IB
Union Calendar No. 41
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 627
[Report No. 111–88]
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 22, 2009
Mrs. Maloney (for herself, Mr. Frank of Massachusetts, Mr. Jones, Mr. Kanjorski, Ms. Waters, Mr. Gutierrez, Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Ellison, Mr. Davis of Tennessee, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. George Miller of California, Mr. Obey, Mr. DeFazio, Mr. Hinojosa, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Yarmuth, Mr. Olver, Ms. Edwards of Maryland, Mr. Courtney, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Kennedy, Mrs. Lowey, Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania, Mr. Chandler, Mr. Loebsack, Mr. Pascrell, Mr. Bishop of New York, Mr. Filner, Mr. Carnahan, Mr. Weiner, Mr. Markey of Massachusetts, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Cummings, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Gene Green of Texas, Mr. Moran of Virginia, Ms. Sutton, Mr. Hinchey, Ms. Bordallo, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Welch, and Mr. Higgins) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services
April 27, 2009
Additional sponsors: Mr. Lynch, Ms. Woolsey, Mr. Sherman, Ms. Matsui, Mr. Rahall, Mr. Doggett, Mr. Nye, Ms. Zoe Lofgren of California, Mr. Stupak, Mr. Berman, Mr. Inslee, Mr. Gonzalez, Ms. Eshoo, Ms. Shea-Porter, Ms. Tsongas, Mr. Visclosky, Mr. Wu, Ms. Clarke, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Schauer, Ms. Norton, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Maffei, Mr. Kratovil, Ms. Pingree of Maine, Mr. Delahunt, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Arcuri, Mr. Langevin, Mr. Hall of New York, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Abercrombie, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Miller of North Carolina, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Braley of Iowa, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Mr. Waxman, Mr. Baca, Mr. Honda, Mr. Serrano, Mrs. Davis of California, Mr. Watt, Mr. Levin, Mr. Stark, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Ms. Harman, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Mr. Al Green of Texas, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Castor of Florida, Ms. Kilroy, Mr. Massa, Mr. Luján, Mr. Kissell, Mr. Boswell, Mrs. Dahlkemper, Mr. Patrick J. Murphy of Pennsylvania, Ms. Markey of Colorado, Mr. Walz, Ms. Giffords, Mr. Pierluisi, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Quigley, Mr. Larson of Connecticut, Mr. Nadler of New York, Mr. Barrow, Mr. Connolly of Virginia, Ms. Fudge, and Mr. Teague
April 27, 2009
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic
For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on January 22, 2009
A BILL
To amend the Truth in Lending Act to establish fair and transparent practices relating to the extension of credit under an open end consumer credit plan, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights Act
of 2009
.
Credit cards on terms consumers can repay
Retroactive rate increases and universal default limited
Chapter 2 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1631 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 127A the following new section:
Additional requirements for credit card accounts under an open end consumer credit plan
Retroactive rate increases and universal default limited
In general
Except as provided in subsection (b), no creditor may increase any annual percentage rate of interest applicable to the existing balance on a credit card account of the consumer under an open end consumer credit plan.
Existing balance defined
For purposes of this subsection and subsections (b) and (c), the term existing balance means the amount owed on a consumer credit card account as of the end of the 14th day after the creditor provides notice of an increase in the annual percentage rate in accordance with subsection (c).
Treatment of existing balances following rate increase
If a creditor increases any annual percentage rate of interest applicable to the credit card account of a consumer under an open end consumer credit plan and there is an existing balance in the account to which such increase may not apply, the creditor shall allow the consumer to repay the existing balance using a method provided by the creditor which is at least as beneficial to the consumer as 1 of the following methods:
An amortization period for the existing balance of at least 5 years starting from the date on which the increased annual percentage rate went into effect.
The percentage of the existing balance that was included in the required minimum periodic payment before the rate increase cannot be more than doubled.
Limitation on certain fees
If—
a creditor increases any annual percentage rate of interest applicable on a credit card account of the consumer under an open end consumer credit plan; and
the creditor is prohibited by this section from applying the increased rate to an existing balance,
.
