve commercial space in a dwelling 
other than a multifamily dwelling would be a home improvement loan. The 
Bureau believes its proposal to clarify the applicability of comment 
2(i)-4 to multifamily dwellings, taken together with the proposed 
amendment to comment 3(c)(10)-3.ii, would resolve potential uncertainty 
over the reporting requirements for loans used to improve various types 
of mixed-use property. The Bureau solicits comment on the proposed 
clarification.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ As discussed in more detail in the section-by-section 
analysis of Sec.  1003.3(c)(10), the Bureau proposes to revise the 
example in comment 3(c)(10)-3.ii to clarify that it applies to 
dwellings other than multifamily dwellings.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2(j) Home Purchase Loan
    Currently, Sec.  1003.2 provides a definition of ``home purchase 
loan'' and provides guidance in commentary. The Final Rule revised the 
current definition of home purchase loan in Sec.  1003.2(j) and revised 
the current home purchase loan commentary to conform to revised Sec.  
1003.2(j) and to provide additional clarifications. The Final Rule 
renumbered current comment 2(Home purchase loan)-5 as comment 2(j)-3, 
with minor changes for clarity. Revised comment 2(j)-3 explains that a 
home purchase loan includes both a combined construction/permanent loan 
and the permanent financing that replaces a construction-only loan. It 
further explains that a home purchase loan does not include a 
construction-only loan that is designed to be replaced by permanent 
financing at a later time, which is excluded from Regulation C as 
temporary financing under Sec.  1003.3(c)(3), and includes a cross-
reference to comment 3(c)(3)-1. For the reasons discussed below, the 
Bureau proposes to amend comment 2(j)-3.
    As discussed in more detail in the section-by-section analysis of 
Sec.  1003.3(c)(3) regarding temporary financing, the Bureau proposes 
to amend the commentary to Sec.  1003.3(c)(3) to clarify that a loan or 
line of credit is considered temporary financing and excluded under 
Sec.  1003.3(c)(3) if the loan or line of credit is designed to be 
replaced by separate permanent financing extended to the same borrower 
at a later time. The Bureau also proposes to amend the commentary to 
Sec.  1003.3(c)(3) to provide guidance that a construction-only loan or 
line of credit is considered temporary financing and is excluded from 
reporting if the loan or line of credit is extended to a person 
exclusively to construct a dwelling for sale. Such loans are not 
currently reported under Regulation C, and the Bureau did not intend 
Sec.  1003.3(c)(3), as adopted by the Final Rule, to expand coverage to 
include them.
    The Bureau proposes conforming changes to comment 2(j)-3 to reflect 
the proposed revisions to the Sec.  1003.3(c)(3) commentary. The Bureau 
also proposes to refer to both a loan or line of credit in comment 
2(j)-3, consistent with the Sec.  1003.3(c)(3) commentary. Accordingly, 
the Bureau proposes to amend comment 2(j)-3 to explain that a home 
purchase loan includes both a combined construction/permanent loan or 
line of credit, and the separate permanent financing that replaces a 
construction-only loan or line of credit for the same borrower at a 
later time. Proposed comment 2(j)-3 would also clarify that a home 
purchase loan does not include a construction-only loan or line of 
credit that is designed to be replaced by separate permanent financing 
extended to the same borrower at a later time or that is extended to a 
person exclusively

[[Page 19147]]

to construct a dwelling for sale, and include a cross-reference to 
proposed new comment 3(c)(3)-2. As noted above, the Bureau proposes to 
exclude such loans or lines of credit from Regulation C as temporary 
financing under Sec.  1003.3(c)(3). The Bureau solicits comment on the 
proposed amendments.

Section 1003.3 Exempt Institutions and Excluded Transactions

3(c) Excluded Transactions
3(c)(3)
    Currently, Regulation C provides an exclusion for temporary 
financing in Sec.  1003.4(d)(3). The Final Rule revised the exclusion 
for temporary financing in Sec.  1003.3(c)(3) and adopted comment 
3(c)(3)-1 to clarify the scope of the exclusion and to incorporate 
existing guidance in a FFIEC FAQ. Comment 3(c)(3)-1, as adopted by the 
Final Rule, provides that temporary financing is excluded from coverage 
and explains that a loan or line of credit is temporary financing if it 
is designed to be replaced by permanent financing at a later time. The 
comment provides several illustrative examples to clarify whether a 
loan or line of credit is designed to be replaced by permanent 
financing. For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau proposes to 
clarify further the meaning of comment 3(c)(3)-1 and to add new comment 
3(c)(3)-2 to clarify the treatment of certain construction-only loans 
or lines of credit as temporary financing.
    The Bureau understands that there may be uncertainty regarding the 
guidance set forth in comment 3(c)(3)-1 as adopted by the Final Rule. 
Specifically, the comment does not explain whether a loan or line of 
credit must be designed to be replaced by permanent financing extended 
to the same borrower at a later time in order for that loan or line of 
credit to be considered temporary financing. The illustrative examples 
in comment 3(c)(3)-1.i through .v suggest that the temporary financing 
exclusion applies when the loan or line of credit is designed to be 
replaced by permanent financing to the same borrower at a later time, 
but do not state this expressly.\36\ Additionally, the Bureau believes 
it may be helpful to explain that, for a loan or line of credit to be 
considered temporary financing, it must be a separate transaction from 
the permanent financing designed to replace it. Accordingly, to clarify 
further the meaning of comment 3(c)(3)-1, the Bureau proposes to amend 
the comment to specify that a loan or line of credit is considered 
temporary financing and excluded under Sec.  1003.3(c)(3) if it is 
designed to be replaced by separate permanent financing extended to the 
same borrower at a later time. The Bureau proposes amendments to the 
illustrative examples in comment 3(c)(3)-1.ii through .v to reflect 
these proposed clarifications. To improve consistency, the Bureau also 
proposes to substitute the word ``obtained'' for the word ``made'' in 
comment 3(c)(3)-1.iii. Additionally, the Bureau proposes to amend 
comment 3(c)(3)-1 to reflect the proposed addition of proposed comment 
3(c)(3)-2, as discussed in more detail below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ For example, comment 3(c)(3)-1.ii explains that the initial 
construction loan is excluded as temporary financing under Sec.  
1003.3(c)(3) and provides an example where Lender A extends credit 
to finance construction of a dwelling, and a new extension of credit 
for permanent financing for the dwelling will be obtained, either 
from Lender A or from another lender, and either through a 
refinancing of the initial construction loan or a separate loan. 
Comment 3(c)(3)-1.v explains, in relevant part, that under Sec.  
1003.3(c)(3), the loan is not designed to be replaced by permanent 
financing and the temporary financing exclusion does not apply in an 
example where Lender A originates a loan with a nine-month term to 
enable an investor to purchase a home, renovate it, and re-sell it 
before the term expires.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau is also concerned that comment 3(c)(3)-1 may be read as 
expanding Regulation C reporting requirements to certain transactions 
that the Bureau believes should be considered temporary financing and 
excluded from reporting because their unique characteristics provide 
limited data to support HMDA's purposes. Comment 3(c)(3)-1 does not 
specifically address a construction-only loan or line of credit to a 
person exclusively to construct a dwelling for sale. Construction-only 
loans or lines of credit to construct a dwelling for sale are not 
currently reported under Regulation C, and the Bureau did not intend in 
the Final Rule to expand Regulation C's coverage to include them. 
However, comment 3(c)(3)-1 suggests that such loans or lines of credit 
would not be excluded as temporary financing under Sec.  1003.3(c)(3) 
if they are not designed to be replaced by permanent financing at a 
later time. Additionally, as noted above, the Bureau proposes to 
clarify in comment 3(c)(3)-1 that for the temporary financing exclusion 
to apply, the separate permanent financing must be extended to the same 
borrower that obtained the loan or line of credit it is designed to 
replace. A loan or line of credit to a person to finance the 
construction of a dwelling for sale is an interim transaction paid off 
with proceeds from the sale of the dwelling when its construction is 
completed, and as such, the construction loan or line of credit is not 
designed to be replaced by permanent financing to the same borrower. 
Instead, the buyer of the newly-constructed dwelling generally obtains 
a HMDA-reportable home purchase loan to finance the purchase of the 
dwelling, and this permanent financing obtained by the buyer functions 
to pay off the construction loan or line of credit.
    The Bureau believes that expanding Regulation C's transactional 
coverage to require reporting of loans or lines of credit for the sole 
purpose of constructing a dwelling for sale, which are often extended 
to builders, would yield limited data to support HMDA's purposes 
because of the distinct pricing terms, underwriting standards, and loan 
features generally present in these transactions. For example, the 
Bureau believes that a construction-only loan or line of credit to a 
person exclusively to construct a dwelling for sale would provide 
relatively limited information to help determine whether financial 
institutions are serving the housing needs of their communities or 
assist in decisions regarding the distribution of public sector 
investments. Thus, the Bureau believes that construction-only loans or 
lines of credit to a person exclusively to construct a dwelling for 
sale should continue to be excluded as temporary financing in light of 
their unique characteristics and limited value in furthering HMDA's 
purposes. Moreover, such loans or lines of credit will often be 
replaced by a buyer's permanent financing that would be reported under 
HMDA and provide information about the property securing the longer-
term loan, such as construction method and property value.
    The Bureau believes that construction-only loans or lines of credit 
extended to a person exclusively to construct a dwelling for sale are 
distinguishable from short-term transactions that provide valuable HMDA 
data and are not excluded as temporary financing under Sec.  
1003.3(c)(3). The Bureau recognizes that in the Final Rule, it 
explained that the temporary financing exclusion does not depend on the 
loan purpose, but rather turns on whether the loan is or is not 
designed to be replaced by longer-term financing at a later time.\37\ 
The Bureau did not intend to expand Regulation C's transactional 
coverage to include construction-only loans or lines of credit to a 
person exclusively to construct a dwelling for sale, and

[[Page 19148]]

expressly stated in the Final Rule that the commentary to Sec.  
1003.3(c)(3) ``will help to ensure reporting of short-term transactions 
that function as permanent financing (e.g., a loan with a nine-month 
term to enable an investor to purchase a home, renovate, and re-sell it 
before the term expires).'' \38\ The Bureau also explained in the Final 
Rule that it is important for HMDA purposes to know how often and under 
what circumstances financing is granted to investors to purchase a 
dwelling and sell it for occupancy before the term of the loan 
expires.\39\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ 80 FR 66168.
    \38\ Id.
    \39\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In contrast to construction-only loans or lines of credit to 
construct a dwelling for sale, the Bureau believes these short-term 
home improvement or home purchase loans may pose particular risks to 
communities and to consumers. The Bureau believes that reporting such 
loans will provide information to help public officials and public 
interest organizations identify risks to consumers and to local markets 
and enable them to target programs to assist vulnerable consumers. For 
example, with the information reported from these loans, public 
officials may identify the property value relied on for a loan to an 
investor to purchase a home, renovate it, and re-sell it as compared to 
the property value relied on for a buyer's permanent financing obtained 
to purchase that home. The Bureau believes such information would 
provide significant value for HMDA's purposes. Accordingly, the Bureau 
continues to believe that the guidance provided in comment 3(c)(3)-1, 
taken together with the proposed clarifications, will effectively serve 
HMDA's purposes. At the same time, for the reasons explained above, the 
Bureau believes it is appropriate to clarify its intent to classify 
construction-only loans or lines of credit to a person exclusively to 
construct a dwelling for sale as temporary financing, even where such 
loans or lines of credit are not designed to be replaced by separate 
permanent financing to the same borrower.
    The Bureau proposes to add new comment 3(c)(3)-2 to clarify that a 
construction-only loan or line of credit is considered temporary 
financing and excluded under Sec.  1003.3(c)(3) if the loan or line of 
credit is extended to a person exclusively to construct a dwelling for 
sale. Proposed comment 3(c)(3)-2 would include a cross-reference to 
comment 3(c)(3)-1.ii through .iv for examples of the reporting 
requirement for construction loans that are not extended to a person 
exclusively to construct a dwelling for sale. The Bureau solicits 
comment on the proposed clarifications.
3(c)(10)
    Regulation C currently covers closed-end, commercial-purpose loans 
made to purchase, refinance, or improve a dwelling. The Final Rule 
adopted Sec.  1003.3(c)(10) to provide that loans and lines of credit 
made primarily for a commercial or business purpose are excluded 
transactions unless they are for the purpose of home purchase under 
Sec.  1003.2(j), home improvement under Sec.  1003.2(i), or refinancing 
under Sec.  1003.2(p). The commentary to Sec.  1003.3(c)(10) explains 
the general rule, clarifies that Sec.  1003.3(c)(10) does not exclude 
all dwelling-secured business- or commercial-purpose loans or lines of 
credit from coverage, explains how financial institutions should 
determine whether a transaction primarily is for a commercial or 
business purpose, and provides illustrative examples. As discussed in 
the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1003.2(i) above, the Bureau is 
concerned that there may be uncertainty regarding when a closed-end 
mortgage loan or open-end line of credit made primarily for a business 
or commercial purpose is a reportable home improvement loan under Sec.  
1003.2(i) and, thus, not excluded from reporting under Sec.  
1003.3(c)(10). For the reasons set forth in the section-by-section 
analysis of Sec.  1003.2(i), the Bureau proposes to amend the example 
in comment 3(c)(10)-3.ii to clarify that its guidance applies in the 
case of a dwelling other than a multifamily dwelling and to provide an 
additional illustration.
    Proposed comment 3(c)(10)-3.ii would illustrate that a closed-end 
mortgage loan or an open-end line of credit to improve a doctor's 
office or a daycare center that is located in a dwelling other than a 
multifamily dwelling is not excluded from reporting under Sec.  
1003.3(c)(10). A closed-end mortgage loan or open-end line of credit to 
improve a dwelling other than a multifamily dwelling, even if primarily 
for a business or commercial purpose, would be a home improvement loan 
under Sec.  1003.2(i) and would not be excluded under Sec.  
1003.3(c)(10). The Bureau believes the proposed amendment to comment 
3(c)(10)-3.ii would clarify that non-multifamily dwellings are not 
``mixed-use property'' as described in comment 2(i)-4, even if they 
contain an office or other commercial space. To improve clarity, the 
Bureau also proposes minor changes to comment 3(c)(10)-3 to add the 
word ``although'' and remove the word ``but.'' The Bureau solicits 
comment on the proposed clarifications.
3(c)(11)
    HMDA extends reporting responsibilities to banks, savings 
associations, credit unions and other lending institutions (defined as 
any person engaged for profit in the business of mortgage lending other 
than a bank, savings association, or credit union) that satisfy certain 
requirements concerning location, asset size, and lending activity.\40\ 
Current Regulation C requires institutions that meet the definition of 
financial institution to collect and report HMDA data. HMDA and current 
Regulation C establish different coverage criteria for depository 
institutions than for nondepository institutions.\41\ For several 
reasons,\42\ the 2015 HMDA Final Rule made changes to Regulation C's 
institutional coverage and adopted uniform loan-volume thresholds for 
depository and nondepository institutions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \40\ See generally 12 U.S.C. 2802(3) (defining depository 
institution, which includes other lending institutions), 2803(a) 
(establishing location test), 2808 (defining asset-size test).
    \41\ Id.; Regulation C Sec.  1003.2 (definition of financial 
institution).
    \42\ See 80 FR 66128, 66146 (Oct. 28, 2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 1003.2(g) as adopted by the Final Rule provides loan-volume 
thresholds, for closed-end mortgage loans and open-end lines of credit, 
for Regulation C's coverage of financial institutions. The threshold 
for closed-end mortgage loans is 25 loans originated in each of the two 
preceding calendar years. Section 1003.3(c)(11) as adopted by the Final 
Rule provides a complementary exclusion for loans below the threshold, 
providing that a closed-end mortgage loan is an excluded transaction if 
a financial institution originated fewer than 25 closed-end mortgage 
loans in each of the two preceding calendar years. The use of the word 
``each'' in Sec.  1003.3(c)(11) is a drafting error.
    If the exclusion is to mirror the loan-volume threshold for 
financial institutions in Sec.  1003.2(g) and exclude transactions when 
that threshold is not met, Sec.  1003.3(c)(11) should provide that a 
closed-end mortgage loan is an excluded transaction if a financial 
institution originated fewer than 25 closed-end mortgage loans in 
``either'' of

[[Page 19149]]

the two preceding calendar years.\43\ Therefore, the Bureau proposes to 
amend Sec.  1003.3(c)(11) and comment 3(c)(11)-1. The Bureau proposes 
to replace the word ``each'' with ``either'' to clarify how a financial 
institution applies the exclusion. The Bureau requests comment on this 
amendment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \43\ The preamble to the Final Rule reflected this intent: ``The 
institutional and transactional coverage thresholds are designed to 
operate in tandem. Under these thresholds, a financial institution 
will report closed-end mortgage loans only if it satisfies the 
closed-end mortgage threshold and will report open-end lines of 
credit only if it satisfies the separate open-end credit 
threshold.'' Home Mortgage Disclosure (Regulation C), 80 FR 66128, 
66149 (Oct. 15, 2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau is also making a technical clarification to the example 
in comment 3(c)(11)-1 to better describe the reporting requirements for 
financial institutions whose origination totals for the prior two years 
are above the threshold. The clarification makes clear that the 
financial institution must report purchased loans, as well as 
originated loans and applications, as required by Sec.  1003.4(a) and 
Sec.  1003.5(a). The Bureau requests comment on this clarification.
    Although the Final Rule did not specifically state that voluntary 
reporting of the loans excluded by Sec.  1003.3(c)(11) is allowed, 
comment 3(c)(11)-1 states that a financial institution that is below 
the 25-mortgage loan threshold ``need not'' report such loans, 
suggesting that it might choose to report them. The Bureau proposes to 
clarify further that it interprets the exclusion in Sec.  
1003.3(c)(11), providing that the requirements of part 1003 do not 
apply to a closed-end mortgage loan if the financial institution 
originated fewer than 25 closed-end mortgage loans in either of the two 
preceding calendar years, to permit a financial institution to report 
closed-end mortgage loans and applications for closed-end mortgage 
loans voluntarily. The Bureau also believes the inclusion of these 
loans in the HMDA data would be appropriate if an institution chooses 
to do so voluntarily because the loans would be required to be reported 
if the institution originated more of this type of loan. As discussed 
further below, the Bureau proposes to interpret Sec.  1003.3(c)(12) 
similarly.
    The Bureau believes that the exclusion in Sec.  1003.3(c)(11) (and, 
as discussed below, in Sec.  1003.3(c)(12)), differs from the 
exclusions in Sec.  1003.3(c)(1)-(10) and the new (13) because the 
applicability of the (c)(11) exclusion is not intrinsic to the loan. 
Whether the loan is excluded can be determined only by reference to the 
financial institution's origination activity over two years. The Bureau 
believes that financial institutions that choose to report voluntarily, 
particularly when the institution's total of closed-end mortgage loans 
may fluctuate above or below the threshold, may reduce their regulatory 
burden. The Bureau proposes to clarify in proposed comment 3(c)(11)-2 
that a financial institution voluntarily may report closed-end mortgage 
loans and applications for closed-end mortgage loans that are excluded 
transactions because the financial institution originated fewer than 25 
closed-end mortgage loans in either of the two preceding calendar 
years. The Bureau solicits comment on the proposed comment. The Bureau 
also solicits comment on whether it should instead clarify that a 
financial institution voluntarily may report closed-end mortgage loans 
and applications for closed-end mortgage loans that are excluded 
transactions because the financial institution originated fewer than 25 
closed-end mortgage loans in either of the two preceding calendar years 
in the regulation text instead of the commentary. In addition, the 
Bureau solicits comment on adding specific language stating that 
financial institutions that choose to report such transactions 
voluntarily must report all such transactions.
3(c)(12)
    As explained above in the discussion of Sec.  1003.3(c)(11), Sec.  
1003.2(g) as adopted by the Final Rule provides loan-volume thresholds, 
for closed-end mortgage loans and open-end lines of credit, for 
Regulation C's institutional coverage. The threshold for open-end lines 
of credit is 100 loans originated in each of the two preceding calendar 
years. Section 1003.3(c)(12) as adopted by the Final Rule provides a 
complementary exclusion for loans below the threshold, providing that 
an open-end line of credit is an excluded transaction if a financial 
institution originated fewer than 100 open-end lines of credit in each 
of the two preceding calendar years. The use of the word ``each'' in 
Sec.  1003.3(c)(12) is a drafting error.
    For the same reason as described above in the discussion of Sec.  
1003.3(c)(11), the Bureau proposes to amend Sec.  1003.3(c)(12) and 
comment 3(c)(12)-1 as adopted by the Final Rule. If the exclusion is to 
mirror the loan-volume threshold for financial institutions in Sec.  
1003.2(g) and exclude transactions when that threshold is not met, 
Sec.  1003.3(c)(12) should provide that an open-end line of credit is 
an excluded transaction if a financial institution originated fewer 
than 100 open-end lines of credit in ``either'' of the two preceding 
calendar years.\44\ The Bureau proposes to replace the word ``each'' 
with ``either'' to clarify how the exclusion applies. The Bureau 
requests comment on this amendment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \44\ The preamble to the 2015 rule reflected this intent: ``The 
institutional and transactional coverage thresholds are designed to 
operate in tandem. Under these thresholds, a financial institution 
will report closed-end mortgage loans only if it satisfies the 
closed-end mortgage threshold and will report open-end lines of 
credit only if it satisfies the separate open-end credit 
threshold.'' Home Mortgage Disclosure (Regulation C), 80 FR 66128, 
66149 (Oct. 15, 2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau is also making a technical clarification to the example 
in comment 3(c)(12)-1 as adopted by the Final Rule to better describe 
the reporting requirements for financial institutions whose origination 
totals for the prior two years exceed the threshold. The clarification 
makes clear that the financial institution must report purchased loans, 
as well as originated loans and applications, as required by Sec. Sec.  
1003.4(a) and 1003.5(a). The Bureau requests comment on this 
clarification.
    Although the Final Rule did not state specifically that voluntary 
reporting of the loans excluded by Sec.  1003.3(c)(12) is allowed, 
comment 3(c)(12)-1 states that a financial institution that is below 
the 100 open-end line of credit threshold ``need not'' report such 
loans, suggesting that it might choose to report them. The Bureau 
proposes to clarify further that it interprets the exclusion in Sec.  
1003.3(c)(12), providing that the requirements of part 1003 do not 
apply to an open-end line of credit if the financial institution 
originated fewer than 100 open-end lines of credit in either of the two 
preceding calendar years, to permit a financial institution to report 
open-end lines of credit and applications for open-end lines of credit. 
The Bureau also believes the inclusion of these loans in the HMDA data 
would be appropriate if an institution chooses to do so voluntarily 
because the loans would be required to be reported if the institution 
originated more of this type of loan. As explained above, the Bureau 
proposes to interpret Sec.  1003.3(c)(11) similarly.
    As with the exclusion in Sec.  1003.3(c)(11), the Bureau believes 
that the exclusion in Sec.  1003.3(c)(12) differs from the exclusions 
in Sec.  1003.3(c)(1)-(10) and the new (13) because the applicability 
of the (c)(12) exclusion is not intrinsic to the loan. Whether the loan 
is excluded can be determined only by reference to the financial 
institution's origination activity over two years. The Bureau believes 
that financial institutions that choose to report voluntarily, 
particularly when the institution's total of open-end lines of credit 
may fluctuate above or below the threshold, may reduce their regulatory 
burden. The Bureau proposes to clarify in proposed comment 3(c)(12)-2 
that a

