The CFPB requests approval to conduct
qualitative research related to a shortened credit card agreement
Pentagon Federal Credit Union ("Pentagon Federal") is piloting this
fall. The research will result in recommendations for development
of and revisions to the Bureau's approach to improving the
readability of credit card agreements. The research activities will
be conducted by phone surveys of consumers who will have received
the agreements from Pentagon Federal. The feasibility and value of
this approach has been demonstrated by other agencies in developing
disclosures and other forms.
The Bureau of Consumer
Financial Protection (CFPB) respectfully requests emergency
processing and approval of the collection of information discussed
below because the proposed information collection is essential to
the mission of the agency and the use of normal clearance
procedures is reasonably likely to prevent collection. The CFPB
requests approval to conduct qualitative research related to a
shortened credit card agreement Pentagon Federal Credit Union
(Pentagon Federal) is piloting this fall. The research will
result in recommendations for development of and revisions to the
Bureaus approach to improving the readability of credit card
agreements. The research activities will be conducted by phone
surveys of consumers who will have received the agreements from
Pentagon Federal. The feasibility and value of this approach has
been demonstrated by other agencies in developing disclosures and
other forms. The survey will provide illustrative qualitative
information only, and does not constitute a quantitative
information collection. Survey results will not be used to make
statistically-valid assessments for the purposes of extrapolating
to the broader US population. The planned research activities need
to be conducted during calendar Q4 2012 and calendar Q1 2013.
Pentagon Federal will send the shortened credit card agreement to
new and renewing credit card holders in calendar Q4 2012 and Q1
2013. As the survey includes questions that ask a consumer to
recall their impression of the cardholder agreement, the survey
must be administered shortly after initial receipt of the
agreement, when those impressions remain fresh. The CFPB thus
requests emergency processing and approval of the following
information collection request as the normal clearance process
would disrupt the collection.
PL:
Pub.L. 111 - 203 1021 Name of Law: Dodd-Frank Wall Street
Reform and Consumer Protection Act
The CFPB has a significant
interest in Pentagon Federal undertaking this survey because it
believes the survey may provide suggestive evidence on whether a
short-form credit card agreement can, in certain environments, lead
to a demonstrable impact on consumers. The outcome of this research
will help the CFPB decide whether to continue to dedicate resources
to pursuing a short-form credit card agreement.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.