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FDIC Federal Register Citations

[Federal Register: November 22, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 224)]
[Rules and Regulations]              
[Page 70663-70696]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22no05-17]                        

 Correction - 12/22/05
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Part II

Department of the Treasury

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

12 CFR Part 41

Office of Thrift Supervision

12 CFR Part 571


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Federal Reserve System

12 CFR Parts 222 and 232

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Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

12 CFR Part 334

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National Credit Union Administration

12 CFR Part 717

Fair Credit Reporting Medical Information Regulations; Final Rule


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

12 CFR Part 41

[Docket No. 05-18]
RIN 1557-AC85

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

12 CFR Parts 222 and 232

[Regulation V and FF; Docket No. R-1188]

FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

12 CFR Part 334

RIN 3064-AC81

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Office of Thrift Supervision

12 CFR Part 571

[No. 2005-49]
RIN 1550-AB88

NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION

12 CFR Part 717

 
Fair Credit Reporting Medical Information Regulations

AGENCIES: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury (OCC);
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board); Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); Office of Thrift Supervision,
Treasury (OTS); National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

ACTION: Final rules.

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SUMMARY: The OCC, Board, FDIC, OTS, and NCUA (Agencies) are publishing
final rules to implement section 411 of the Fair and Accurate Credit
Transactions Act of 2003 (FACT Act). The final rules create exceptions
to the statute's general prohibition on creditors obtaining or using
medical information pertaining to a consumer in connection with any
determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility,
for credit for all creditors. The exceptions permit creditors to obtain
or use medical information in connection with credit eligibility
determinations where necessary and appropriate for legitimate purposes,
consistent with the Congressional intent to restrict the use of medical
information for inappropriate purposes. The final rules also create
limited exceptions to permit affiliates to share medical information
with each other without becoming consumer reporting agencies. The final
rules are substantially similar to the rules adopted by the Agencies on
an interim final basis in June 2005.

DATES: The effective date of the interim final rule published on June
10, 2005 (70 FR 33958) is delayed until April 1, 2006. The amendments
in this final rule are effective April 1, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    OCC: Amy Friend, Assistant Chief Counsel, (202) 874-5200; Michael
Bylsma, Director, or Stephen Van Meter, Assistant Director, Community
and Consumer Law, (202) 874-5750; or Patrick T. Tierney, Senior
Attorney, Legislative and Regulatory Activities Division, (202) 874-
5090, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 250 E Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20219.
    Board: David A. Stein, Counsel; Minh-Duc T. Le, Ky Tran-Trong, or
Krista P. DeLargy, Senior Attorneys, Division of Consumer and Community
Affairs, (202) 452-3667 or (202) 452-2412; or Andrew Miller, Counsel,
Legal Division, (202) 452-3428, Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, 20th and C Streets, NW., Washington, DC 20551.
    FDIC: Richard M. Schwartz, Counsel, Legal Division, (202) 898-7424;
David Lafleur, Policy Analyst, (202) 898-6569, or Patricia Cashman,
Senior Policy Analyst, Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection,
(202) 898-6534, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 550 17th Street,
NW., Washington, DC 20429.
    OTS: Glenn Gimble, Senior Project Manager, Operation Risk, (202)
906-7158; Richard Bennett, Counsel, (202) 906-7409, Office of Thrift
Supervision, 1700 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20552.
    NCUA: Regina M. Metz, Staff Attorney, Office of General Counsel,
(703) 518-6540, National Credit Union Administration, 1775 Duke Street,
Alexandria, VA 22314-3428.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The FACT Act became law on December 4, 2003. Public Law 108-159,
117 Stat. 1952. In general, the FACT Act amends the Fair Credit
Reporting Act (FCRA or Act) to enhance the ability of consumers to
combat identity theft, increase the accuracy of consumer reports, and
allow consumers to exercise greater control regarding the type and
amount of marketing solicitations they receive.
    Section 411 of the FACT Act generally limits the ability of
creditors to obtain or use medical information in connection with
credit eligibility determinations and the ability of consumer reporting
agencies to disclose medical information, and restricts the sharing of
medical information and other medically related information with
affiliates. The FACT Act also revised the definition of ``medical
information'' in section 603(i) of the FCRA to mean information or
data, whether oral or recorded, in any form or medium, created by or
derived from a health care provider or the consumer, that relates to
the past, present, or future physical, mental, or behavioral health or
condition of an individual, the provision of health care to an
individual, or the payment for the provision of health care to an
individual. The term ``medical information'' does not include the age
or gender of a consumer, demographic information about the consumer,
including a consumer's residence address or e-mail address, or any
other information about a consumer that does not relate to the
physical, mental, or behavioral health or condition of a consumer,
including the existence or value of any insurance policy.
    Section 604(g)(1) of the FCRA restricts the circumstances under
which consumer reporting agencies may furnish consumer reports that
contain medical information about consumers. This provision is not the
subject of the Agencies' rulemaking.
    Section 604(g)(2) of the FCRA prohibits creditors from either
obtaining or using medical information pertaining to a consumer in
connection with any determination of the consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit. The statute contains no prohibition,
however, on creditors obtaining or using medical information for other
purposes that are not in connection with a determination of the
consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit. Section
604(g)(5)(A) requires the Agencies to prescribe regulations that permit
transactions that are determined to be necessary and appropriate to
protect legitimate operational, transactional, risk, consumer, and
other needs (including administrative verification purposes),
consistent with Congressional intent to restrict the use of medical
information for inappropriate purposes.
    Section 603(d)(3) of the FCRA restricts the sharing of medically
related information with affiliates if that information meets the
definition of ``consumer report'' in section 603(d)(1) of the FCRA.
Specifically, section 603(d)(3) provides that the standard

[[Page 70665]]

exclusions from the definition of ``consumer report'' contained in
section 603(d)(2)--such as sharing transaction or experience
information among affiliates or sharing other information among
affiliates after notice and an opportunity to opt-out--do not apply if
medically related information is disclosed to an affiliate. Medically
related information includes medical information, as described above,
as well as an individualized list or description based on payment
transactions for medical products or services, and an aggregate list of
identified consumers based on payment transactions for medical products
or services.
    Section 604(g)(3) of the FCRA provides several exceptions that
allow institutions to share medically related information with
affiliates in accordance with the standard exclusions that apply to the
sharing of non-medically related information.\1\ The statute gives the
Agencies and the FTC the authority to create additional exceptions by
regulation or order.
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    \1\ The statutory exceptions provide that an institution may
share medically related information with an affiliate without having
the communication categorically treated as a consumer report if the
information is disclosed to an affiliate: (1) In connection with the
business of insurance or annuities (including the activities
described in section 18B of the model Privacy of Consumer Financial
and Health Information Regulation issued by the National Association
of Insurance Commissioners, as in effect on January 1, 2003); (2)
For any purpose permitted without authorization under the Standards
for Individually Identifiable Health Information promulgated by the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) pursuant to the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA); (3)
For any purpose referred to under section 1179 of HIPAA; (4) For any
purpose described in section 502(e) of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act;
or (5) As otherwise determined to be necessary and appropriate, by
regulation or order, by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the
Agencies, or an applicable State insurance authority. 15 U.S.C.
1681b(g)(3).
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    Section 604(g)(4) of the FCRA provides that any person that
receives medical information from an affiliate pursuant to an exception
in section 604(g)(3) or from a consumer reporting agency under section
604(g)(1) must not disclose such information to any other person,
except as necessary to carry out the purpose for which the information
was initially disclosed, or as otherwise permitted by statute,
regulation, or order.

II. Overview of Comments Received

    On April 28, 2004, the Agencies published a notice of proposed
rulemaking in the Federal Register (69 FR 23380) relating to the
medical information provisions of section 411 of the FACT Act. The
proposed rules applied to banks, thrifts, Federal credit unions, and
other creditors regulated by one of the Agencies. Most commenters
supported the proposed rules, but urged the Agencies to broaden the
scope of the rules to apply to all creditors.
    On June 10, 2005, the Agencies published interim final rules and a
request for public comments in the Federal Register (70 FR 33958). The
interim final rules created exceptions to the general prohibition
against creditors obtaining or using medical information in connection
with credit eligibility determinations, as required by section
604(g)(5)(A), to permit transactions necessary and appropriate to
protect legitimate operational, transactional, risk, consumer, and
other needs (including administrative verification purposes),
consistent with the intent of Congress to restrict the use of medical
information for inappropriate purposes. In response to comments on the
proposed rules, the scope of the interim final rules was expanded so
that all creditors could rely on the exceptions for obtaining and using
medical information in connection with credit eligibility
determinations. The interim final rules also created exceptions to the
special restrictions in section 603(d)(3) on sharing medically related
information with affiliates, as permitted by section 604(g)(3)(C). The
Agencies published these rules as interim final rules to give
interested parties an opportunity to comment on the expanded scope of
the exceptions for obtaining and using medical information in
connection with credit eligibility determinations.
    Each Agency received the following number of comment letters on the
interim final rules: OCC (8), Board (13), FDIC (9), OTS (7), and NCUA
(11). Comments were received from industry commenters (including
depository institutions, credit card companies, mortgage lenders and
other non-bank creditors, and industry trade associations), consumer
and community groups, and health privacy advocates. As discussed more
fully below, commenters strongly supported the expanded scope of the
rules to allow all creditors to rely on the exceptions for obtaining
and using medical information in connection with credit eligibility
determinations. The comments, and the Agencies' responses to the
comments, are discussed in the following section-by-section analysis.