[[Page 19150]]

financial institution voluntarily may report open-end lines of credit 
and applications for open-end lines of credit that are excluded 
transactions because the financial institution originated fewer than 
100 open-end lines of credit in either of the two preceding calendar 
years.
    The Bureau solicits comment on the proposed comment. The Bureau 
also solicits comment on whether it should instead clarify that a 
financial institution voluntarily may report open-end lines of credit 
and applications for open-end lines of credit that are excluded 
transactions because the financial institution originated fewer than 
100 open-end lines of credit in either of the two preceding calendar 
years in the regulation text instead of the commentary. In addition, 
the Bureau solicits comment on adding specific language stating that 
financial institutions that voluntarily choose to report such 
transactions must report all such transactions.
3(c)(13)
    Comment 2(d)-2.ii as adopted by the Final Rule provided a narrow 
exception to Regulation C's general rule that an ``extension of 
credit'' occurs only when a new debt obligation is created.\45\ The 
exception covers transactions completed pursuant to a New York State 
consolidation, extension, and modification agreement and classified as 
a supplemental mortgage under New York Tax Law section 255, such that 
the borrower owes reduced or no mortgage recording taxes (New York 
CEMAs). New York CEMAs are loans secured by dwellings located in New 
York. They generally are used in place of traditional refinancings, 
either to amend a transaction's interest rate or loan term, or to 
permit a borrower to take cash out. However, unlike a traditional 
refinancing, the existing debt obligation is not ``satisfied and 
replaced.'' Instead, the existing obligation or obligations are 
consolidated into a new loan, either by the same or a different lender, 
and either with or without new funds being added to the existing loan 
balance through a preliminary credit transaction that becomes part of 
the consolidation. Under New York State law, if no new money is added 
in a preliminary transaction before the consolidation, there is no 
``new'' mortgage, and the borrower avoids paying the mortgage recording 
taxes that would have been imposed if a traditional refinancing had 
been used and the original obligation had been satisfied and replaced. 
If new money is added through a preliminary transaction and becomes 
part of the consolidated loan, the borrower pays mortgage recording 
taxes only on the new money.\46\ While generally used in place of 
traditional refinancings, New York CEMAs also can be used for home 
purchases (i.e., to complete an assumption), where the seller and buyer 
agree that the buyer will assume the seller's outstanding principal 
balance, and that balance is consolidated with a new loan to the 
borrower for the remainder of the purchase price.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \45\ In the Final Rule, the Bureau adopted Sec.  1003.2(d) to 
provide that a ``closed-end mortgage loan'' is a dwelling-secured 
``extension of credit'' that is not an open-end line of credit. 
Comment 2(d)-2 explains that, for purposes of Regulation C, an 
``extension of credit'' refers to the granting of credit pursuant to 
a new debt obligation. If a transaction modifies, renews, extends, 
or amends the terms of an existing debt obligation without 
satisfying and replacing the original debt obligation with a new 
debt obligation, the transaction generally is not an extension of 
credit under revised Regulation C. In addition, comment 2(d)-2.i 
provided another exception, for assumptions, which Regulation C 
historically has covered. The Bureau is not proposing any change to 
the assumptions exception.
    \46\ See N.Y. Tax Law 255 (Consol. 2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In treating New York CEMAs as extensions of credit, the Final Rule 
departed from prior guidance from the Board that CEMAs, which modify 
and consolidate existing debt while generally extending the loan term, 
were not covered transactions because they did not meet the definition 
of a refinancing.\47\ Comment 2(d)-2.ii, as adopted by the Final Rule, 
explains that a financial institution must report New York CEMAs if 
they are otherwise covered transactions. To facilitate the reporting of 
New York CEMAs, the Bureau proposes an exclusion from reporting for 
preliminary transactions that provide new funds that are then 
consolidated into New York CEMAs, as explained above. HMDA section 
305(a) authorizes the Bureau to prescribe such regulations as may be 
necessary to carry out HMDA's purposes.\48\ These regulations may 
include ``classifications, differentiations, or other provisions, and 
may provide for such adjustments and exceptions for any class of 
transactions, as in the judgment of the Bureau are necessary and proper 
to effectuate the purposes of [HMDA], and prevent circumvention or 
evasion thereof, or to facilitate compliance therewith.'' \49\ As 
described below, the new exception would effectuate the purposes of 
HMDA and facilitate compliance by eliminating double reporting in these 
transactions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \47\ See 80 FR 66128, 66142 (Oct. 28, 2015).
    \48\ 12 U.S.C. 2804(a).
    \49\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau explained in the Final Rule preamble that New York CEMAs 
are to be reported because the Bureau believed that they present a 
situation where a new debt obligation is created in substance, if not 
in form, and that the benefits of requiring such transactions to be 
reported justify the burdens.\50\ Such transactions are relatively 
common in New York, and the Bureau believed that reporting of New York 
CEMAs would provide useful information about this segment of the 
market. The provision interpreting ``extension of credit'' to include 
New York CEMAs in comment 2(d)-2.ii as adopted by the Final Rule was 
meant to clarify the reporting requirements regarding New York CEMAs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \50\ 80 FR 66128, 66143 (Oct. 28, 2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau has become aware of the need to further clarify 
reporting requirements regarding transactions associated with New York 
CEMAs. As explained above, a borrower may enter into a CEMA that 
consolidates both the prior debt and new funds. The new funds are added 
through a preliminary credit transaction in which the borrower obtains 
an extension of credit providing only the new funds. Then, the CEMA 
consolidates the new-funds transaction with the original mortgage loan 
into a single loan. Because the initial transaction is an extension of 
credit, it is reportable under revised Regulation C if it is otherwise 
a covered loan. In regard to New York CEMAs, this could lead to double 
reporting of the new funds, once through reporting of the preliminary 
transaction, and again through reporting of the full New York CEMA, 
which includes the new funds. The Bureau believes that such an outcome 
would elevate the form of the transaction over the substance of the 
resulting consumer indebtedness and could present challenges in 
interpreting the reported data. Therefore, the Bureau believes it is 
appropriate to require that only the New York CEMA, i.e., the single, 
consolidated loan that results after both sequential transactions are 
completed, be reported. Insofar as a New York CEMA is the functional 
equivalent of a refinancing achieved by other means purely for tax 
reasons, a New York CEMA that consolidates a preliminary extension of 
new funds is generally the functional equivalent of a refinancing with 
new funds extended, i.e., a ``cash-out'' refinancing, which is clearly 
a single transaction and thus is reported as such.
    To achieve this outcome, the Bureau proposes, in Sec.  
1003.3(c)(13), that any transaction providing or, in the case of an 
application, proposing to provide new funds in advance of a 
consolidation as part of a New York CEMA be an

[[Page 19151]]

excluded transaction. The exception further provides that the 
transaction is excluded only if final action on the consolidation was 
taken in the same calendar year as final action on the new funds. The 
Bureau believes that this exclusion would clarify and simplify 
reporting of New York CEMAs, eliminating double reporting and 
facilitating compliance for financial institutions that provide New 
York CEMAs. The proposal does not change the exception in comment 2(d)-
2.ii that requires New York CEMAs to be reported as extensions of 
credit.
    The Bureau also proposes new comment 3(c)(13)-1 explaining use of 
the new Sec.  1003.3(c)(13) exclusion. Following the language in the 
regulation, proposed comment 3(c)(13)-1 would clarify that the 
exclusion does not apply to a transaction that is consolidated in a New 
York CEMA if the final action on the consolidation has not been 
completed prior to the end of the calendar year in which final action 
on the preliminary transaction occurred. The consolidation into the 
CEMA is what qualifies the prior transaction to be an excluded 
transaction, thus final action on that consolidation must occur within 
the relevant final reporting period.
    Consolidation transactions similar to New York CEMAs occur in 
States other than New York, although the Bureau believes they are far 
less common.\51\ Non-New York CEMAs may be called CEMAs or MECAs 
(modification, extension and consolidation agreements). In the Final 
Rule, the Bureau limited the reporting requirement in comment 2(d)-2.ii 
to New York CEMAs. As with New York CEMAs, similar transactions in 
other States may involve preliminary transactions the proceeds of which 
become part of the consolidation. In addition to the interpretation 
discussed above, proposed comment 3(c)(13)-1 would explain that the 
exclusion for preliminary transactions consolidated into New York CEMAs 
would not apply to similar preliminary transactions that are 
consolidated pursuant to the law of States other than New York, 
providing an example. The comment would also explain that if such a 
preliminary transaction providing new funds is a covered loan, it must 
be reported. In addition, the comment would also state that if the 
associated consolidation and modification agreement is carried out 
pursuant to the law of a state other than New York and is not an 
extension of credit under Regulation C, it may not be reported.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \51\ 80 FR 66128, 66143 (Oct. 28, 2015), n. 113.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau requests comment on the proposed exclusion and comment, 
including whether clarification of the exclusion in relation to 
quarterly reporting would be helpful.

Section 1003.4 Compilation of Reportable Data

4(a) Data Format and Itemization
4(a)(1)
4(a)(1)(i)
    HMDA section 304(b)(6)(G), as amended by Dodd-Frank Act section 
1094(3)(A)(iv), authorizes the Bureau to require a universal loan 
identifier, as it may determine to be appropriate.\52\ Currently, Sec.  
1003.4(a)(1) requires financial institutions to report an identifying 
number for each covered loan or application reported. As adopted by the 
Final Rule, Sec.  1003.4(a)(1)(i) requires financial institutions to 
provide a universal loan identifier (ULI) for each covered loan or 
application reported. Section 1003.4(a)(1)(i) and its associated 
commentary also address ULI requirements for purchased covered loans 
and applications that are reconsidered or reinstated during the same 
calendar year. In addition, the Final Rule requires a check digit as 
part of the ULI.\53\ The check digit is meant to enable financial 
institutions to identify and correct errors in the ULI, which would 
ensure a valid ULI, and therefore enhance data quality. As part of the 
Final Rule, the Bureau published new appendix C that includes the 
methodology for generating a check digit and instructions on how to 
validate a ULI using the check digit. As described below, the Bureau 
proposes certain amendments to appendix C and to the commentary to 
Sec.  1003.4(a)(1)(i) to make certain non-substantive changes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \52\ 12 U.S.C. 2803(b)(6)(G).
    \53\ 12 CFR 1003.4(a)(1)(i)(C).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau has become aware of a typographical error that occurs 
twice in appendix C and makes one method of computation of the check 
digit inaccurate. The Bureau proposes to correct the typographical 
error. Step 3 of the method for computing the check digit has two 
alternatives. Appendix C mistakenly provides that the second of the 
alternatives requires multiplication by .97 when the needed operation 
requires multiplication by 97 for the result to be accurate. The same 
typographical error occurs in Step 3 of the example based on this 
alternative method. The computation result presented in the example, 
59.946, can be reached only by multiplying by 97, not .97. The Bureau 
proposes to revise appendix C by substituting 97 for .97 from the 
relevant instructions in appendix C.
    In addition, the Bureau proposes certain amendments to the 
commentary to Sec.  1003.4(a)(1)(i) adopted by the Final Rule to 
reflect the different effective dates for data reporting requirements 
adopted by the Final Rule and to make certain non-substantive 
clarifications. Comments 4(a)(1)(i)-3 and -4, effective January 1, 
2018, provide guidance for the reporting of the ULI for purchased 
covered loans and reinstated or reconsidered applications, 
respectively. Comment 4(a)(1)(i)-3 includes an illustrative example 
that references Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(i) and (ii). Comment 4(a)(1)(i)-3 
also includes, in relevant part, a statement regarding a financial 
institution's submission of its loan/application register pursuant to 
Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(i) or (ii), whichever is applicable. Comment 
4(a)(1)(i)-4 includes two illustrative examples that reference Sec.  
1003.5(a)(1)(ii) and provide guidance regarding how a financial 
institution complies with the ULI reporting requirement with regard to 
its quarterly data submission. However, Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(i), adopted 
by the Final Rule to set forth revised requirements for a financial 
institution's submission of its annual loan/application register, has 
an effective date of January 1, 2019. Additionally, Sec.  
1003.5(a)(1)(ii), adopted by the Final Rule to set forth new 
requirements for certain financial institutions to submit a quarterly 
loan/application register, has an effective date of January 1, 2020.
    Because Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(i) and (ii) will not yet be effective on 
January 1, 2018, when Sec.  1003.4(a)(1)(i) and its commentary take 
effect, the Bureau proposes to amend comments 4(a)(1)(i)-3 and -4 to 
remove the references to these paragraphs. Specifically, the Bureau 
proposes to amend comment 4(a)(1)(i)-3 to remove the illustrative 
example that discusses Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(i) and (ii), and to replace 
the statement regarding Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(i) or (ii), whichever is 
applicable, with a reference to current Sec.  1003.5(a)(1). The Bureau 
also proposes minor clarifications to the first sentence of comment 
4(a)(1)(i)-3 to explain that if a financial institution previously has 
assigned a covered loan with a ULI or reported a covered loan with a 
ULI under Regulation C, a financial institution that purchases that 
covered loan must report the same ULI that previously was assigned or 
reported. Additionally, the Bureau proposes to add language to comment 
4(a)(1)(i)-3 to illustrate a situation where a covered

[[Page 19152]]

loan was not assigned a ULI by the financial institution that 
originated the loan because, for example, the loan was originated prior 
to January 1, 2018 or that financial institution was not required to 
report under Regulation C.
    Similarly, the Bureau proposes to amend comment 4(a)(1)(i)-4 to 
remove the references to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii) in the comment's 
illustrative examples and to discuss in the examples a financial 
institution's annual data submission under current Sec.  1003.5(a)(1) 
rather than its quarterly submission under Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii). The 
Bureau proposes to remove the first sentence of comment 4(a)(1)(i)-4 
regarding a financial institution using a ULI previously reported 
during the same calendar year, as such a situation would arise only 
where a financial institution makes a quarterly submission. The Bureau 
also proposes to amend comment 4(a)(1)(i)-4 to refer to an 
``origination'' rather than an ``approved application,'' and make other 
minor, non-substantive changes to improve clarity and remove 
unnecessary language.
    Additionally, the Bureau proposes to amend comments 4(a)(1)(i)-3 
and -4 effective January 1, 2020, to re-incorporate the language of 
these comments as originally adopted, for the most part, in the Final 
Rule. As discussed above, Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(i) and (ii) will be 
effective on January 1, 2019, and January 1, 2020, respectively. The 
Bureau believes it would be appropriate for comments 4(a)(1)(i)-3 and -
4 to reference these paragraphs once they become effective. Therefore, 
effective January 1, 2020, proposed comments 4(a)(1)(i)-3 and -4 would 
include the references and explanations regarding a financial 
institution's annual submission pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(i) and a 
financial institution's quarterly submission pursuant to Sec.  
1003.5(a)(1)(ii), as adopted by the Final Rule. The proposal would 
generally retain the clarifications to comments 4(a)(1)(i)-3 and -4 
that the Bureau proposes to adopt effective January 1, 2018, but would 
remove the proposed reference to the annual loan/application register 
submitted pursuant to current Sec.  1003.5(a)(1). Additionally, the 
proposal would include certain additional non-substantive 
clarifications to the illustrative examples in comment 4(a)(1)(i)-3.
    The Bureau solicits comment on the proposed amendments to appendix 
C and to the commentary.
4(a)(2)
    HMDA section 304(b)(1) requires financial institutions to report 
``the number and dollar amount of mortgage loans which are insured 
under Title II of the National Housing Act or under Title V of the 
Housing Act of 1949 or which are guaranteed under chapter 37 of Title 
38.'' Current Sec.  1003.4(a)(2) implements this requirement by 
requiring financial institutions to report the type of loan or 
application. In the Final Rule, the Bureau revised Sec.  1003.4(a)(2) 
to require financial institutions to report whether the covered loan 
is, or in the case of an application would have been, insured by the 
Federal Housing Administration, guaranteed by the Veterans 
Administration, or guaranteed by the Rural Housing Service or the Farm 
Service Agency. The Bureau adopted new comment 4(a)(2)-1 to provide 
further guidance. In finalizing revisions to Sec.  1003.4(a)(2), 
however, the Bureau included a legacy reference to the Veterans 
Administration rather than to the Department of Veterans Affairs, which 
is the government agency that guarantees mortgage loans under chapter 
37 of Title 38. To correct this oversight, the Bureau proposes to 
substitute ``Department of Veterans Affairs'' for ``Veterans 
Administration'' in Sec.  1003.4(a)(2) and comment 4(a)(2)-1. The 
Bureau seeks comment on this proposed amendment.
4(a)(3)
    Current Sec.  1003.4(a)(3) requires financial institutions to 
report the purpose of a covered loan or application using the 
categories home purchase, home improvement, or refinancing. The Bureau 
revised Sec.  1003.4(a)(3) in the Final Rule to add an ``other'' 
category, a cash-out refinancing category, and to make changes to the 
commentary to implement these additional categories and provide 
instructions for reporting covered loans with multiple purposes. The 
Bureau proposes to add proposed comment 4(a)(3)-6 to clarify the 
reporting requirements under revised Sec.  1003.4(a)(3) for purchased 
covered loans originated prior to January 1, 2018.
    In light of the new loan purpose categories that differentiate 
cash-out refinancings from refinancings generally and the revised 
guidance on reporting covered loans with multiple purposes, the Bureau 
believes that, for purchased covered loans originated prior to January 
1, 2018, the effective date of the revised reporting requirements in 
Sec.  1003.4(a)(3), determining the reportable loan purpose as required 
under the Final Rule may present significant challenges. For example, 
the Bureau understands that under the Final Rule, the purchaser of such 
loans could need to conduct individual reviews of each loan file to 
determine whether a loan is a refinancing or a cash-out refinancing 
under revised Sec.  1003.4(a)(3). The Bureau does not intend to impose 
such a burden on financial institutions that purchase loans originated 
prior to January 1, 2018. To facilitate compliance with the new 
reporting requirements in revised Sec.  1003.4(a)(3), the Bureau 
proposes to add new comment 4(a)(3)-6 to provide that for purchased 
covered loans where the origination took place prior to January 1, 
2018, a financial institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(3) by 
reporting that the requirement is not applicable. The Bureau solicits 
comment on this proposed amendment.
4(a)(8)
4(a)(8)(i)
    Revised Sec.  1003.4(a)(8)(i) requires financial institutions to 
report the action taken on covered loans and applications. Current 
comment 4(a)(8)-1 explains how to report the action taken when a 
financial institution makes a counteroffer to lend on terms different 
from the applicant's initial request and the applicant does not accept 
the counteroffer or fails to respond, and comment 4(a)(8)(i)-9 as 
adopted by the Final Rule reiterates the explanation with no 
substantive change. Current comment 4(a)(8)-4 explains how to report 
the action taken when a financial institution provides a conditional 
approval on the application for a covered loan. Comment 4(a)(8)(i)-13 
as adopted by the Final Rule expanded the guidance of current comment 
4(a)(8)-4, addressing many more scenarios in which a conditional 
approval occurs. The Bureau proposes to clarify the guidance on 
reporting action taken for counteroffers and its relation to the 
guidance on reporting action taken on conditional approvals.
    The Bureau recognizes that revised comments 4(a)(8)(i)-9 and 
4(a)(8)(i)-13 may be read as in tension regarding how to report the 
action taken on an application for which a counteroffer is made, the 
applicant expresses interest in the new terms, and the financial 
institution provides a conditional approval to which the applicant does 
not respond or which otherwise does not result in an originated loan. 
Comment 4(a)(8)(i)-9 can be read to require the financial institution 
to report the action taken as a denial on the original loan terms 
applied for, while comment 4(a)(8)(i)-13 can be read to require the 
action taken to be reported as a denial, file closed for 
incompleteness, approved but not accepted, or application withdrawn,

[[Page 19153]]

depending on the circumstances. In addition, limiting the reportable 
actions taken for counteroffers to only covered loan originated or 
application denied may lead to less complete and accurate reporting.
    In addressing inquiries raising this concern, the Bureau has 
provided informal guidance that a financial institution should follow 
comment 4(a)(8)(i)-13 when an application for which a counteroffer is 
made is followed by a conditional approval that does not result in an 
originated loan. In accordance with this informal guidance, and to 
address the need to provide a full range of options in reporting the 
action taken on an application when there is a counteroffer, the Bureau 
proposes to amend the language of comment 4(a)(8)(i)-9 to broaden the 
possible actions taken that may be reported by clarifying that if the 
applicant agrees to proceed with consideration of the financial 
institution's counteroffer, the counteroffer takes the place of the 
prior application, and the financial institution reports the action 
taken on the application under the terms of the counteroffer. In 
addition, the Bureau proposes to illustrate this interpretation by 
providing an example in comment 4(a)(8)(i)-9. The example would clarify 
that if a financial institution makes a counteroffer and the applicant 
agrees to proceed with consideration of the counteroffer, and the 
financial institution sends a conditional approval letter stating the 
terms of the counteroffer, the financial institution reports the action 
taken on the application in accordance with comment 4(a)(8)(i)-13 
regarding conditional approvals. The Bureau solicits comment on the 
amended language and new example.
    In addition, the Bureau proposes a technical correction to comment 
4(a)(8)(i)-6, as adopted by the Final Rule, correcting a citation that 
was intended to reference Regulation B, 12 CFR 1002.9(c)(1)(i). The 
citation reads, ``12 CFR 1002.9(c)(i).'' This proposal would correct 
the typographical error by inserting the ``(1)'' paragraph designation 
missing from the citation.
4(a)(9)
4(a)(9)(i)
    Section 1003.4(a)(9)(i) as adopted by the Final Rule requires 
financial institutions to report the property address of the property 
securing the covered loan or, in the case of an application, proposed 
to secure the covered loan.\54\ Comment 4(a)(9)(i)-3 as adopted by the 
Final Rule explains that this requirement is not applicable if the 
address of the property securing the covered loan is not known and 
provides an example. The Bureau proposes certain non-substantive 
amendments to comment 4(a)(9)(i)-3 to replace ``indicate'' with 
``reports'' for consistency with other comments providing similar 
guidance and solicits comment on the proposed revisions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \54\ See HMDA section 304(b)(6)(H), 12 U.S.C. 2803(b)(6)(H).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

4(a)(9)(ii)
    Current Sec.  1003.4(a)(9) and Sec.  1003.4(a)(9)(ii), as adopted 
by the Final Rule, both require financial institutions to report 
certain information for certain transactions about the location of the 
property related to the covered loan or application, including the 
State, county, and census tract.\55\ For the reasons set forth below, 
the Bureau proposes amendments to the commentary to Sec.  
1003.4(a)(9)(ii)(A) through (C) to provide guidance on what a financial 
institution should report if it has incomplete information about the 
location of the property when reporting an application.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \55\ See Sec.  1003.4(a)(9); 12 U.S.C. 2803(a)(2)(A). Section 
1003.4(a)(9) requires reporting of property location information if 
the property securing the covered loan or in the case of an 
application proposed to secure the covered loan is located in a MSA 
or Metropolitan Division(MD) in which the financial institution has 
a home or branch office. In addition, Sec.  1003.4(e) requires banks 
and savings associations that are required to report data on small 
business, small farm, and community development lending under 
regulations that implement the Community Reinvestment Act to collect 
the location of property located outside MSAs and MDs in which the 
institution has a home or branch office or outside of any MSA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A financial institution may have incomplete information about the 
location of a property when it takes final action on an application in 
certain situations. For example, an applicant may not identify a 
specific property or census tract, but may provide the financial 
institution with only the State and county where the applicant intends 
to purchase a home before the financial institution denies the 
application.
    The Bureau proposes new comments 4(a)(9)(ii)(A)-1, 4(a)(9)(ii)(B)-
2, and 4(a)(9)(ii)(C)-2 to clarify that the financial institution 
reports that the property-location requirement, as applicable, is not 
applicable when reporting an application if the State, county, or 
census tract, respectively, is not known before the application was 
denied, withdrawn, or closed for incompleteness. The Bureau solicits 
comment on these proposed new comments.
4(a)(10)
4(a)(10)(ii)
    Section 1003.4(a)(10)(ii) as adopted by the Final Rule requires 
that a financial institution report the age of the applicant or 
borrower. Comment 4(a)(10)(ii)-3, as adopted by the Final Rule, 
contains a drafting error in providing guidance on treatment of 
purchased loans that refers to reporting income rather than age. The 
Bureau proposes to correct the drafting error in comment 4(a)(10)(ii)-3 
by replacing the term ``income'' with ``age'' to make clear that a 
financial institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(10)(ii) by 
reporting that the requirement is not applicable when reporting a 
purchased loan for which the institution chooses not to report the age 
of the applicant or borrower. The Bureau solicits comment on this 
proposed correction.
4(a)(10)(iii)
    HMDA section 304(b)(4) requires the reporting of income level for 
borrowers and applicants. Section 1003.4(a)(10) of the current rule 
requires a financial institution to report the gross annual income 
relied on in processing an application. The Final Rule amended that 
requirement, requiring in Sec.  1003.4(a)(10)(iii) that a financial 
institution report the gross annual income relied on in making the 
credit decision or processing the application if a credit decision was 
not made.\56\ Comment 4(a)(10)(iii)-4 adopted by the Final Rule 
explains that a financial institution does not include as income 
amounts considered in making a credit decision based on factors that an 
institution relies on in addition to income, such as amounts derived 
from annuitization or depletion of an applicant's remaining assets.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \56\ Section 1003.4(a)(10)(iii) also excluded from the reporting 
of this data point covered loans and applications for which the 
credit decision did not consider or would not have considered 
income. See the commentary to Sec.  1003.4(a)(10)(iii) for more 
information and descriptions of different situations in which the 
income reporting requirement is not applicable.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau has become aware of uncertainty among financial 
institutions regarding how to determine which amounts are derived from 
annuitization or depletion of an applicant's remaining assets. The use 
of the modifier ``remaining'' in regard to the assets referred to was 
meant to refer to assets that are not in actual distribution, but are 
remaining. In addition, the word ``derived'' was meant to refer to the 
underwriting method by which hypothetical (not actual) distributions 
are calculated from the amounts of the remaining assets.

