CFPB Proposes Rule to Rein in Excessive Credit Card Late Fees

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) proposed a rule to curb excessive credit card late fees that cost American families about $12 billion each year. Major credit card issuers continue to profit off late fees that are protected by an expansive immunity provision. Credit card companies have also relied on this provision to hike fees with inflation, even if they face no additional collection costs. The proposed rule would help ensure that over the top late fee amounts are illegal. Based on the CFPB’s estimates, the proposal could reduce late fees by as much as $9 billion per year.

“Over a decade ago, Congress banned excessive credit card late fees, but companies have exploited a regulatory loophole that has allowed them to escape scrutiny for charging an otherwise illegal junk fee,” said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra. “Today’s proposed rule seeks to save families billions of dollars and ensure the credit card market is fair and competitive.”

When someone misses a payment due date, even if they paid a few hours after the deadline, the cardholder may be hit with an exorbitant late fee that far exceeds the credit card company’s costs to collect late payments. These excessive late fees may not be needed to deter late payments, nor be justified based on the consumer’s conduct in paying late. These late fees also may be on top of other consequences of paying late, such as a lost grace period on paying interest or a lower credit score, depending on how long the missed payment lasts.

Companies currently charge people as much as $41 for each missed payment, and these fees result in billions of dollars in annual junk fee revenue for credit card companies. The CFPB’s proposed changes, which would amend regulations implementing the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (CARD Act), would ensure that late fees meet the Act’s requirement to be “reasonable and proportional” to the costs incurred by issuers to handle late payments. Specifically, the proposed rule would lower the immunity provision for late fees to $8 for a missed payment as well as end the automatic annual inflation adjustment. The proposed rule would also ban late fee amounts above 25% of the consumer’s required payment.

The Federal Reserve Board, by regulation, created the immunity provisions to allow credit card companies to avoid scrutiny of whether their late fees met the reasonable and proportional standard. Over time, those provisions have risen with inflation to $30 for an initial late payment and $41 for subsequent late payments. The CFPB estimates that the income generated by the largest issuers from late fees is approximately five times greater than the collection costs that the companies incur for late payment violations. In 2020, for example, credit card companies charged approximately $12 billion in late fees, which represented more than 10% of all credit card interest and fees charged to consumers.

Today’s proposed rule follows a request for comment on junk fees, a research report, and an advance notice of proposed rulemaking on credit card late fees that the CFPB issued last year. The CFPB’s proposed changes would, if finalized:

  • Lower the immunity provision dollar amount for late fees to $8: The CFPB has preliminarily found that late fee income exceeds associated collection costs by a factor of five. Because the immunity provision currently allows issuers to charge late fees of up to $41, the CFPB believes that a late fee of $8 would be sufficient for most issuers to cover collection costs incurred as a result of late payments. The $8 immunity provision would apply to any missed payment. Companies would be able to charge above the immunity provision so long as they could prove the higher fee is necessary to cover their incurred collection costs.
  • End the automatic annual inflation adjustment: The CFPB’s proposal would eliminate the automatic annual inflation adjustment for the immunity provision amount. This adjustment is not required by law, nor is it necessarily reflective of how collection costs change over time. The CFPB would instead monitor market conditions and the immunity provision amount for potential adjustments as necessary.
  • Cap late fees at 25% of the required minimum payment: The current rule allows a card issuer to potentially charge a late fee that is 100% of the minimum payment owed by the cardholder. The CFPB proposes to restrict any late fee charge to 25% of the minimum payment to be more consistent with Congress’s intent to authorize only reasonable and proportional late fee amounts.

The proposal also seeks comment on other potential changes to CARD Act regulations. For instance, it requests comment on whether the CFPB’s proposed changes should apply to all credit card penalty fees, whether the immunity provision should be eliminated altogether, whether consumers should be granted a 15-day courtesy period, after the due date, before late fees can be assessed, and whether issuers should be required to offer autopay in order to make use of the immunity provision.

Read today’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

Comments must be received on or before April 3, 2023, or within 30 days after publication of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register, whichever is later.

Read Director Chopra’s remarks on credit card late fees and the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

Separate from the public comment process, consumers having difficulty with a credit card company or other financial provider can submit complaints by visiting the CFPB’s website or by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372).

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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is a 21st century agency that helps consumer finance markets work by making rules more effective, by consistently and fairly enforcing those rules, and by empowering consumers to take more control over their economic lives. For more information, visit www.consumerfinance.gov.

Official news published at https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-proposes-rule-to-rein-in-excessive-credit-card-late-fees/

Images courtesy of PixaBay

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ARuVR Becomes First XR Platform to Be Awarded ‘Accredited’ Provider Status by LPI

- ARuVR® awarded 'Accredited Learning Technologies' provider status for its enterprise-grade Extended Reality (XR) training platform - LPI recognises ARuVR® as forerunner in rapidly growing XR industry

ARuVR®, a multi-award-winning end-to-end Extended Reality (XR) training platform for enterprises, today announced that it has been awarded the status of Accredited Learning Technologies Provider by the LPI (Learning and Performance Institute), the leading global authority on workplace learning and development.

