CFPB Extends Remittance Transfer Rule Exception Until 2020

CFPB

On August 22, the CFPB announced that it is amending Regulation E in order to extend a temporary exception that allows federally insured institutions to provide estimates rather than exact amounts when disclosing third-party fees and exchange rates that apply to remittance transfers sent abroad by U.S. consumers. The original rule went into effect on October 28, 2013 and the exception was set to expire on July 21, 2015. In amending Regulation E, the CFPB deferred the expiration date until July 21, 2020. The CFPB believes the extension will give financial institutions the additional time necessary to develop reasonable methods to provide consumers sending money abroad with exact fees and exchange rates, even in cases where the institution does not have control over all of the participants in the remittance transfer. The amendment also clarifies certain provisions related to error resolution procedures and disclosure delivery methods, as well as the application of the rule to U.S. military bases in foreign countries and non-consumer accounts. Simultaneously, the CFPB amended its official interpretation to Regulation E and released a revised version of its industry compliance guide that reflects modifications made by the final rule.