[[Page 19154]]

    The Bureau proposes to clarify in comment 4(a)(10)(iii)-4 that a 
financial institution does not include as income amounts considered in 
making a credit decision based on factors that an institution relies on 
in addition to income, such as amounts derived from underwriting 
calculations of the potential annuitization or depletion of an 
applicant's remaining assets. Actual distributions from retirement 
accounts or other assets that are relied on by the financial 
institution as income should be reported as income. Because the 
determination of what to exclude depends on the underwriting method the 
financial institution applies in making the credit decision, the 
proposed clarification should facilitate implementation of the Final 
Rule.\57\ In addition, to avoid confusion and facilitate compliance, 
the Bureau proposes to add language clarifying that the comment's 
interpretation of income does not apply to Sec.  1003.4(a)(23) as 
adopted in the Final Rule, which requires, except for purchased covered 
loans, the collection of the ratio of the applicant's or borrower's 
total monthly debt to the total monthly income relied on in making the 
credit decision. The Bureau solicits comment on proposed revisions to 
the commentary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \57\ Intermittent actual withdrawals from the remaining assets 
should not be reported if the financial institution does not 
consider them as income in its underwriting.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

4(a)(12)
    HMDA section 304(b)(5)(B) requires financial institutions to report 
mortgage loan information, grouped according to measurements of ``the 
difference between the annual percentage rate associated with the loan 
and a benchmark rate or rates for all loans.'' \58\ Current Sec.  
1003.4(a)(12)(i) requires financial institutions to report, for 
originated loans subject to Regulation Z, 12 CFR part 1026, the 
difference between a loan's annual percentage rate (APR) and the 
average prime offer rate (APOR) for a comparable transaction, as of the 
date the interest rate is set, if the difference equals or exceeds 1.5 
percentage points for first-lien loans, or 3.5 percentage points for 
subordinate-lien loans. Current Sec.  1003.4(a)(12)(ii) explains that 
the APOR is an annual percentage rate that is derived from average 
interest rates, points, and other loan pricing terms currently offered 
to consumers by a representative sample of creditors for mortgage loans 
that have low-risk pricing characteristics. Section 1003.4(a)(12)(ii) 
further explains that the Bureau publishes APORs for a broad range of 
types of transactions in tables updated at least weekly, as well as the 
methodology the Bureau uses to derive these rates. As revised by the 
Final Rule, Sec.  1003.4(a)(12)(i) requires financial institutions to 
report, for covered loans subject to Regulation Z, 12 CFR part 1026, 
other than assumptions, purchased covered loans, and reverse mortgages, 
the difference between the covered loan's APR and APOR for a comparable 
transaction as of the date the interest rate is set. In other words, 
the Final Rule requires that rate spread be reported for most covered 
loans subject to Regulation Z, 12 CFR part 1026, and not just certain 
loans that are considered higher-priced. For the reasons set forth 
below, the Bureau proposes certain amendments to Sec.  
1003.4(a)(12)(ii) and to the Sec.  1003.4(a)(12) commentary adopted by 
the Final Rule and proposes new comment 4(a)(12)-9 to address reporting 
requirements when corrected disclosures are provided.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \58\ Section 1094(3)(A)(iv) of the Dodd-Frank Act amended HMDA 
by adding section 304(b)(5)(B), which expanded the rate spread 
reporting requirement beyond higher-priced mortgage loans.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Average Prime Offer Rate (APOR)
    The Bureau calculates APORs on a weekly basis according to a 
methodology statement that is available to the public and then posts 
the APORs on the FFIEC Web site. To calculate APORs, survey data on 
four mortgage products are used and posted on the FFIEC Web site 
weekly: 30-year fixed rate mortgage, 15-year fixed rate mortgage, five-
year variable rate mortgage, and one-year variable rate mortgage. 
Currently, the FFIEC Web site provides both the methodology for 
calculating APORs and a description of the survey data used to 
calculate them. However, recent changes in the marketplace have altered 
several times the source of the survey data for the one-year variable 
rate mortgage product that the Bureau uses to calculate weekly 
APORs.\59\ To streamline how the Bureau provides notice of the sources 
of survey data, the Bureau has announced that it will continue to post 
the survey data and the source of the data used to calculate APORs on 
the FFIEC Web site every week but will no longer revise the methodology 
statement each time it is necessary to change the source of survey data 
and has removed the references to the sources of survey data from the 
methodology statement.\60\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \59\ 81 FR 64142 (Sept. 19, 2016); 81 FR 52831 (Aug. 10, 2016).
    \60\ 81 FR 64142 (Sept. 19, 2016). The source of survey data 
used by the Bureau to calculate APORs is currently available, 
however, on the FFIEC Web site, https://www.ffiec.gov/ratespread/mortgagerates.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In light of the recent variability in the sources of survey data 
used to calculate APORs and the Bureau's resulting revisions to the 
methodology statement, the Bureau proposes certain amendments to Sec.  
1003.4(a)(12)(ii). The Bureau proposes to amend Sec.  1003.4(a)(12)(ii) 
to remove the reference to ``points,'' as points are accounted for in 
``other loan pricing terms'' and to explain that APOR is derived from a 
set of creditors rather than a representative sample of creditors. The 
Bureau also proposes to amend Sec.  1003.4(a)(12)(ii) to explain that 
the Bureau publishes tables of APORs by transaction type at least 
weekly and also publishes the methodology it uses to derive these 
rates. The Bureau will still provide the public with its APOR 
calculation methodology statement, but believes that given the recent 
changes regarding the availability of survey data, providing additional 
flexibility in Sec.  1003.4(a)(12)(ii) regarding the calculation is 
advisable.
    The Bureau proposes amendments to revised comment 4(a)(12)-1 to 
conform to the proposed amendments to Sec.  1003.4(a)(12)(ii). Proposed 
comment 4(a)(12)-1 would explain that APORs are APRs derived from 
average interest rates and other loan pricing terms offered to 
borrowers by a set of creditors for mortgage loans that have low-risk 
pricing characteristics. It would also provide that other loan pricing 
terms may include commonly used indices, margins, and initial fixed-
rate periods for variable-rate transactions. Proposed comment 4(a)(12)-
1 would explain that relevant pricing characteristics may include a 
consumer's credit history and transaction characteristics such as the 
loan-to-value ratio, owner-occupant status, and purpose of the 
transaction, and that, to obtain APORs, the Bureau uses creditor data 
by transaction type. Given the recent variability in the APOR source 
data discussed above, the proposal would remove other requirements for 
the source data.
    Additionally, the Bureau proposes amendments to revised comment 
4(a)(12)-2. The Bureau proposes to amend comment 4(a)(12)-2 to explain 
that the Bureau publishes tables of current and historic APORs by 
transaction type and its methodology statement on its Web site (http://www.consumerfinance.gov) in addition to the FFIEC Web site. Given the 
Bureau's role as processor of the HMDA data starting with data 
collected in 2017, the Bureau believes it would be appropriate for the 
Bureau to publish tables of current and historic APOR rates by 
transaction type and its methodology statement on its Web site

[[Page 19155]]

in addition to the FFIEC Web site. The Bureau also proposes to 
substitute the term ``creditor data'' for ``survey data,'' consistent 
with the Bureau's proposed amendment to comment 4(a)(12)-1, and to 
clarify that the Bureau may use other sources of data to estimate APRs 
when data are limited or not available. The Bureau seeks comment on 
these proposed amendments.
Open-End Lines of Credit
    The Final Rule revised comment 4(a)(12)-3 to clarify that the 
requirements of Sec.  1003.4(a)(12)(i) refer to the covered loan's APR. 
Revised comment 4(a)(12)-3 further explains that a financial 
institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(12)(i) by relying on the APR 
for the covered loan, as calculated and disclosed pursuant to 
Regulation Z Sec.  1026.18 or 1026.38 (for closed-end mortgage loans) 
or 1026.40 (for open-end lines of credit), as applicable. Thus, for 
closed-end mortgage loans, the Final Rule refers to the APR as 
calculated and disclosed pursuant to Regulation Z Sec. Sec.  1026.18 
and 1026.38, which set forth requirements for the contents of the 
disclosures that must be provided to consumers prior to consummation of 
certain closed-end mortgage loans.\61\ However, for open-end lines of 
credit, the Final Rule refers to the APR as calculated and disclosed 
pursuant to Regulation Z Sec.  1026.40, which sets forth requirements 
regarding the disclosures provided at the time an application is 
provided to the consumer. The Final Rule does not refer to Regulation Z 
Sec.  1026.6, which sets forth the disclosure requirements for open-end 
lines of credit at account opening.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \61\ Regulation Z Sec.  1026.19(a)(1)(i) requires the creditor 
to deliver or place in the mail good faith estimates of the 
disclosures required by Sec.  1026.18 not later than the third 
business day after the creditor receives the consumer's written 
application. Section 1026.19(a)(2)(i) requires the creditor to 
deliver or place in the mail the disclosures required by Sec.  
1026.19(a)(1)(i) not later than the seventh business day before 
consummation of the transaction. If the APR disclosed under Sec.  
1026.19(a)(1)(i) becomes inaccurate, as defined in Sec.  1026.22, 
Sec.  1026.19(a)(2)(ii) provides that the creditor shall provide 
corrected disclosures no later than three business days before 
consummation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau believes that referring to the APR as calculated and 
disclosed at the time of account opening for open-end lines of credit, 
rather than at the time of application, would result in the reporting 
of more useful data under Sec.  1003.4(a)(12)(i) and would improve 
consistency with the rate spread reporting requirements for closed-end 
mortgage loans. Accordingly, the Bureau proposes to amend revised 
comment 4(a)(12)-3 to remove the reference to Regulation Z Sec.  
1026.40 and to replace it with a reference to Regulation Z Sec.  
1026.6. The Bureau also proposes a technical correction to correct a 
typographical error and remove the unnecessary ``credit'' in the 
comment's parenthetical explanation regarding open-end lines of credit. 
The Bureau seeks comment on these proposed amendments.
Rate-Set Date
    The Final Rule adopted new comment 4(a)(12)-5 to clarify that the 
relevant date to use to determine the APOR for a comparable transaction 
is the date on which the covered loan's interest rate was set by the 
financial institution for the final time before closing or account 
opening. Comment 4(a)(12)-5 includes several illustrative examples. 
Comment 4(a)(12)-5.iii explains that, when a financial institution has 
reporting responsibility for an application for a covered loan that it 
received from a broker, as discussed in comment 4(a)-4 (e.g., because 
the financial institution makes a credit decision prior to closing or 
account opening), the rate-set date is the last date the financial 
institution set the rate with the broker, not the date the broker set 
the borrower's rate. In the Final Rule, the Bureau adopted proposed 
comment 4(a)-4, renumbered as comment 4(a)-2, to provide guidance on a 
financial institution's reporting responsibilities when a single 
transaction involves more than one institution. However, the Bureau did 
not update comment 4(a)(12)-5.iii in the Final Rule to reflect the 
renumbering of proposed comment 4(a)-4 as comment 4(a)-2. To correct 
this oversight, the Bureau proposes to amend comment 4(a)(12)-5.iii to 
replace the reference to comment 4(a)-4 with a reference to comment 
4(a)-2. The Bureau solicits comment on this proposed amendment.
Application or Preapproval Request Approved but Not Accepted
    As adopted by the Final Rule, comment 4(a)(12)-8 explains that, in 
the case of an application approved but not accepted or a preapproval 
request that was approved but not accepted, Sec.  1003.4(a)(12) 
requires the financial institution to report the applicable rate 
spread. As discussed above, revised comment 4(a)(12)-3 clarifies that, 
for closed-end mortgage loans, a financial institution complies with 
Sec.  1003.4(a)(12)(i) by relying on the APR for the covered loan as 
calculated and disclosed pursuant to Regulation Z Sec.  1026.18 or 
Sec.  1026.38. Additionally, the Bureau proposes to amend revised 
comment 4(a)(12)-3 to clarify that, for open-end lines of credit, a 
financial institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(12)(i) by relying 
on the APR as calculated and disclosed pursuant to Regulation Z Sec.  
1026.6. However, the Bureau is concerned that, in a situation where an 
application or a preapproval request is approved but not accepted, the 
guidance provided in revised comment 4(a)(12)-3 may not be applicable 
because the transaction will not be consummated or the account may not 
be opened, as applicable. In such cases, the financial institution 
would provide the early disclosures at the time of application required 
under Regulation Z Sec.  1026.18 or Sec.  1026.37 (for closed-end 
mortgage loans) or Sec.  1026.40 (for open-end lines of credit) but 
could never provide subsequent disclosures prior to consummation or at 
the time of account opening.
    Accordingly, the Bureau proposes to amend comment 4(a)(12)-8 to 
clarify reporting requirements where an application or a preapproval 
request is approved but not accepted and only the early disclosures 
required under Regulation Z Sec. Sec.  1026.18, 1026.37, or 1026.40, as 
applicable, are provided. The Bureau proposes to add language to 
comment 4(a)(12)-8 recognizing that, where an application or a 
preapproval request is approved but not accepted, the financial 
institution would provide early disclosures under Regulation Z Sec.  
1026.18 or Sec.  1026.37 (for closed-end mortgage loans) or Sec.  
1026.40 (for open-end lines of credit), but could never provide any 
subsequent disclosures. The Bureau proposes to clarify further that, in 
such cases where no subsequent disclosures are provided, a financial 
institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(12)(i) by relying on the APR 
for the covered loan as calculated and disclosed pursuant to Regulation 
Z Sec.  1026.18 or Sec.  1026.37 (for closed-end mortgage loans) or 
Sec.  1026.40 (for open-end lines of credit), as applicable. The Bureau 
believes the proposal would clarify which APR a financial institution 
must rely on for purposes of complying with Sec.  1003.4(a)(12)(i) when 
an application or a preapproval request is approved but not accepted 
and only the early Regulation Z disclosures are provided. In short, if 
disclosures were provided at consummation or account opening, the 
financial institution relies on those disclosures; if no such later 
disclosures were provided because the application or preapproval 
request was approved but not accepted, the financial institution relies 
on the earlier disclosures provided at the application stage. The 
Bureau seeks comment on this proposed clarification.

[[Page 19156]]

Corrected Disclosures
    The Bureau proposes to add new comment 4(a)(12)-9 to provide 
guidance in situations where a financial institution provides a 
corrected disclosure under Regulation Z that reflects a corrected APR. 
The Final Rule does not explain how a financial institution complies 
with Sec.  [thinsp]1003.4(a)(12)(i) in such cases. Specifically, the 
Final Rule does not clarify whether a financial institution relies on 
the APR for the covered loan or application approved but not accepted 
as initially calculated and disclosed, or whether a financial 
institution relies on the APR as calculated and disclosed pursuant to 
the corrected disclosure. However, as adopted by the Final Rule, 
Sec. Sec.  1003.4(a)(17)(i) and 1003.4(a)(18) through (20), which 
require reporting of certain pricing data points as disclosed on the 
Closing Disclosure pursuant to Regulation Z Sec.  1026.38, provide 
guidance regarding how a financial institution complies with its 
reporting requirements when a revised pricing data point is reflected 
on a revised Closing Disclosure. The commentary to Sec. Sec.  
1003.4(a)(17)(i) and 1003.4(a)(18) through (20) explains that, in 
general, if the amount of the applicable pricing data point changes 
because a financial institution provides a revised version of the 
disclosures required under Regulation Z Sec.  1026.19(f), pursuant to 
Sec.  1026.19(f)(2), the financial institution complies with the 
applicable reporting requirement by reporting the revised amount of the 
pricing data point, provided that the revised disclosure was provided 
to the borrower during the same reporting period in which closing 
occurred.
    The Bureau believes similar commentary to Sec.  1003.4(a)(12) would 
address potential uncertainty regarding the reporting requirements 
under Sec.  1003.4(a)(12)(i) when a corrected disclosure under 
Regulation Z is provided. Specifically, the Bureau proposes to add new 
comment 4(a)(12)-9 to explain that, in the case of an application 
approved but not accepted or a preapproval request that was approved 
but not accepted, if the APR changes because a financial institution 
provides a corrected version of the disclosures required under 
Regulation Z Sec.  1026.19(a), pursuant to Sec.  1026.19(a)(2), under 
Regulation Z Sec.  1026.19(f), pursuant to Sec.  1026.19(f)(2), or 
under Regulation Z Sec.  1026.6(a), the financial institution complies 
with Sec.  1003.4(a)(12)(i) by comparing the corrected and disclosed 
APR to the most recently available APOR that was in effect for a 
comparable transaction as of the rate-set date. The comment would 
further clarify that this guidance applies so long as the corrected 
disclosure was provided to the borrower prior to the end of the 
reporting period in which final action is taken. It would explain that 
for purposes of Sec.  1003.4(a)(12), the date the corrected disclosure 
was provided to the borrower is the date disclosed pursuant to 
Regulation Z Sec.  1026.38(a)(3)(i). Proposed comment 4(a)(12)-9 would 
also explain that the corrected disclosure does not affect the rate-set 
date, and would include an example illustrating how its guidance 
applies in the case of a financial institution's annual loan/
application register submission made pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1).
    Additionally the Bureau proposes to amend proposed new comment 
4(a)(12)-9, effective January 1, 2020, to reflect the revised annual 
reporting requirements in Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(i) and the quarterly 
reporting requirements in Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii). The Bureau proposes 
to amend the illustrative example in proposed new comment 4(a)(12)-9, 
effective January 1, 2020, to remove the reference to current Sec.  
1003.5(a)(1). It would instead provide illustrative examples to 
demonstrate how a financial institution complies with Sec.  
1003.4(a)(12)(i) when a corrected APR is reflected on a corrected 
disclosure in the case of an annual loan/application register made 
pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(i) and a quarterly loan/application 
register made pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii). The Bureau solicits 
comment on the proposed amendments.
4(a)(15)
    Section 1094(3)(A)(iv) of the Dodd-Frank Act amended section 304(b) 
of HMDA to require financial institutions to report the credit scores 
of borrowers and applicants, ``in such form as the Bureau may 
prescribe.'' \62\ Excluding purchased covered loans, Sec.  
1003.4(a)(15), as adopted by the Final Rule, requires that a financial 
institution report the credit score or scores relied on in making the 
credit decision and the name and version of the scoring model used to 
generate each credit score. Comment 4(a)(15)-2, as adopted by the Final 
Rule, explains how to report the credit score and scoring model when 
there are multiple credit scores obtained or created by a financial 
institution. Comment 4(a)(15)-3, as adopted by the Final Rule, explains 
how to report credit scores when there are multiple applicants or 
borrowers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \62\ 12 U.S.C. 2803(b)(6)(I).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau has become aware that comments 4(a)(15)-2 and -3 may not 
explain clearly how to report the scoring model for a composite credit 
score and how to report a single credit score when there are multiple 
applicants or borrowers. Consequently, the Bureau proposes to amend 
comment 4(a)(15)-2 to clarify that, when a financial institution uses 
more than one credit scoring model and combines the scores into a 
composite credit score, the financial institution should report that 
score and report that more than one credit scoring model was used. In 
addition, the Bureau proposes to amend comment 4(a)(15)-3 to clarify 
that, in a transaction involving two or more applicants or borrowers 
for which the financial institution obtains or creates a single credit 
score and relies on that credit score in making the credit decision for 
the transaction, the institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(15) by 
reporting that credit score for the applicant and reporting that the 
requirement is not applicable for the first co-applicant or, 
alternatively, by reporting that credit score for the first co-
applicant and reporting that the requirement is not applicable for the 
applicant.

    The Bureau solicits comment on the proposed clarifications.
4(a)(17)
    Section 304(b)(5)(A) of HMDA \63\ provides for reporting of ``the 
total points and fees payable at origination in connection with the 
mortgage as determined by the Bureau, taking into account 15 U.S.C. 
1602(aa)(4).'' \64\ Section 1003.4(a)(17), as adopted by the Final 
Rule, implements this provision and provides that for covered loans 
subject to Regulation Z Sec.  1026.43(c), a financial institution shall 
report the amount of total loan costs, as disclosed pursuant to 
Regulation Z Sec.  1026.38(f)(4), if a disclosure is provided for the 
covered loan pursuant to Regulation Z Sec.  1026.19(f), or the total 
points and fees charged in connection with the covered

[[Page 19157]]

loan, expressed in dollars and calculated pursuant to Regulation Z 
Sec.  1026.32(b)(1), if the covered loan is not subject to the 
disclosure requirements in Regulation Z Sec.  1026.19(f), and is not a 
purchased covered loan. Comment 4(a)(17)(i)-3, as adopted by the Final 
Rule, provides guidance in situations where a financial institution has 
provided a revised Closing Disclosure with a new amount of total loan 
costs. The Bureau proposes to amend comment 4(a)(17)(i)-3 to reflect 
the different effective dates for certain reporting requirements and to 
make other minor clarifications.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \63\ Section 1094(3)(A)(iv) of the Dodd-Frank Act amended 
section 304(b) of HMDA to provide for the reporting of total points 
and fees.
    \64\ 15 U.S.C. 1602(aa)(4) is part of the Truth in Lending Act. 
Prior to amendments made by the Dodd-Frank Act, that section 
generally defined ``points and fees'' for the purpose of determining 
whether a transaction was a high-cost mortgage. See 15 U.S.C. 
1602(aa)(4). Section 1100A of the Dodd-Frank Act redesignated 
subsection 1602(aa)(4) as subsection 1602(bb)(4), where it is 
currently codified. In light of that redesignation, the Bureau 
interprets HMDA section 304(b)(5)(A) as directing it to take into 
account 15 U.S.C. 1602(bb)(4) and its implementing regulations, as 
those provisions address ``points and fees'' and because current 
subsection 1602(aa)(4) is no longer relevant to a determination 
regarding points and fees.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Comment 4(a)(17)(i)-3 explains that, if the amount of total loan 
costs changes because a financial institution provides a revised 
version of the disclosures required under Regulation Z Sec.  
1026.19(f), pursuant to Sec.  1026.19(f)(2), the financial institution 
complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(17)(i) by reporting the revised amount, 
provided that the revised disclosure was provided to the borrower 
during the same reporting period in which closing occurred. The comment 
includes an illustrative example that discusses a financial 
institution's quarterly submission made pursuant to Sec.  
1003.5(a)(1)(ii) and an explanation regarding what a financial 
institution reports in its quarterly submission when the corrected 
disclosure is provided prior to the end of the quarter in which closing 
occurred or after the quarter in which closing occurred. However, Sec.  
1003.4(a)(17) and its associated commentary will be effective on 
January 1, 2018, while Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii) will be effective on 
January 1, 2020. The Bureau believes that comment 4(a)(17)(i)-3 should 
discuss only provisions of Regulation C that will be effective on or 
before January 1, 2018, and should not refer to provisions of the rule 
that become effective after the comment takes effect.
    Accordingly, the Bureau proposes to amend comment 4(a)(17)(i)-3 so 
that its illustrative example refers to a financial institution's 
annual loan/application register submission made pursuant to current 
Sec.  1003.5(a)(1) instead of to its quarterly submission made pursuant 
to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii). The Bureau proposes to remove the language 
in comment 4(a)(17)(i)-3 regarding what a financial institution reports 
in its quarterly submission when the corrected disclosure is provided 
prior to the end of the quarter in which closing occurred or after the 
quarter in which closing occurred.
    For additional clarity, the Bureau proposes to amend comment 
4(a)(17)(i)-3 to explain that for purposes of compliance with Sec.  
1003.4(a)(17)(i), the date the corrected disclosure was provided to the 
borrower is the date disclosed pursuant to Regulation Z Sec.  
1026.38(a)(3)(i). The Bureau believes this amendment would facilitate 
compliance by clarifying the date on which the corrected disclosure is 
provided to the borrower for purposes of Sec.  1003.4(a)(17)(i). The 
Bureau also proposes to amend the comment to substitute ``corrected'' 
for ``revised'' to reflect the language used in Regulation Z Sec.  
1026.19(f)(2), and to add additional clarifications that such corrected 
disclosures are provided ``to the borrower.'' Additionally, the Bureau 
proposes to amend comment 4(a)(17)(i)-3 to explain that a financial 
institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(17)(i) by reporting the 
corrected amount, provided that the corrected disclosure was provided 
to the borrower prior to the end of the reporting period in which final 
action is taken. The Bureau believes that replacing ``during the same 
reporting period'' with ``prior to the end of the reporting period'' 
would clarify the reporting requirement when final action is taken 
after the reporting period in which the corrected disclosure is 
provided to the borrower. The Bureau believes that referring to the 
reporting period in which final action is taken, rather than when 
closing occurred, would improve clarity and consistency with the 
language used in Regulation C.
    Additionally, the Bureau proposes certain amendments to proposed 
comment 4(a)(17)(i)-3 effective January 1, 2020. Because Sec.  
1003.5(a)(1)(ii) takes effect January 1, 2020, the Bureau believes 
that, effective January 1, 2020, it would be appropriate to amend 
proposed comment 4(a)(17)(i)-3 to incorporate the guidance and 
illustrative example adopted by the Final Rule regarding a financial 
institution's quarterly submission under Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii). The 
proposal generally would retain the clarifications to comment 
4(a)(17)(i)-3 that the Bureau proposes to adopt effective January 1, 
2018, but would amend the illustrative example in proposed comment 
4(a)(17)(i)-3 regarding the annual loan/application register to refer 
to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(i), which takes effect on January 1, 2019. As 
discussed in the section-by-section analyses of Sec. Sec.  
1003.4(a)(18) through (20) below, the Bureau proposes parallel 
amendments to comments 4(a)(18)-3, 4(a)(19)-3, and (4)(a)(20)-3, 
respectively, to address the different effective dates for certain 
reporting requirements and to make minor clarifications. The Bureau 
solicits comment on the proposed amendments.
4(a)(18)
    Pursuant to HMDA sections 305(a) and 304(b)(5)(D), in the Final 
Rule the Bureau adopted Sec.  1003.4(a)(18) to require financial 
institutions to report, for covered loans subject to the disclosure 
requirements in Regulation Z Sec.  1026.19(f), the total of all 
itemized amounts that are designated borrower-paid at or before 
closing, as disclosed pursuant to Sec.  1026.38(f)(1). Comment 
4(a)(18)-3, adopted by the Final Rule, provides guidance in situations 
where a financial institution has issued a revised Closing Disclosure 
with a new amount of total origination charges. For the same reasons 
set forth in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1003.4(a)(17) 
above, the Bureau proposes amendments to comment 4(a)(18)-3 to reflect 
the different effective dates for certain reporting requirements and to 
make other minor clarifications. The Bureau solicits comment on the 
proposed amendments.
4(a)(19)
    Pursuant to HMDA sections 305(a) and 304(b)(5)(D), in the Final 
Rule the Bureau adopted Sec.  1003.4(a)(19) to require financial 
institutions to report, for covered loans subject to the disclosure 
requirements in Regulation Z Sec.  1026.19(f), the points paid to the 
creditor to reduce the interest rate, expressed in dollars, as 
described in Regulation Z Sec.  1026.37(f)(1)(i) and disclosed pursuant 
to Sec.  1026.38(f)(1). Comment 4(a)(19)-3, adopted by the Final Rule, 
provides guidance in situations where a financial institution has 
issued a revised Closing Disclosure with a new amount of discount 
points. For the same reasons set forth in the section-by-section 
analysis of Sec.  1003.4(a)(17) above, the Bureau proposes amendments 
to comment 4(a)(19)-3 to reflect the different effective dates for 
certain reporting requirements and to make other minor clarifications. 
The Bureau solicits comment on the proposed amendments.
4(a)(20)
    Pursuant to HMDA sections 305(a) and 304(b)(5)(D), in the Final 
Rule the Bureau adopted Sec.  1003.4(a)(20) to require financial 
institutions to report, for covered loans subject to the disclosure 
requirements in Regulation Z Sec.  1026.19(f), the total amount of 
lender credits, as disclosed pursuant to Sec.  1026.38(h)(3). Comment 
4(a)(20)-3, adopted by the Final Rule, provides guidance in situations 
where a financial institution has issued a revised Closing Disclosure 
with a new amount of lender credits. For the same reasons set forth in