Exceptions to the amendment made by subsection (a)
Section 127B of the Truth in Lending Act is amended by inserting after subsection (a) (as added by subsection (a)) the following new subsection:
Exceptions
In general
A creditor may increase any annual percentage rate of interest applicable to the existing balance on a credit card account of the consumer under an open end consumer credit plan only under the following circumstances:
Change in index
The increase is due solely to the operation of an index that is not under the creditor's control and is available to the general public.
Expiration of promotional rate
The increase is due solely to the expiration of a promotional rate.
Failure to comply with workout plan
The increase is due solely to the fact the consumer failed to comply with a negotiated workout plan with the creditor.
Payment not received during 30-day grace period after due date
The increase is due solely to the fact that any consumer's minimum payment has not been received within 30 days after the due date for such minimum payment.
Limitation on increases due to failure to comply with workout plan
Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(C), the annual percentage rate in effect with respect to each category of transactions for a credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan after the increase permitted under such subsection due to the failure of a consumer to comply with a workout plan may not exceed the annual percentage applicable to such category of transactions on the day before the effective date of the workout plan.
Standards required
The Board shall prescribe, by regulation, standards—
for entering into any workout plan applicable to any credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan; and
governing any such workout plan.
.
Advance notice of rate increases and significant contract changes
Section 127B of the Truth in Lending Act is amended by inserting after subsection (b) (as added by subsection (b)) the following new subsections:
Advance notice of rate increases
In general
In the case of any credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan, no increase in any annual percentage rate of interest (other than an increase described in subsection (b)(1)(A)) may take effect unless the creditor provides a written notice to the consumer at least 45 days before the increase takes effect which fully describes the changes in the annual percentage rate, in a complete and conspicuous manner, and the extent to which such increase would apply to an existing balance.
Limitation on rate increase notices within first year
Except in the case of an increase described in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) of subsection (b)(1), no written notice under paragraph (1) of an increase in any annual percentage rate of interest on any credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan (for which notice is required under such paragraph) shall be effective before the end of the 1-year period beginning when the account is opened.
Advance notice of significant contract changes
In the case of any credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan, no significant change to the contract (such as any fee) may take effect unless the creditor provides a written notice of at least 45 days before the change takes effect which fully describes the changes in the contract, in a complete and conspicuous manner.
.
Clerical amendment
The table of sections for chapter 2 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1631 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 127A the following new item:
127B. Additional requirements for credit card accounts under an open end consumer credit plan.
.
Additional provisions regarding account features, terms, and pricing
Double cycle billing prohibited
Section 127B of the Truth in Lending Act is amended by inserting after subsection (d) (as added by section 2(c)) the following new subsection:
Double cycle billing
In general
No finance charge may be imposed by a creditor with respect to any balance on a credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan that is based on balances for days in billing cycles preceding the most recent billing cycle as a result of the loss of any grace period.
Exceptions
Paragraph (1) shall not apply so as to prohibit a creditor from—
adjusting finance charges following the return of a payment for insufficient funds; or
adjusting finance charges following resolution of a billing error dispute.
Grace period
For purposes of this subsection, the term grace period means, with respect to any credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan, the time period, if any, provided by the creditor within which any credit extended under such credit plan for purchases of goods or services may be repaid by the consumer without incurring a finance charge.
.
Limitations relating to account balances attributable only to accrued interest
Section 127B is amended by inserting after subsection (e) (as added by subsection (a)) the following new subsection:
Limitations relating to account balances attributable only to accrued interest
In general
If the outstanding balance on a credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan at the end of a billing period represents an amount attributable only to interest accrued during the preceding billing period on an outstanding balance that was fully repaid during the preceding billing period—
no fee may be imposed or collected in connection with such balance attributable only to interest before such end of the billing period; and
any failure to make timely repayments of the balance attributable only to interest before such end of the billing period shall not constitute a default on the account.
