Other Reports to Congress
Profitability of Credit Card Operations of Depository Institutions
Analyzes the profitability over time of depository institutions' credit card activities by examining the performance of larger institutions that specialize in such activities and of a sample of smaller commercial banks that offer a range of credit services. Also reviews trends in credit card pricing, including changes in interest rates.
June 2008 HTML, PDF (81 KB)
Previous reports:
2007 HTML, PDF (45 KB) |
2006 HTML, PDF (78 KB) |
2005 PDF (108 KB) |
2004 PDF (108 KB) |
2003 PDF (190 KB) |
2002 PDF (31 KB) |
2001 PDF (65 KB) |
1999 | 1998 | 1997
Availability of Credit to Small Businesses
Discusses recent patterns in the flows and terms of business credit, credit use by small firms, and the sources of credit provided to small businesses, with an emphasis on the lending activities of commercial banks. Credit scoring, the securitization of small business loans, and community reinvestment activities are also discussed. The October 2007 online version contains minor text corrections posted in June 2008.
October 2007 HTML | 764 KB PDF
Previous reports: 2002 (1 MB PDF) | 1997 (324 KB PDF)
Credit Scoring and Its Effects on the Availability and Affordability of Credit
The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 directed the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study the effects of credit scoring on credit and insurance markets and to report their findings to the Congress. The Board's report covers credit markets; the FTC has issued a separate report covering insurance. This online version contains text corrections posted in late August 2007 and corrections to selected figures posted in late February 2008.
August 2007 HTML | 2.22 MB PDF
Reports on the Federal Reserve and the United States Mint's collaborative efforts to develop the Presidential $1 Coin Program and improve the distribution and circulation of $1 coins. Assesses the remaining obstacles to the efficient and timely circulation of $1 coins. Assesses the extent to which the goals of consultations with industry representatives, the vending industry, and other coin-accepting organizations are being met. Provides a recommendation for legislative action.
June 2008 HTML | 179 KB PDF
Previous reports: July 2007 HTML | 126 KB PDF
Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act of 2003
Reports on the effect of the Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act on the nation's check-collection system. Assesses the need for modifications to the funds-availability requirements established in and pursuant to the Expedited Funds Availability Act (EFAA). Based on the Board's extensive survey of the banking industry and supplemented with other information from official and industry sources.
April 2007 HTML | 491 KB PDF
Use and Counterfeiting of United States Currency Abroad, Part 3
Reports the results of a congressionally mandated investigation by the Treasury and the Federal Reserve, which extended the work of a program developed in part to aid the March 1996 international introduction of the new-design $100 note. The investigation established new sources of information on currency use and counterfeiting abroad.
September 2006 HTML | 4.74 MB PDF
Previous reports: March 2003 (733 KB PDF) | January 2000 (661 KB PDF)
Fair Credit Reporting Act Dispute Process
Report on the extent to which consumer reporting agencies and furnishers of information to consumer reporting agencies complied with certain requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
August 2006 HTML | 1.30 MB PDF
Practices of the Consumer Credit Industry in Soliciting and Extending Credit and their Effects on Consumer Debt and Insolvency
Reports on the methods by which issuers of consumer credit target solicitations for credit and those to whom they will provide credit. Also discusses the effects of these practices on consumer debt and insolvency.
Efforts of the Private Sector to Implement the Interagency Paper on Sound Practices to Strengthen the Resilience of the U.S. Financial System
Joint report on the efforts of private sector financial services firms covered by the Sound Practices Paper to implement enhanced business continuity plans, and the extent to which implementation has been done in a geographically dispersed manner.
Further Restrictions on Unsolicited Written Offers
Reports on the ability of consumers to avoid (or "opt out" of) receiving written offers of credit or insurance in connection with transactions not initiated by the consumer and the potential effect on consumers of any further restrictions on providing them with such written offers of credit or insurance.