[[Page 19158]]

the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  1003.4(a)(17) above, the 
Bureau proposes amendments to comment 4(a)(20)-3 to reflect the 
different effective dates for certain reporting requirements and to 
make other minor clarifications. The Bureau solicits comment on the 
proposed amendments.
4(a)(21)
    Pursuant to HMDA sections 305(a) and 304(b)(6)(J), the Bureau 
adopted Sec.  1003.4(a)(21) in the Final Rule to require financial 
institutions to report the interest rate applicable to the approved 
application or to the covered loan at closing or account opening. 
Comment 4(a)(21)-1 clarifies the interest rate that financial 
institutions must report for covered loans or applications subject to 
the disclosure requirements of Regulation Z Sec.  1026.19(e) or (f). 
For the reasons set forth below, the Bureau proposes certain amendments 
to comment 4(a)(21)-1.
    Comment 4(a)(21)-1 explains that Sec.  1003.4(a)(21) requires a 
financial institution to identify the interest rate applicable to the 
approved application or to the covered loan at closing or account 
opening. In relevant part, comment 4(a)(21)-1 also provides that, for 
covered loans or applications subject to the disclosure requirements of 
Regulation Z Sec.  1026.19(e) or (f), a financial institution complies 
with Sec.  1003.4(a)(21) by reporting the interest rate disclosed on 
the applicable disclosure. It explains that, for covered loans for 
which disclosures were provided pursuant to both Sec.  1026.19(e) and 
(f), a financial institution reports the interest rate disclosed 
pursuant to Sec.  1026.19(f). Comment 4(a)(21)-1 does not address the 
interest rate that a financial institution must report when a creditor 
provides a revised version of the disclosures required under Regulation 
Z Sec.  1026.19(e) or (f), as applicable. However, as discussed in the 
section-by-section analyses of Sec.  1003.4(a)(17) through (20) above, 
the Final Rule does provide guidance regarding the reporting 
requirements for certain other pricing data points when a revised 
disclosure under Regulation Z Sec.  1026.19(f) is provided. The Bureau 
believes similar commentary to Sec.  1003.4(a)(21) would clarify how a 
financial institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(21) when a revised 
disclosure is provided.
    Accordingly, the Bureau proposes to amend comment 4(a)(21)-1 to add 
language explaining that, if a financial institution provides a revised 
or corrected version of the disclosures required under Regulation Z 
Sec.  1026.19(e) or (f), pursuant to Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(iv) or (f)(2), 
as applicable, the financial institution complies with Sec.  
1003.4(a)(21) by reporting the interest rate on the revised or 
corrected disclosure, provided that the revised or corrected disclosure 
was provided to the borrower prior to the end of the reporting period 
in which final action is taken. The comment would also explain that for 
purposes of Sec.  1003.4(a)(21), the date the revised or corrected 
disclosure was provided to the borrower is the date disclosed pursuant 
to Regulation Z Sec.  1026.37(a)(4) or Sec.  1026.38(a)(3)(i), as 
applicable. Additionally, because Sec.  1003.4(a)(21) applies to 
covered loans and approved applications, the Bureau proposes to clarify 
in comment 4(a)(21)-1 that the guidance regarding the reporting 
requirements when disclosures are provided pursuant to both Sec.  
1026.19(e) and (f) applies to both covered loans and approved 
applications. To improve clarity, the Bureau also proposes to amend 
comment 4(a)(21)-1 to refer to the integrated mortgage disclosure 
requirements of Regulation Z Sec.  1026.19(e) and (f), rather than the 
disclosure requirements of Regulation Z Sec.  1026.19(e) or (f). The 
Bureau solicits comment on the proposed amendments.
4(a)(24)
    Pursuant to its authority under sections 305(a) and 304(b)(6)(J) of 
HMDA, the Bureau adopted Sec.  1003.4(a)(24) in the Final Rule to 
require, except for purchased covered loans, financial institutions to 
report the ratio of the total amount of debt secured by the property to 
the value of the property relied on in making the credit decision. The 
ratio of the total amount of debt secured by the property to the value 
of the property relied on in making the credit decision generally is 
referred to as the combined loan-to-value (CLTV) ratio. The Bureau 
proposes a technical correction to comment 4(a)(24)-2, adopted in the 
Final Rule, and to add new comment 4(a)(24)-6 to provide additional 
guidance on the requirement to report the CLTV ratio relied on in 
making the credit decision.
    Comment 4(a)(24)-2 explains that a financial institution relies on 
the total amount of debt secured by the property to the value of the 
property in making the credit decision if the CLTV ratio was a factor 
in the credit decision even if it was not a dispositive factor, and it 
provides an illustrative example. Section 1003.4(a)(24) requires, 
except for purchased covered loans, that a financial institution report 
the ratio of the total amount of debt secured by the property to the 
value of the property relied on in making the credit decision. In the 
Final Rule, the Bureau inadvertently omitted language in comment 
4(a)(24)-2 regarding ``the ratio of'' in the discussion of the CLTV 
ratio reporting requirement. To correct this omission, the Bureau 
proposes a technical correction to comment 4(a)(24)-2. The comment 
would explain that a financial institution relies on the ratio of the 
total amount of debt secured by the property to the value of the 
property in making the credit decision if the CLTV ratio was a factor 
in the credit decision even if it was not a dispositive factor.
    Additionally, the Bureau understands that there may be uncertainty 
regarding the value of the property to be used in the CLTV ratio 
calculation. Section 1003.4(a)(24) requires reporting of the ratio of 
the total amount of debt secured by the property to the value of the 
property relied on in making the credit decision. Section 1003.4(a)(24) 
does not require a specific method of calculating the CLTV ratio. In 
contrast to certain other data points adopted by the Final Rule,\65\ 
the Bureau did not specify that the CLTV ratio relates to the value of 
the property securing the covered loan or to the property identified in 
Sec.  1003.4(a)(9). The Bureau did not intend to require that a 
specific property or properties be used in the CLTV ratio calculation. 
Instead, a financial institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(24) by 
reporting the CLTV ratio relied on in making the credit decision, 
regardless of which property or properties it used in the CLTV ratio 
calculation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \65\ For example, Sec.  1003.4(a)(31) requires a financial 
institution to report the number of individual dwelling units 
related to the property securing the covered loan or, in the case of 
an application, proposed to secure the covered loan. Comments 
4(a)(29)-4 and 4(a)(30)-6 provide that a financial institution 
reports that the requirement is not applicable for a covered loan 
where the dwelling related to the property identified in Sec.  
1003.4(a)(9) is not a manufactured home.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To clarify further this intent, the Bureau proposes to add new 
comment 4(a)(24)-6 to explain that a financial institution reports the 
CLTV ratio relied on in making the credit decision, regardless of which 
property or properties it used in the CLTV ratio calculation. The 
proposed comment would explain that the property used in the CLTV 
calculation does not need to be the property identified in Sec.  
1003.4(a)(9) and may include more than one property and non-real 
property, and it would provide an illustrative example. Proposed 
comment 4(a)(24)-6 would also explain that Sec.  1003.4(a)(24) does not 
require a financial institution to use a particular CLTV ratio 
calculation method but

[[Page 19159]]

instead requires financial institutions to report the CLTV ratio relied 
on in making the credit decision. The Bureau solicits comment on the 
proposed technical correction and clarification.
4(a)(26)
    HMDA section 304(b)(6)(B), as amended by the Dodd-Frank Act, 
requires the reporting of the actual or proposed term in months of any 
introductory period after which the rate of interest may change.\66\ 
The Bureau implemented HMDA section 304(b)(6)(B) in the Final Rule by 
adopting Sec.  1003.4(a)(26) to require that financial institutions 
collect and report data on the number of months, or proposed number of 
months in the case of an application, until the first date the interest 
rate may change after closing or account opening. For the reasons 
explained below, the Bureau proposes additional commentary to Sec.  
1003.4(a)(26) to clarify reporting requirements for non-monthly 
introductory interest rate periods.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \66\ Dodd-Frank Act section 1094(3)(A)(iv); 12 U.S.C. 
2803(b)(6)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau understands that there may be uncertainty regarding how 
a financial institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(26) when an 
introductory interest rate period is measured in a time other than 
months, for example, in days or weeks. The commentary to Sec.  
1003.4(a)(26) includes examples illustrating how a financial 
institution complies with the requirement to report introductory 
interest rate periods calculated in whole months. The Bureau intended 
that a financial institution report whole months under Sec.  
1003.4(a)(26). However, the Final Rule did not address how a financial 
institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(26) when a covered loan or 
application includes a non-monthly introductory interest rate period. 
In contrast, Sec.  1003.4(a)(25), adopted by the Final Rule to require 
financial institutions to report the loan term, does include commentary 
clarifying the treatment of non-monthly repayment periods. 
Specifically, comment 4(a)(25)-2 clarifies that, when a covered loan or 
application includes a schedule with repayment periods measured in a 
unit of time other than months, the financial institution complies with 
Sec.  1003.4(a)(25) by reporting the covered loan or application term 
using an equivalent number of whole months without regard for any 
remainder. The Bureau believes a similar explanation in the commentary 
to Sec.  1003.4(a)(26) regarding non-monthly introductory interest rate 
periods would be helpful.
    For the reasons explained above, the Bureau proposes to add new 
comment 4(a)(26)-5 to explain that, if a covered loan or application 
includes an introductory interest rate period measured in a unit of 
time other than months, the financial institution complies with Sec.  
1003.4(a)(26) by reporting the introductory interest rate period for 
the covered loan or application using an equivalent number of whole 
months without regard for any remainder, and the proposed comment would 
provide an illustrative example. Proposed comment 4(a)(26)-5 would also 
explain that the financial institution must report one month for any 
introductory interest rate period that totals less than one whole 
month. The Bureau solicits comment on this proposed clarification.
4(a)(34)
    HMDA section 304(b)(6)(F) requires the reporting of, ``as the 
Bureau may determine to be appropriate, a unique identifier that 
identifies the loan originator as set forth in'' the SAFE Act.\67\ 
Section 1003.4(a)(34) as adopted by the Final Rule implements this 
provision by requiring the reporting of the unique identifier assigned 
to the loan originator by the National Mortgage Licensing System and 
Registry (NMLSR ID) for covered loans and applications, including 
purchased loans. Comment 4(a)(34)-2 as adopted by the Final Rule 
explains that if a mortgage loan originator has been assigned an NMLSR 
ID, a financial institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(34) by 
reporting the mortgage loan originator's NMLSR ID regardless of whether 
the mortgage loan originator is required to obtain an NMLSR ID for the 
particular transaction being reported by the financial institution.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \67\ Dodd-Frank Act section 1094(3)(A)(iv), 12 U.S.C. 
2803(b)(6)(F).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The preamble to the Final Rule explains that the Bureau believed 
that reporting the NMLSR ID would impose little to no ongoing cost for 
financial institutions because the information is required to be 
provided on certain loan documents pursuant to Regulation Z's loan 
originator rules.\68\ However, the Bureau has become aware that 
financial institutions reporting covered loans that they purchase may 
sometimes have difficulty reporting this information because the NMLSR 
ID may not be listed on the loan documents of purchased loans. 
Purchasers of covered loans have pointed out that they may purchase 
loans after the effective date of the Final Rule that were originated 
before Regulation Z's loan originator rules became effective on January 
10, 2014. As a result, the loan documents may not include the NMLSR ID, 
even when the loan originator had been assigned one and it must be 
reported according to the interpretation in comment 4(a)(34)-2. In such 
a circumstance, it may impose considerable challenges to require 
purchasers to acquire this information. In addition, the Bureau 
believes that the number of reportable loans purchased after January 1, 
2018, that were originated before January 10, 2014, will be relatively 
small and will diminish over time. Therefore, the Bureau proposes a 
transitional rule in new comment 4(a)(34)-4. The comment would explain 
that if a financial institution purchases a covered loan that satisfies 
the coverage criteria of Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.36(g) and that was 
originated prior to January 10, 2014, the financial institution 
complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(34) by reporting that the requirement is 
not applicable.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \68\ 80 FR 66128, 66231 (Oct. 28, 2015). See Regulation Z, Sec.  
1026.36(g).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, the loan documents for purchased loans that are not 
covered by the loan originator rules under Regulation Z may not include 
the NMLSR ID either, even when the loan originator has been assigned an 
NMLSR ID and a later purchaser must report it according to the 
interpretation in comment 4(a)(34)-2, as adopted by the Final Rule, if 
it is a covered loan (e.g., a commercial purpose home purchase loan). 
For this reason, originators of such covered loans will need to arrange 
to have the NMLSR ID available to preserve secondary market viability. 
The Bureau believes that it is appropriate to provide sufficient time 
for originators and purchasers to develop processes that will ensure 
compliance in this situation. Therefore, the Bureau proposes a second 
transitional rule in new comment 4(a)(34)-4. The comment would explain 
that if a financial institution purchases a covered loan that does not 
satisfy the coverage criteria of Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.36(g) and 
that was originated prior to January 1, 2018, the financial institution 
complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(34) by reporting that the requirement is 
not applicable.
    Proposed comment 4(a)(34)-4 would also make clear that purchasers 
of the loans exempted by the transitional rules discussed above may, 
however, report the NMLSR ID voluntarily. The Bureau solicits comment 
on the proposed transitional rules.

[[Page 19160]]

4(a)(35)
    In the Final Rule, pursuant to its authority under sections 305(a) 
and 304(b)(6)(J) of HMDA, the Bureau adopted Sec.  1003.4(a)(35)(i) to 
require a financial institution to report, except for purchased covered 
loans, the name of the automated underwriting system (AUS) it used to 
evaluate the application and the result generated by that AUS. As 
adopted by the Final Rule, Sec.  1003.4(a)(35)(ii) provides that an AUS 
means an electronic tool developed by a securitizer, Federal government 
insurer, or Federal government guarantor that provides a result 
regarding the credit risk of the applicant and whether the covered loan 
is eligible to be originated, purchased, insured, or guaranteed by that 
securitizer, Federal government insurer, or Federal government 
guarantor. For the reasons set forth below, the Bureau proposes to 
amend Sec.  1003.4(a)(35)(ii) and comment 4(a)(35)-2, as adopted by the 
Final Rule, and to add comment 4(a)(35)-7.
    The Bureau understands there may be uncertainty regarding the 
definition of AUS adopted by Sec.  1003.4(a)(35)(ii). Specifically, 
Sec.  1003.4(a)(35)(ii) does not explain what type of product a person 
must be securitizing, insuring, or guaranteeing to be considered a 
securitizer, Federal government insurer, or Federal government 
guarantor for purposes of the AUS definition. The Bureau recognizes 
that the Final Rule could be read broadly, such that, for example, a 
person securitizing only non-dwelling secured assets could be 
considered a securitizer for purposes of Sec.  1003.4(a)(35)(ii). 
Additionally, Sec.  1003.4(a)(35)(ii) does not specify the timeframe 
relevant to the determination of whether a person is considered a 
securitizer, Federal government insurer, or Federal government 
guarantor for purposes of the AUS definition. The Bureau has received 
questions regarding whether an electronic tool satisfies the AUS 
definition where it is developed by a securitizer, Federal government 
insurer, or Federal government guarantor and thus meets the definition 
of AUS, but the developer of the AUS is no longer an active 
securitizer, Federal government insurer, or Federal government 
guarantor at the time a financial institution uses the tool to evaluate 
an application. The Bureau is concerned that, without further 
clarification, the AUS reporting requirement could be interpreted as 
applying only when the developer of the AUS is an active securitizer, 
Federal government insurer, or Federal government guarantor at the time 
a financial institutions uses the AUS to evaluate an application.
    To address these uncertainties, the Bureau proposes certain 
amendments to Sec.  1003.4(a)(35)(ii). Proposed Sec.  1003.4(a)(35)(ii) 
would explain that, for purposes of Sec.  1003.4(a)(35), an ``automated 
underwriting system'' means an electronic tool developed by a 
securitizer, Federal government insurer, or Federal government 
guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-end lines of credit that 
provides a result regarding the credit risk of the applicant and 
whether the covered loan is eligible to be originated, purchased, 
insured, or guaranteed by that securitizer, Federal government insurer, 
or Federal government guarantor. The Bureau believes it may be 
appropriate to clarify that the definition of AUS is limited to an 
electronic tool developed by a securitizer, Federal government insurer, 
or Federal government guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-
end lines of credit because information related to closed-end mortgage 
loans or open-end lines of credit is reportable under HMDA. The Bureau 
believes the results from the electronic tools developed by these 
persons may provide more useful AUS data to further HMDA's purposes 
than, for example, the results from an electronic tool developed by a 
securitizer of only non-dwelling secured assets.
    Additionally, the Bureau proposes to amend Sec.  1003.4(a)(35)(ii) 
to add an explanation that a person is a securitizer, Federal 
government insurer, or Federal government guarantor of closed-end 
mortgage loans or open-end lines of credit, respectively, if it has 
ever securitized, provided Federal government insurance, or provided a 
Federal government guarantee for a closed-end mortgage loan or open-end 
line of credit. The Bureau believes this proposed language would 
clarify that a person's status as a securitizer, Federal government 
insurer, or Federal government guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans 
or open-end lines of credit for purposes of Sec.  1003.4(a)(35)(ii) is 
not dependent on its status as an active securitizer, Federal 
government insurer, or Federal government guarantor of closed-end 
mortgage loans or open-end lines of credit at the time a financial 
institution uses the AUS to evaluate an application. Instead, if a 
person is or has been a securitizer, Federal government insurer, or 
Federal government guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-end 
lines of credit at any time and it develops an electronic tool that 
meets the AUS definition under Sec.  1003.4(a)(35)(ii), that electronic 
tool continues to be an AUS for purposes of Regulation C even if the 
person is no longer securitizing, insuring, or guaranteeing closed-end 
mortgage loans or open-end lines of credit at the time the AUS is used 
by a financial institution to evaluate an application. Given the value 
of AUS data in furthering HMDA's purposes, the Bureau believes this 
proposed clarification is important to ensuring the continued 
availability of reliable AUS data regardless of potential changes in 
the marketplace that may affect a person's status as an active 
securitizer, Federal government insurer, or Federal government 
guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-end lines of credit.
    The Bureau also believes it could be less challenging for a 
financial institution to make a one-time affirmative determination that 
the person that developed the electronic tool it is using to evaluate 
an application has ever been a securitizer, Federal government insurer, 
or Federal government guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-
end lines of credit, respectively, than to determine if the developer 
is an active securitizer, Federal government insurer, or Federal 
government guarantor at any given point in time. As discussed in more 
detail below, the Bureau proposes new comment 4(a)(35)-7 to provide 
guidance on a financial institution's determination of whether the 
developer of the electronic tool it is using to evaluate an application 
is a securitizer, Federal government insurer, or Federal government 
guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-end lines of credit.
    The Bureau proposes conforming amendments to comment 4(a)(35)-2 to 
reflect the proposed amendments to Sec.  1003.4(a)(35)(ii). Comment 
4(a)(35)-2 explains the definition of AUS and provides illustrative 
examples of the reporting requirement. The proposal would amend comment 
4(a)(35)-2 to clarify that, to be covered by the AUS definition in 
Sec.  1003.4(a)(35)(ii), a system must be an electronic tool that has 
been developed by a securitizer, Federal government insurer, or a 
Federal government guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-end 
lines of credit. The Bureau also proposes to explain in comment 
4(a)(35)-2 that a person is a securitizer, Federal government insurer, 
or Federal government guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-
end lines of credit, respectively, if it has securitized, provided 
Federal government insurance, or provided a Federal government 
guarantee for a closed-end mortgage

[[Page 19161]]

loan or open-end line of credit at any point in time. The proposed 
comment would provide that a person may be a securitizer, Federal 
government insurer, or Federal government guarantor of closed-end 
mortgage loans or open-end lines of credit, respectively, for purposes 
of Sec.  1003.4(a)(35) even if it is not actively securitizing, 
insuring, or guaranteeing closed-end mortgage loans or open-end lines 
of credit at the time a financial institution uses the system in 
question. Additionally, proposed comment 4(a)(35)-2 would clarify that 
where the person that developed the electronic tool has never been a 
securitizer, Federal government insurer, or Federal government 
guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-end lines of credit, 
respectively, at the time a financial institution uses the tool to 
evaluate an application, the financial institution complies with Sec.  
1003.4(a)(35) by reporting that the requirement is not applicable since 
an AUS, as defined in proposed Sec.  1003.4(a)(35)(ii), was not used to 
evaluate the application.
    The Bureau proposes new comment 4(a)(35)-7 to add clarity regarding 
a financial institution's determination of whether the system it is 
using to evaluate an application is an electronic tool developed by a 
securitizer, Federal government insurer, or Federal government 
guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-end lines of credit. 
Proposed comment 4(a)(35)-7 would set forth the definition of AUS under 
proposed Sec.  1003.4(a)(35)(ii). It would clarify that if a financial 
institution knows or reasonably believes that the system it is using to 
evaluate an application is an electronic tool that has been developed 
by a securitizer, Federal government insurer, or Federal government 
guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-end lines of credit, 
then the financial institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(35) by 
reporting the name of that system and the result generated by that 
system. Proposed comment 4(a)(35)-7 would explain that knowledge or 
reasonable belief could, for example, be based on a sales agreement or 
other related documents, the financial institution's previous 
transactions or relationship with the developer of the electronic tool, 
or representations made by the developer of the electronic tool 
demonstrating that the developer of the electronic tool is a 
securitizer, Federal government insurer, or Federal government 
guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-end lines of credit.
    Additionally, proposed comment 4(a)(35)-7 would provide that if a 
financial institution does not know or reasonably believe that the 
system it is using to evaluate an application is an electronic tool 
that has been developed by a securitizer, Federal government insurer, 
or Federal government guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-
end lines of credit, the financial institution complies with Sec.  
1003.4(a)(35) by reporting that the requirement is not applicable, 
provided that the financial institution maintains procedures reasonably 
adapted to determine whether the electronic tool it is using to 
evaluate an application meets the definition in Sec.  
1003.4(a)(35)(ii). The comment would explain that reasonably adapted 
procedures include attempting to determine with reasonable frequency, 
such as annually, whether the developer of the electronic tool is a 
securitizer, Federal government insurer, or Federal government 
guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-end lines of credit. 
Finally, the proposed comment would include illustrative examples 
demonstrating how a financial institution complies with Sec.  
1003.4(a)(35) depending on whether or not it knows or reasonably 
believes that the system it is using to evaluate an application is an 
electronic tool that has been developed by a securitizer, Federal 
government insurer, or Federal government guarantor of closed-end 
mortgage loans or open-end lines of credit. The Bureau believes that 
proposed comment 4(a)(35)-7 would provide clarity regarding how a 
financial institution determines its reporting requirement under Sec.  
1003.4(a)(35) and would facilitate HMDA compliance.
    The Bureau solicits comment on these proposed amendments. The 
Bureau seeks specific comment on the burden associated with determining 
whether a person has ever securitized, provided Federal government 
insurance, or provided a Federal government guarantee for a closed-end 
mortgage loan or open-end line of credit such that it is, under 
proposed Sec.  1003.4(a)(35)(ii), a securitizer, Federal government 
insurer, or Federal government guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans 
or open-end lines of credit, respectively.

Section 1003.5 Disclosure and Reporting

5(a)
5(a)(3)
    Pursuant to HMDA section 305(a), in the Final Rule the Bureau 
adopted Sec.  [thinsp]1003.5(a)(3), effective January 1, 2019, to 
require financial institutions to provide their Legal Entity Identifier 
(LEI) when reporting HMDA data and to set forth certain other 
requirements regarding the information a financial institution must 
include in its submission. Specifically, Sec.  1003.5(a)(3)(ii) 
requires a financial institution to provide with its submission the 
calendar year the data submission covers pursuant to Sec.  
1003.5(a)(1)(i) or calendar quarter and year the data submission covers 
pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii). The Bureau proposes to amend Sec.  
1003.5(a)(3)(ii) to reflect the different effective dates for annual 
reporting requirements in Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(i) and quarterly reporting 
requirements in Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii) adopted by the Final Rule.
    The Bureau is concerned that Sec.  1003.5(a)(3)(ii) references the 
new quarterly reporting requirements in Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii) that 
will not yet be in effect when Sec.  1003.5(a)(3)(ii) takes effect on 
January 1, 2019. Although the revised annual reporting requirements 
adopted by Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(i) will be effective on January 1, 2019, 
the new requirements for certain financial institutions to submit a 
quarterly loan/application register under Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii) will 
not be effective until January 1, 2020. To address this misalignment, 
the Bureau proposes to amend Sec.  1003.5(a)(3)(ii), effective January 
1, 2019, to remove the language regarding the calendar quarter and the 
year the data submission covers pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii). 
Proposed Sec.  1003.5(a)(3)(ii) would instead require only that a 
financial institution provide with its submission the calendar year the 
data submission covers pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(i).
    Additionally, the Bureau proposes to amend Sec.  1003.5(a)(3)(ii), 
effective January 1, 2020, to incorporate the language adopted by the 
Final Rule regarding the calendar quarter and the year the data 
submission covers pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii). As discussed 
above, Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii) will be effective on January 1, 2020. 
Therefore, the Bureau proposes to amend Sec.  1003.5(a)(3)(ii) as of 
that same date to require a financial institution to provide with its 
submission the calendar year the data submission covers pursuant to 
Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(i) or calendar quarter and year the data submission 
covers pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii). The Bureau solicits comment 
on the proposed amendment.

