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Financial Services Law Insights and Observations

CFPB issues LIBOR transition materials

Agency Rule-Making & Guidance CFPB Regulation Z Open-End Credit Closed-End Credit LIBOR ARRC

Agency Rule-Making & Guidance

On June 4, the CFPB released three documents to assist in the LIBOR transition before its anticipated cessation at the end of 2021. Highlights of the documents include:

  • Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. The Bureau issued a proposed rule to amend Regulation Z to address the sunset of LIBOR, and to facilitate creditors’ transition away from using LIBOR as an index for variable-rate consumer products. For open-end products, among other things, the proposal would (i) require creditors to include in the change-in-terms notice the replacement index and any adjusted margin; (ii) add a LIBOR-specific provision allowing the LIBOR transition to occur on or after March 15, 2021, as opposed to the current rule’s “no longer available” standard; and (iii) allow creditors to elect a replacement index that is newly established and has no history, or is not newly established and has a history, if certain conditions are met. For closed-end credit, among other things, the proposal provides the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) recommended by the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (ARRC) as a “comparable index” to LIBOR. In conjunction with the proposal, the Bureau released a “Fast Facts” high-level summary and an unofficial redline
  • FAQ Guidance. The Bureau released FAQ guidance to address other LIBOR transition topics and regulatory questions that do not require amendments to Regulation Z. Among other things, the FAQs cover general regulatory implementation considerations and specific requirements related to adjustable rate mortgage and HELOC disclosures.
  • CHARM Booklet. The Bureau released revisions to their Consumer Handbook on Adjustable Rate Mortgages (CHARM) booklet, which aims to help consumers better understand adjustable rate mortgage loan products. The revisions provide updates based on consumer testing and remove LIBOR-based rate examples.