H.R. 1261 — Introduced in House

I 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1261 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 19, 2013 Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York (for herself, Ms. Waters, Mr. Dingell, Mrs. Lowey, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Ellison, Ms. Moore, Mr. Sherman, Ms. Sewell of Alabama, Mr. Clay, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Foster, Ms. Norton, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Rush, Ms. Tsongas, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Rangel, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Mr. Carson of Indiana, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Honda, Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Cicilline, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Bishop of New York, Mr. Holt, Mr. Moran, Mr. Cohen, Ms. Chu, Ms. Matsui, Mr. Langevin, Ms. Loretta Sanchez of California, Mr. Veasey, Ms. Jackson Lee, Ms. Bass, Mr. Tierney, Mr. George Miller of California, and Mr. Ryan of Ohio) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services A BILL To amend the Truth in Lending Act to establish fair and transparent practices related to the marketing and provision of overdraft coverage programs at depository institutions, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Overdraft Protection Act of 2013. 2. Findings and purpose Section 102 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1601) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (c) Fairness and accountability in overdraft coverage (1) Findings The Congress also finds that— (A) overdraft coverage is a form of short-term credit that depository institutions provide for consumer transaction accounts. Historically, depository institutions covered overdrafts for a fee on an ad hoc basis; (B) with the growth in specially designed software programs and in consumer use of debit cards, overdraft coverage for a fee has become more prevalent; (C) many depository institutions offer a range of overdraft options but aggressively encourage consumers to consent to the most expensive option, where a high flat fee is collected for every individual overdraft transaction; (D) most depository institutions collect a high flat fee, including for small dollar transactions, each time the institution covers an overdraft, in some cases impose multiple overdraft coverage fees within a single day, and many charge additional fees for each day during which the account remains overdrawn; and (E) such abusive practices in connection with overdraft coverage fees have deprived consumers of meaningful choices about their accounts and placed significant financial burdens on low- and moderate-income consumers. (2) Purpose It is the purpose of this title to protect consumers by limiting abusive overdraft coverage fees and practices, and by providing meaningful disclosures and consumer choice in connection with overdraft coverage fees. . 3. Definitions (a) Additional definitions Section 103 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1602) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (ee) Definitions relating to overdraft coverage (1) Check The term check has the same meaning as in section 3(6) of the Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act (12 U.S.C. 5001 et seq.), other than a travelers check. (2) Depository institution The term depository institution has the same meaning as in clauses (i) through (vi) of section 19(b)(1)(A) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 461(b)(1)(A)). (3) Nonsufficient fund fee The term nonsufficient fund fee means a fee or charge assessed in connection with an overdraft for which a depository institution declines payment. (4) Overdraft The term overdraft means, in a withdrawal by check or other debit from a transaction account in which there are insufficient or unavailable funds in the account to cover such check or debit, the amount of such withdrawal that exceeds the available funds in the account. (5) Overdraft coverage The term overdraft coverage means the payment of a check presented or other debit posted against a transaction account by the depository institution in which such account is held, even though there are insufficient or unavailable funds in the account to cover such checks or other debits. (6) Overdraft coverage fee The term overdraft coverage fee means any fee or charge assessed in connection with overdraft coverage, or in connection with any negative account balance that results from overdraft coverage, unless such fee or charge is imposed in connection with— (A) an extension of credit through an overdraft line of credit program where such fee or charge was considered a finance charge under this title as in effect immediately prior to the enactment of the Overdraft Protection Act of 2012; or (B) any transfer from an account linked to another transaction account. Such fee shall be considered a finance charge for purposes of section 106(a), but shall not be included in the calculation of the rate of interest for purposes of section 107(5)(A)(vi) of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1757(5)(A)(vi)). (7) Overdraft coverage program The term overdraft coverage program means a service under which a depository institution assesses an overdraft coverage fee for overdraft coverage. (8) Transaction account The term transaction account has the same meaning as in section 19(b)(1)(C) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 461(b)(1)(C)). . (b) Conforming amendment Section 107(5)(A)(vi) of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1757(5)(A)(vi)) is amended by inserting , other than an overdraft coverage fee, as defined in section 103(ee) of the Truth in Lending Act (12 U.S.C. 1602(ee)) after inclusive of all finance charges. 