III. Section-by-Section Analysis

Section----.3 Definitions

    The Agencies received no comments on the definitions of ``Act,''
``company,'' ``consumer,'' ``common ownership or common corporate
control,'' ``medical information,'' or ``person'' as defined in the
interim final rules. These definitions are republished in the final
rules without revision.

Affiliate

    Section----.3(b) of the interim final rules defined ``affiliate''
to mean any company that is related by common ownership or common
corporate control with another company.\2\ The Agencies concluded that
this definition of ``affiliate'' closely tracked the definition
contained in section 2 of the FACT Act. The Agencies also concluded
that there was no substantive difference between the FACT Act
definition of ``affiliate'' and the definition of ``affiliate'' in
section 509 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLB Act).
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    \2\ For purposes of the regulation, an ``affiliate'' includes an
operating subsidiary of a bank or savings association, and a credit
union service organization that is controlled by a Federal credit
union.
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    One commenter requested use of an alternative definition of
``affiliate'' that would incorporate certain concepts from California
law. Specifically, this commenter suggested revising the definition of
``affiliate'' to eliminate information sharing restrictions among
affiliates that are regulated by the same or similar functional
regulators, involved in the same broad line of business, or share a
common brand or identity. This commenter maintained that such a
definition would reduce costs and allow multiple entity financial
institutions to better serve their clients.
    The Agencies decline to incorporate into the definition of
``affiliate'' exceptions for entities regulated by the same or similar
functional regulators, entities in the same line of business, or
entities that share a common brand or identity. These exceptions were
incorporated into a California financial privacy law in August 2003.\3\
Section 2 of the FACT Act defines the term ``affiliate'' to mean
``persons that are related by common ownership or affiliated by
corporate control.'' \4\ Congress did not incorporate the exceptions
from California law into the definition of ``affiliate'' when it
enacted the FACT Act at the end of 2003. The Agencies believe that the
definition of ``affiliate'' included in the interim final rules better
effectuates the intent of Congress than the revision suggested by the
commenter. Accordingly, the

[[Page 70666]]

definition of ``affiliate'' is republished without change in the final
rules.
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    \3\ See Calif. Financial Code Sec.  4053(c).
    \4\ Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, Public
Law No. 108-159, Sec.  2, 117 Stat. 1952, 1953 (2003).
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Section----.30 Obtaining or Using Medical Information in Connection
With a Determination of Eligibility for Credit

    Section 411(a) of the FACT Act adds a new section 604(g)(2) to the
FCRA. This provision contains a broad limitation on the ability of
creditors to either obtain or use medical information in connection
with credit eligibility determinations.

A. Scope of Rules on Obtaining or Using Medical Information

    The proposed rules would have applied the exceptions to banks,
thrifts, and Federal credit unions. Many commenters on the proposal
urged the Agencies to expand the scope of the exceptions to apply to
all creditors, not just to creditors that are banks, thrifts, or
Federal credit unions.
    As noted in the supplementary information to the interim final
rules, the prohibition in section 604(g)(2) on creditors obtaining or
using medical information in connection with credit eligibility
determinations applies to all creditors. Under the FCRA, the term
``creditor'' has the same meaning as in the Equal Credit Opportunity
Act (``ECOA''), which defines a ``creditor'' as any person who
regularly extends, renews, or continues credit; any person who
regularly arranges for the extension, renewal, or continuation of
credit; or any assignee of an original creditor who participates in the
decision to extend, renew, or continue credit.\5\ Creditors include
depository institutions as well as entities that are neither depository
institutions nor affiliates of depository institutions, such as
independent finance companies, loan brokers, health care providers, and
automobile dealers.
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    \5\ 15 U.S.C. 1681a(r)(5) and 1691a(e).
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    The statute does not contain any specific exceptions to this broad
prohibition. Instead, section 604(g)(5) directs the Agencies to
prescribe regulations to permit ``transactions'' in which creditors
obtain or use medical information where ``necessary and appropriate to
protect legitimate operational, transactional, risk, consumer, and
other needs consistent with the intent of paragraph (2) to restrict the
use of medical information for inappropriate purposes.'' \6\
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    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 1681b(g)(5)(A).
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    The supplementary information to the interim final rules noted that
section 604(g)(5) does not, by its terms, limit the creditors that may
rely on exceptions granted by the Agencies. Moreover, that section, by
its terms, applies to ``transactions'' for which the Agencies determine
exceptions are necessary, not to ``creditors'' that the Agencies
determine must be protected by the exceptions. Accordingly, the
combined scope of the exceptions adopted pursuant to section 604(g)(5)
in the interim final rules is as broad as the prohibition to which it
applies, and is available to all creditors.
    The interim final action was comprised of six rules. The
applicability of the section of each Agency's rule addressing the
prohibition on and exceptions for creditors obtaining or using medical
information in connection with credit eligibility determinations was
set forth in Sec.  ----.30(a) and covered transactions in which certain
enumerated entities participate as creditors. Under Sec.  --
--.30(a)(2), other entities that participate as creditors in
transactions in which an enumerated entity also participates as a
creditor would also be subject to that Agency's rule.
    In addition, the interim final action included a separate rule,
codified in part 232 of the Board's chapter of the Code of Federal
Regulations as Regulation FF (hereafter ``separate rule''), which
afforded the exceptions to the prohibition against obtaining and using
medical information for credit eligibility determinations generally to
all creditors, except for creditors that are subject to one of the
other Agencies' rules. This combination of rules established uniform
coverage and exceptions for transactions involving any creditor that is
subject to the prohibition on obtaining or using medical information in
section 411. The separate rule was located in the Board's chapter of
the Code of Federal Regulations as a matter of convenience because many
creditors are accustomed to looking to the Board's regulations
implementing other statutes, such as the Truth-in-Lending Act and the
ECOA.
    In the supplementary information to the interim final rules, the
Agencies expressed concern that uncertainty about this matter may have
led creditors that believed they could not avail themselves of the
exceptions not to comment on the appropriateness and details of the
exceptions. Therefore, these rules were adopted on an interim final
basis to provide interested parties with an opportunity to comment on
the expanded scope of the rules.
    Most commenters strongly supported the approach taken in the
interim final rules to expand the scope of the exceptions to apply to
all creditors. None of the commenters objected to the expanded scope of
the exceptions.
    One commenter expressed concern about enforcement of the rules in
the event of potential abuses by non-bank creditors using medical
information pursuant to the exceptions and requested that the Agencies
and the FTC address this issue. The Agencies will enforce compliance
with the final rules against creditors subject to their enforcement
authority. The Agencies will coordinate with other agencies to promote
compliance with the final rules by all creditors, including through
referrals to the relevant enforcement agency where appropriate.
    One trade association representing state and Federal credit unions
urged the NCUA to reassess its authority to apply its rule to state-
chartered credit unions or, alternatively, to seek a legislative
solution to provide the NCUA, or state regulators, with rulemaking
authority over state-chartered credit unions with regard to medical
information. This commenter believed that allowing the NCUA to exercise
rulemaking authority with respect to state-chartered credit unions
would be more effective than having a separate rule located in the
Board's chapter of the Code of Federal Regulations that applies to
``all other creditors'' because the NCUA works more closely with state-
chartered credit unions than the Board does. Finally, this commenter
suggested that there was ambiguity regarding the rules and the
authority to enforce the rules against state-chartered credit unions.
    The NCUA and the other Agencies believe that covering state-
chartered credit unions under the separate rule is the most appropriate
means for making the exceptions to the general prohibition applicable
to those entities. Under section 621(a) of the FCRA, the FTC has
enforcement authority over state-chartered credit unions. As noted in
the supplementary information to the interim final rule, the separate
rule has been located in the Board's chapter of the Code of Federal
Regulations as a matter of convenience because many creditors are
accustomed to looking to the Board's regulations implementing other
statutes, such as the Truth-in-Lending Act and the Equal Credit
Opportunity Act.
    Accordingly, the scope of the final rules is identical to the scope
of the interim final rules. The final rules consist of the six rules
included in the interim final rules. The scope provisions in Sec.  --
--.30(a) of each Agency's rule and Sec.  232.1(a) of the separate rule
are

[[Page 70667]]

republished without change in the final rules.\7\
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    \7\ OTS is making a technical change to the scope provision of
its Fair Credit Reporting rule (section 571.1(b)) to make the
provision more user-friendly.
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    In the supplementary information to the interim final rules, the
Agencies emphasized the importance of having consistent rules that
prescribe exceptions to the prohibitions from obtaining or using
medical information in connection with credit eligibility
determinations. Thus, in developing the proposed, interim final, and
final rules, the Agencies have consulted and coordinated with each
other to establish identical rules. The Agencies will consult and
coordinate with each other regarding any amendments to the rules for
the purpose of assuring, to the extent possible, that the regulations
prescribed by each Agency remain consistent and comparable with the
regulations prescribed by the other Agencies.