Section 1003.6 Enforcement

6(b) Bona fide errors
    Current Sec.  1003.6(b) provides that ``bona fide errors'' are not 
violations of HMDA and Regulation C and provides guidance about what 
qualifies as a bona fide error. Current Sec.  1003.6(b)(2)

[[Page 19162]]

provides that an incorrect entry for a census tract number is deemed a 
bona fide error, and is not a violation of HMDA or Regulation C, if the 
financial institution maintains procedures reasonably adapted to avoid 
such errors. For the reasons set forth below, the Bureau proposes 
amendments to the commentary to current Sec.  1003.6(b) to clarify that 
incorrect entries reporting the census tract number of a property are 
not a violation of the HMDA or Regulation C, if the financial 
institution properly uses a geocoding tool made available through the 
Bureau's Web site (the Bureau's geocoding tool), the financial 
institution enters an accurate property address, and the tool provides 
a census tract number for the property address entered.
    Section 1003.4(a)(9)(ii)(C) requires financial institutions to 
report the census tract of the property securing or, in the case of an 
application, proposed to secure the covered loan if the property is 
located in a MSA or MD in which the institution has a home or branch 
office. In addition, Sec.  1003.4(e) requires banks and savings 
associations that are required to report data on small business, small 
farm, and community development lending under regulations that 
implement the Community Reinvestment Act to report the census tract of 
properties located outside MSAs and MDs in which the institution has a 
home or branch office or outside of any MSA.
    To ease the burden associated with reporting the census tract 
required by Regulation C, the Bureau plans to make available on its Web 
site a geocoding tool to provide the census tract based on property 
addresses entered by users. The Bureau proposes new comment 6(b)-2 to 
clarify that obtaining census tract information for covered loans and 
applications from the Bureau's geocoding tool is an example of a 
procedure reasonably adapted to avoid incorrect entries for a census 
tract number under current Sec.  1003.6(b)(2). The proposed comment 
would state that a census tract error is not a violation of the HMDA or 
Regulation C if the financial institution obtained the census tract 
number from the Bureau's geocoding tool if the financial institution 
used the tool appropriately. The proposed comment would provide further 
that a financial institution's failure to provide the required census 
tract information for a covered loan or application on its loan/
application register because the Bureau's geocoding tool did not 
provide a census tract for the property address entered by the 
financial institution is not excused as a bona fide error. The proposed 
comment would also explain that a census tract error caused by a 
financial institution entering an inaccurate property address into the 
Bureau's geocoding tool is not excused as a bona fide error. The Bureau 
also proposes to add in comment 6(b)-1 a cross reference to proposed 
comment 6(b)-2. The Bureau solicits comment on these proposed 
amendments to the commentary.
6(c) Quarterly Recording and Reporting
    Currently, Sec.  1003.6(b)(3) provides that errors and omissions in 
data that a financial institution records on its loan/application 
register on a quarterly basis as required under Sec.  1003.4(a) are not 
violations of HMDA or Regulation C if the institution makes a good-
faith effort to record all required data fully and accurately within 
thirty calendar days after the end of each calendar quarter and 
corrects or completes the data prior to reporting the data to its 
appropriate Federal agency. In the Final Rule, the Bureau moved the 
substance of current Sec.  1003.6(b)(3) to new Sec.  1003.6(c)(1) and 
added new Sec.  1003.6(c)(2) to provide that a similar safe harbor 
applies to data reported on a quarterly basis pursuant to Sec.  
1003.5(a)(1)(ii). Pursuant to Sec.  1003.6(c)(2), errors and omissions 
in the data submitted pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii) will not be 
considered HMDA or Regulation C violations assuming the conditions that 
currently provide a safe harbor for errors and omissions in quarterly 
recorded data are satisfied. In the Final Rule the Bureau adopted an 
effective date of January 1, 2019 for Sec.  1003.6, and an effective 
date of January 1, 2020 for the quarterly reporting requirements in 
Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii).
    The Bureau proposes to amend Sec.  1003.6(c)(2) so that its 
effective date aligns to the effective date for the quarterly reporting 
requirements in Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii), for which Sec.  1003.6(c)(2) 
provides a safe harbor. Accordingly, the Bureau proposes to remove 
Sec.  1003.6(c)(2) and to redesignate Sec.  1003.6(c)(1) as Sec.  
1003.6(c) effective January 1, 2019. The Bureau proposes to add Sec.  
1003.6(c)(2), as adopted by the Final Rule, and to redesignate Sec.  
1003.6(c) as Sec.  1003.6(c)(1) effective January 1, 2020. The Bureau 
solicits comment on this proposed amendment.

Appendix B to Part 1003--Form and Instructions for Data Collection of 
Ethnicity, Race, and Sex

    HMDA and Regulation C currently require financial institutions to 
collect the ethnicity, race, and sex of an applicant or borrower for 
covered loans and applications.\69\ Current appendix B to Regulation C 
provides data collection instructions and a sample data collection form 
for use in collecting an applicant's or borrower's information. In the 
Final Rule, the Bureau revised the ethnicity, race, and sex data 
collection requirements and instructions.\70\ Among other changes, 
revised appendix B requires financial institutions to collect 
disaggregated ethnic and racial categories beginning January 1, 2018. 
For the reasons set forth below and to facilitate implementation, the 
Bureau proposes certain amendments to the instructions and sample data 
collection form contained in revised appendix B.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \69\ 12 U.S.C. 2803(b)(4); Sec.  1003.4(a)(10).
    \70\ Section 1003.4(a)(10)(i); comment 4(a)(10)(i); appendix B 
to part 1003.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ethnicity and Race Subcategories

    Through outreach in support of implementing the Final Rule, the 
Bureau was asked whether an applicant must select Hispanic or Latino in 
order to select one of the four ethnicity subcategories and about 
potential inconsistencies between instructions 8 and 9.i in revised 
appendix B, as adopted by the Final Rule. Instruction 8 provides that 
financial institutions must report the ethnicity, race, and sex of an 
applicant as provided by the applicant. It provides the example that if 
an applicant selects the Mexican subcategory, the financial institution 
reports Mexican for the ethnicity of the applicant. Instruction 9.i 
similarly provides that a financial institution must report each 
ethnicity category and subcategory selected by the applicant. On the 
other hand, instruction 9.i also provides that, if an applicant selects 
Hispanic or Latino, the applicant may select up to four ethnicity 
subcategories.
    To clarify the requirements, the Bureau proposes to amend 
instructions 8 and 9.i to provide that an applicant is not required to 
select an aggregate category as a precondition to selecting a 
subcategory. Specifically, the Bureau proposes to amend instruction 8 
to provide that an applicant may select an ethnicity or race 
subcategory even if the applicant does not select an aggregate 
ethnicity or aggregate race category and to provide an example to 
facilitate compliance. The example also clarifies that a financial 
institution should not report an aggregate category if not selected by 
the applicant. The Bureau also proposes to amend instruction 9.i to 
remove language concerning the selection of Hispanic or Latino as a 
precondition to selecting the ethnicity subcategories.

[[Page 19163]]

    The Bureau believes the proposed revisions to instructions 8 and 
9.i would add greater clarity and ensure that financial institutions 
report the ethnicity and race subcategories selected by the applicant 
(subject to the five-ethnicity and race maximums discussed below). 
Consistent with the requirement in instruction 8 that a financial 
institution report ethnicity and race as provided by the applicant, the 
Bureau believes that a financial institution should provide applicants 
an opportunity to select any of the ethnicity and race categories and 
subcategories set forth in revised appendix B. The Bureau solicits 
comment on these proposed clarifications to instructions 8 and 9.i.
Other Ethnicity and Other Race Subcategories
    The Bureau is concerned that the conditional language in 
instructions 9.ii and 9.iv may be interpreted as requiring an applicant 
to select the Other ethnicity or Other race subcategories (e.g., Other 
Hispanic or Latino or Other Asian) before the applicant is permitted to 
provide a particular ethnicity or race subcategory not listed in the 
standard subcategories. Instruction 9.ii provides that, if an applicant 
selects the Other Hispanic or Latino ethnicity subcategory, the 
applicant may also provide a particular Hispanic or Latino ethnicity 
not listed in the standard subcategories. Instruction 9.iv similarly 
provides that, if an applicant selects the Other Asian race subcategory 
or the Other Pacific Islander race subcategory, the applicant may also 
provide a particular Other Asian or Other Pacific Islander race not 
listed in the standard subcategories.
    The Bureau proposes to amend instruction 9.ii to clarify that an 
applicant may provide a particular Hispanic or Latino ethnicity not 
listed in the standard subcategories, whether or not the applicant 
selects the Other Hispanic or Latino ethnicity subcategory. 
Specifically, the Bureau proposes to amend instruction 9.ii to provide 
that an applicant may select the Other Hispanic or Latino ethnicity 
subcategory, an applicant may provide a particular Hispanic or Latino 
ethnicity not listed in the standard subcategories, or an applicant may 
do both. The Bureau also proposes to amend instruction 9.ii to provide 
an example. Similarly, the Bureau proposes to amend instruction 9.iv to 
clarify that an applicant is not required to select the Other Asian or 
Other Pacific Islander subcategory in order to provide a particular 
Other Asian or Other Pacific Islander subcategory not listed in the 
standard subcategories. Rather, an applicant may select the Other Asian 
or Other Pacific Islander subcategory, provide a particular Other Asian 
or Other Pacific Islander subcategory, or do both. The Bureau also 
proposes to amend instruction 9.iv to provide an example.
    The Bureau believes the proposed revisions would ensure that an 
applicant is given an opportunity to provide an Other ethnicity or 
Other race subcategory not listed in the standard subcategories without 
first having to select the Other ethnicity or Other race subcategory. 
The Bureau believes that restricting when an applicant may provide 
Other ethnicity or Other race subcategories is inconsistent with 
instruction 8. The Bureau solicits comment on these proposed revisions 
to instructions 9.ii an 9.iv.
Five-Ethnicity Maximum
    Since issuing the Final Rule, the Bureau has received inquiries 
concerning how to report an applicant's ethnicity if an applicant 
selects or provides more than five ethnicity designations. Instruction 
9 requires a financial institution to offer an applicant the option to 
select more than one ethnicity or race. Instruction 9.i sets forth two 
aggregate ethnicity categories and four ethnicity subcategories that 
may be selected by an applicant (for a total of six categories and 
subcategories). Instruction 9.i requires that a financial institution 
report each aggregate ethnicity category and each ethnicity subcategory 
selected by the applicant. As reflected in the filing instructions 
guide for HMDA data collected in 2018 (FIG), however, a financial 
institution may report up to only five ethnicity codes.\71\ In the 
Final Rule, the Bureau set forth a five-race maximum and related 
instructions for reporting race categories and race subcategories 
combined. Although the Bureau does not believe there will be many 
instances in which an applicant will select all ethnicity categories 
and ethnicity subcategories, the absence of a similar five-ethnicity 
maximum and instructions in the Final Rule was an inadvertent 
oversight.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \71\ Consumer Fin. Prot. Bureau, Filing Instructions Guide for 
HMDA data collected in 2018, at 55, available at http://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/hmda/static/for-filers/2018/2018-HMDA-FIG.pdf. The FIG is a compendium of resources created by 
the Bureau to help financial institutions file HMDA data collected 
in 2018 with the Bureau in 2019.
_____________________________________-

    Accordingly, the Bureau proposes to amend instruction 9.i to 
provide instructions to financial institutions on how to report 
ethnicity if an applicant selects both aggregate ethnicity categories 
and all four ethnicity subcategories. The proposed revisions mirror the 
instructions for how to report more than five aggregate race categories 
or race subcategories in instructions 9.iii. Specifically, the Bureau 
proposes to revise instruction 9.i to provide that a financial 
institution must report every aggregate ethnicity category selected by 
the applicant. The revised instruction would provide that a financial 
institution must also report every ethnicity subcategory selected by 
the applicant, except that a financial institution must not report more 
than a total of five aggregate ethnicity categories and ethnicity 
subcategories combined.
    The Bureau also proposes to make conforming amendments to 
instruction 9.ii. The Bureau proposes to amend instruction 9.ii to 
clarify that, if an applicant selects the Other Hispanic or Latino 
subcategory and provides a particular Hispanic or Latino subcategory 
not listed in the standard subcategories, the financial institution 
should count the information as one selection for the purposes of 
reporting the five-ethnicity maximum. The proposed revisions to 
instruction 9.ii mirror the instructions for reporting the Other race 
subcategories in instruction 9.iv.
    The Bureau seeks comment on these proposed revisions to 
instructions 9.i and 9.ii.

Sample Data Collection Form

    The Bureau also proposes to make several technical corrections to 
the sample data collection form contained in revised appendix B, which 
is used for the collection of ethnicity, race, and sex information 
about the applicant or borrower. The sample data collection form 
provides instructions to the applicant concerning how to complete the 
form. Among other instructions, the form directs that an applicant may 
select one or more Hispanic or Latino origins and one or more 
designations for race. The sample data collection form also includes 
directions for the applicant to ``[c]heck one or more'': The first 
direction to check one or more appears next to the Hispanic or Latino 
category, and the second direction to check one or more appears next to 
the ``Race'' heading of the form. Both instructions to check one or 
more appear on only the side of the form designated for collecting an 
applicant's information; those instructions do not appear on the side 
of the form designated for the collection of a co-applicant's 
information.

[[Page 19164]]

    The Bureau proposes to amend the sample data collection form to 
clarify that an applicant may select one or more aggregate ethnicity 
categories and ethnicity subcategories. Specifically, the Bureau 
proposes to revise the instructions to provide that an applicant may 
select one or more designations for ``Ethnicity'' and one or more 
designations for ``Race.'' The Bureau also proposes to move the 
instruction to check one or more next to the ``Ethnicity'' heading, 
rather than next to the Hispanic or Latino category. The Bureau 
believes these proposed amendments clarify that an applicant may select 
multiple ethnicity categories, including both aggregate ethnicity 
categories. The Bureau believes the proposed amendment is consistent 
with instruction 9 in revised appendix B, which provides that the 
applicant must be offered the option of selecting more than one 
ethnicity or race.
    Additionally, the Bureau proposes a technical correction to the 
sample data collection form to clarify that the same instructions apply 
to both an applicant and co-applicant. Specifically, the Bureau 
proposes to also include the ``check one or more'' instructions on the 
side of the form designated for the collection of a co-applicant's 
ethnicity and race information.
    The Bureau solicits comment on these proposed technical corrections 
to the sample data collection form.

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

    HMDA provides the public and public officials with information to 
help determine whether financial institutions are serving the housing 
needs of the communities in which they are located. It assists public 
officials in their determination of the distribution of public sector 
investments in a manner designed to improve the private investment 
environment.\72\ It also assists in identifying possible discriminatory 
lending patterns and enforcing antidiscrimination statutes, which now 
are codified with HMDA's other purposes in Regulation C.\73\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \72\ HMDA section 302(b), 12 U.S.C. 2801(b); see also 12 CFR 
1003.1(b)(1)(i) and (ii).
    \73\ 54 FR 51356, 51357 (Dec. 15, 1989), codified at 12 CFR 
1003.1(b)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In 2010, Congress enacted the Dodd-Frank Act, which amended HMDA 
and also transferred HMDA rulemaking authority and other functions from 
the Board to the Bureau.\74\ In October 2015, the Bureau issued the 
2015 HMDA Final Rule which implemented the Dodd-Frank Act amendments to 
HMDA.\75\ The Final Rule modifies the types of institutions and 
transactions subject to Regulation C, the types of data that 
institutions are required to collect, and the processes for reporting 
and disclosing the required data.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \74\ Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376, 1980, 2035-38, 2097-101 
(2010).
    \75\ October 2015 HMDA Final Rule, 80 FR 66128.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Since issuing the Final Rule, the Bureau has conducted outreach 
with stakeholders, through participation in conferences concerning the 
Final Rule, communications with HMDA vendors, and informal inquiries 
submitted by financial institutions. As part of these efforts and 
through its own analysis of the Final Rule, the Bureau has identified 
certain technical errors in the Final Rule, ways to ease the burden of 
reporting certain data requirements, and clarifications of key terms 
that will facilitate compliance with the Final Rule. This proposal 
addresses these issues.
    In developing the proposed rule, the Bureau has considered its 
potential benefits, costs, and impacts.\76\ The Bureau requests comment 
on the preliminary analysis presented below as well as submissions of 
additional data that could inform the Bureau's analysis of the 
benefits, costs, and impacts. The Bureau has consulted with, or offered 
to consult with, the prudential regulators, the Securities and Exchange 
Commission, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the 
Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Federal Trade Commission, the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Agriculture, the 
Department of Justice, and the Department of the Treasury.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \76\ 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 depository institutions and 
credit unions with $10 billion or less in total assets as described 
in section 1026 of the Dodd-Frank Act; and the impact on consumers 
in rural areas.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This proposal would make amendments to Regulation C to make 
technical corrections and clarify certain requirements under the Final 
Rule amending Regulation C and implementing the Dodd-Frank Act 
amendments to HMDA, in October of 2015.
    In the 2015 HMDA Final Rule, the Bureau conducted an in-depth 
Section 1022(b)(2) analysis of the costs and benefits of the Final 
Rule. The Bureau chose a baseline for that analysis that was the state 
of the world before the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act that amended 
HMDA are implemented by an amended Regulation C. The baseline for the 
below analysis is the world that would exist if the 2015 HMDA Final 
Rule took effect absent the amendments in this proposed rule. In other 
words, the potential benefits and costs of the provisions contained in 
this proposed rule are evaluated relative to the state of the world 
defined by the 2015 HMDA Final Rule.\77\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \77\ Because the analysis of the 2015 Final Rule reflected the 
Bureau's intended transactional thresholds, rather than those 
created by the drafting error in Sec. Sec.  1003.3(c)(11), (12), the 
baseline incorporates this rulemaking's proposed correction of the 
error.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Bureau does not deem most of the proposed amendments as 
substantive changes to the 2015 HMDA Final Rule. The amendments are 
largely clarifications and technical corrections that do not change the 
compliance requirements of the Final Rule, but should reduce burden by 
avoiding confusion on how to comply. Those few amendments that do make 
minor substantive changes would all reduce burden on industry and have 
either a positive or neutral effect on consumers.
    To ease the burden associated with obtaining certain information 
about purchased loans, the proposal would establish certain 
transitional rules for reporting purchased loans, allowing financial 
institutions to opt not to report the loan purpose if the financial 
institution is reporting a purchased covered loan that was originated 
prior to January 1, 2018, and providing financial institutions with the 
option not to report the unique identifier for the loan originator when 
reporting purchased loans that were originated prior to January 10th of 
2014.\78\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \78\ There is a third transitional rule that eases NMLSR ID 
reporting requirements for purchases of commercial loans originated 
prior to January 1, 2018, but it is expected to apply to only a very 
small number of loans.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposal also would make clear that financial institutions may 
voluntarily report open-end lines of credit or closed-end mortgage 
loans even if the institution may exclude those loans pursuant to the 
transactional thresholds included in Sec.  1003.3(c)(11) or (12) under 
the Final Rule.
    The proposal would provide assurances to financial institutions 
that obtain the census tract number from the forthcoming geocoding tool 
provided by the Bureau, provided that the tool returned a census tract 
number for the address entered and that the financial institution 
entered an accurate property address into the tool.
    The proposal would clarify certain key terms, including temporary 
financing, automated underwriting system, multifamily dwelling, 
extension of credit, income, and mixed-use property. The proposal also 
would

[[Page 19165]]

exclude preliminary transactions associated with New York CEMAs, which 
would reduce burden by avoiding double reporting.
    The proposal would correct a drafting error and align the 
transactional thresholds included in Sec.  1003.3(c)(11) and (12) under 
the Final Rule with the institutional coverage thresholds included in 
Sec.  1003.2(g). The proposal addresses certain technical aspects of 
reporting, such as how the reporting requirements for certain data 
points relate to disclosures required by the Bureau's Regulation Z and 
how to collect and report certain information about an applicant's race 
and ethnicity.
    The proposed rule also includes a variety of minor changes and 
technical corrections.
    The Bureau seeks comment on data that would help to quantify costs 
and benefits and any associated burden with the proposed changes. 
Specifically, the Bureau is seeking information on the projected number 
of loans that would be originated prior to January 1, 2018 and then 
purchased by financial institutions after January 1, 2018, and which 
would be required to be reported according to the 2015 HMDA Final Rule 
by HMDA reporting years. Similarly, the Bureau is seeking information 
on the projected number of loans that would be originated prior to 
January 10, 2014 and then purchased by financial institutions after 
January 1, 2018, and which would be required to be reported according 
to the 2015 HMDA Final Rule by HMDA reporting years. The Bureau is also 
seeking information on the projected numbers and characteristics of 
financial institutions that would opt to report open-end lines of 
credit or closed-end loans under HMDA even though they would have 
fallen below the respective loan-volume threshold. The Bureau is 
requesting any other data that would assist in quantifying the costs 
and benefits of this proposal.

B. Potential Benefits and Costs to Consumers and Covered Persons

Transitional Rules on Purchased Loans
    Under the proposal, financial institutions can opt not to report 
the loan purpose under Sec.  1003.4(a)(3) if the financial institution 
is reporting a purchased covered loan that was originated prior to 
January 1, 2018, the effective date of the new data collection 
requirements included in the Final Rule. The proposed rule would also 
provide financial institutions with the option not to report the unique 
identifier for the loan originator when reporting purchased loans that 
were originated prior to January of 2014, when Regulation Z's 
requirement to include the loan originator's unique identifier on loan 
documents went into effect. Thirdly, there is a transitional rule that 
eases NMLSR ID reporting requirements for purchases of commercial loans 
originated prior to January 1, 2018, but it is expected to apply to 
only a very small number of loans.
    The Bureau believes providing these options to financial 
institutions would not add costs to financial institutions, but rather 
would be burden reducing. Without such temporary relief, it would be 
burdensome for financial institutions to obtain the relevant 
information on the loan purpose and NMLSR ID of the loans originated 
during the respective transitional periods. Specifically, each of the 
proposed transitional rules would remove one data point that is 
required to be reported for purchased loans that were originated in a 
time period prior to the January 1, 2018, effective date for the 
reportable data points in the 2015 HMDA Final Rule.
    The extent to which the proposed transition rules would reduce 
burden depends on the complexity of the financial institutions and the 
number of loans affected. In the 2015 HMDA Final Rule, the Bureau 
categorizes financial institutions into 3 tiers: Low-complexity, 
moderate-complexity, and high-complexity. For each tier, the Bureau 
produced a reasonable estimate of the cost of compliance given the 
limitations of the available data. The Bureau believes most of the 
financial institutions that purchase loans and are required to report 
under HMDA are in the high-complexity tier, some possibly could be in 
the moderate-complexity tier, but probably very few are in the low-
complexity category.
    The Bureau currently lacks data, given the uncertainty of the 
market environment, to project the volume of purchased loans that would 
be covered under the proposed transitional rules after the 2015 HMDA 
Final Rule is effective. The Bureau generally believes that the number 
of reportable loans purchased after January 1, 2018, that were 
originated before January 1, 2018, will be relatively large in the 
beginning of 2018 but will diminish over time. The Bureau further 
understands that typically there is some delay between loan origination 
by small creditors and loan purchase by larger financial institutions. 
Providing a transitional rule to exempt these purchased loans from loan 
purpose reporting would therefore reduce the burden on those financial 
institutions. This would be particularly true during the first year or 
first few years after January 1, 2018. Further, the Bureau generally 
believes that the number of reportable loans purchased after January 1, 
2018, that were originated before January 10, 2014, will be relatively 
small and will diminish over time. Providing a transitional rule to 
exempt those eligible purchased loans from NMLSR ID reporting would 
reduce the ongoing reporting cost on those financial institutions where 
the proposed change is applicable.
    Regarding benefits to consumers, the Bureau expects the effects of 
the transitional rules for purchased loans to be small or nonexistent. 
HMDA reporting by purchasers does not directly affect consumers. To the 
extent that the rules create cost reductions relative to the baseline 
established by the 2015 HMDA Final rule, those reductions may be 
indirectly passed on to consumers. Standard economic theory predicts 
that in a market where financial institutions are profit maximizers, 
the affected financial institutions would pass on to consumers the cost 
saving per application or origination (i.e., the reduction in marginal 
cost) and would retain the one-time cost saving and saving on fixed 
costs of complying with the rule.
Allowing Voluntary Reporting for Financial Institutions When Below 
Loan-Volume Thresholds
    The proposal would clarify that financial institutions may 
voluntarily report open-end lines of credit or closed-end mortgage 
loans even if the institution may exclude those loans pursuant to the 
transactional thresholds included in Sec.  1003.3(c)(11) or (12) under 
the Final Rule.
    This clarification recognizes that some financial institutions may 
prefer to report loans even if they fall under the transactional 
thresholds in certain years. Thus, the proposed rule provides certain 
financial institutions an option. Economic theory predicts that a firm 
will exercise an option when (and only when) the firm benefits from 
doing so. Thus, an option granted to a financial institution has no 
impact on those that choose not to exercise the option, i.e., they are 
no better or worse off than if the option had not been granted. 
Financial institutions that choose to exercise the option may incur 
benefits and costs but must benefit on net.
    Regarding the option to report loans voluntarily, the Bureau 
believes the financial institutions that are most likely to exercise 
such options would be low-volume, low-complexity institutions that have 
made a one-time investment in HMDA reporting and would like to utilize 
that reporting

[[Page 19166]]

capacity, which is already in place. They would only do so if the 
defrayed one-time adjustment costs more than offset the ongoing costs 
of reporting. The Bureau believes such options granted are burden 
reducing to financial institutions. The Bureau seeks comments on the 
data related to the potential number and characteristics of financial 
institutions that may be interested in opting into either closed-end or 
open-end voluntary HMDA reporting, even if they are not required to 
report under the Final Rule.
    Consumers may benefit from the voluntary reporting clarification, 
to the extent that low-volume, low-complexity institutions achieve cost 
reductions and pass them on to their customers. The Bureau believes 
that such consumer savings would likely be small. Consumers may also 
benefit if low-volume, low complexity institutions are more willing to 
originate loans because passing the thresholds will not cause increased 
burden due to the fact that the institutions are already reporting HMDA 
information.
Deem Census Tract Errors as Bona Fide Errors if the Bureau's Geocoding 
Tool Is Used
    The proposal would establish that a census tract error is a bona 
fide error and not a violation of HMDA or Regulation C if the financial 
institution obtained the incorrect census tract number from the 
geocoding tool provided by the Bureau, provided the financial 
institution used the tool appropriately, the tool provided a census 
tract number for the property address entered, and the financial 
institution entered an accurate property address into the tool.
    Geocoding is often regarded as a pain point for many financial 
institutions for HMDA reporting. In the impact analyses in the 2015 
HMDA Final Rule, the Bureau discussed implementing several operational 
enhancements including working to improve the geocoding process to 
reduce the burden on financial institutions. The Bureau provided cost 
estimates on financial institutions with or without those operational 
enhancements respectively. Therefore, compared to the baseline 
established in the impact analyses in 2015 HMDA Final Rule, this 
proposal is aligned with the operational enhancement already discussed 
in the Final Rule and goes even further by allowing more burden 
reduction for financial institutions' geocoding efforts. In the impact 
analyses of the 2015 HMDA Final Rule, the Bureau breaks down the 
typical HMDA operational process of financial institutions into 18 
operational tasks. Specifically, the Bureau believes this proposal 
would reduce the costs of financial institutions on the following 
tasks: Completion of geocoding data, standard annual edit and internal 
check, internal audit, external audit, exam preparation and exam 
assistance on the issues related to geocoding. It would do so by 
providing a safe harbor that would further encourage financial 
institutions to use the geocoding tool that the Bureau is developing 
and hence reducing the burden on the institutions. The Bureau also 
believes the financial institutions that would most likely benefit more 
from this proposal are low-complexity institutions that generally lack 
the resources to adopt commercially available geocoding tools.
    The Bureau believes that the lower costs to using the Bureau's 
geocoding tool and potentially increased reliance on the Bureau's 
geocoding tool will have a small impact on consumers. Consumers would 
benefit indirectly from the geocoding safe harbor to the extent that 
low-complexity institutions pass on any cost savings.
Clarifying Certain Key Terms and Other Minor Changes/Corrections
    The proposal would clarify certain key terms, including temporary 
financing, automated underwriting system, multifamily dwelling, 
extension of credit, income, and mixed-use property. The proposal also 
addresses certain technical aspects of reporting, such as how the 
reporting requirements for certain data points relate to disclosures 
required by the Bureau's Regulation Z and how to collect and report 
certain information about an applicant's race and ethnicity. The 
proposed rule also includes a variety of minor changes and technical 
corrections.
    These are all minor or clarifying changes that follow the meaning 
of the Final Rule as issued, with the aim to clarify certain terms and 
make certain technical corrections, including correcting certain 
drafting errors. The Bureau believes none of these proposed 
clarifications and technical corrections could impose additional 
burdens on financial institutions. On the contrary, they have the 
potential to reduce reporting burdens on financial institutions, as 
these proposals would reduce potential confusion related to certain 
data points and transactions. In particular, the Bureau believes these 
proposals would help reduce the ongoing costs associated with the 
following operational tasks that were first discussed in the 2015 HMDA 
Final Rule: Researching questions and resolving question responses.
    The Bureau believes that none of the proposed clarifications and 
minor changes in this proposal could add additional costs to financial 
institutions. Most changes would have the potential to reduce the 
ongoing operational costs of HMDA reporting on some financial 
institutions. The impact on consumers would also be small relative to 
the baseline established by the 2015 HMDA final rule. Consumers would 
benefit to the extent to which financial institutions pass on any cost 
savings to consumers.