Disclosure of Point-of-Sale Debit Fees
Reports on the disclosure of fees that a depository institution may impose when a customer chooses to secure a point-of-sale debit transaction by providing a personal identification number (PIN). Discusses the prevalence of PIN fees; the degree of compliance by depository institutions with current disclosure requirements; the adequacy of existing disclosures and the likely benefits and costs of new requirements for disclosure statements; and the feasibility of real-time disclosure.
Financial Holding Companies under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
A joint report with the Department of Treasury. Discusses the new or expanded activities conducted by financial holding companies under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLB Act), the actions that the Board and the Secretary of the Treasury have taken to expand the activities permissible for financial holding companies, and the effect that any nonbanking mergers and acquisitions by financial holding companies under the GLB Act have had on market concentration.
Differences in Capital and Accounting Standards among the Federal Banking and Thrift Agencies
First joint annual report. Covers the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Office of Thrift Supervision.
Previous report: January 1999
Fees and Services of Depository Institutions
Reports on whether changes in the cost and availability of certain retail banking services are related to increases in deposit insurance premiums. Based on survey of representative sample of insured depository institutions; covers about fifty measures of fees and service availability for banks and savings associations.
Previous reports:
2002 (250 KB PDF) | 2001 (200 KB PDF) | 2000 (516 KB PDF) | 1999 (399 KB PDF) | 1998 (403 KB PDF) | 1997 (993 KB PDF)
Review of Regulations Affecting Online Delivery of Financial Products and Services
Joint report with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and Office of Thrift Supervision, issued pursuant to section 729 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. Addresses banking regulations that affect the online delivery of financial products and services; includes relevant Federal Register publications by each agency.
Feasibility and Desirability of Mandatory Subordinated Debt
Considers the feasibility and desirability of a mandatory subordinated debt policy for systemically important depository institutions or depository institution holding companies in accordance with provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. Based on the analysis and evidence presented, makes recommendations regarding using subordinated debt to increase market discipline at depository institutions and to protect the deposit insurance funds.
Markets for Small-Business- and Commercial-Mortgage-Related Securities
Examines the structure and operation of the markets for securitized loans and commercial mortgages and the availability of credit for business enterprises. Also considers whether further legislative and administrative actions are needed in these areas.
Previous report: 1998 (248 KB PDF)
Compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program
Reports on state member banks' compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program for the period of July 1, 1997, to June 30, 1999. This is the final such report that is required by the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994.
Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act
Joint report with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on the recommendations of the Federal Reserve and HUD to give mortgage borrowers greater information and protection under the Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (see also related testimony).
Reports on the administration of the Freedom of Information Act by the Board, including the number of requests processed, the volume of material furnished to the public, the exemptions claimed for the withholding of information, the appeals received, and the cost to the Board of implementing the Act.
Electronic Stored-Value Products
Analyzes costs and benefits of applying the Board's Regulation E (which implements the Electronic Fund Transfer Act) to electronic stored-value products. Considers several alternative regulatory options.
Consumer Identifying Information and Financial Fraud
Evaluates the availability to the public of sensitive identifying information about consumers, whether such information could be used to commit financial fraud, and if so whether such fraud poses an undue potential for risk of loss to insured depository institutions.
Discusses whether the Truth in Lending Act (implemented by the Board's Regulation Z) adequately protects consumers obtaining home-equity lines of credit. Also addresses the interest rate index used to determine the applicability of the Home Ownership Equity Protection Act to certain home-secured loans.
Funds Availability and Check Fraud
Analyzes bank losses from check fraud and whether the Congress should extend the maximum hold period on local checks under the Expedited Funds Availability Act (which is implemented by the Board's Regulation CC).
Finance Charges for Consumer Credit
Analyzes whether the "finance charge" as defined in the Truth in Lending Act could be modified to better reflect the cost of consumer credit. Also addresses abusive refinancing practices that creditors may use to prevent consumers from exercising the right of rescission.