B. General Prohibition on Obtaining or Using Medical Information

    Section ----.30(b)(1) of each Agency's interim final rule and Sec. 
232.1(b) of the separate rule incorporated the statute's general rule
prohibiting creditors from obtaining or using medical information
pertaining to a consumer in connection with any determination of a
consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit, except as
provided in the regulations under subpart D. The Agencies received no
comments on these provisions. Section ----.30(b)(1) of each Agency's
rule and Sec.  232.1(b) of the separate rule are republished without
change in the final rule.
    Section ----.30(b)(2) of each Agency's interim final rule and Sec. 
232.1(c) of the separate rule clarified the meaning of certain terms
used in the statutory prohibition and the proposed rule, including
``eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit,'' ``credit,'' and
``creditor.'' One commenter requested that the Agencies clarify that
the definitions of ``credit'' and ``creditor'' include the Board's
interpretations of these terms pursuant to the Board's Regulation B,
which implements the ECOA, and the Board's official staff commentary to
Regulation B.\8\
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    \8\ Under Regulation B, the Board defines the term ``creditor''
to mean a person who, in the ordinary course of business, regularly
participates in a credit decision, including setting the terms of
the credit, and includes a creditor's assignee, transferee, or
subrogee who so participates. A creditor also includes a person,
such as a broker, who regularly refers applicants or prospective
applicants to creditors, or selects or offers to select creditors to
whom requests for credit may be made, for purposes of Regulation B's
prohibitions against discrimination and discouragement. A person is
not a creditor regarding any violation of the ECOA or Regulation B
committed by another creditor unless the person knew or had
reasonable notice of the act, policy, or practice that constituted
the violation before becoming involved in the credit transaction.
Finally, a creditor does not include a person whose only
participation in a credit transaction involves honoring a credit
card. See 12 CFR 202.2(1).
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    As noted in the supplementary information to the interim final
rules, section 603(r)(5) of the FCRA provides that the terms ``credit''
and ``creditor'' have the same meanings as in section 702 of the ECOA.
The interim final rules track the FCRA definitions of ``credit'' and
``creditor.'' The Board's interpretation of the terms ``credit'' and
``creditor'' in Regulation B and the official staff commentary to
Regulation B, as appropriate, informs the application of those terms
for FCRA purposes.

C. Receiving Unsolicited Medical Information

    Section ---- .30(c) of each Agency's interim final rule contained a
rule of construction for the receipt of unsolicited medical
information. Section 232.2 of the separate rule contained the identical
provision. The rule of construction provides that a creditor does not
obtain medical information in violation of the prohibition if it
receives such information from a consumer, a consumer reporting agency,
or any other person in connection with any determination of the
consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit without
specifically requesting medical information. The interim final rules
clarified that a creditor that receives unsolicited medical information
may use that information in connection with any determination of the
consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit only to
the extent the creditor can rely on one of the exceptions in Sec. Sec. 
---- .30(d) and (e) of each Agency's rule or Sec. Sec.  232.3 and .4 of
the separate rule. The interim final rules also provided examples to
illustrate the rule of construction.
    One commenter noted that it had previously requested that the
provision dealing with receipt of unsolicited medical information
should be an exception, rather than a rule of construction. As
explained in the supplementary information to the interim final rules,
the rule of construction was retained as an interpretation, rather than
as an exception, because it interprets the statutory language regarding
when a creditor ``obtains'' medical information in violation of the
prohibition. This commenter also noted that it had previously suggested
limiting the ability of creditors to indirectly solicit or encourage
the sharing of medical information. As explained in the supplementary
information to the interim final rules, the rule of construction uses
the phrase ``without specifically requesting medical information.'' The
examples make clear that the rule of construction applies when medical
information is provided by the consumer in response to a general
inquiry that does not specifically request medical information or is
provided by the consumer voluntarily on an unsolicited basis.
    This commenter also reiterated its previous request that the
Agencies require creditors to destroy or eliminate any unsolicited
medical information that they receive. As explained in the
supplementary information to the interim final rules, the destruction
of unsolicited medical information would not be appropriate in
circumstances where records must be retained. For example, if
unsolicited medical information is obtained by a creditor on a credit
application for which adverse action is taken, the creditor generally
would be required to retain a copy of the application, including any
medical information on the application, for 25 months pursuant to the
record retention provisions of Regulation B, which implements the ECOA.
Therefore, the Agencies decline to impose a requirement to destroy or
eliminate unsolicited medical information. Section ---- .30(c) of each
Agency's rule and Sec.  232.2 of the separate rule are republished
without change in the final rule.

D. Financial Information Exception for Obtaining and Using Medical
Information

    Section ---- .30(d) of each Agency's interim final rule contained
the financial information exception and examples. Section 232.3 of the
separate rule contained the identical provision and examples.\9\ The
financial information exception consists of a three-part test. First,
the information must be the type of information routinely used in
making credit eligibility determinations, such as information relating
to debts, expenses, income, benefits, assets, collateral, or the
purpose of the loan, including the use of proceeds. Second, the
creditor must use the information in a manner and to an extent no less
favorable than it would use comparable information

[[Page 70668]]

that is not medical information in a credit transaction. Third, the
creditor must not take the consumer's physical, mental, or behavioral
health, condition or history, type of treatment, or prognosis into
account as part of any such determination of credit eligibility. The
interim final rules also provided examples of the types of information
covered by the exception, uses of medical information that are
consistent with the exception, and uses of medical information that are
not consistent with the exception.
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    \9\ For simplicity, references and citations to the separate
rule have been omitted from the discussion below. For any change
made to the provisions of Sec. Sec.  ---- .30(d) and (e),
corresponding changes have been made to Sec. Sec.  232.3 and 232.4
of the separate rule.
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    One commenter noted that none of the examples explicitly mention
workers' compensation, even though Sec.  ---- .30(d)(1)(i) and the
example in Sec.  ---- .30(d)(2)(i)(C) appear to cover the use of
medical information to determine the likelihood and amount of future
medically-based income, including by analogy workers' compensation.
This commenter therefore requested a clarification that medically-based
income, such as workers' compensation, may be obtained and used under
the exception just as disability income.
    The Agencies agree that workers' compensation is income that would
be covered by the financial information exception so long as it is the
type of information routinely used in making credit eligibility
determinations. The Agencies have revised the example in Sec.  --
--.30(d)(2)(i)(C) to add a reference to workers' compensation.
Specifically, the example has been revised to read as follows: ``The
dollar amount and continued eligibility for disability income, workers'
compensation income, or other benefits related to health or a medical
condition that is relied on as a source of repayment.''
    The Agencies reiterate their statement in the supplementary
information to the interim final rule that the types of information
listed as examples of information routinely used in making credit
eligibility determinations for purposes of the financial information
exception is not an exhaustive list. The fact that a particular type of
information is not specifically mentioned in the text of the regulation
or the accompanying examples does not mean that such information falls
outside the scope of the financial information exception.
    Another commenter requested clarification of the example in Sec. 
----.30(d)(2)(i)(D) that the provision does not require the identity
and contact information for medical debt creditors to be coded when
included on credit reports. Sections 604(g)(1) and 605(a)(6) of the
FCRA generally require consumer reporting agencies to use codes on
consumer reports furnished in connection with credit transactions that
do not identify the specific provider of medical information or the
nature of such services, products, or devices to a person other than
the consumer, unless the uncoded information is relevant to process or
effect the transaction and the consumer provides specific written
consent for the furnishing of the uncoded information. The requirement
for consumer reporting agencies to code certain information on consumer
reports is beyond the scope of this rulemaking. Therefore, the Agencies
decline to amend the example in the manner requested.
    The Agencies are revising the example in Sec.  --
--.30(d)(2)(iii)(C) to illustrate a circumstance where a creditor
requires the consumer to obtain a debt cancellation contract, debt
suspension agreement, or credit insurance product from a
``nonaffiliated third party'' in order to obtain a loan. This change is
designed to avoid confusion with other legal requirements. As noted in
the supplementary information to the interim final rules, other laws
and regulations, including applicable anti-tying rules and fair lending
laws, may prohibit or otherwise restrict a creditor from requiring a
consumer to obtain a debt cancellation contract, debt suspension
agreement, or credit insurance product in connection with an extension
of credit.\10\ A discussion of the circumstances prohibited by other
laws and regulations is beyond the scope of this rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ For example, banks are prohibited from conditioning an
extension of credit on the consumer obtaining some additional
credit, property or service from the bank or its affiliate other
than a loan, discount, deposit or trust service, see Bank Holding
Company Amendments of 1970 Sec.  106(b) (12 U.S.C. 1972); see also
12 CFR 37.3(a) (providing that a national bank may not extend credit
nor alter the terms or conditions of an extension of credit
conditioned upon the customer entering into a debt cancellation
contract or debt suspension agreement with the bank).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    One commenter believed that a sentence in the supplementary
information to the interim final rules created a conflict with the
financial information exception by implying that the only circumstance
where the creditor could legitimately seek medical information was when
the consumer is applying to finance a medical procedure. This commenter
believed that a conflict was created by the following sentence: ``Thus,
except where a creditor has a specific application for the financing of
medical procedures, a creditor generally would be prohibited from
specifically asking for medical information on a credit application.''
(70 FR 33967.) This commenter requested that the Agencies modify this
sentence to state that: ``Except where a creditor has a specific
application for the financing of medical procedures or has received an
application in which income was claimed as deriving from injury or
disability, a creditor generally would be prohibited from specifically
asking for medical information on a credit application.''
    The Agencies do not believe that the quoted sentence from the
supplementary information to the interim final rules creates a conflict
with the financial information exception. The quoted language refers to
circumstances in which medical information may be specifically
requested on an application. The revision requested by the commenter
does not relate to what a creditor may ask on an application, but
relates to whether a creditor may use medical information it ``has
received [on] an application in which income was claimed as deriving
from injury or disability.'' If a consumer lists medically related
income on an application, the creditor may use that information in
accordance with the exceptions in Sec. Sec.  ----.30(d) and (e). The
application, however, should not specifically request the consumer to
disclose such medically related income. Of course, the application can
ask the consumer to list all sources of income that the consumer would
like the creditor to consider. Section ----.30(d) of the final rule is
revised as noted above.