C. Impact on Depository Institutions and Credit Unions With No More 
Than $10 Billion in Assets

    The Bureau believes that some of the proposed changes could benefit 
depository institutions and credit unions with no more than $10 
billion, as described in section 1026 of the Dodd-Frank Act, in assets 
relatively more than they benefit larger financial institutions. For 
instance, the proposed change allowing census tract errors to be bona 
fide errors if a financial institution chooses to use the Bureau's 
geocoding tool, as specified in the changes, would mostly benefit 
financial institutions with assets below $10 billion, because it would 
provide a safe harbor and further encourage smaller financial 
institutions to use the geocoding tool that the Bureau is developing. 
These institutions are more likely than larger financial institutions 
to use the Bureau's geocoding tools. Furthermore, the Bureau believes 
that the proposed clarification that financial institutions have the 
option to report open-end lines of credit or closed-end loans even if 
they fall under the transactional threshold(s) would mostly benefit 
financial institutions that have assets below $10 billion. Financial 
institutions that are most likely to exercise such options would be 
low-volume, low-complexity institutions that may have made a one-time 
investment in reporting infrastructure and would prefer to utilize it 
even though the volatility in their loan production volume may cause 
them to fall below the relevant mandatory reporting threshold in 
certain years. As explained above, the Bureau believes such options 
granted would have to be burden reducing to those small financial 
institutions in order for them to exercise the option(s). To the extent 
that the majority of such small financial institutions have $10 billion 
or less in assets, the proposed changes mentioned above would create a 
disproportional

[[Page 19167]]

benefit for covered persons in that asset category.
    The only proposals that could potentially benefit financial 
institutions with assets over $10 billion relatively more than 
financial institutions with assets below $10 billion are the 
transitional rules related to reporting certain data points for 
purchased loans. Financial institutions with assets below $10 billion 
that purchase loans would also benefit from the transitional rules. 
However, larger institutions will benefit relatively more because they 
are more likely to be purchasers of loans.
    For the reasons discussed above, the Bureau believes that no 
provision in this proposed rule would add cost burdens to financial 
institutions with assets below $10 billion, and that any effects would 
be burden reducing.

D. Impact on Access to Credit

    As discussed above, the Bureau believes that none of the proposed 
changes in this proposal could add additional costs to financial 
institutions. In addition, a reduction in ambiguity regarding 
compliance with the law as this proposal tries to achieve also reduces 
costs to financial institutions. Thus, all proposals would have 
potential to reduce the operational costs of HMDA reporting on certain 
financial institutions. Further, as discussed above, standard economic 
theory predicts that in a market where financial institutions are 
profit maximizers, the affected financial institutions would pass on to 
consumers the cost saving per application or origination (i.e., the 
reduction in marginal cost) and would retain the one-time cost saving 
and saving on fixed costs of complying with the rule. Thus, the Bureau 
believes the impacts of the proposed changes on consumers' access to 
credit would be neutral or beneficial (i.e., credit becomes more 
available or the cost of available credit falls). In no event would 
consumers experience reduced access to credit.

E. Impact on Consumers in Rural Areas

    The Bureau believes that none of the proposed changes is likely to 
have an adverse impact on consumers in rural areas. The Bureau believes 
it is possible that smaller financial institutions that may opt to 
report HMDA information even though they may fall below transaction 
thresholds in certain years are relatively more likely to be located in 
rural areas. To the extent this conjecture is true, financial 
institutions and consumers in rural areas may benefit from the proposed 
clarification of options allowing lenders to voluntarily report, based 
on the economic rationale that a lender would only exercise the 
option(s) if the benefits of doing so outweigh the costs. The Bureau 
requests comment and data on the likelihood that smaller financial 
institutions that may opt to report HMDA information even though they 
may fall below transaction thresholds in certain years are relatively 
more likely to be located in rural areas.
    The Bureau also believes that it is possible that rural consumers 
may benefit more than consumers in urban areas from the proposal to 
allow census tract errors be treated as bona fide errors if the lender/
HMDA reporter chooses to use the CFPB geocoding tool, as specified in 
the proposal, because it is commonly believed that properties located 
in rural areas face more geocoding challenges and this proposal 
alleviates some of that burden. The Bureau requests comment and data on 
whether properties located in rural areas face more geocoding 
challenges and this proposal alleviates some of that burden. For the 
rest of the proposed changes, the Bureau believes in no event would 
financial institutions based in rural areas and consumers face higher 
burdens.

VII. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (the 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 nonprofit organizations. 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.
    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. In the absence of such a certification, the Bureau also is 
subject to certain additional procedures under the RFA involving the 
convening of a panel to consult with small business representatives 
prior to proposing a rule for which an IRFA is required.
    As discussed above, the Bureau believes that none of the proposed 
changes would create a significant impact on any covered persons, 
including small entities. Therefore, an IRFA is not required for this 
proposal.
    Accordingly, the undersigned certifies that this proposal, if 
adopted, would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities. The Bureau requests comment on the analysis 
above and requests any relevant data.

VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act

    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq.), Federal agencies are generally required to seek the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) approval for information collection 
requirements prior to implementation. Under the PRA, the Bureau may not 
conduct or sponsor, and, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a 
person is not required to respond to an information collection unless 
the information collection displays a valid control number assigned by 
OMB. The information collection requirements contained in Regulation C 
have been previously approved by OMB and assigned OMB control number 
3170-0008. You may access this information collection on 
www.reginfo.gov by selecting ``Information Collection Review'' from the 
main menu, clicking on ``Search,'' and then entering the OMB control 
number.
    The Bureau has determined that the proposed rule would not impose 
any new recordkeeping, reporting, or disclosure requirements on members 
of the public that would constitute collections of information 
requiring approval under the PRA.
    The Bureau has a continuing interest in the public's opinions 
regarding this determination. At any time, comments regarding this 
determination may be sent to: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 
(Attention: PRA Office), 1700 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20552, or by 
email to [email protected].

List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 1003

    Banks, Banking, Credit unions, Mortgages, National banks, Savings 
associations, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Authority and Issuance

    For the reasons set forth above, the Bureau proposes to amend 
Regulation C, 12 CFR part 1003, as set forth below:

PART 1003--HOME MORTGAGE DISCLOSURE (REGULATION C)

0
1. The authority citation for part 1003 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 2803, 2804, 2805, 5512, 5581.

[[Page 19168]]

    [The following amendments would be effective January 1, 2018, 
further amending the sections as amended October 28, 2015, at 80 FR 
66127.]
0
2. Section 1003.2 is further amended by revising paragraphs 
(g)(1)(v)(A) and (g)(2)(ii)(A) to read as follows:


Sec.  1003.2  Definitions.

* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (1) * * *
* * * * *
    (v) * * *
    (A) In each of the two preceding calendar years, originated at 
least 25 closed-end mortgage loans that are not excluded from this part 
pursuant to Sec.  1003.3(c)(1) through (10) or (13); or
    (2) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (A) In each of the two preceding calendar years, originated at 
least 25 closed-end mortgage loans that are not excluded from this part 
pursuant to Sec.  1003.3(c)(1) through (10) or (13); or
* * * * *
0
3. Section 1003.3 is further amended by revising paragraphs (3)(c)(11) 
and (12) and adding paragraph (3)(c)(13) to read as follows:


Sec.  1003.3  Exempt institutions and excluded transactions.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (11) A closed-end mortgage loan, if the financial institution 
originated fewer than 25 closed-end mortgage loans in either of the two 
preceding calendar years;
    (12) An open-end line of credit, if the financial institution 
originated fewer than 100 open-end lines of credit in either of the two 
preceding calendar years; or
    (13) A transaction that provided or, in the case of an application, 
proposed to provide new funds to the borrower in advance of being 
consolidated in a New York State consolidation, extension, and 
modification agreement classified as a supplemental mortgage under New 
York Tax Law section 255. The transaction is excluded only if final 
action on the consolidation was taken in the same calendar year as 
final action on the new funds.
0
4. Section 1003.4 is further amended by revising paragraphs (4)(a)(2), 
(4)(a)(12), and (4)(a)(35) to read as follows:


Sec.  1003.4  Compilation of reportable data.

    (a) * * *
    (2) Whether the covered loan is, or in the case of an application 
would have been, insured by the Federal Housing Administration, 
guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, or guaranteed by the 
Rural Housing Service or the Farm Service Agency.
* * * * *
    (12)(i) For covered loans subject to Regulation Z, 12 CFR part 
1026, other than assumptions, purchased covered loans, and reverse 
mortgages, the difference between the covered loan's annual percentage 
rate and the average prime offer rate for a comparable transaction as 
of the date the interest rate is set.
    (ii) ``Average prime offer rate'' means an annual percentage rate 
that is derived from average interest rates and other loan pricing 
terms currently offered to consumers by a set of creditors for mortgage 
loans that have low-risk pricing characteristics. The Bureau publishes 
tables of average prime offer rates by transaction type at least weekly 
and also publishes the methodology it uses to derive these rates.
* * * * *
    (35)(i) Except for purchased covered loans, the name of the 
automated underwriting system used by the financial institution to 
evaluate the application and the result generated by that automated 
underwriting system.
    (ii) For purposes of this paragraph (a)(35), an ``automated 
underwriting system'' means an electronic tool developed by a 
securitizer, Federal government insurer, or Federal government 
guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-end lines of credit that 
provides a result regarding the credit risk of the applicant and 
whether the covered loan is eligible to be originated, purchased, 
insured, or guaranteed by that securitizer, Federal government insurer, 
or Federal government guarantor. A person is a securitizer, Federal 
government insurer, or Federal government guarantor of closed-end 
mortgage loans or open-end lines of credit, respectively, if it has 
ever securitized, provided Federal government insurance, or provided a 
Federal government guarantee for a closed-end mortgage loan or open-end 
line of credit.
* * * * *
0
5. Appendix B to part 1003 is further amended by revising paragraphs 8, 
9(i), 9(ii), and 9(iv) and the Sample Data Collection Form to read as 
follows:

Appendix B to Part 1003--Form and Instructions for Data Collection on 
Ethnicity, Race, and Sex

* * * * *

    8. You must report the ethnicity, race, and sex of an applicant 
as provided by the applicant. For example, if an applicant selects 
the ``Asian'' box the institution reports ``Asian'' for the race of 
the applicant. Only an applicant may self-identify as being of a 
particular Hispanic or Latino subcategory (Mexican, Puerto Rican, 
Cuban, Other Hispanic or Latino) or of a particular Asian 
subcategory (Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, 
Vietnamese, Other Asian) or of a particular Native Hawaiian or Other 
Pacific Islander subcategory (Native Hawaiian, Guamanian or 
Chamorro, Samoan, Other Pacific Islander) or of a particular 
American Indian or Alaska Native enrolled or principal tribe. An 
applicant may select an ethnicity or race subcategory even if the 
applicant does not select an aggregate ethnicity or aggregate race 
category. For example, if an applicant selects only the ``Mexican'' 
box, the institution reports ``Mexican'' for the ethnicity of the 
applicant and should not also report ``Hispanic or Latino.''
    9. * * *
    i. Ethnicity--Aggregate categories and subcategories. There are 
two aggregate ethnicity categories: Hispanic or Latino; and Not 
Hispanic or Latino. The Hispanic or Latino category has four 
subcategories: Mexican; Puerto Rican; Cuban; and Other Hispanic or 
Latino. You must report every aggregate ethnicity category selected 
by the applicant. If the applicant also selects one or more 
ethnicity subcategories, you must report each ethnicity subcategory 
selected by the applicant, except that you must not report more than 
a total of five aggregate ethnicity categories and ethnicity 
subcategories combined. For example, if the applicant selects both 
aggregate ethnicity categories and also selects all four ethnicity 
subcategories, you must report Hispanic or Latino, Not Hispanic or 
Latino, and any three, at your option, of the four ethnicity 
subcategories selected by the applicant. To determine how to report 
the Other Hispanic or Latino ethnicity subcategory for purposes of 
the five-ethnicity maximum, see paragraph 9.ii below.
    ii. Ethnicity--Other subcategories. An applicant may select the 
Other Hispanic or Latino ethnicity subcategory, an applicant may 
provide a particular Hispanic or Latino ethnicity not listed in the 
standard subcategories, or an applicant may do both. For example, if 
an applicant provides only Dominican, you should report Dominican 
and should not also report Other Hispanic or Latino. If an applicant 
selects the Other Hispanic or Latino ethnicity subcategory and also 
provides a particular Hispanic or Latino ethnicity not listed in the 
standard subcategories, you must report both the selection of Other 
Hispanic or Latino and the additional information provided by the 
applicant, subject to the five-ethnicity maximum. In all such cases, 
for purposes of the maximum of five reportable ethnicity categories 
and ethnicity subcategories combined set forth in paragraph 9.i, the 
Other Hispanic or Latino subcategory and additional information 
provided by the applicant together constitute only one selection. 
For example, if the applicant selects Other Hispanic or Latino and 
enters ``Dominican'' in the space provided, Other Hispanic or Latino 
and Dominican are considered one selection.
* * * * *

[[Page 19169]]

    iv. Race--Other subcategories. An applicant may select the Other 
Asian race subcategory or the Other Pacific Islander race 
subcategory, an applicant may provide a particular Other Asian race 
or Other Pacific Islander race not listed in the standard 
subcategories, or an applicant may do both. For example, if an 
applicant provides only Hmong, you should report Hmong and should 
not also report Other Asian. If an applicant selects the Other Asian 
race or the Other Pacific Islander race subcategory and provides a 
particular Other Asian race or Other Pacific Islander race not 
listed in the standard subcategories, you must report both the 
selection of Other Asian or Other Pacific Islander, as applicable, 
and the additional information provided by the applicant, subject to 
the five-race maximum. In all such cases, for purposes of the 
maximum of five reportable race categories and race subcategories 
combined set forth in paragraph 9.iii, the Other race subcategory 
and additional information provided by the applicant together 
constitute only one selection. Thus, using the same facts in the 
example offered in paragraph 9.iii above, if the applicant also 
selected Other Asian and entered ``Thai'' in the space provided, 
Other Asian and Thai are considered one selection. You must report 
any two (at your option) of the four race subcategories selected by 
the applicant, Korean, Vietnamese, Other Asian-Thai, and Samoan, in 
addition to the three aggregate race categories selected by the 
applicant.
* * * * *
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25AP17.003

0
6. Appendix C to part 1003 is further amended by revising Step 3 of 
``Generating a Check Digit'' and Step 3 of the ``Example'' to 
``Generating a Check Digit'' to read as follows:

Appendix C to Part 1003--Procedures for Generating a Check Digit and 
Validating a ULI

* * * * *

Generating a Check Digit

* * * * *
    Step 3: Apply the mathematical function mod = (n,97) where n = 
the number obtained in step 2 above and 97 is the divisor.

[[Page 19170]]

    Alternatively, to calculate without using the modulus operator, 
divide the numbers in step 2 above by 97. Truncate the remainder to 
three digits and multiply it by 97. Round the result to the nearest 
whole number.
* * * * *

Example

* * * * *
    Step 3: Apply the mathematical function mod = (n,97) where n = 
the number obtained in step 2 above and 97 is the divisor. The 
result is 60.
    Alternatively, to calculate without using the modulus operator, 
divide the numbers in step 2 above by 97. The result is 
1042617929129312294946332267952920.618556701030928. Truncate the 
remainder to three digits, which is .618, and multiply it by 97. The 
result is 59.946. Round this result to the nearest whole number, 
which is 60.
* * * * *
0
7. In Supplement I to Part 1003--Official Interpretations:
0
a. Under Section 1003.2--Definitions:
0
i. Under 2(d) Closed-end mortgage loan, paragraph 2 is revised.
0
ii. Under 2(f) Dwelling, paragraph 2 is revised.
0
iii. Under 2(i) Home improvement loan, paragraph 4 is revised.
0
iv. Under 2(j) Home purchase loan, paragraph 3 is revised.
0
b. Under Section 1003.3--Exempt institutions and excluded transactions:
0
i. Under 3(c)(3) Excluded transactions:
0
A. Under Paragraph 3(c)(3), paragraph 1 is revised and paragraph 2 is 
added.
0
B. Under Paragraph 3(c)(10), paragraph 3 is revised.
0
C. Under Paragraph 3(c)(11), as added October 28, 215, at 80 FR 66127, 
paragraph 1 is revised and paragraph 2 is added.
0
D. Under Paragraph 3(c)(12), paragraph 1 is revised and paragraph 2 is 
added.
0
E. Heading Paragraph 3(c)(13) and paragraph 1 under that heading is 
added.
0
c. Under Section 1003.4--Compilation of Reportable Data:
0
i. Under 4(a) Data format and itemization:
0
A. Under Paragraph 4(a)(1)(i), paragraphs 3 and 4 are revised.
0
B. Under Paragraph 4(a)(2), paragraph 1 is revised.
0
C. Under Paragraph 4(a)(3), paragraph 6 is added.
0
D. Under Paragraph 4(a)(8)(i), paragraphs 6 and 9 are revised.
0
E. Under Paragraph 4(a)(9)(i), paragraph 3 is revised.
0
F. Under Paragraph 4(a)(9)(ii)(A), paragraph 1 is revised.
0
G. Under Paragraph 4(a)(9)(ii)(B), paragraph 2 is revised.
0
H. Under Paragraph 4(a)(9)(ii)(c), paragraph 2 is revised.
0
I. Under Paragraph 4(a)(10)(ii), paragraph 3 is revised.
0
J. Under Paragraph 4(a)(10)(iii), paragraph 4 is revised.
0
K. Under Paragraph 4(a)(12), paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 are revised 
and paragraph 9 is added.
0
L. Under Paragraph 4(a)(15), paragraphs 2 and 3 are revised.
0
M. Under Paragraph 4(a)(17)(i), paragraph 3 is revised.
0
N. Under Paragraph 4(a)(18), paragraph 3 is revised.
0
O. Under Paragraph 4(a)(19), paragraph 3 is revised.
0
P. Under Paragraph 4(a)(20), paragraph 3 is revised.
0
Q. Under Paragraph 4(a)(21), paragraph 1 is revised.
0
R. Under Paragraph 4(a)(24), paragraph 2 is revised and paragraph 6 is 
added.
0
S. Under Paragraph 4(a)(26), paragraph 5 is added.
0
T. Under Paragraph 4(a)(34), paragraph 4 is added.
0
U. Under Paragraph 4(a)(35), paragraph 2 is revised and paragraph 7 is 
added.
0
d. Under Section 1003.6--Enforcement:
0
i. Under 6(b) Bona Fide Errors, paragraph 1 is revised and paragraph 2 
is added.

Supplement I to Part 1003--Official Interpretations

* * * * *

Section 1003.2--Definitions

* * * * *

2(d) Closed-End Mortgage Loan

* * * * *
    2. Extension of credit. Under Sec.  1003.2(d), a dwelling-
secured loan is not a closed-end mortgage loan unless it involves an 
extension of credit. For example, some transactions completed 
pursuant to installment sales contracts, such as some land 
contracts, depending on the facts and circumstances may or may not 
involve extensions of credit rendering the transactions closed-end 
mortgage loans. In general, extension of credit under Sec.  
1003.2(d) refers to the granting of credit only pursuant to a new 
debt obligation. Thus, except as described in comments 2(d)-2.i and 
.ii, if a transaction modifies, renews, extends, or amends the terms 
of an existing debt obligation, but the existing debt obligation is 
not satisfied and replaced, the transaction is not a closed-end 
mortgage loan under Sec.  1003.2(d) because there has been no new 
extension of credit. The phrase extension of credit thus is defined 
differently under Regulation C than under Regulation B, 12 CFR part 
1002.
    i. Assumptions. For purposes of Regulation C, an assumption is a 
transaction in which an institution enters into a written agreement 
accepting a new borrower in place of an existing borrower as the 
obligor on an existing debt obligation. For purposes of Regulation 
C, assumptions include successor-in-interest transactions, in which 
an individual succeeds the prior owner as the property owner and 
then assumes the existing debt secured by the property. Under Sec.  
1003.2(d), assumptions are extensions of credit even if the new 
borrower merely assumes the existing debt obligation and no new debt 
obligation is created. See also comment 2(j)-5.
    ii. New York State consolidation, extension, and modification 
agreements. A transaction completed pursuant to a New York State 
consolidation, extension, and modification agreement and classified 
as a supplemental mortgage under New York Tax Law section 255, such 
that the borrower owes reduced or no mortgage recording taxes, is an 
extension of credit under Sec.  1003.2(d). Comments 2(i)-1, 2(j)-5, 
and 2(p)-2 clarify whether such transactions are home improvement 
loans, home purchase loans, or refinancings, respectively. Section 
1003.3(c)(13) provides an exclusion from the reporting requirement 
for a preliminary transaction providing new funds that has been 
consolidated within the same calendar year into a supplemental 
mortgage under New York Tax Law section 255. See comment 3(c)(13)-1 
for how to report a supplemental mortgage in this situation.

2(f) Dwelling

* * * * *
    2. Multifamily residential structures and communities. A 
dwelling also includes a multifamily residential structure or 
community such as an apartment, condominium, cooperative building or 
housing complex, or a manufactured home community. A loan related to 
a manufactured home community is secured by a dwelling for purposes 
of Sec.  1003.2(f) even if it is not secured by any individual 
manufactured homes, but only by the land that constitutes the 
manufactured home community including sites for manufactured homes. 
However, a loan related to a multifamily residential structure or 
community that is not a manufactured home community is not secured 
by a dwelling for purposes of Sec.  1003.2(f) if it is not secured 
by any individual dwelling units and is, for example, instead 
secured only by property that only includes common areas, or is 
secured only by an assignment of rents or dues. In addition, a loan 
secured by five or more separate dwellings in more than one location 
is a loan secured by a multifamily dwelling. For example, assume a 
landlord uses a covered loan to improve five or more rental property 
dwellings located in different parts of a town, and the loan is 
secured by those properties. The loan should be reported as secured 
by a multifamily dwelling.
* * * * *

2(i) Home Improvement Loan

* * * * *
    4. Mixed-use property. A closed-end mortgage loan or an open-end 
line of credit to improve a multifamily dwelling used for 
residential and commercial purposes (for example, a building 
containing apartment units and retail space), or the real property 
on which such a dwelling is located, is a home improvement loan if 
the loan's

[[Page 19171]]

proceeds are used either to improve the entire property (for 
example, to replace the heating system), or if the proceeds are used 
primarily to improve the residential portion of the property. An 
institution may use any reasonable standard to determine the primary 
use of the loan proceeds. An institution may select the standard to 
apply on a case-by-case basis.
* * * * *

2(j) Home Purchase Loan

* * * * *
    3. Construction and permanent financing. A home purchase loan 
includes both a combined construction/permanent loan or line of 
credit, and the separate permanent financing that replaces a 
construction-only loan or line of credit for the same borrower at a 
later time. A home purchase loan does not include a construction-
only loan or line of credit that is designed to be replaced by 
separate permanent financing extended to the same borrower at a 
later time or that is extended to a person exclusively to construct 
a dwelling for sale, which are excluded from Regulation C as 
temporary financing under Sec.  1003.3(c)(3). Comments 3(c)(3)-1 and 
-2 provide additional details about transactions that are excluded 
as temporary financing.
* * * * *

Section 1003.3--Exempt Institutions and Excluded Transactions

* * * * *

3(c) Excluded Transactions

* * * * *

Paragraph 3(c)(3)

    1. Temporary financing. Section 1003.3(c)(3) provides that 
closed-end mortgage loans or open-end lines of credit obtained for 
temporary financing are excluded transactions. Except as provided in 
comment 3(c)(3)-2, a loan or line of credit is considered temporary 
financing and excluded under Sec.  1003.3(c)(3) if the loan or line 
of credit is designed to be replaced by separate permanent financing 
extended to the same borrower at a later time. For example:
    i. Lender A extends credit in the form of a bridge or swing loan 
to finance a borrower's down payment on a home purchase. The 
borrower pays off the bridge or swing loan with funds from the sale 
of his or her existing home and obtains permanent financing for his 
or her new home from Lender A. The bridge or swing loan is excluded 
as temporary financing under Sec.  1003.3(c)(3).
    ii. Lender A extends credit to a borrower to finance 
construction of a dwelling. The borrower will obtain a new extension 
of credit for permanent financing for the dwelling, either from 
Lender A or from another lender, and either through a refinancing of 
the initial construction loan or a separate loan. The initial 
construction loan is excluded as temporary financing under Sec.  
1003.3(c)(3).
    iii. Assume the same scenario as in comment 3(c)(3)-1.ii, except 
that the initial construction loan is, or may be, renewed one or 
more times before the separate permanent financing is obtained. The 
initial construction loan, including any renewal thereof, is 
excluded as temporary financing under Sec.  1003.3(c)(3).
    iv. Lender A extends credit to finance construction of a 
dwelling. The loan automatically will convert to permanent financing 
extended to the same borrower with Lender A once the construction 
phase is complete. Under Sec.  1003.3(c)(3), the loan is not 
designed to be replaced by separate permanent financing extended to 
the same borrower and therefore the temporary financing exclusion 
does not apply. See also comment 2(j)-3.
    v. Lender A originates a loan with a nine-month term to enable 
an investor to purchase a home, renovate it, and re-sell it before 
the term expires. Under Sec.  1003.3(c)(3), the loan is not designed 
to be replaced by separate permanent financing extended to the same 
borrower and therefore the temporary financing exclusion does not 
apply. Such a transaction is not temporary financing under Sec.  
1003.3(c)(3) merely because its term is short.
    2. Loan or line of credit to construct a dwelling for sale. A 
construction-only loan or line of credit is considered temporary 
financing and excluded under Sec.  1003.3(c)(3) if the loan or line 
of credit is extended to a person exclusively to construct a 
dwelling for sale. See comment 3(c)(3)-1.ii through .iv for examples 
of the reporting requirement for construction loans that are not 
extended to a person exclusively to construct a dwelling for sale.
* * * * *

Paragraph 3(c)(10)

* * * * *
    3. Examples--covered business- or commercial-purpose 
transactions. The following are examples of closed-end mortgage 
loans and open-end lines of credit that are not excluded from 
reporting under Sec.  1003.3(c)(10) because, although they primarily 
are for a business or commercial purpose, they also meet the 
definition of a home improvement loan under Sec.  1003.2(i), a home 
purchase loan under Sec.  1003.2(j), or a refinancing under Sec.  
1003.2(p):
    i. A closed-end mortgage loan or an open-end line of credit to 
purchase or to improve a multifamily dwelling or a single-family 
investment property, or a refinancing of a closed-end mortgage loan 
or an open-end line of credit secured by a multifamily dwelling or a 
single-family investment property;
    ii. A closed-end mortgage loan or an open-end line of credit to 
improve a doctor's office or a daycare center that is located in a 
dwelling other than a multifamily dwelling; and
    iii. A closed-end mortgage loan or an open-end line of credit to 
a corporation, if the funds from the loan or line of credit will be 
used to purchase or to improve a dwelling, or if the transaction is 
a refinancing.
* * * * *

Paragraph 3(c)(11)

    1. General. Section 1003.3(c)(11) provides that a closed-end 
mortgage loan is an excluded transaction if a financial institution 
originated fewer than 25 closed-end mortgage loans in either of the 
two preceding calendar years. For example, assume that a bank is a 
financial institution in 2022 under Sec.  1003.2(g) because it 
originated 200 open-end lines of credit in 2020, 250 open-end lines 
of credit in 2021, and met all of the other requirements under Sec.  
1003.2(g)(1). Also assume that the bank originated 10 and 20 closed-
end mortgage loans in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The open-end 
lines of credit that the bank originated or purchased, or for which 
it received applications, during 2022 are covered loans and must be 
reported, unless they otherwise are excluded transactions under 
Sec.  1003.3(c). However, the closed-end mortgage loans that the 
bank originated or purchased, or for which it received applications, 
during 2022 are excluded transactions under Sec.  1003.3(c)(11) and 
need not be reported. See comments 4(a)-2 through -4 for guidance 
about the activities that constitute an origination.
    2. Voluntary reporting. A financial institution may voluntarily 
report closed-end mortgage loans and applications for closed-end 
mortgage loans that are excluded transactions because the financial 
institution originated fewer than 25 closed-end mortgage loans in 
either of the two preceding calendar years.