Rule of construction
Paragraph (1) shall not be construed as affecting—
the consumer’s obligation to pay any accrued interest on a credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan; or
the accrual of interest on the outstanding balance on any such account in accordance with the terms of the account and this title.
.
Access to payoff balance information
Section 127B of the Truth in Lending Act is amended by inserting after subsection (f) (as added by subsection (b)) the following new subsection:
Payoff balance information
In general
Each periodic statement provided by a creditor to a consumer with respect to a credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan shall contain the toll-free telephone number, Internet address, and website at which the consumer may request the payoff balance on the account.
Small issuers
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in the case of any credit card issuer which issues fewer than 50,000 credit cards in conjunction with credit card accounts under open end consumer credit plans, each periodic statement provided by such a creditor to a consumer with respect to any such credit card account shall contain the toll-free telephone number, Internet address, or website at which the consumer may request the payoff balance on the account.
.
Consumer right To reject card before notice is provided of open account
Section 127B of the Truth in Lending Act is amended by inserting after subsection (g) (as added by subsection (c)) the following new subsection:
Consumer right To reject card before notice of new account is provided to consumer reporting agency
In general
A creditor may not furnish any information to a consumer reporting agency (as defined in section 603) concerning the establishment of a newly opened credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan until the credit card has been used or activated by the consumer.
Rule of construction
Paragraph (1) shall not be construed as prohibiting a creditor from furnishing information about any application for a credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan or any inquiry about any such account to a consumer reporting agency (as so defined).
.
Use of terms clarified
Section 127B of the Truth in Lending Act is amended by inserting after subsection (h) (as added by subsection (d)) the following new subsection:
Use of terms
The following requirements shall apply with respect to the terms of any credit card account under any open end consumer credit plan:
Fixed
rate
The term fixed, when appearing in conjunction with a reference to the annual percentage rate or interest rate applicable with respect to such account, may only be used to refer to an annual percentage rate or interest rate that will not change or vary for any reason over the period clearly and conspicuously specified in the terms of the account.
Prime rate
The term prime rate, when appearing in any agreement or contract for any such account, may only be used to refer to the bank prime rate published in the Federal Reserve Statistical Release on selected interest rates (daily or weekly), and commonly referred to as the H.15 release (or any successor publication).
Due date
In general
Each periodic statement for any such account shall contain a date by which the next periodic payment on the account must be made to avoid a late fee or be considered a late payment, and any payment received by 5 p.m., local time at the location specified by the creditor for the receipt of payment, on such date shall be treated as a timely payment for all purposes.
Certain electronic fund transfers
Any payment with respect to any such account made by a consumer online to the website of the credit card issuer or by telephone directly to the credit card issuer before 5 p.m., local time at the location specified by the creditor for the receipt of payment, on any business day shall be credited to the consumer’s account that business day.
Presumption of timely payment
Any evidence provided by a consumer in the form of a receipt from the United States Postal Service or other common carrier indicating that a payment on a credit card account was sent to the issuer not less than 7 days before the due date contained in the periodic statement under subparagraph (A) for such payment shall create a presumption that such payment was made by the due date, which may be rebutted by the creditor for fraud or dishonesty on the part of the consumer with respect to the mailing date.
.
Payment allocations
Section 127B of the Truth in Lending Act is amended by inserting after subsection (i) (as added by subsection (e)) the following new subsection:
Payment allocations
In general
If 2 or more different annual percentage rates apply to different portions of an outstanding balance on a credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan, the amount of any periodic payment in excess of the required minimum payment shall be applied using 1 of the following methods:
High-to-low method
The excess amount is allocated first to the balance with the highest annual percentage rate and any remaining portion is allocated to any other balance in descending order, based on the applicable annual percentage rate each portion of such balance bears, from the highest such rate to the lowest.
Pro rata method
The excess amount is allocated among each of the portions of such balance which bear different rates of interest in the same proportion as each such portion of the outstanding balance bears to the total outstanding balance.