4. Fair marketing and provision of overdraft coverage programs (a) In general Chapter 2 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1631 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 140B. Overdraft coverage program disclosures and consumer protection (a) Prohibitions No depository institution may engage in acts or practices in connection with the marketing of or the provision of overdraft coverage that are unfair, deceptive, or designed to evade the provisions of this section. (b) Marketing disclosures Each depository institution that provides or offers to provide overdraft coverage with respect to transaction accounts held at that depository institution shall clearly and conspicuously disclose in all marketing materials for such overdraft coverage— (1) any overdraft coverage fees with respect to such overdraft coverage; and (2) that by not opting-in to such overdraft coverage— (A) a consumer’s transaction may be declined if there are insufficient funds in the related transaction account; and (B) the consumer will not be charged a fee if such transaction is declined. (c) Consumer consent opt-In A depository institution may charge overdraft coverage fees with respect to the use of an automatic teller machine or point of sale transaction only if the consumer has consented in writing, in electronic form, or in such other form as is permitted under regulations of the Bureau. (d) Consumer disclosures Each depository institution shall clearly disclose to each consumer covered by an overdraft protection program of that depository institution— (1) that— (A) the consumer may be charged for not more than one overdraft coverage fee in any single calendar month and not more than 6 overdraft coverage fees in any single calendar year, per transaction account; and (B) the depository institution retains the discretion to pay (without assessing an overdraft coverage fee) or reject overdrafts incurred by the consumer beyond the numbers described in subparagraph (A); (2) the overdraft coverage fee as an annual percentage rate, so as to permit consumers to meaningfully compare the overdraft coverage to alternative forms of overdraft options and other sources of credit; (3) information about any alternative overdraft products that are available (such as linked accounts, lines of credit, and alerts), including a clear explanation of how the terms and fees for such alternative services and products differ; and (4) such other information as the Bureau may require, by rule. (e) Periodic statements Each depository institution that offers an overdraft coverage program shall, in each periodic statement for any transaction account that has an overdraft coverage program feature, clearly disclose to the consumer the dollar amount of all overdraft coverage fees and nonsufficient fund fees charged to the consumer for the relevant period and year to date. (f) Exclusion from account balance information No depository institution may include the amount available under the overdraft coverage program of a consumer as part of the transaction account balance of that consumer. (g) Prompt notification Each depository institution shall promptly notify consumers, through a reasonable means selected by the consumer, when overdraft coverage has been accessed with respect to the account of the consumer, not later than on the day on which such access occurs, including— (1) the date of the transaction; (2) the type of transaction; (3) the overdraft amount; (4) the overdraft coverage fee; (5) the amount necessary to return the account to a positive balance; and (6) whether the participation of a consumer in an overdraft coverage program will be terminated if the account is not returned to a positive balance within a given time period. (h) Terminated or suspended coverage Each depository institution shall provide prompt notice to the consumer, using a reasonable means selected by the consumer, if the institution terminates or suspends access to an overdraft coverage program with respect to an account of the consumer, including a clear rationale for the action. (i) Overdraft coverage fee limits (1) Notice and Opportunity To Cancel Each depository institution shall— (A) warn any consumer covered by an overdraft coverage program who engages in a transaction through an automated teller machine or a branch teller if completing the transaction would trigger overdraft coverage fees, including the amount of the fees; and (B) provide to the consumer the opportunity to cancel the transaction before it is completed. (2) Frequency A depository institution may charge not more than one overdraft coverage fee in any single calendar month, and not more than 6 overdraft coverage fees in any single calendar year, per transaction account. (3) Reasonable and