Paragraph 3(c)(12)

    1. General. Section 1003.3(c)(12) provides that an open-end line 
of credit is an excluded transaction if a financial institution 
originated fewer than 100 open-end lines of credit in either of the 
two preceding calendar years. For example, assume that a bank is a 
financial institution in 2022 under Sec.  1003.2(g) because it 
originated 50 closed-end mortgage loans in 2020, 75 closed-end 
mortgage loans in 2021, and met all of the other requirements under 
Sec.  1003.2(g)(1). Also assume that the bank originated 75 and 85 
open-end lines of credit in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The closed-
end mortgage loans that the bank originated or purchased, or for 
which it received applications, during 2022 are covered loans and 
must be reported, unless they otherwise are excluded transactions 
under Sec.  1003.3(c). However, the open-end lines of credit that 
the bank originated or purchased, or for which it received 
applications, during 2022 are excluded transactions under Sec.  
1003.3(c)(12) and need not be reported. See comments 4(a)-2 through 
-4 for guidance about the activities that constitute an origination.
    2. Voluntary reporting. A financial institution voluntarily may 
report open-end lines of credit and applications for open-end lines 
of credit that are excluded transactions because the financial 
institution originated fewer than 100 open-end lines of credit in 
either of the two preceding calendar years.

Paragraph 3(c)(13)

    1. New funds extended prior to consolidation. Section 
1003.3(c)(13) provides an exclusion from the reporting requirement 
for a transaction that provided or, in the case of an application, 
proposed to provide new funds to the borrower in advance of being 
consolidated in a New York State consolidation, extension, and 
modification agreement classified as a supplemental mortgage under 
New York Tax Law section 255 and for which final action is taken on 
both transactions within the same calendar

[[Page 19172]]

year. The excluded transaction provides or proposes to provide funds 
that are not part of any existing debt obligation of the borrower, 
and that are then consolidated or proposed to be consolidated with 
an existing debt obligation or obligations as part of the 
supplemental mortgage. The new funds are reported only insofar as 
they form part of the total amount of the reported New York State 
consolidation, extension, and modification agreement, and not as a 
separate amount. The exclusion does not apply to similar preliminary 
transactions that provide or propose to provide new funds to be 
consolidated not pursuant to New York Tax Law section 255 but under 
some other law in a transaction that is not an extension of credit. 
For example, assume a financial institution extends new funds to a 
consumer in a preliminary transaction that is then consolidated as 
part of a consolidation, extension and modification agreement 
pursuant to the law of a State other than New York. If the 
preliminary extension of new funds is a covered loan, it must be 
reported. If the consolidation, extension and modification agreement 
pursuant to the law of a State other than New York is not an 
extension of credit pursuant to Regulation C, it may not be 
reported. For discussion of how to report a true cash-out 
refinancing, see comment 4(a)(3)-2.

Section 1003.4--Compilation of Reportable Data

4(a) Data Format and Itemization

* * * * *

Paragraph 4(a)(1)(i)

* * * * *
    3. ULI--purchased covered loan. If a financial institution 
previously has assigned a covered loan with a ULI or reported a 
covered loan with a ULI under this part, a financial institution 
that purchases that covered loan must report the same ULI that 
previously was assigned or reported. For example, if a loan 
origination previously was reported under this part with a ULI, the 
financial institution that purchases the covered loan would report 
the purchase of the covered loan using the same ULI. A financial 
institution that purchases a covered loan must use the ULI that was 
assigned by the financial institution that originated the covered 
loan. A financial institution that purchases a covered loan assigns 
a ULI and records and submits it in its loan/application register 
pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1) if the covered loan was not assigned 
a ULI by the financial institution that originated the loan because, 
for example, the loan was originated prior to January 1, 2018 or the 
loan was originated by a financial institution not required to 
report under this part.
    4. ULI--reinstated or reconsidered application. A financial 
institution may not use a ULI previously reported if it reinstates 
or reconsiders an application that was reported in a prior calendar 
year. For example, if a financial institution reports a denied 
application in its annual 2020 data submission, pursuant to Sec.  
1003.5(a)(1), but then reconsiders the application, which results in 
an origination in 2021, the financial institution reports a denied 
application under the original ULI in its annual 2020 data 
submission and an origination with a different ULI in its annual 
2021 data submission, pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1).
* * * * *

Paragraph 4(a)(2)

    1. Loan type--general. If a covered loan is not, or in the case 
of an application would not have been, insured by the Federal 
Housing Administration, guaranteed by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, or guaranteed by the Rural Housing Service or the Farm 
Service Agency, an institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(2) by 
reporting the covered loan as not insured or guaranteed by the 
Federal Housing Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 
Rural Housing Service, or Farm Service Agency.

Paragraph 4(a)(3)

* * * * *
    6. Purpose--purchased loans. For purchased covered loans where 
origination took place prior to January 1, 2018, a financial 
institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(3) by reporting that the 
requirement is not applicable.
* * * * *

Paragraph 4(a)(8)(i)

* * * * *
    6. Action taken--file closed for incompleteness. A financial 
institution reports that the file was closed for incompleteness if 
the financial institution sent a written notice of incompleteness 
under Regulation B, 12 CFR 1002.9(c)(2), and the applicant did not 
respond to the request for additional information within the period 
of time specified in the notice before the applicant satisfies all 
underwriting or creditworthiness conditions. See comment 4(a)(8)(i)-
13. If a financial institution then provides a notification of 
adverse action on the basis of incompleteness under Regulation B, 12 
CFR 1002.9(c)(1)(i), the financial institution may report the action 
taken as either file closed for incompleteness or application 
denied. A preapproval request that is closed for incompleteness is 
not reportable under HMDA. See Sec.  1003.4(a).
* * * * *
    9. Action taken--counteroffers. If a financial institution makes 
a counteroffer to lend on terms different from the applicant's 
initial request (for example, for a shorter loan maturity, with a 
different interest rate, or in a different amount) and the applicant 
declines to proceed with the counteroffer or fails to respond, the 
institution reports the action taken as a denial on the original 
terms requested by the applicant. If the applicant agrees to proceed 
with consideration of the financial institution's counteroffer, the 
counteroffer takes the place of the prior application, and the 
financial institution reports the action taken in relation to the 
terms of the counteroffer. For example, assume a financial 
institution makes a counteroffer and the applicant agrees to proceed 
with consideration of the counteroffer, and the financial 
institution sends the applicant a conditional approval letter 
stating the conditions to be met in order to originate the 
counteroffer. The financial institution reports the action taken on 
the application in accordance with comment 4(a)(8)(i)-13 regarding 
conditional approvals.
* * * * *

Paragraph 4(a)(9)(i)

* * * * *
    3. Property address--not applicable. A financial institution 
complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(9)(i) by reporting that the 
requirement is not applicable if the property address of the 
property securing the covered loan is not known. For example, if the 
property did not have a property address at closing or if the 
applicant did not provide the property address of the property to 
the financial institution before the application was denied, 
withdrawn, or closed for incompleteness, the financial institution 
complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(9)(i) by reporting that the 
requirement is not applicable.

Paragraph 4(a)(9)(ii)(A)

    1. Applications--State not provided. When reporting an 
application, a financial institution complies with Sec.  
1003.4(a)(9)(ii)(A) by reporting that the requirement is not 
applicable if the State in which the property is located is not 
known before the application was denied, withdrawn, or closed for 
incompleteness.

Paragraph 4(a)(9)(ii)(B)

* * * * *
    2. Applications--county not provided. When reporting an 
application, a financial institution complies with Sec.  
1003.4(a)(9)(ii)(B) by reporting that the requirement is not 
applicable if the county in which the property is located is not 
known before the application was denied, withdrawn, or closed for 
incompleteness.

Paragraph 4(a)(9)(ii)(C)

* * * * *
    2. Applications--census tract not provided. When reporting an 
application, a financial institution complies with Sec.  
1003.4(a)(9)(ii)(C) by reporting that the requirement is not 
applicable if the census tract in which the property is located is 
not known before the application was denied, withdrawn, or closed 
for incompleteness.
* * * * *

Paragraph 4(a)(10)(ii)

* * * * *
    3. Applicant data--purchased loan. A financial institution 
complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(10)(ii) by reporting that the 
requirement is not applicable when reporting a purchased loan for 
which the institution chooses not to report the age.
* * * * *

Paragraph 4(a)(10)(iii)

* * * * *
    4. Income data--assets. A financial institution does not include 
as income amounts considered in making a credit decision based on 
factors that an institution relies on in addition to income, such as 
amounts derived from underwriting calculations of the potential 
annuitization or depletion of an applicant's remaining assets.

[[Page 19173]]

Actual distributions from retirement accounts or other assets that 
are relied on by the financial institution as income should be 
reported as income. The interpretation of income in this paragraph 
does not affect Sec.  1003.4(a)(23), which requires, except for 
purchased covered loans, the collection of the ratio of the 
applicant's or borrower's total monthly debt to the total monthly 
income relied on in making the credit decision.
* * * * *

Paragraph 4(a)(12)

    1. Average prime offer rate. Average prime offer rates are 
annual percentage rates derived from average interest rates and 
other loan pricing terms offered to borrowers by a set of creditors 
for mortgage loans that have low-risk pricing characteristics. Other 
loan pricing terms may include commonly used indices, margins, and 
initial fixed-rate periods for variable-rate transactions. Relevant 
pricing characteristics may include a consumer's credit history and 
transaction characteristics such as the loan-to-value ratio, owner-
occupant status, and purpose of the transaction. To obtain average 
prime offer rates, the Bureau uses creditor data by transaction 
type.
    2. Bureau tables. The Bureau publishes tables of current and 
historic average prime offer rates by transaction type on the 
FFIEC's Web site (http://www.ffiec.gov/hmda) and the Bureau's Web 
site (http://www.consumerfinance.gov). The Bureau calculates an 
annual percentage rate, consistent with Regulation Z (see 12 CFR 
1026.22 and part 1026, appendix J), for each transaction type for 
which pricing terms are available from the creditor data described 
in comment 4(a)(12)-1. The Bureau uses loan pricing terms available 
in the creditor data and other information to estimate annual 
percentage rates for other types of transactions for which the 
creditor data are limited or not available. The Bureau publishes on 
the FFIEC's Web site and the Bureau's Web site the methodology it 
uses to arrive at these estimates. A financial institution may 
either use the average prime offer rates published by the Bureau or 
may determine average prime offer rates itself by employing the 
methodology published on the FFIEC's Web site and the Bureau's Web 
site. A financial institution that determines average prime offer 
rates itself, however, is responsible for correctly determining the 
rates in accordance with the published methodology.
    3. Rate spread calculation--annual percentage rate. The 
requirements of Sec.  1003.4(a)(12)(i) refer to the covered loan's 
annual percentage rate. A financial institution complies with Sec.  
1003.4(a)(12)(i) by relying on the annual percentage rate for the 
covered loan, as calculated and disclosed pursuant to Regulation Z, 
12 CFR 1026.18 or 1026.38 (for closed-end mortgage loans) or 1026.6 
(for open-end lines of credit), as applicable.
* * * * *
    5. Rate-set date. The relevant date to use to determine the 
average prime offer rate for a comparable transaction is the date on 
which the covered loan's interest rate was set by the financial 
institution for the final time before closing or account opening.
    i. Rate-lock agreement. If an interest rate is set pursuant to a 
``lock-in'' agreement between the financial institution and the 
borrower, then the date on which the agreement fixes the interest 
rate is the date the rate was set. Except as provided in comment 
4(a)(12)-5.ii, if a rate is reset after a lock-in agreement is 
executed (for example, because the borrower exercises a float-down 
option or the agreement expires), then the relevant date is the date 
the financial institution exercises discretion in setting the rate 
for the final time before closing or account opening. The same rule 
applies when a rate-lock agreement is extended and the rate is reset 
at the same rate, regardless of whether market rates have increased, 
decreased, or remained the same since the initial rate was set. If 
no lock-in agreement is executed, then the relevant date is the date 
on which the institution sets the rate for the final time before 
closing or account opening.
    ii. Change in loan program. If a financial institution issues a 
rate-lock commitment under one loan program, the borrower 
subsequently changes to another program that is subject to different 
pricing terms, and the financial institution changes the rate 
promised to the borrower under the rate-lock commitment accordingly, 
the rate-set date is the date of the program change. However, if the 
financial institution changes the promised rate to the rate that 
would have been available to the borrower under the new program on 
the date of the original rate-lock commitment, then that is the date 
the rate is set, provided the financial institution consistently 
follows that practice in all such cases or the original rate-lock 
agreement so provided. For example, assume that a borrower locks a 
rate of 2.5 percent on June 1 for a 30-year, variable-rate loan with 
a 5-year, fixed-rate introductory period. On June 15, the borrower 
decides to switch to a 30-year, fixed-rate loan, and the rate 
available to the borrower for that product on June 15 is 4.0 
percent. On June 1, the 30-year, fixed-rate loan would have been 
available to the borrower at a rate of 3.5 percent. If the financial 
institution offers the borrower the 3.5 percent rate (i.e., the rate 
that would have been available to the borrower for the fixed-rate 
product on June 1, the date of the original rate-lock) because the 
original agreement so provided or because the financial institution 
consistently follows that practice for borrowers who change loan 
programs, then the financial institution should use June 1 as the 
rate-set date. In all other cases, the financial institution should 
use June 15 as the rate-set date.
    iii. Brokered loans. When a financial institution has reporting 
responsibility for an application for a covered loan that it 
received from a broker, as discussed in comment 4(a)-2 (e.g., 
because the financial institution makes a credit decision prior to 
closing or account opening), the rate-set date is the last date the 
financial institution set the rate with the broker, not the date the 
broker set the borrower's rate.
* * * * *
    8. Application approved but not accepted or preapproval request 
approved but not accepted. In the case of an application approved 
but not accepted or a preapproval request that was approved but not 
accepted, Sec.  1003.4(a)(12) requires a financial institution to 
report the applicable rate spread. In such cases, the financial 
institution would provide early disclosures under Regulation Z, 12 
CFR 1026.18 or 1026.37 (for closed-end mortgage loans) or 1026.40 
(for open-end lines of credit), but could never provide any 
subsequent disclosures. In such cases where no subsequent 
disclosures are provided, a financial institution complies with 
Sec.  1003.4(a)(12)(i) by relying on the annual percentage rate for 
the application or preapproval request, as calculated and disclosed 
pursuant to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.18 or 1026.37 (for closed-end 
mortgage loans) or 1026.40 (for open-end lines of credit), as 
applicable.
    9. Corrected disclosures. In the case of an application approved 
but not accepted or a preapproval request that was approved but not 
accepted, if the annual percentage rate changes because a financial 
institution provides a corrected version of the disclosures required 
under Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.19(a), pursuant to 12 CFR 
1026.19(a)(2), under 12 CFR 1026.19(f), pursuant to 12 CFR 
1026.19(f)(2), or under 12 CFR 1026.6(a), the financial institution 
complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(12)(i) by comparing the corrected and 
disclosed annual percentage rate to the most recently available 
average prime offer rate that was in effect for a comparable 
transaction as of the rate-set date, provided that the corrected 
disclosure was provided to the borrower prior to the end of the 
reporting period in which final action is taken. For purposes of 
Sec.  1003.4(a)(12), the date the corrected disclosure was provided 
to the borrower is the date disclosed pursuant to Regulation Z, 12 
CFR 1026.38(a)(3)(i). The corrected disclosure does not affect the 
rate-set date. See comment 4(a)(12)-5. For example, in the case of a 
financial institution's annual loan/application register submission 
made pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1), if the financial institution 
provides a corrected disclosure to the borrower pursuant to 
Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.19(f)(2)(v), that reflects a corrected 
annual percentage rate, the financial institution reports the 
difference between the corrected annual percentage rate and the most 
recently available average prime offer rate that was in effect for a 
comparable transaction as of the rate-set date if the corrected 
disclosure was provided to the borrower prior to the end of the 
calendar year in which final action is taken.
* * * * *

Paragraph 4(a)(15)

* * * * *
    2. Credit score--multiple credit scores. When a financial 
institution obtains or creates two or more credit scores for a 
single applicant or borrower but relies on only one score in making 
the credit decision (for example, by relying on the lowest, highest, 
most recent, or average of all of the scores), the financial 
institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(15) by reporting that 
credit score and information about the scoring model used. When a 
financial institution uses more than one credit scoring model and 
combines the scores into a composite credit score that

[[Page 19174]]

it relies on, the financial institution reports that score and 
reports that more than one credit scoring model was used. When a 
financial institution obtains or creates two or more credit scores 
for an applicant or borrower and relies on multiple scores for the 
applicant or borrower in making the credit decision (for example, by 
relying on a scoring grid that considers each of the scores obtained 
or created for the applicant or borrower without combining the 
scores into a composite score), Sec.  1003.4(a)(15) requires the 
financial institution to report one of the credit scores for the 
applicant or borrower that was relied on in making the credit 
decision. In choosing which credit score to report in this 
circumstance, a financial institution need not use the same approach 
for its entire HMDA submission, but it should be generally 
consistent (such as by routinely using one approach within a 
particular division of the institution or for a category of covered 
loans). In instances such as these, the financial institution should 
report the name and version of the credit scoring model for the 
score reported.
    3. Credit score--multiple applicants or borrowers. In a 
transaction involving two or more applicants or borrowers for which 
the financial institution obtains or creates a single credit score, 
and relies on that credit score in making the credit decision for 
the transaction, the institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(15) 
by reporting that credit score for the applicant and reporting that 
the requirement is not applicable for the first co-applicant or, 
alternatively, by reporting that credit score for the first co-
applicant and reporting that the requirement is not applicable for 
the applicant. Otherwise, a financial institution complies with 
Sec.  1003.4(a)(15) by reporting a credit score for the applicant 
that it relied on in making the credit decision, if any, and a 
credit score for the first co-applicant that it relied on in making 
the credit decision, if any. To illustrate, assume a transaction 
involves one applicant and one co-applicant and that the financial 
institution obtains or creates two credit scores for the applicant 
and two credit scores for the co-applicant. Assume further that the 
financial institution relies on a single credit score that is the 
lowest, highest, most recent, or average of all of the credit scores 
obtained or created to make the credit decision for the transaction. 
The financial institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(15) by 
reporting that credit score and information about the scoring model 
used for the applicant and reporting that the requirement is not 
applicable for the first co-applicant or, alternatively, by 
reporting the data for the first co-applicant and reporting that the 
requirement is not applicable for the applicant. Alternatively, 
assume a transaction involves one applicant and one co-applicant and 
that the financial institution obtains or creates three credit 
scores for the applicant and three credit scores for the co-
applicant. Assume further that the financial institution relies on 
the middle credit score for the applicant and the middle credit 
score for the co-applicant to make the credit decision for the 
transaction. The financial institution complies with Sec.  
1003.4(a)(15) by reporting both the middle score for the applicant 
and the middle score for the co-applicant.
* * * * *

Paragraph 4(a)(17)(i)

* * * * *
    3. Corrected disclosures. If the amount of total loan costs 
changes because a financial institution provides a corrected version 
of the disclosures required under Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.19(f), 
pursuant to 12 CFR 1026.19(f)(2), the financial institution complies 
with Sec.  1003.4(a)(17)(i) by reporting the corrected amount, 
provided that the corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower 
prior to the end of the reporting period in which final action is 
taken. For purposes of Sec.  1003.4(a)(17)(i), the date the 
corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower is the date 
disclosed pursuant to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.38(a)(3)(i). For 
example, in the case of a financial institution's annual loan/
application register submission made pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1), 
if the financial institution provides a corrected disclosure to the 
borrower to reflect a refund made pursuant to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 
1026.19(f)(2)(v), the financial institution reports the corrected 
amount of total loan costs only if the corrected disclosure was 
provided to the borrower prior to the end of the calendar year in 
which final action is taken.
* * * * *

Paragraph 4(a)(18)

* * * * *
    3. Corrected disclosures. If the total amount of borrower-paid 
origination charges changes because a financial institution provides 
a corrected version of the disclosures required under Regulation Z, 
12 CFR 1026.19(f), pursuant to 12 CFR 1026.19(f)(2), the financial 
institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(18) by reporting the 
corrected amount, provided that the corrected disclosure was 
provided to the borrower prior to the end of the reporting period in 
which final action is taken. For purposes of Sec.  1003.4(a)(18), 
the date the corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower is 
the date disclosed pursuant to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 
1026.38(a)(3)(i). For example, in the case of a financial 
institution's annual loan/application register submission made 
pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1), if the financial institution 
provides a corrected disclosure to the borrower to reflect a refund 
made pursuant to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.19(f)(2)(v), the 
financial institution reports the corrected amount of origination 
charges only if the corrected disclosure was provided to the 
borrower prior to the end of the calendar year in which final action 
is taken.

Paragraph 4(a)(19)

* * * * *
    3. Corrected disclosures. If the amount of discount points 
changes because a financial institution provides a corrected version 
of the disclosures required under Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.19(f), 
pursuant to 12 CFR 1026.19(f)(2), the financial institution complies 
with Sec.  1003.4(a)(19) by reporting the corrected amount, provided 
that the corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower prior to 
the end of the reporting period in which final action is taken. For 
purposes of Sec.  1003.4(a)(19), the date the corrected disclosure 
was provided to the borrower is the date disclosed pursuant to 
Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.38(a)(3)(i). For example, in the case of a 
financial institution's annual loan/application register submission 
made pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1), if the financial institution 
provides a corrected disclosure to the borrower to reflect a refund 
made pursuant to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.19(f)(2)(v), the 
financial institution reports the corrected amount of discount 
points only if the corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower 
prior to the end of the calendar year in which final action is 
taken.

Paragraph 4(a)(20)

* * * * *
    3. Corrected disclosures. If the amount of lender credits 
changes because a financial institution provides a corrected version 
of the disclosures required under Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.19(f), 
pursuant to 12 CFR 1026.19(f)(2), the financial institution complies 
with Sec.  1003.4(a)(20) by reporting the corrected amount, provided 
that the corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower prior to 
the end of the reporting period in which final action is taken. For 
purposes of Sec.  1003.4(a)(20), the date the corrected disclosure 
was provided to the borrower is the date disclosed pursuant to 
Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.38(a)(3)(i). For example, in the case of a 
financial institution's annual loan/application register submission 
made pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1), if the financial institution 
provides a corrected disclosure to the borrower to reflect a refund 
made pursuant to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.19(f)(2)(v), the 
financial institution reports the corrected amount of lender credits 
only if the corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower prior 
to the end of the calendar year in which final action is taken.