E. Specific Exceptions for Obtaining and Using Medical Information

    Sections ----.30(e)(1)(i)-(ix) of the interim final rules contained
a number of specific exceptions to the general prohibition. Section --
--.30(e) of the interim final rules provided examples of certain
exceptions. These exceptions allow creditors to obtain and use medical
information for a limited number of particular purposes in connection
with a determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued
eligibility, for credit. A creditor that obtains medical information
pursuant to one of these specific exceptions may not subsequently use
the information in connection with determining the consumer's
eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit unless an exception
applies. The specific exceptions and examples are republished in each
Agency's final rules and the separate rule with a few technical, non-
substantive changes.
    Determination of power of attorney, legal representative and legal
capacity. Section ----.30(e)(1)(i) of the interim final rules contained
an exception relating to the use of a power of attorney

[[Page 70669]]

or legal representative. This exception permits a creditor to obtain
and use medical information in connection with determining the
consumer's credit eligibility to determine: (1) Whether the use of a
power of attorney or legal representative that is triggered by a
medical event or condition is necessary and appropriate; or (2) whether
the consumer has the legal capacity to contract when a person seeks to
exercise a power of attorney or act as legal representative for a
consumer based on an asserted medical event or condition.
    One commenter requested that the Agencies broaden the scope of this
exception to permit creditors to investigate the mental capacity of a
consumer based on a suspicion that the consumer lacks the capacity to
contract. This commenter did not believe that an exception to permit an
inquiry into the consumer's legal capacity ``when a person seeks to
exercise a power of attorney or act as a legal representative for a
consumer based on an asserted medical event or condition'' was broad
enough to cover all circumstances where the consumer's legal capacity
may be in doubt. This commenter urged the Agencies to clarify that
creditors may investigate the mental capacity of a consumer even when
there is no power of attorney issue, and that a reasonable suspicion is
a sufficient basis to conduct the investigation. Additionally, or in
the alternative, this commenter requested clarification that loan
denials based on lack of legal mental capacity are not eligibility
issues; therefore, no exception is necessary, because use of medical
information for this purpose is not subject to the general statutory
prohibition. Finally, this commenter did not believe that the terms
``medical event'' or ``condition'' were clear for purposes of the power
of attorney exception. Specifically, this commenter believed it was
unclear how significant the medical event or condition must be, who
must make the determination that the medical event or condition has
occurred, and whether a suspicion allows the creditor to investigate
further.
    As noted in the supplementary information to the interim final
rules, commenters on the proposal were divided on the need for a
broader exception covering powers of attorney and legal capacity. In
the interim final rules, the Agencies considered whether to adopt a
broader exception, but declined to do so. The Agencies believe that
creditors, or their counsel, are qualified to determine whether a power
of attorney or legal representative status has been properly invoked
based on an asserted medical condition or event. Creditors generally
are not qualified to determine the mental capacity of a consumer.
Moreover, permitting creditors to inquire into the mental capacity of
consumers based only on a ``reasonable suspicion'' could result in
discrimination against certain consumers and circumvention of the
general prohibition. Therefore, the Agencies decline to expand the
exception in the manner requested by the commenter.
    The Agencies recognized in the supplementary information to the
interim final rules that a power of attorney or legal representative
status may be used in a variety of circumstances, many of which may
have no connection with a determination of a consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit. Nevertheless, the Agencies concluded
that an exception was necessary because a power of attorney or legal
representative status based on an asserted medical condition or event
may relate to a credit eligibility determination in certain
circumstances. The Agencies do not agree with the commenter that the
use of medical information to deny loans based on a lack of mental
capacity is not connected with credit eligibility determinations.
Accordingly, the Agencies cannot state categorically that medical
information used for this purpose is not subject to the general
prohibition.
    The Agencies believe that the terms ``medical event'' and ``medical
condition'' are clear. The Agencies note that these terms have been
used in a number of other exceptions without objection as to their
clarity.
    A technical, non-substantive change is made to Sec.  --
--.30(e)(1)(i) in the final rules. Section ----.30(e)(1)(i) is revised
to replace ``medical event or condition'' with ``medical condition or
event'' for consistency with the exceptions in Sec. Sec.  --
--.30(e)(viii) and (ix).
    Compliance with applicable law. Section ----.30(e)(1)(ii) of the
interim final rules contained an exception to permit a creditor to
obtain and use medical information to comply with applicable
requirements of local, state, or Federal laws.
    One commenter believed that, even when an applicant meets the
minimum standard of legal capacity, there may be situations in which
the creditor believes that the consumer may not fully understand the
nature of the transaction or be able to determine whether it is in his
or her best interest. This commenter argued that HOEPA and its
borrower's interest and net tangible benefit tests, as well as state
anti-flipping laws, could be read to require an evaluation of the
consumer's medical condition. Therefore, this commenter requested the
Agencies to confirm its interpretation that the compliance with
applicable laws exception is broad enough to permit creditors to
consider medical conditions even though such laws do not specifically
require the consideration of medical conditions.
    The Agencies acknowledge that it may be necessary to obtain and use
medical information to comply with various requirements of local,
state, or Federal laws. A discussion of whether specific laws and legal
requirements may trigger this exception would involve interpretation of
those laws and is beyond the scope of this rulemaking. Section --
--.30(e)(1)(ii) is republished without change in the final rules.
    Special credit program or credit-related assistance program.
Section ----.30(e)(1)(iii) of the interim final rules contained an
exception to permit creditors to obtain and use medical information in
connection with a determination of the consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit, to determine, at the consumer's
request, whether the consumer qualifies for a legally permissible
special credit program or credit-related assistance program that is:
(a) Designed to meet the special needs of consumers with medical
conditions and (b) established and administered pursuant to a written
plan of the plan sponsor that identifies the class of persons that the
program is designed to benefit and sets forth the procedures and
standards for extending credit or providing other credit-related
assistance under the program. This exception was added in the interim
final rules and is modeled after the provisions relating to special
purpose credit programs in the ECOA and the Board's Regulation B, 12
CFR part 202. An example of this exception was provided in Sec.  --
--.30(e)(2). Commenters supported the addition of this exception.
Sections ----.30(e)(1)(iii) and (e)(2) are republished without change
in the final rules.
    Fraud prevention or detection. Section ----.30(e)(1)(iv) of the
interim final rules contained an exception for fraud prevention or
detection. One commenter reiterated a previous request that the
Agencies delete this exception, maintaining that the exception was
overly broad and unnecessary.
    As explained in the supplementary information to the interim final
rules, the fraud prevention or detection exception is available only to
the extent necessary to detect or prevent fraud. The Agencies believe
that there may be limited circumstances where the use of medical
information is necessary for