ARuVR® counts Coca-Cola, BT, Royal Air Force, Five Guys, ScotRail, NEOM, Amazon, and PWC among a rapidly growing international customer base and is the first and only XR provider on both the UK Government's CCS digital outcomes and specialists framework, and Crown G-Cloud-approved supplier lists. ARuVR® enables organisations to quickly and easily leverage the location-agnostic convenience and results-driven benefits of XR (Virtual and Augmented Reality) all from a single platform, to create and deliver immersive training programmes. 

ARuVR®'s LPI Accredited Learning Technologies Provider status recognises the company's dedication to high quality and process improvement in providing learning, development, and training services to clients. This accreditation covers the Extended, Augmented and Virtual Reality products and professional services supplied by ARuVR® to their clients on a worldwide basis. ARuVR® followed a rigorous and in-depth process and was assessed on several key performance indicators, including business integrity, client value proposition, delivery capability, quality and performance management, people development, and business stability. ARuVR®'s overall KPI score was near an outstanding 100% across all sections.

Edmund Monk, CEO of the LPI, said: "We have extremely high standards for accreditation, and we are proud to commend ARuVR on their achievement. We work with our accredited organisations to ensure that they not only meet our standards but that they continue to improve. This way, organisations can be confident that they are working with the best." 

The LPI is the foremost accreditation and membership body for the learning and development profession with a global reputation. The accreditation process employs a highly robust framework, developed over many years by learning experts and validated by data from thousands of organisations to measure, benchmark and improve the capability and performance of learning professionals and learning providers.

Frank Furnari, CEO & Founder, ARuVR®, said: "As the market for XR training solutions grows exponentially, we are delighted to be the first in the sector to achieve accreditation status by the LPI. We are committed to providing our global clients with not only the highest levels of quality and service but also to bring AR and VR to the training industry, in a way in which any organisation can embrace and benefit from."

Contact Information:
Andrew Durkin
Director
andrew@mustardpr.com
0044 7887998407


Original Source: ARuVR Becomes First XR Platform to Be Awarded 'Accredited' Provider Status by LPI

Keen’s Buildings Extends Partnership With RJ Hampshire for the 2023 Pro Motocross Season

"RJ is an incredibly talented rider, and we have no doubt that he has what it takes to bring home the championship this year," Keen stated.

Keen’s Buildings Extends Partnership With RJ Hampshire for the 2023 Pro Motocross Season
RJ Hampshire #24

RJ Hampshire, Kicking off the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship Season with Keens Buildings and the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team

Keen's Buildings, a leading provider of high-quality storage solutions, is thrilled to announce the extension of their partnership with RJ Hampshire #24 for the upcoming 2023 Pro Motocross Championship season. RJ Hampshire, an accomplished rider representing the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team, has proven to be an outstanding brand ambassador for Keen's Buildings.

Kevin Keen, CEO of Keen's Buildings, expressed his excitement about the continued collaboration with RJ Hampshire. "We are excited to extend our partnership with RJ for the 2023 Pro Motocross season," said Keen. "RJ has been an incredible asset to our brand, and we are confident in his abilities to excel on the track."

As a prominent figure in the motocross industry, RJ Hampshire has showcased immense talent, determination, and sportsmanship throughout his career. His achievements on the track and his dedication to his craft align perfectly with Keen's Buildings' values and commitment to excellence.

The partnership between Keen's Buildings and RJ Hampshire has proven to be mutually beneficial. It not only highlights the shared passion for motorsports but also underscores the importance of quality, durability, and reliability - qualities that both Keen's Buildings and RJ Hampshire embody.

With the 2023 Pro Motocross season on the horizon, Keen's Buildings and RJ Hampshire are eager to pursue their shared goal of championship success. Kevin Keen has expressed his confidence in RJ's abilities and believes that "RJ is an incredibly talented rider, and we have no doubt that he has what it takes to bring home the championship this year," Keen stated.

The 2023 Pro Motocross Championship, Race Schedule kicks off tomorrow, May 27, 2003, at the Fox Raceway in Pala, CA.

The extended partnership between Keen's Buildings and RJ Hampshire signifies the continued commitment to excellence and the shared vision of pushing boundaries and achieving greatness in the world of motocross.

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Keen's Buildings is a trusted provider of high-quality storage sheds, metal garages, carports and steel buildings, offering customized solutions to meet diverse storage needs. With over 75,000 installs and an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, durability, and customer satisfaction, Keen's Buildings has established itself as a leading name in the industry.

About RJ Hampshire:

RJ Hampshire, representing the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team, is a highly talented and respected motocross athlete. With an impressive track record and a relentless drive for success, RJ has established himself as a prominent figure in the sport.

Contact Information:
Craig Heineman
Marketing
craigh@keensbuildings.com
(386) 364-7995


Original Source: Keen's Buildings Extends Partnership With RJ Hampshire for the 2023 Pro Motocross Season
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