To: All Member Banks and Others Concerned in the Third Federal Reserve District

Attention: Chief Executive Officer and Chief Compliance Officer

Subject: REGULATIONS B, E, M, Z, DD: WITHDRAWAL OF PROPOSED RULES

Summary:

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has withdrawn proposed revisions to Regulation B (Equal Credit Opportunity), Regulation E (Electronic Fund Transfers), Regulation M (Consumer Leasing), Regulation Z (Truth in Lending), and Regulation DD (Truth in Savings). The proposed revisions, published in December 2003, sought to define more specifically the standard for “clear and conspicuous” disclosures and to provide a more uniform standard among the Board’s regulations.

The revisions were intended to help ensure that consumers receive noticeable and understandable information that is required by law in connection with obtaining consumer financial products and services. In response to concerns raised by commenters, the Board has determined that this goal should be achieved by developing proposals that focus on improving the effectiveness of individual disclosures rather than the adoption of general definitions and standards applicable across the five regulations. This effort will be undertaken in connection with the Board’s periodic review of its regulations; an advance notice of proposed rulemaking is expected to be issued later this year under Regulation Z, focused on disclosures for open-end credit accounts.

Although the December 2003 proposals are withdrawn, they reflect principles that institutions may find useful in creating disclosures that are clear and conspicuous. These approaches will also help inform the Board's review of individual disclosures.

The Board's Federal Register notice, published June 25, 2004, is  available here (130 KB, 6 pages).

Date: The withdrawal is effective June 22, 2004.

For Further Information: Elizabeth A. Eurgubian, Attorney, and Krista P. DeLargy, Senior Attorney, Division of Consumer and Community Affairs, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, at (202) 452-3667 or 452-2412. For users of Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (“TDD”) only, contact (202) 263-4869.