[[Page 70670]]

fraud prevention or detection purposes. For example, given the broad
definition of ``medical information'' and the development of
increasingly sophisticated anti-fraud technologies, such as various
biometric tools, the Agencies believe it is important to retain the
fraud prevention or detection exception so as not to hinder the
development of new anti-fraud technologies. Furthermore, the
supplementary information to the interim final rules also noted that
creditors may not rely on blanket assertions of a fraud prevention or
detection purpose to fall within the exception, but must demonstrate
the necessity for, and actual use of, medical information to prevent or
detect fraud. Section ----.30(e)(1)(iv) is republished without change
in the final rules.
    Financing medical products or services. Section ----.30(e)(1)(v) of
the interim final rules contained an exception for the financing of
medical products or services. Section ----.30(e)(3) of the interim
final rules provided examples of this exception. The Agencies received
no comments on the medical financing exception in the interim final
rules. Sections ----.30(e)(1)(v) and (e)(3) are republished without
change in the final rules.
    Medical accommodation. Section ----.30(e)(1)(vi) of the interim
final rules contained an exception for medical accommodations to
consumers. This exception applies where the consumer, or the consumer's
legal representative, specifically requests that the creditor use
medical information in determining the consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit, to accommodate the consumer's
particular circumstances, and such request is documented by the
creditor. Any such accommodation must be consistent with safe and sound
practices. The interim final rules permitted the medical accommodation
exception to be triggered by the consumer's oral, electronic, or
written request. Moreover, a consumer could make a specific request by
responding to a generic inquiry on a credit application that invites
the consumer to describe any special circumstances or other information
(not limited to medical information) that the consumer would like the
creditor to consider in evaluating the consumer's application. Section
----.30(e)(4) of the interim final rules provided examples to
illustrate the medical accommodation exception.
    One commenter believed that the regulation should clarify that, to
meet the medical accommodation exception, the consumer need not be the
first to broach the topic of medical information. This commenter
maintained that a creditor should be able to raise the topic in a
manner consistent with the prohibition against holding information
about a medical condition against the consumer. For example, if
negative information from a medical furnisher appeared on a consumer's
credit report, this commenter would want the loan officer to be able to
explain that the consumer may voluntarily provide an explanation of the
underlying medical condition and, if the consumer did so, the creditor
could verify that explanation. This commenter also requested the
creation of a ``safe harbor'' provision to permit the use of a consent
form (or standard language read over the telephone) to satisfy
compliance with the medical accommodation exception. This commenter
believed that use of a consent form containing standard language is
appropriate once the consumer indicates that he or she wants the
creditor to consider medical information to accommodate the consumer.
    As explained in the supplementary information to the interim final
rules, the medical accommodation exception is triggered by the specific
request of the consumer. The example in Sec.  ----.30(e)(4)(iii) of the
interim final rules and the supplementary information also explained
that a consumer may make a specific request by responding to a generic
inquiry on a credit application that invites the consumer to describe
any special circumstances or other information (not limited to medical
information) that the consumer would like the creditor to consider in
evaluating the consumer's application. The medical accommodation
exception is not triggered until the consumer makes a specific request
for an accommodation. Therefore, in the circumstances described by the
commenter, the use by a creditor of medical information from a consumer
report, such as information about a medical debt, to make a specific
inquiry about the consumer's medical condition is not consistent with
the financial information exception and is not permitted.
    Of course, if a consumer's credit report shows a substantial unpaid
debt that has been coded as medical information, the creditor may use
that information in a manner and to an extent that is no less favorable
than it would use comparable information that is not medical
information. For example, if two consumers apply for credit and each
has a $50,000 debt that is 90-days past due, one of which is a coded
medical debt and the other which is a non-medical debt, the creditor
may seek an explanation from the consumer with the medical debt about
the amount and status of the debt and verify that explanation, provided
that the creditor's policies and procedures also require that the
creditor seek an explanation from the consumer with the non-medical
debt about the amount and status of the debt and verifies that
explanation.
    The Agencies decline to provide a model consent form that would
create a safe harbor for satisfying the medical accommodation
exception. In the interim final rules, the Agencies omitted the
requirement for a separate signed writing by the consumer that
describes the specific medical information and the specific purpose for
which it is to be used. Instead, the Agencies chose to adopt a more
flexible standard that focuses on the specific request of the consumer
for a medical accommodation and the creditor's documentation of that
request. Under this approach, the creditor is not restricted to any
particular form of documentation of the consumer's request. For
example, once a consumer has requested a medical accommodation, a
creditor may elect to document a consumer's request by having the
consumer complete and sign a standard consent form. Although the
example in Sec.  ----.30(e)(4)(v) provides that the use of boilerplate
language in an application to routinely obtain consumer authorization
or consent to obtain and use medical information for credit eligibility
determinations does not constitute a specific request for a medical
accommodation, nothing in that example prohibits the use of a standard
consent form as a means of documentation once the consumer has made a
specific request. Because other forms of documentation may also be
appropriate, the Agencies do not believe the final rules should specify
any particular form of documentation or create a safe harbor for one
particular form of documentation. Sections ----.30(e)(1)(vi) and (e)(4)
are republished without change in the final rules.
    Forbearance. Section ----.30(e)(1)(vii) of the interim final rules
contained an exception to the general prohibition for forbearance
practices and programs that are triggered by medical events or
conditions. Specifically, this exception permits creditors to obtain
and use medical information ``consistent with safe and sound practices,
to determine whether the provisions of a forbearance practice or
program that is triggered by a medical event or condition apply to a
consumer.''

[[Page 70671]]

    One commenter requested that the rule clarify that the phrase
``similar forbearance practice or program'' includes informal
forbearance practices by creditors. According to the commenter, this
clarification would benefit consumers because the creditor would be
able to consider medical information in decisions regarding additional
credit or debt deferment.
    As noted in the supplementary information to the interim final
rule, the forbearance exception is flexible enough to cover both formal
and informal forbearance practices and programs. Therefore, the
Agencies believe that the recommended change is unnecessary.
    A technical, non-substantive change is made to Sec.  --
--.30(e)(1)(vii) in the final rules. Section ----.30(e)(1)(vii) is
revised to replace ``medical event or condition'' with ``medical
condition or event'' for consistency with the exceptions in Sec. Sec. 
----.30(e)(viii) and (ix). In addition, a non-substantive change is
made to the example of the forbearance exception in Sec.  ----.30(e)(5)
by adding a concluding sentence to indicate that the exception would
apply in the example presented.
    Debt cancellation contracts, debt suspension agreements, or credit
insurance products. Section ----.30(e)(1)(viii) of the interim final
rules contained an exception for debt cancellation contracts and debt
suspension agreements. Section ----.30(e)(1)(ix) of the interim final
rules contained an exception for credit insurance products.
    These exceptions made clear that creditors may use medical
information to underwrite credit insurance, or to underwrite related
credit products, such as debt cancellation contracts and debt
suspension agreements, if a medical condition or event is a triggering
event for the provision of benefits. However, the fact that a consumer
is denied these products cannot be used as a subterfuge to consider
medical information in making a determination about eligibility or
continued eligibility for an underlying loan. Therefore, a creditor may
not use medical information about a consumer, such as the fact that the
consumer uses a wheelchair, to determine whether the consumer will be
required to obtain a debt cancellation contract, debt suspension
agreement, or credit insurance product.\11\ The Agencies received no
comments on these two exceptions. Sections ----.30(e)(1)(viii) and (ix)
are republished without change in the final rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ As noted above, other laws and regulations may prohibit or
otherwise restrict a creditor from requiring a consumer to obtain
one of these products in connection with an extension of credit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additional exceptions requested by commenters. One commenter
reiterated a previous request that the final rules exclude from the
prohibition on obtaining or using medical information employers, plan
administrators, and card issuers that provide flexible spending account
programs or healthcare reimbursement account programs that utilize
cards with credit features. As noted in the supplementary information
to the interim final rules, the Agencies believe that an additional
exception that relates to flexible spending programs tied to credit
cards is not needed because the commenter's concerns are adequately
addressed by the definition of ``eligibility, or continued eligibility,
for credit'' and the existing exceptions.

Section ----.31 Limits on Redisclosure of Information

    Section ----.31 of each Agency's interim final rule incorporated
the statutory provision regarding the limits on redisclosure of medical
information. This section provided that a person receiving medical
information about a consumer from a consumer reporting agency or an
affiliate is prohibited from disclosing that information to any other
person, except as necessary to carry out the purposes for which the
information was initially disclosed, or as otherwise permitted by
statute, regulation, or order. The separate rule did not contain a
comparable provision on redisclosure limits because the Agencies'
rulemaking authority under section 604(g)(5)(A) of the FCRA does not
apply to the statute's redisclosure provision.
    The Agencies received one comment on the redisclosure provision.
The Agencies have incorporated into this rulemaking the redisclosure
provision directly from the statute, without further interpretation.
Section ----.31 is therefore republished without change in the final
rules.