Clarification relating to certain deferred interest arrangements
A creditor may allocate the entire amount paid by the consumer in excess of the required minimum periodic payment to a balance on which interest is deferred during the 2 billing cycles immediately preceding the expiration of the period during which interest is deferred.
Prohibition on restricted grace periods under certain circumstances
If, with respect to any credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan, a creditor offers a time period in which to repay credit extended without incurring finance charges to cardholders who pay the balance in full, the creditor may not deny a consumer who takes advantage of a promotional rate balance or deferred interest rate balance offer with respect to such an account any such time period for repaying credit without incurring finance charges.
.
Timely provision of periodic statements
Section 127B of the Truth in Lending Act is amended by inserting after subsection (j) (as added by subsection (f)) the following new subsection:
Timely provision of periodic statements
Each
periodic statement with respect to a credit card account under an open end
consumer credit plan shall be sent by the creditor to the consumer not less
than 21 calendar days before the due date identified in such statement for the
next payment on the outstanding balance on such account, and section 163(a)
shall be applied with respect to any such account by substituting
21
for
fourteen
.
.
Due dates
Section 127B of the Truth in Lending Act is amended by inserting after subsection (k) (as added by subsection (g)) the following new subsection:
Due dates
If the date established by a creditor as the date on which a periodic payment on a credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan is due is a day on which mail is either not delivered to such creditor or is not accepted by the creditor for processing on such day, the creditor may not treat the receipt by the creditor of any such periodic payment by mail as of the next business day of the creditor as late for any purpose.
.
Consumer choice with respect to over-the-limit transactions
Section 127B of the Truth in Lending Act is amended by inserting after subsection (l) (as added by section 3(h)) the following new subsections:
Opt-out of creditor authorization of over-the-limit transactions if fees are imposed
In general
In the case of any credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan under which an over-the-limit-fee may be imposed by the creditor for any extension of credit in excess of the amount of credit authorized to be extended under such account, the consumer may elect to prohibit the creditor, with respect to such account, from completing any transaction involving the extension of credit, with respect to such account, in excess of the amount of credit authorized by notifying the creditor of such election in accordance with paragraph (2).
Notification by consumer
A consumer shall notify a creditor under paragraph (1)—
through the notification system maintained by the creditor under paragraph (4); or
by submitting to the creditor a signed notice of election, by mail or electronic communication, on a form issued by the creditor for purposes of this subparagraph.
Effectiveness of election
An election by a consumer under paragraph (1) shall be effective beginning 3 business days after the creditor receives notice from the consumer in accordance with paragraph (2) and shall remain effective until the consumer revokes the election.
Notification system
In general
Each creditor that maintains credit card accounts under an open end consumer credit plan shall establish and maintain a notification system, including a toll-free telephone number, Internet address, and website, which permits any consumer whose credit card account is maintained by the creditor to notify the creditor of an election under this subsection in accordance with paragraph (2).
Small issuers
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), any credit card issuer which issues fewer than 50,000 credit cards in conjunction with credit card accounts under open end consumer credit plans shall establish and maintain a notification system, which shall include a toll-free telephone number, Internet address, or website, which permits any consumer whose credit card account is maintained by the creditor to notify the creditor of an election under this subsection in accordance with paragraph (2).
Annual notice to consumers of availability of election
In the case of any credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan, the creditor shall include a notice, in clear and conspicuous language, of the availability of an election by the consumer under this paragraph as a means of avoiding over-the limit fees and a higher amount of indebtedness, and the method for providing such notice—
on the periodic statement required under section 127(b) with respect to such account at least once each calendar year; and
on any such periodic statement which includes a notice of the imposition of an over-the-limit fee during the period covered by the statement.
No fees if consumer has made an election
If a consumer has made an election under paragraph (1), no over-the-limit fee may be imposed on the account for any reason that has caused the outstanding balance in the account to exceed the credit limit.
Regulations
in general
The Board shall issue regulations allowing for the completion of over-the-limit transactions that for operational reasons exceed the credit limit by a de minimis amount, even where the cardholder has made an election under paragraph (1).
