“Today’s flawed final rule will not only reduce competition and increase the cost of credit, but will also result in more late payments, higher debt, lower credit scores and reduced credit access for those who need it most. The Bureau’s misguided decision to cap credit card late fees at a level far below banks’ actual costs will force card issuers to reduce credit lines, tighten standards for new accounts and raise APRs for all consumers – even those who pay on time. It comes as the CFPB continues to use misleading blog posts and irresponsible press statements to paint an inaccurate and distorted picture of today’s highly competitive credit card market, which offers consumers a wide variety of card programs and features they value – provided by banks of all sizes across the country. Just days before the State of the Union, this supposedly independent agency is clearly choosing to put politics over sound public policy.
“In creating today’s final rule, the CFPB relied on flawed assumptions and a mischaracterization of the important role late fees play in promoting responsible consumer behavior. Not surprisingly, the Bureau disregarded industry data about the true cost of late payments. It is highly unusual for a final rule to remain essentially unchanged from its proposal despite detailed stakeholder comments offering reasonable alternatives. This final rule makes clear that the CFPB’s mind was made up from the beginning – the very definition of an arbitrary agency action. We will closely review this final rule and consider all options to fight the harmful consumer policy coming out of Director Chopra’s CFPB. This rule should not be allowed to go into effect.”
About the American Bankers Association
The American Bankers Association is the voice of the nation’s $23.4 trillion banking industry, which is composed of small, regional and large banks that together employ approximately 2.1 million people, safeguard $18.6 trillion in deposits and extend $12.3 trillion in loans.
Press Contact
All inquiries from the press can be directed to one of our press contacts.
Hi-Res photos for use by the press.
Getting the industry's message out – in print and on the air – about banks' health and lending, as well as policies that are harmful to economic recovery.
Complimentary press registrations are available for select events.
Want to be added to our news release list? Sign up here.
Get ABA press releases via RSS.