Section ----.32 Sharing Medical Information With Affiliates

    Section ----.32 of the interim final rules addressed the sharing of
medically related information with affiliates. Section ----.32(a) of
the interim final rules described the institutions to which this
section applies. Section ----.32(b) of the interim final rules restated
the statutory restriction on sharing medically related information with
affiliates. Section ----.32(c) of the interim final rules contained
exceptions to the statutory restriction on sharing medically related
information with affiliates. The separate rule did not contain a
comparable provision on sharing medically related information with
affiliates because the Agencies' rulemaking authority under section
604(g)(5)(A) of the FCRA does not apply to the statute's affiliate
sharing provisions.
    A number of commenters expressed concern that the separate rule
does not address the sharing of medically related information with
affiliates. These commenters generally believed that there should be
regulatory provisions parallel to those in Sec.  ----.32 to create
exceptions applicable to all creditors that share medically related
information with affiliates. Some of these commenters requested that
the Agencies modify the separate rule to incorporate these exceptions.
Other commenters recognized the limited regulatory authority of the
Agencies with respect to the sharing of medically related information
with affiliates and requested that the FTC issue a rule consistent with
the provisions of Sec.  ----.32. One commenter requested a
clarification that creditors not subject to Sec.  ----.32 could rely on
the statutory exceptions for sharing medically related information with
affiliates. Another commenter urged NCUA to encourage the Board to
provide guidance to state-chartered credit unions and other creditors
on this issue.
    Each Agency's authority to create exceptions to permit the sharing
of medically related information with affiliates is limited to
prescribing rules applicable to entities subject to the jurisdiction of
each particular Agency. The FTC has the authority to promulgate rules
creating exceptions to the restrictions on sharing medically related
information with affiliates for entities subject to the FTC's
enforcement authority. The Agencies have forwarded comments on this
issue to the FTC for its consideration.
    The Agencies note that five of the six exceptions included in Sec. 
----.32(c) simply repeat exceptions specifically enumerated in the
statute. Any person may rely on the statutory exceptions as
appropriate. The only exception not contained in the statute relates to
sharing medically related information with an affiliate in connection
with a determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued
eligibility, for credit consistent with Sec.  ----.30, and is found in
Sec.  ----.32(c)(5).
    In many circumstances where this additional, non-statutory
exception would apply, it is likely that one of the exceptions
enumerated in the statute would also apply, such as the exception
linked to section 502(e) of the GLB Act. For example, if a creditor has
an affiliate

[[Page 70672]]

perform underwriting for loans it originates and the creditor receives
an application containing information about medical debts, the creditor
may furnish the application, including the medical debt information, to
the underwriting affiliate for use in underwriting consistent with the
exceptions in Sec.  ----.30. This sharing of medical information would
be permissible both because it is in connection with a determination of
the consumer's credit eligibility consistent with Sec.  ----.30 and
because the disclosure is necessary to effect, administer, or enforce a
transaction requested or authorized by the consumer in accordance with
section 502(e) of the GLB Act. Section ----.32 is therefore republished
without change in the final rules.

Effective Date

    The effective date of the interim final rules, published in the
Federal Register on June 10, 2005 (70 FR 33958), is delayed until April
1, 2006, the first day of the calendar quarter. The effective date of
these final rules published today is also April 1, 2006. These final
rules will immediately replace the interim final rules on April 1,
2006, and only these final rules will be in effect on or after April 1,
2006.
    One commenter believed that an implementation date should not be
set until at least six months after a final determination as to which
agency will enforce these rules against state-chartered credit unions
and which agency is responsible for providing guidance on information
sharing with affiliates of state-chartered credit unions. As noted
above, the FCRA clearly provides that the FTC is responsible for
enforcing the statute against state-chartered credit unions. Similarly,
any regulations on information sharing with affiliates of state-
chartered credit unions would have to be issued by the FTC. The
Agencies do not believe that any further delay in the effective date is
warranted.

V. Regulatory Analysis

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3506, et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 5 CFR part 1320,
including Appendix A.1, the Agencies have reviewed the final rules and
determined that they contain no collections of information. The Board
made this determination under authority delegated by the Office of
Management and Budget.

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    OCC: Under section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA),
5 U.S.C. 605(b), the regulatory flexibility analysis otherwise required
under section 604 of the RFA is not required if an agency certifies,
along with a statement providing the factual basis for such
certification, that the rule will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The Small Business
Administration (SBA) has defined ``small entities'' for banking
purposes as a bank or savings institution with assets of $150 million
or less. See 13 CFR 121.201.
    The OCC published an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis in
connection with the April 28, 2004 NPRM. The OCC also certified that
there would not be a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities in the June 10, 2005 interim final rule. The
OCC did not receive any comments relating to significant economic
impact upon a substantial number of small entities on either the NPRM
or interim final rule.
    The final rule implements section 411 of the FACT Act and imposes
only minimal economic impact on entities covered by the OCC's final
rule. The final rule creates exceptions to the FACT Act's prohibition
against national banks obtaining and using a consumer's medical
information in connection with credit determinations. Additionally, the
final rule implements the FACT Act's restrictions on the sharing of
medical information among affiliates and includes exceptions to permit
the sharing of medical information in certain circumstances. The final
rule applies to all national banks and Federal branches and agencies.
The final rule also applies to persons, regardless of asset size, that
participate in a credit transaction involving a national bank or
Federal Branch or agency that obtain or use medical information in
connection with credit determinations. Approximately 1,077 national
banks have assets of $150 million or less. The OCC is unable to
estimate the number of persons that may participate in a credit
transaction with national banks or Federal branches or agencies. The
OCC has determined that the estimated per bank cost of the final rule
is not large enough to have a significant economic impact. Therefore,
the OCC certifies that this final rule will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    Board: The Board prepared a regulatory flexibility analysis as
required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) in
connection with the June 10, 2005, interim final rule. The Board
received no comments on its regulatory flexibility analysis.
    Under section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 5
U.S.C. 605(b), the regulatory flexibility analysis otherwise required
under section 604 of the RFA is not required if an agency certifies,
along with a statement providing the factual basis for such
certification, that the rule will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities. Based on the analysis
below, the Board certifies that this final rule will not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities
for the reasons stated below.
    1. Statement of the need for and objectives of the final rule. The
FACT Act amends the FCRA and was enacted, in part, for the purpose of
protecting consumers' medical information. Section 411 of the FACT Act
contains a general prohibition on creditors obtaining or using medical
information pertaining to a consumer in connection with any
determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility,
for credit. Section 411 authorizes the Board, together with the other
Agencies, to create exceptions to allow creditors to obtain or use
medical information for eligibility purposes where necessary and
appropriate to protect legitimate operational, transactional risk,
consumer, and other needs, consistent with the Congressional intent to
restrict the use of medical information for inappropriate purposes.
    Section 411 also limits the ability of an institution to share
medical information with its affiliates without becoming a consumer
reporting agency, subject to certain exceptions, and restricts the
redisclosure of medical information. The statute authorizes the Board
to issue regulations to create additional exceptions that are
determined to be necessary and appropriate to permit the sharing of
medical information among affiliates. The Board is adopting the final
rule to create exceptions that permit creditors to obtain and use
medical information in credit eligibility determinations, restate the
limits on redisclosure, and restate and add to the exceptions that
allow sharing among affiliates. The SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION above and
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION to the interim final rule (70 FR 33958)
contain information on the objectives of the final rule.
    2. Summary of issues raised by comments in response to the interim
final regulatory flexibility analysis. In accordance with section 3(a)
of the

[[Page 70673]]

Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Board conducted a regulatory
flexibility analysis in connection with the interim final rules. The
Board did not receive any comments on its regulatory flexibility
analysis.
    3. Description of small entities affected by the proposal. Each
section of the final rule applies to different types of small entities
and specifies the types of small entities subject to that section. The
final rule will apply, in whole or in part, to banks that are members
of the Federal Reserve System (other than national banks) and their
subsidiaries, branches and Agencies of foreign banks (other than
Federal branches, Federal Agencies, and insured State branches of
foreign banks) and their subsidiaries, commercial lending companies
owned or controlled by foreign banks, organizations operating under
section 25 or 25A of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 601 et seq.,
and 611 et seq.), bank holding companies and affiliates of such holding
companies (other than depository institutions and consumer reporting
agencies), and creditors that participate in transactions with one of
the above-mentioned entities. A separate rule codified in Regulation FF
will apply to creditors not otherwise subject to one of the Agency
rules. The Board's final rule will apply to the following institutions
(numbers approximate): State member banks (932), bank holding companies
(5,152), holding company non-bank subsidiaries (2,131), U.S. branches
and agencies of foreign banks (289), and Edge and agreement
corporations (75), for a subtotal of approximately 8,579 institutions.
The Board estimates that over 5,000 of these institutions could be
considered small institutions with assets less than $150 million. The
Board is unable to estimate the number of creditors that may
participate in transactions with such institutions or the number of
other creditors that may be covered by the separate rule codified in
Regulation FF.
    All small entities that are creditors will be affected by the
provision of the final rule that addresses the prohibition on, and
exceptions to, creditors obtaining or using medical information in
connection with credit eligibility determinations. All small creditors
will have to comply with the exceptions if they obtain or use medical
information about consumers in connection with any credit eligibility
determination.
    4. Recordkeeping, reporting, and compliance requirements. The final
rule requires certain documentation to qualify for some of the specific
exceptions, as discussed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION above and the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION to the interim final rule (70 FR 33958). The
final rule contains no reporting or disclosure requirements.
    5. Steps taken to minimize the economic impact on small entities.
The Board solicited comment on how to minimize the economic impact on
small entities. The Board did not receive any comments on this issue.
By adopting consistent rules and exceptions, the Board and the other
Agencies have attempted to minimize the economic impact on small
entities.
    FDIC: The FDIC prepared a regulatory flexibility analysis as
required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). The
FDIC received no comments on its analysis.
    Under section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 5
U.S.C. 605(b), the regulatory flexibility analysis otherwise required
under section 604 of the RFA is not required if an agency certifies,
along with a statement providing the factual basis for such
certification, that the rule will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities. FDIC certified that
the interim final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities; and upon further analysis, the
FDIC certifies that this final rule creating exceptions to the FACT
Act's general prohibition on creditors obtaining or using medical
information pertaining to a consumer in connection with any
determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility,
for credit will not have a significant economic impact on small
entities.
    The Small Business Administration (SBA) has defined ``small
entities'' for banking purposes as a bank or savings institution with
assets of $150 million or less. See 13 CFR 121.201. This final rule, as
authorized by section 411 of the FACT Act, creates exceptions to allow
creditors to obtain or use medical information for eligibility purposes
where necessary and appropriate to protect legitimate operational,
transactional risk, consumer, and other needs, consistent with the
Congressional intent to restrict the use of medical information for
inappropriate purposes. The rule also excludes, in certain situations,
medical information shared by a covered entity with an affiliate from
the definition of a consumer report in section 603(d) of the FCRA, and
addresses the reuse and redisclosure of medical information.
    The final rule applies to all state banks insured by the FDIC
(other than members of the Federal Reserve System), all insured State
branches of foreign banks, and persons that participate in a credit
transaction involving these banks, regardless of their size. Of the
approximately 5,250 banks that fall in these categories, approximately
3,368 have assets of $150 million or less.
    OTS: In accordance with section 603(a) of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 603(a)), OTS conducted an initial
regulatory flexibility analysis in connection with the April 28, 2004
proposed rule. OTS did not receive any comments on its initial
regulatory flexibility analysis.
    Upon further analysis, OTS certified in accordance with section
605(b) of the RFA (5 U.S.C. 605(b)) that the June 10, 2005 interim
final rule would not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities. OTS received no comments on its
certification. OTS makes the same certification for this final rule.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has generally defined small
savings institutions for RFA purposes as those with assets of $150
million or less. 13 CFR 121.201.
    This final rule implements section 411 of the FACT Act and imposes
only minimal economic impact. Section 571.30 creates exceptions to
allow creditors to obtain or use medical information for credit
eligibility purposes where necessary and appropriate to protect
legitimate operational, transactional, risk, consumer, and other needs,
consistent with the Congressional intent to restrict the use of medical
information for inappropriate purposes. It applies to any of the
following, regardless of size, that participates as a creditor in a
transaction: (1) A savings association; (2) a subsidiary owned in whole
or in part by a savings association; (3) a savings and loan holding
company; (4) a subsidiary of a savings and loan holding company other
than a bank or subsidiary of a bank; (5) a service corporation owned in
whole or in part by a savings association; or (6) any other person that
participates as a creditor in a transaction involving a person
described in (1)-(5).
    Section 571.31 implements the FACT Act's restrictions on the
redisclosure of information. Section 571.32 implements the FACT Act's
restrictions on the sharing of medical information among affiliates and
includes exceptions to permit the sharing of medical information in
certain circumstances. These sections apply to savings associations and
federal savings association operating subsidiaries, regardless of size.

[[Page 70674]]

    As referenced in the Supplementary Information to the interim final
rule (70 FR 33958), other laws and regulations, such as the Fair
Housing Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and OTS's anti-
discrimination rules in 12 CFR part 528, also limit or regulate
obtaining and using medical information for credit eligibility
determinations in a manner that discriminates against persons whose
medical condition constitutes a ``disability'' or ``handicap'' under
those authorities. Other laws, such as the GLB Act, the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), and other
parts of the FCRA, also limit or regulate the use, collection, and
sharing of consumer information, including medical information. The
industry's preexisting familiarity and compliance with the requirements
of these other authorities to the extent applicable is one factor that
OTS expects will minimize the economic impact of today's final rule.
    NCUA: The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires NCUA to prepare an
analysis to describe any significant economic impact any regulation may
have on a substantial number of small entities. NCUA considers credit
unions having less than ten million dollars in assets to be small for
purposes of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. NCUA Interpretive Ruling
and Policy Statement (IRPS) 87-2, as amended by IRPS 03-2. NCUA
conducted an initial regulatory flexibility analysis in connection with
the proposed rule and did not receive any comments on it.
    NCUA certified that the interim final rule would not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities
and, upon further review, now also certifies that the final rule will
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities. The final rule applies to all Federal credit unions that
obtain or use a consumer's medical information in connection with
credit determinations, regardless of credit union size. The final rule
creates exceptions to the FACT Act's prohibition against Federal credit
unions obtaining and using such information in connection with credit
determinations. Additionally, the final rule implements the FACT Act's
restrictions on the sharing of medical information among Federal credit
union affiliates, credit union service organizations (CUSOs), and
includes exceptions to permit the sharing of medical information in
certain circumstances.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    FDIC: The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of
1996 (SBREFA) (Pub. L. 104-121, 110 Stat. 857) provides generally for
agencies to report rules to Congress and for Congress to review these
rules. The reporting requirement is triggered in instances where the
FDIC issues a final rule as defined by the Administrative Procedure Act
(APA) (5 U.S.C. 551, et seq.). Because the FDIC is issuing a final rule
as defined by the APA, the FDIC will file the reports required by
SBREFA.
    NCUA: A SBREFA (Pub. L. 104-121) reporting requirement is also
triggered in instances where NCUA issues a final rule as defined by
section 551 of the Administrative Procedure Act 5 U.S.C. 551. NCUA is
submitting this final rule to the Office of Management and Budget for a
determination that this rule is not a major rule for purposes of
SBREFA.

OCC and OTS Executive Order 12866 Determination

    The OCC and OTS each has determined that its portion of the rule is
not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

OCC Executive Order 13132 Determination

    The OCC has determined that this rule does not have any Federalism
implications, as required by Executive Order 13132, because it would
not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship
between the national government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

NCUA Executive Order 13132 Determination

    Executive Order 13132 encourages independent regulatory agencies to
consider the impact of their actions on state and local interests. In
adherence to fundamental federalism principles, the NCUA, an
independent regulatory agency as defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(5),
voluntarily complies with the executive order. The rule applies only to
federally chartered credit unions and would not have substantial direct
effects on the states, on the connection between the national
government and the states, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government. The NCUA has
determined that this rule does not constitute a policy that has
federalism implications for purposes of the executive order.

OCC and OTS Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 Determination

    Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, Public Law
104-4 (Unfunded Mandates Act) requires that an agency prepare a
budgetary impact statement before promulgating a rule that includes a
Federal mandate that may result in expenditure by state, local, and
tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100
million or more in any one year. If a budgetary impact statement is
required, section 205 of the Unfunded Mandates Act also requires an
agency to identify and consider a reasonable number of regulatory
alternatives before promulgating a rule. The OCC and OTS each has
determined that their respective final rules will not result in
expenditures by State, local, and tribal governments, or by the private
sector, of $100 million or more. Accordingly, neither the OCC nor the
OTS has prepared a budgetary impact statement or specifically addressed
the regulatory alternatives considered.

NCUA: The Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 1999--
Assessment of Federal Regulations and Policies on Families

    The NCUA has determined that this rule would not affect family
well-being within the meaning of section 654 of the Treasury and
General Government Appropriations Act, 1999, Public Law 105-277, 112
Stat. 2681 (1998).