Subject to no fee limitation
The regulations prescribed under subparagraph (A) shall not allow for the imposition of any fee or any rate increase based on the permitted over-the-limit transactions.
Over-the-limit fee restrictions
With respect to a credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan, an over-the-limit fee may be imposed only once during a billing cycle if, on the last day of such billing cycle, the credit limit on the account is exceeded, and an over-the-limit fee, with respect to such excess credit, may be imposed only once in each of the 2 subsequent billing cycles, unless the consumer has obtained an additional extension of credit in excess of such credit limit during any such subsequent cycle or the consumer reduces the outstanding balance below the credit limit as of the end of such billing cycle.
Over-the-limit fees prohibited in conjunction with certain credit holds
Notwithstanding subsection (n), an over-the-limit fee may not be imposed if the credit limit was exceeded due to a hold unless the actual amount of the transaction for which the hold was placed would have resulted in the consumer exceeding the credit limit.
.
Strengthen credit card information collection
Section 136(b) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1646(b)) is amended—
in paragraph (1)—
by striking
Collection
required.—The Board shall
and
inserting
Collection required.—
In general
The Board shall
.
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
Information to be included
The information under subparagraph (A) shall include, for the relevant semiannual period, the following information with respect each creditor in connection with any consumer credit card account:
A list of each type of transaction or event during the semiannual period for which 1 or more creditors has imposed a separate interest rate upon a consumer credit card accountholder, including purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers.
For each type of transaction or event identified under clause (i)—
each distinct interest rate charged by the card issuer to a consumer credit card accountholder during the semiannual period; and
the number of cardholders to whom each such interest rate was applied during the last calendar month of the semiannual period, and the total amount of interest charged to such accountholders at each such rate during such month.
A list of each type of fee that 1 or more of the creditors has imposed upon a consumer credit card accountholder during the semiannual period, including any fee imposed for obtaining a cash advance, making a late payment, exceeding the credit limit on an account, making a balance transfer, or exchanging United States dollars for foreign currency.
For each type of fee identified under clause (iii), the number of accountholders upon whom the fee was imposed during each calendar month of the semiannual period, and the total amount of fees imposed upon cardholders during such month.
The total number of consumer credit card accountholders that incurred any finance charge or any other fee during the semiannual period.
The total number of consumer credit card accounts maintained by each creditor as of the end of the semiannual period.
The total number and value of cash advances made during the semiannual period under a consumer credit card account.
The total number and value of purchases involving or constituting consumer credit card transactions during the semiannual period.
The total number and amount of repayments on outstanding balances on consumer credit card accounts in each month of the semiannual period.
The percentage of all consumer credit card accountholders (with respect to any creditor) who—
incurred a finance charge in each month of the semiannual period on any portion of an outstanding balance on which a finance charge had not previously been incurred; and
incurred any such finance charge at any time during the semiannual period.
The total number and amount of balances accruing finance charges during the semiannual period.
The total number and amount of the outstanding balances on consumer credit card accounts as of the end of such semiannual period.
Total credit limits in effect on consumer credit card accounts as of the end of such semiannual period and the amount by which such credit limits exceed the credit limits in effect as of the beginning of such period.
Any other information related to interest rates, fees, or other charges that the Board deems of interest.
; and
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
Report to Congress
The Board shall, on an annual basis, transmit to Congress and make public a report containing estimates by the Board of the approximate, relative percentage of income derived by the credit card operations of depository institutions from—
the imposition of interest rates on cardholders, including separate estimates for—
interest with an annual percentage rate of less than 25 percent; and
interest with an annual percentage rate equal to or greater than 25 percent;
the imposition of fees on cardholders;
the imposition of fees on merchants; and
any other material source of income, while specifying the nature of that income.
.