proportional overdraft coverage fees (A) In general The amount of any overdraft coverage fee that a depository institution may assess for paying a transaction (including a check or other debit) shall be reasonable and proportional to the amount of the overdraft. (B) Safe harbor rule authorized The Bureau, in consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the National Credit Union Administration Board, may issue rules to provide an amount for any overdraft coverage fee that is presumed to be reasonable and proportional the amount of the overdraft. (4) Posting order In order to minimize overdraft coverage fees charged to consumers, each depository institution shall post transactions with respect to transaction accounts in such a manner that the consumer does not incur avoidable overdraft coverage fees. (j) Debit holds No depository institution may charge an overdraft coverage fee on any category of transaction, if the overdraft results solely from a debit hold amount placed on a transaction account that exceeds the actual dollar amount of the transaction. (k) Nondiscrimination for not opting In In implementing the requirements of this section, each depository institution shall provide to consumers who have not consented to participate in an overdraft coverage program, transaction accounts having the same terms, conditions, or other features as those that are provided to consumers who have consented to participate in such overdraft coverage program, except for features of such overdraft coverage. (l) Nonsufficient fund fee limits No depository institution may charge any nonsufficient fund fee with respect to— (1) any transaction at an automated teller machine; or (2) any debit card transaction. (m) Reports to consumer reporting agencies No depository institution may report negative information regarding the use of overdraft coverage by a consumer to any consumer reporting agency (as that term is defined in section 603 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a)) when the overdraft amounts and overdraft coverage fees are repaid under the terms of an overdraft coverage program. (n) Prepaid card study and rulemaking (1) Study (A) In general The Bureau shall carry out a study on whether consumers are being subjected to abusive practices with respect to prepaid card overdraft coverage. (B) Report Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Bureau shall issue a report to the Congress on all findings and determinations made in carrying out the study required under subparagraph (A). (2) Rulemaking If the Bureau, in carrying out the study required under paragraph (1)(A), determines that consumers are being subjected to abusive practices with respect to prepaid card overdraft coverage, the Bureau may, to the extent the Bureau determines appropriate, apply the provisions of this section to prepaid card overdraft coverage to the same extent such provisions apply to overdraft coverage offered by depository institutions. (3) Definitions For purpose of this section: (A) Prepaid card The term prepaid card has the meaning given the term general-use prepaid card under section 915(a)(2)(A) of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. (B) Prepaid card overdraft coverage The term prepaid card overdraft coverage means the payment of a charge posted against a prepaid card— (i) where the prepaid card has insufficient or unavailable funds with which to cover such payment; and (ii) where a fee or other charge is assessed against the consumer in connection with such payment. (o) Rule of construction No provision of this section may be construed as prohibiting a depository institution from retaining the discretion to pay, without assessing an overdraft coverage fee or charge, an overdraft incurred by a consumer. . (b) Technical amendment The table of contents for chapter II of the Truth in Lending Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 140A the following new item: 140B. Overdraft coverage program disclosures and consumer protection. . 5. Regulatory authority of the Bureau Not later than 24 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (hereafter in this Act referred to as the Bureau) shall issue such final rules and publish such model forms as necessary to carry out section 140B of the Truth in Lending Act, as added by this Act. 6. Effective date (a) In general This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, whether or not the rules of the Bureau under this Act or such amendments are prescribed in final form. (b) Prepaid card study To begin on enactment Notwithstanding subsection (a), section 140B(n)(1) of the Truth in Lending Act (as added by section 4(a)) shall take effect upon enactment of this Act. (c) Moratorium on fee increases (1) In general During the 1-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, no depository institution may increase the overdraft coverage fees or charges assessed on transaction accounts for paying a transaction (including a check or other debit) in connection with an overdraft or for nonsufficient funds. (2) Definitions As used in this section, the terms depository institution, overdraft, overdraft coverage fee, transaction account and nonsufficient fund fee have the same meanings as in section 103(ee) of the Truth in Lending Act, as added by this Act.