Paragraph 4(a)(21)

    1. Interest rate--disclosures. Section 1003.4(a)(21) requires a 
financial institution to identify the interest rate applicable to 
the approved application, or to the covered loan at closing or 
account opening. For covered loans or applications subject to the 
integrated mortgage disclosure requirements of Regulation Z, 12 CFR 
1026.19(e) and (f), a financial institution complies with Sec.  
1003.4(a)(21) by reporting the interest rate disclosed on the 
applicable disclosure. For covered loans or approved applications 
for which disclosures were provided pursuant to both Regulation Z, 
12 CFR 1026.19(e) and (f), a financial institution reports the 
interest rate disclosed pursuant to 12 CFR 1026.19(f). A financial 
institution may rely on the definitions and commentary to the 
sections of Regulation Z relevant to the disclosure of the interest 
rate pursuant to 12 CFR 1026.19(e) or (f). If a financial 
institution provides a revised or corrected version of the 
disclosures required under Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.19(e) or (f), 
pursuant to 12 CFR 1026.19(e)(3)(iv) or (f)(2), as applicable, the 
financial institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(21) by reporting 
the interest rate

[[Page 19175]]

on the revised or corrected disclosure, provided that the revised or 
corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower prior to the end 
of the reporting period in which final action is taken. For purposes 
of Sec.  1003.4(a)(21), the date the revised or corrected disclosure 
was provided to the borrower is date disclosed pursuant to 
Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.37(a)(4) or 1026.38(a)(3)(i), as 
applicable.
* * * * *

Paragraph 4(a)(24)

* * * * *
    2. Transactions for which a combined loan-to-value ratio was one 
of multiple factors. A financial institution relies on the ratio of 
the total amount of debt secured by the property to the value of the 
property (combined loan-to-value ratio) in making the credit 
decision if the combined loan-to-value ratio was a factor in the 
credit decision even if it was not a dispositive factor. For 
example, if the combined loan-to-value ratio is one of multiple 
factors in a financial institution's credit decision, the financial 
institution has relied on the combined loan-to-value ratio and 
complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(24) by reporting the combined loan-to-
value ratio, even if the financial institution denies the 
application because one or more underwriting requirements other than 
the combined loan-to-value ratio are not satisfied.
* * * * *
    6. Property. A financial institution reports the combined loan-
to-value ratio relied on in making the credit decision, regardless 
of which property or properties it used in the combined loan-to-
value ratio calculation. The property used in the combined loan-to-
value ratio calculation does not need to be the property identified 
in Sec.  1003.4(a)(9) and may include more than one property and 
non-real property. For example, if a financial institution 
originated a covered loan for the purchase of a multifamily 
dwelling, and the loan was secured by the multifamily dwelling and 
by non-real property, such as securities, and the financial 
institution used the multifamily dwelling and the non-real property 
to calculate the combined loan-to-value ratio that it relied on in 
making the credit decision, Sec.  1003.4(a)(24) requires the 
financial institution to report the relied upon ratio. Section 
1003.4(a)(24) does not require a financial institution to use a 
particular combined loan-to-value ratio calculation method but 
instead requires financial institutions to report the combined loan-
to-value ratio relied on in making the credit decision.
* * * * *

Paragraph 4(a)(26)

* * * * *
    5. Non-monthly introductory periods. If a covered loan or 
application includes an introductory interest rate period measured 
in a unit of time other than months, the financial institution 
complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(26) by reporting the introductory 
interest rate period for the covered loan or application using an 
equivalent number of whole months without regard for any remainder. 
For example, assume an open-end line of credit contains an 
introductory interest rate for 50 days after the date of account 
opening, after which the interest rate may adjust. In this example, 
the financial institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(26) by 
reporting the number of months as ``1.'' The financial institution 
must report one month for any introductory interest rate period that 
totals less than one whole month.
* * * * *

Paragraph 4(a)(34)

* * * * *
    4. Purchased loans. If a financial institution purchases a 
covered loan that satisfies the coverage criteria of Regulation Z, 
12 CFR 1026.36(g) and that was originated prior to January 10, 2014, 
the financial institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(34) by 
reporting that the requirement is not applicable. In addition, if a 
financial institution purchases a covered loan that does not satisfy 
the coverage criteria of Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.36(g) and that 
was originated prior to January 1, 2018, the financial institution 
complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(34) by reporting that the requirement 
is not applicable. Purchasers of both such types of covered loans 
may report the NMLSR ID voluntarily.

Paragraph 4(a)(35)

* * * * *
    2. Definition of automated underwriting system. A financial 
institution must report the information required by Sec.  
1003.4(a)(35)(i) if the financial institution uses an automated 
underwriting system (AUS), as defined in Sec.  1003.4(a)(35)(ii), to 
evaluate an application. To be covered by the definition in Sec.  
1003.4(a)(35)(ii), a system must be an electronic tool that has been 
developed by a securitizer, Federal government insurer, or a Federal 
government guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-end lines 
of credit. A person is a securitizer, Federal government insurer, or 
Federal government guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-
end lines of credit, respectively, if it has securitized, provided 
Federal government insurance, or provided a Federal government 
guarantee for a closed-end mortgage loan or open-end line of credit 
at any point in time. A person may be a securitizer, Federal 
government insurer, or Federal government guarantor of closed-end 
mortgage loans or open-end lines of credit, respectively, for 
purposes of Sec.  1003.4(a)(35) even if it is not actively 
securitizing, insuring, or guaranteeing closed-end mortgage loans or 
open-end lines of credit at the time a financial institution uses 
the AUS to evaluate an application. Where the person that developed 
the electronic tool has never been a securitizer, Federal government 
insurer, or Federal government guarantor of closed-end mortgage 
loans or open-end lines of credit, respectively, at the time a 
financial institution uses the tool to evaluate an application, the 
financial institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(35) by reporting 
that the requirement is not applicable since an AUS was not used to 
evaluate the application. If a financial institution has developed 
its own proprietary system that it uses to evaluate an application 
and the financial institution is also a securitizer, then the 
financial institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(35) by reporting 
the name of that system and the result generated by that system. On 
the other hand, if a financial institution has developed its own 
proprietary system that it uses to evaluate an application but the 
financial institution is not a securitizer, then the financial 
institution is not required by Sec.  1003.4(a)(35) to report the use 
of that system and the result generated by that system. In addition, 
in order for an AUS to be covered by the definition in Sec.  
1003.4(a)(35)(ii), the system must provide a result regarding both 
the credit risk of the applicant and the eligibility of the covered 
loan to be originated, purchased, insured, or guaranteed by the 
securitizer, Federal government insurer, or Federal government 
guarantor that developed the system being used to evaluate the 
application. For example, if a system is an electronic tool that 
provides a determination of the eligibility of the covered loan to 
be originated, purchased, insured, or guaranteed by the securitizer, 
Federal government insurer, or Federal government guarantor that 
developed the system being used by a financial institution to 
evaluate the application, but the system does not also provide an 
assessment of the creditworthiness of the applicant--such as, an 
evaluation of the applicant's income, debt, and credit history--then 
that system does not qualify as an AUS, as defined in Sec.  
1003.4(a)(35)(ii). A financial institution that uses a system that 
is not an AUS, as defined in Sec.  1003.4(a)(35)(ii), to evaluate an 
application does not report the information required by Sec.  
1003.4(a)(35)(i).
* * * * *
    7. Determination of securitizer, Federal government insurer, or 
Federal government guarantor. Section 1003.4(a)(35)(ii) provides 
that an ``automated underwriting system'' means an electronic tool 
developed by a securitizer, Federal government insurer, or Federal 
government guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-end lines 
of credit that provides a result regarding the credit risk of the 
applicant and whether the covered loan is eligible to be originated, 
purchased, insured, or guaranteed by that securitizer, Federal 
government insurer, or Federal government guarantor. A person is a 
securitizer, Federal government insurer, or Federal government 
guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-end lines of credit, 
respectively, if it has ever securitized, insured, or guaranteed a 
closed-end mortgage loan or open-end line of credit. If a financial 
institution knows or reasonably believes that the system it is using 
to evaluate an application is an electronic tool that has been 
developed by a securitizer, Federal government insurer, or Federal 
government guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-end lines 
of credit, then the financial institution complies with Sec.  
1003.4(a)(35) by reporting the name of that system and the result 
generated by that system. Knowledge or reasonable belief could, for 
example, be based on a sales agreement or other related documents, 
the financial institution's previous transactions or relationship 
with the developer of the electronic tool, or representations made 
by the developer of the electronic tool demonstrating that the

[[Page 19176]]

developer of the electronic tool is a securitizer, Federal 
government insurer, or Federal government guarantor of closed-end 
mortgage loans or open-end lines of credit. If a financial 
institution does not know or reasonably believe that the system it 
is using to evaluate an application is an electronic tool that has 
been developed by a securitizer, Federal government insurer, or 
Federal government guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-
end lines of credit, the financial institution complies with Sec.  
1003.4(a)(35) by reporting that the requirement is not applicable, 
provided that the financial institution maintains procedures 
reasonably adapted to determine whether the electronic tool it is 
using to evaluate an application meets the definition in Sec.  
1003.4(a)(35)(ii). Reasonably adapted procedures include attempting 
to determine with reasonable frequency, such as annually, whether 
the developer of the electronic tool is a securitizer, Federal 
government insurer, or Federal government guarantor of closed-end 
mortgage loans or open-end lines of credit. For example:
    i. In the course of renewing an annual sales agreement the 
developer of the electronic tool represents to the financial 
institution that it has never been a securitizer, Federal government 
insurer, or Federal government guarantor of closed-end mortgage 
loans or open-end lines of credit. On this basis, the financial 
institution does not know or reasonably believe that the system it 
is using to evaluate an application is an electronic tool that has 
been developed by a securitizer, Federal government insurer, or 
Federal government guarantor of closed-end mortgage loans or open-
end lines of credit and complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(35) by 
reporting that the requirement is not applicable.
    ii. Based on their previous transactions a financial institution 
is aware that the developer of the electronic tool it is using to 
evaluate an application has securitized a closed-end mortgage loan 
or open-end line of credit in the past. On this basis, the financial 
institution knows or reasonably believes that the developer of the 
electronic tool is a securitizer and complies with Sec.  
1003.4(a)(35) by reporting the name of that system and the result 
generated by that system.
* * * * *

Section 1003.6--Enforcement

6(b) Bona Fide Errors

    1. Information from third parties. Section 1003.6(b) provides 
that an error in compiling or recording data for a covered loan or 
application is not a violation of the Act or this part if the error 
was unintentional and occurred despite the maintenance of procedures 
reasonably adapted to avoid such an error. A financial institution 
that obtains the required data, such as property-location 
information, from third parties is responsible for ensuring that the 
information reported pursuant to Sec.  1003.5 is correct. See 
comment 6(b)-2 concerning obtaining census tract information from 
the geocoding tool provided by the Bureau.
    2. Information from the Bureau. Section 1003.6(b)(2) provides 
that an incorrect entry for census tract number is deemed a bona 
fide error, and is not a violation of the Act or this part, provided 
that the financial institution maintains procedures reasonably 
adapted to avoid an error. The Bureau makes available on its Web 
site a geocoding tool (the Bureau's geocoding tool) that identifies 
the census tract of a property using property addresses entered by 
users. Obtaining the census tract numbers for covered loans and 
applications from the Bureau's geocoding tool is an example of a 
procedure reasonably adapted to avoid errors under Sec.  
1003.6(b)(2). Accordingly, a census tract error is not a violation 
of the Act or this part if the financial institution obtained the 
census tract number from the Bureau's geocoding tool. However, a 
financial institution's failure to provide the correct census tract 
number for a covered loan or application on its loan/application 
register, as required by Sec.  1003.4(a)(9)(ii)(C) or Sec.  
1003.4(e), because the Bureau's geocoding tool did not provide a 
census tract number for the property address entered by the 
financial institution is not excused as a bona fide error. In 
addition, a census tract error caused by a financial institution 
entering an inaccurate property address into the Bureau's geocoding 
tool is not excused as a bona fide error.

    [The following amendments would be effective January 1, 2019, 
further amending the sections as amended October 28, 2015, at 80 FR 
66127.]
0
8. Section 1003.5 is further amended by revising paragraph (a)(3)(ii) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  1003.5  Disclosure and reporting.

    (a) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (ii) The calendar year the data submission covers pursuant to 
paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section;
* * * * *
0
9. Sec.  1003.6 is further amended by redesignating paragraph (c)(1) as 
paragraph (c) and removing paragraph (c)(2).


Sec.  1003.6  Enforcement. [Further amended]

    [The following amendments would be effective January 1, 2020, 
further amending the sections as amended October 28, 2015, at 80 FR 
66127.]
0
10. Section 1003.5 is further amended by revising paragraph (a)(3)(ii) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  1003.5  Disclosure and reporting.

    (a) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (ii) The calendar year the data submission covers pursuant to 
paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section or calendar quarter and year the 
data submission covers pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this 
section;
* * * * *
0
11. Section 1003.6 is further amended by redesignating paragraph (c) as 
paragraph (c)(1) and by adding paragraph (c)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  1003.6   Enforcement.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) If a financial institution required to comply with Sec.  
1003.5(a)(1)(ii) makes a good-faith effort to report all data required 
to be reported pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii) fully and accurately 
within 60 calendar days after the end of each calendar quarter, and 
some data are nevertheless inaccurate or incomplete, the inaccuracy or 
omission is not a violation of the Act or this part provided that the 
institution corrects or completes the data prior to submitting its 
annual loan/application register pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(i).
0
12. In Supplement I to Part 1003--Official Interpretations:
0
a. Under Section 1003.4--Compilation of Reportable Data:
0
i. Under 4(a) Data format and itemization:
0
A. Under Paragraph 4(a)(1)(i), paragraphs 3 and 4 are revised.
0
B. Under Paragraph 4(a)(12), paragraph 9 is revised.
0
C. Under Paragraph 4(a)(17)(i), paragraph 3 is revised.
0
D. Under Paragraph 4(a)(18), paragraph 3 is revised.
0
E. Under Paragraph 4(a)(19), paragraph 3 is revised.
0
F. Under Paragraph 4(a)(20), paragraph 3 is revised.

Supplement I to Part 1003--Official Interpretations

* * * * *

Section 1003.4--Compilation of Reportable Data

4(a) Data Format and Itemization

* * * * *

Paragraph 4(a)(1)(i)

* * * * *
    3. ULI--purchased covered loan. If a financial institution has 
previously assigned a covered loan with a ULI or reported a covered 
loan with a ULI under this part, a financial institution that 
purchases that covered loan must report the same ULI that was 
previously assigned or reported. For example, if a financial 
institution that submits an annual loan/application register 
pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(i) originates a covered loan that is 
purchased by a financial institution that also submits an annual 
loan/application register pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(i), the 
financial institution that purchases the covered loan must report 
the purchase of the covered loan using the same ULI that was 
reported by the originating financial institution. If a financial 
institution that originates a covered loan has previously assigned 
the covered loan with a ULI under this part but has not yet reported 
the covered loan, a financial institution that purchases that 
covered loan must report the same ULI that was previously assigned. 
For example, if a financial institution that submits an annual

[[Page 19177]]

loan/application register pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(i) 
(Institution A) originates a covered loan that is purchased by a 
financial institution that submits a quarterly loan/application 
register pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii) (Institution B), then 
Institution B must report the ULI that was assigned by Institution A 
on Institution B's quarterly loan/application register pursuant to 
Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii), even though Institution A has not yet 
submitted its annual loan/application register pursuant to Sec.  
1003.5(a)(1)(i). A financial institution that purchases a covered 
loan must assign it a ULI pursuant to Sec.  1003.4(a)(1)(i) and 
report it pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(i) or (ii), whichever is 
applicable, if the covered loan was not assigned a ULI by the 
financial institution that originated the loan because, for example, 
the loan was originated prior to January 1, 2018 or the loan was 
originated by a financial institution not required to report under 
this part.
    4. ULI--reinstated or reconsidered application. A financial 
institution may, at its option, report a ULI previously reported 
under this part if, during the same calendar year, an applicant asks 
the institution to reinstate a counteroffer that the applicant 
previously did not accept or asks the financial institution to 
reconsider an application that was previously denied, withdrawn, or 
closed for incompleteness. For example, if a financial institution 
reports a denied application in its second-quarter 2020 data 
submission, pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii), but then reconsiders 
the application, which results in an origination in the third 
quarter of 2020, the financial institution may report the 
origination in its third-quarter 2020 data submission using the same 
ULI that was reported for the denied application in its second-
quarter 2020 data submission, so long as the financial institution 
treats the origination as the same transaction for reporting. 
However, a financial institution may not use a ULI previously 
reported if it reinstates or reconsiders an application that was 
reported in a prior calendar year. For example, if a financial 
institution reports a denied application in its fourth-quarter 2020 
data submission, pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii), but then 
reconsiders the application, which results in an origination in the 
first quarter of 2021, the financial institution reports a denied 
application under the original ULI in its fourth-quarter 2020 data 
submission and an origination with a different ULI in its first-
quarter 2021 data submission, pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii).
* * * * *

Paragraph 4(a)(12)

* * * * *
    9. Corrected disclosures. In the case of an application approved 
but not accepted or a preapproval request that was approved but not 
accepted, if the annual percentage rate changes because a financial 
institution provides a corrected version of the disclosures required 
under Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.19(a), pursuant to 12 CFR 
1026.19(a)(2), under 12 CFR 1026.19(f), pursuant to 12 CFR 
1026.19(f)(2), or under 12 CFR 1026.6(a), the financial institution 
complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(12)(i) by comparing the corrected and 
disclosed annual percentage rate to the most recently available 
average prime offer rate that was in effect for a comparable 
transaction as of the rate-set date, provided that the corrected 
disclosure was provided to the borrower prior to the end of the 
reporting period in which final action is taken. For purposes of 
Sec.  1003.4(a)(12), the date the corrected disclosure was provided 
to the borrower is the date disclosed pursuant to Regulation Z, 12 
CFR 1026.38(a)(3)(i). The corrected disclosure does not affect the 
rate-set date. See comment 4(a)(12)-5. For example:
    i. In the case of a financial institution's annual loan/
application register submission made pursuant to Sec.  
1003.5(a)(1)(i), if the financial institution provides a corrected 
disclosure pursuant to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.19(f)(2)(v), that 
reflects a corrected annual percentage rate, the financial 
institution reports the difference between the corrected annual 
percentage rate and the most recently available average prime offer 
rate that was in effect for a comparable transaction as of the rate-
set date only if the corrected disclosure was provided to the 
borrower prior to the end of the calendar year in which final action 
is taken.
    ii. In the case of a financial institution's quarterly 
submission made pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii), if the financial 
institution provides a corrected disclosure pursuant to Regulation 
Z, 12 CFR 1026.19(f)(2)(v), that reflects a corrected annual 
percentage rate, the financial institution reports the difference 
between the corrected annual percentage rate and the most recently 
available average prime offer rate that was in effect for a 
comparable transaction as of the rate-set date only if the corrected 
disclosure was provided to the borrower prior to the end of the 
quarter in which final action is taken. The financial institution 
does not report the difference between the corrected annual 
percentage rate and the most recently available average prime offer 
rate that was in effect for a comparable transaction as of the rate-
set date if the corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower 
after the end of the quarter in which final action is taken, even if 
the corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower prior to the 
deadline for timely submission of the financial institution's 
quarterly data. However, the financial institution reports the 
difference between the corrected annual percentage rate and the most 
recently available average prime offer rate that was in effect for a 
comparable transaction as of the rate-set date on its annual loan/
application register, provided that the corrected disclosure was 
provided to the borrower prior to the end of the calendar year in 
which final action is taken.
* * * * *

Paragraph 4(a)(17)(i)

* * * * *
    3. Corrected disclosures. If the amount of total loan costs 
changes because a financial institution provides a corrected version 
of the disclosures required under Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.19(f), 
pursuant to 12 CFR 1026.19(f)(2), the financial institution complies 
with Sec.  1003.4(a)(17)(i) by reporting the corrected amount, 
provided that the corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower 
prior to the end of the reporting period in which final action is 
taken. For purposes of Sec.  1003.4(a)(17)(i), the date the 
corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower is the date 
disclosed pursuant to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.38(a)(3)(i). For 
example:
    i. In the case of a financial institution's annual loan/
application register submission made pursuant to Sec.  
1003.5(a)(1)(i), if the financial institution provides a corrected 
disclosure to the borrower to reflect a refund made pursuant to 
Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.19(f)(2)(v), the financial institution 
reports the corrected amount of total loan costs only if the 
corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower prior to the end 
of the calendar year in which final action is taken.
    ii. In the case of a financial institution's quarterly 
submission made pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii), if the financial 
institution provides a corrected disclosure to the borrower to 
reflect a refund made pursuant to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 
1026.19(f)(2)(v), the financial institution reports the corrected 
amount of total loan costs only if the corrected disclosure was 
provided to the borrower prior to the end of the quarter in which 
final action is taken. The financial institution does not report the 
corrected amount of total loan costs in its quarterly submission if 
the corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower after the end 
of the quarter in which final action is taken, even if the corrected 
disclosure was provided to the borrower prior to the deadline for 
timely submission of the financial institution's quarterly data. 
However, the financial institution reports the corrected amount of 
total loan costs on its annual loan/application register, provided 
that the corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower prior to 
the end of the calendar year in which final action is taken.
* * * * *

Paragraph 4(a)(18)

* * * * *
    3. Corrected disclosures. If the total amount of borrower-paid 
origination charges changes because a financial institution provides 
a corrected version of the disclosures required under Regulation Z, 
12 CFR 1026.19(f), pursuant to 12 CFR 1026.19(f)(2), the financial 
institution complies with Sec.  1003.4(a)(18) by reporting the 
corrected amount, provided that the corrected disclosure was 
provided to the borrower prior to the end of the reporting period in 
which final action is taken. For purposes of Sec.  1003.4(a)(18), 
the date the corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower is 
the date disclosed pursuant to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 
1026.38(a)(3)(i). For example:
    i. In the case of a financial institution's annual loan/
application register submission made pursuant to Sec.  
1003.5(a)(1)(i), if the financial institution provides a corrected 
disclosure to the borrower to reflect a refund made pursuant to 
Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.19(f)(2)(v), the financial institution 
reports the corrected amount of total loan costs only if the 
corrected disclosure was

[[Page 19178]]

provided to the borrower prior to the end of the calendar year in 
which final action is taken.
    ii. In the case of a financial institution's quarterly 
submission made pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii), if the financial 
institution provides a corrected disclosure to the borrower to 
reflect a refund made pursuant to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 
1026.19(f)(2)(v), the financial institution reports the corrected 
amount of origination charges only if the corrected disclosure was 
provided to the borrower prior to the end of the quarter in which 
final action is taken. The financial institution does not report the 
corrected amount of borrower-paid origination charges in its 
quarterly submission if the corrected disclosure was provided to the 
borrower after the end of the quarter in which final action is 
taken, even if the corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower 
prior to the deadline for timely submission of the financial 
institution's quarterly data. However, the financial institution 
reports the corrected amount of borrower-paid origination charges on 
its annual loan/application register, provided that the corrected 
disclosure was provided to the borrower prior to the end of the 
calendar year in which final action is taken.

Paragraph 4(a)(19)

* * * * *
    3. Corrected disclosures. If the amount of discount points 
changes because a financial institution provides a corrected version 
of the disclosures required under Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.19(f), 
pursuant to 12 CFR 1026.19(f)(2), the financial institution complies 
with Sec.  1003.4(a)(19) by reporting the corrected amount, provided 
that the corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower prior to 
the end of the reporting period in which final action is taken. For 
purposes of Sec.  1003.4(a)(19), the date the corrected disclosure 
was provided to the borrower is the date disclosed pursuant to 
Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.38(a)(3)(i). For example:
    i. In the case of a financial institution's annual loan/
application register submission made pursuant to Sec.  
1003.5(a)(1)(i), if the financial institution provides a corrected 
disclosure to the borrower to reflect a refund made pursuant to 
Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.19(f)(2)(v), the financial institution 
reports the corrected amount of discount points only if the 
corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower prior to the end 
of the calendar year in which final action is taken.
    ii. In the case of a financial institution's quarterly 
submission made pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(ii), if the financial 
institution provides a corrected disclosure to the borrower to 
reflect a refund made pursuant to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 
1026.19(f)(2)(v), the financial institution reports the corrected 
amount of discount points only if the corrected disclosure was 
provided to the borrower prior to the end of the quarter in which 
final action is taken. The financial institution does not report the 
corrected amount of discount points in its quarterly submission if 
the corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower after the end 
of the quarter in which final action is taken, even if the corrected 
disclosure was provided to the borrower prior to the deadline for 
timely submission of the financial institution's quarterly data. 
However, the financial institution reports the corrected amount of 
discount points on its annual loan/application register, provided 
that the corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower prior to 
the end of the calendar year in which final action is taken.

Paragraph 4(a)(20)

* * * * *
    3. Corrected disclosures. If the amount of lender credits 
changes because a financial institution provides a corrected version 
of the disclosures required under Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.19(f), 
pursuant to 12 CFR 1026.19(f)(2), the financial institution complies 
with Sec.  1003.4(a)(20) by reporting the corrected amount, provided 
that the corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower prior to 
the end of the reporting period in which final action is taken. For 
purposes of Sec.  1003.4(a)(20), the date the corrected disclosure 
was provided to the borrower is the date disclosed pursuant to 
Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.38(a)(3)(i). For example:
    i. In the case of a financial institution's annual loan/
application register submission made pursuant to Sec.  
1003.5(a)(1)(i), if the financial institution provides a corrected 
disclosure to the borrower to reflect a refund made pursuant to 
Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.19(f)(2)(v), the financial institution 
reports the corrected amount of lender credits only if the corrected 
disclosure was provided to the borrower prior to the end of the 
calendar year in which final action is taken.
    ii. In the case of a financial institution's quarterly 
submission made pursuant to Sec.  1003.5(a)(1)(ii), if the financial 
institution provides a corrected disclosure to the borrower to 
reflect a refund made pursuant to Regulation Z, 12 CFR 
1026.19(f)(2)(v), the financial institution reports the corrected 
amount of lender credits only if the corrected disclosure was 
provided to the borrower prior to the end of the quarter in which 
final action is taken. The financial institution does not report the 
corrected amount of lender credits in its quarterly submission if 
the corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower after the end 
of the quarter in which final action is taken, even if the corrected 
disclosure was provided to the borrower prior to the deadline for 
timely submission of the financial institution's quarterly data. 
However, the financial institution reports the corrected amount of 
lender credits on its annual loan/application register, provided 
that the corrected disclosure was provided to the borrower prior to 
the end of the calendar year in which final action is taken.

    Dated: April 13, 2017.
Richard Cordray,
Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
[FR Doc. 2017-07838 Filed 4-24-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4810-AM-P