Standards applicable to
initial issuance of subprime or fee harvester
cards
Section 127B of the Truth in Lending Act is amended by inserting after subsection (o) (as added by section 4) the following new subsection:
Standards applicable to
initial issuance of subprime or fee harvester
cards
In general
In the case of any credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan the terms of which require the payment of any fee (other than any late fee, any over-the-limit fee, or any fee for a payment returned for insufficient funds) by the consumer in the first year the account is opened in an amount in excess of 25 percent of the total amount of credit authorized under the account when the account is opened, no payment of any fee (other than any late fee, any over-the-limit fee, or any fee for a payment returned for insufficient funds) may be made from the credit made available by the card.
Rule of construction
No provision of this subsection may be construed as authorizing any imposition or payment of advance fees otherwise prohibited by any provision of law.
.
Extensions of credit to underage consumers
Section 127(c) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
Extensions of credit to underage consumers
In general
No credit card may be knowingly issued to, or open end credit plan established on behalf of, a consumer who has not attained the age of 18, unless the consumer is emancipated under applicable State law.
Rule of construction
For the purposes of determining the age of an applicant, the submission of a signed application by a consumer stating that the consumer is over 18 shall be considered sufficient proof of age.
.
Prohibit fees for payment on credit card accounts by electronic fund transfers
In general
Section 127 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
Payments by EFT
In the case of a credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan, a creditor may not impose a fee based on the manner in which payment on the account is made, including a fee for making any such payment by electronic fund transfer (as defined in section 903).
.
Effective date
The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to all payments made after the date of the enactment of this Act and any fee imposed after such date in contravention of the amendment shall be promptly credited to the consumer’s account.
Report to Congress on reductions of consumer credit card limits based on certain information as to experience or transactions of the consumer
Report on creditor practices required
Before the end of the 6-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in consultation with the Comptroller of the Currency, the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration Board, and the Federal Trade Commission, shall report to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate on the extent to which, during the 3-year period ending on such date of enactment, creditors have reduced credit limits or raised interest rates applicable to credit card accounts under open end consumer credit plans based on—
the geographical location where a credit transaction with the consumer takes place or the identity of the merchant involved in the transaction;
the consumer’s credit transactions, including the type of credit transaction, the type of items purchased in such transaction, the price of items purchased in such transaction, any change in the type or price of items purchased in such transactions, and other data pertaining to the consumer’s use of such credit card account; and
the identity of the mortgage creditor which extended or holds the mortgage loan secured by the consumer’s primary residence.
Other information
The report required under subsection (a) shall also include—
the number and identity of creditors that have engaged in the practices described in subsection (a);
the extent to which the practices described in subsection (a) have an adverse impact on minority or low-income consumers;
any other relevant information regarding such practices; and
recommendations to the Congress on regulatory or statutory changes that may be needed to restrict or prevent such practices.
Effective date
In general
Except as provided in subsection (c) for the period described in such subsection, the amendments made by this Act shall apply to all credit card accounts under open end consumer credit plans after the earlier of—
the end of the 12-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act; or
June 30, 2010.
Regulations
Except as provided in subsection (c) for the period described in such subsection, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in consultation with the Comptroller of the Currency, the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration Board, and the Federal Trade Commission, shall prescribe regulations, in final form, implementing the amendments made by this Act before the earlier of—
the end of the 5-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act; or
June 1, 2010.
Interim effective period for advance notices of rate increases
In general
During the period beginning 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on the effective date of all the amendments under this Act as determined pursuant to subsection (a), no increase in any annual percentage rate of interest on any credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan (as such terms are defined in the Truth in Lending Act) may take effect unless the creditor provides a written notice to the consumer at least 45 days before the increase would otherwise take effect which fully describes the changes in the annual percentage rate, in a complete and conspicuous manner, and the extent to which such increase would apply to an existing balance.
Exceptions
A notice shall not be required under paragraph (1) for an increase in an annual percentage rate described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 127B(b)(1) (as added by section 2).
Regulations
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall prescribe regulations implementing the amendment referred to in paragraph (1), for purposes of this subsection, before the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.
April 27, 2009
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