Plain Language Requirement

    Section 722 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLB Act) (12 U.S.C.
4809), requires the Federal banking agencies to use plain language in
all proposed and final rules published after January 1, 2000. The
proposed rule requested comments on how the rule might be changed to
reflect the requirements of GLB Act. No GLB Act comments were received.

List of Subjects

12 CFR Part 41

    Banks, banking, Consumer protection, National banks, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.

12 CFR Part 222

    Banks, banking, Consumer protection, Credit, Fair Credit Reporting
Act, Holding companies, Privacy, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, State member banks.

12 CFR Part 232

    Consumer protection, Credit, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Privacy,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

[[Page 70675]]

12 CFR Part 334

    Administrative practice and procedure, Bank deposit insurance,
Banks, banking, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Safety and
soundness.

12 CFR Part 571

    Consumer protection, Credit, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Privacy,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations.

12 CFR Part 717

    Consumer protection, Credit unions, Fair credit reporting, Medical
information, Privacy, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

12 CFR Chapter I

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

Authority and Issuance

0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the OCC amends Chapter I of
Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 41--FAIR CREDIT

0
1. Revise the authority citation for part 41 to read as follows:

    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1 et seq., 24(Seventh), 93a, 481, 484, and
1818; 15 U.S.C. 1681a, 1681b, 1681s, 1681w, 6801, and 6805.


0
2. Revise subpart A to read as follows:

Subpart A--General Provisions


Sec.  41.2  Examples.

    The examples in this part are not exclusive. Compliance with an
example, to the extent applicable, constitutes compliance with this
part. Examples in a paragraph illustrate only the issue described in
the paragraph and do not illustrate any other issue that may arise in
this part.


Sec.  41.3  Definitions.

    As used in this part, unless the context requires otherwise:
    (a) Act means the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681 et
seq.).
    (b) Affiliate means any company that is related by common ownership
or common corporate control with another company.
    (c) [Reserved]
    (d) Company means any corporation, limited liability company,
business trust, general or limited partnership, association, or similar
organization.
    (e) Consumer means an individual.
    (f) [Reserved]
    (g) [Reserved]
    (h) [Reserved]
    (i) Common ownership or common corporate control means a
relationship between two companies under which:
    (1) One company has, with respect to the other company:
    (i) Ownership, control, or power to vote 25 percent or more of the
outstanding shares of any class of voting security of a company,
directly or indirectly, or acting through one or more other persons;
    (ii) Control in any manner over the election of a majority of the
directors, trustees, or general partners (or individuals exercising
similar functions) of a company; or
    (iii) The power to exercise, directly or indirectly, a controlling
influence over the management or policies of a company, as the OCC
determines; or
    (2) Any other person has, with respect to both companies, a
relationship described in paragraphs (i)(1)(i)-(i)(1)(iii) of this
section.
    (j) [Reserved]
    (k) Medical information means:
    (1) Information or data, whether oral or recorded, in any form or
medium, created by or derived from a health care provider or the
consumer, that relates to:
    (i) The past, present, or future physical, mental, or behavioral
health or condition of an individual;
    (ii) The provision of health care to an individual; or
    (iii) The payment for the provision of health care to an
individual.
    (2) The term does not include:
    (i) The age or gender of a consumer;
    (ii) Demographic information about the consumer, including a
consumer's residence address or e-mail address;
    (iii) Any other information about a consumer that does not relate
to the physical, mental, or behavioral health or condition of a
consumer, including the existence or value of any insurance policy; or
    (iv) Information that does not identify a specific consumer.
    (l) Person means any individual, partnership, corporation, trust,
estate cooperative, association, government or governmental subdivision
or agency, or other entity.

0
3. Add subpart D to read as follows:

Subpart D--Medical Information


Sec.  41.30  Obtaining or using medical information in connection with
a determination of eligibility for credit.

    (a) Scope. This section applies to:
    (1) Any person that participates as a creditor in a transaction and
that is a national bank, a Federal branch or agency of a foreign bank,
and their respective subsidiaries; or
    (2) Any other person that participates as a creditor in a
transaction involving a person described in paragraph (a)(1) of this
section.
    (b) General prohibition on obtaining or using medical information.
(1) In general. A creditor may not obtain or use medical information
pertaining to a consumer in connection with any determination of the
consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit, except as
provided in this section.
    (2) Definitions. (i) Credit has the same meaning as in section 702
of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, 15 U.S.C. 1691a.
    (ii) Creditor has the same meaning as in section 702 of the Equal
Credit Opportunity Act, 15 U.S.C. 1691a.
    (iii) Eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit means the
consumer's qualification or fitness to receive, or continue to receive,
credit, including the terms on which credit is offered. The term does
not include:
    (A) Any determination of the consumer's qualification or fitness
for employment, insurance (other than a credit insurance product), or
other non-credit products or services;
    (B) Authorizing, processing, or documenting a payment or
transaction on behalf of the consumer in a manner that does not involve
a determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued
eligibility, for credit; or
    (C) Maintaining or servicing the consumer's account in a manner
that does not involve a determination of the consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit.
    (c) Rule of construction for obtaining and using unsolicited
medical information. (1) In general. A creditor does not obtain medical
information in violation of the prohibition if it receives medical
information pertaining to a consumer in connection with any
determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility,
for credit without specifically requesting medical information.
    (2) Use of unsolicited medical information. A creditor that
receives unsolicited medical information in the manner described in
paragraph (c)(1) of this section may use that information in connection
with any determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued
eligibility, for credit to the extent the creditor can rely on at least
one of the exceptions in Sec.  41.30(d) or (e).
    (3) Examples. A creditor does not obtain medical information in
violation of the prohibition if, for example:
    (i) In response to a general question regarding a consumer's debts
or expenses, the creditor receives

[[Page 70676]]

information that the consumer owes a debt to a hospital.
    (ii) In a conversation with the creditor's loan officer, the
consumer informs the creditor that the consumer has a particular
medical condition.
    (iii) In connection with a consumer's application for an extension
of credit, the creditor requests a consumer report from a consumer
reporting agency and receives medical information in the consumer
report furnished by the agency even though the creditor did not
specifically request medical information from the consumer reporting
agency.
    (d) Financial information exception for obtaining and using medical
information. (1) In general. A creditor may obtain and use medical
information pertaining to a consumer in connection with any
determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility,
for credit so long as:
    (i) The information is the type of information routinely used in
making credit eligibility determinations, such as information relating
to debts, expenses, income, benefits, assets, collateral, or the
purpose of the loan, including the use of proceeds;
    (ii) The creditor uses the medical information in a manner and to
an extent that is no less favorable than it would use comparable
information that is not medical information in a credit transaction;
and
    (iii) The creditor does not take the consumer's physical, mental,
or behavioral health, condition or history, type of treatment, or
prognosis into account as part of any such determination.
    (2) Examples. (i) Examples of the types of information routinely
used in making credit eligibility determinations. Paragraph (d)(1)(i)
of this section permits a creditor, for example, to obtain and use
information about:
    (A) The dollar amount, repayment terms, repayment history, and
similar information regarding medical debts to calculate, measure, or
verify the repayment ability of the consumer, the use of proceeds, or
the terms for granting credit;
    (B) The value, condition, and lien status of a medical device that
may serve as collateral to secure a loan;
    (C) The dollar amount and continued eligibility for disability
income, workers' compensation income, or other benefits related to
health or a medical condition that is relied on as a source of
repayment; or
    (D) The identity of creditors to whom outstanding medical debts are
owed in connection with an application for credit, including but not
limited to, a transaction involving the consolidation of medical debts.
    (ii) Examples of uses of medical information consistent with the
exception. (A) A consumer includes on an application for credit
information about two $20,000 debts. One debt is to a hospital; the
other debt is to a retailer. The creditor contacts the hospital and the
retailer to verify the amount and payment status of the debts. The
creditor learns that both debts are more than 90 days past due. Any two
debts of this size that are more than 90 days past due would disqualify
the consumer under the creditor's established underwriting criteria.
The creditor denies the application on the basis that the consumer has
a poor repayment history on outstanding debts. The creditor has used
medical information in a manner and to an extent no less favorable than
it would use comparable non-medical information.
    (B) A consumer indicates on an application for a $200,000 mortgage
loan that she receives $15,000 in long-term disability income each year
from her former employer and has no other income. Annual income of
$15,000, regardless of source, would not be sufficient to support the
requested amount of credit. The creditor denies the application on the
basis that the projected debt-to-income ratio of the consumer does not
meet the creditor's underwriting criteria. The creditor has used
medical information in a manner and to an extent that is no less
favorable than it would use comparable non-medical information.
    (C) A consumer includes on an application for a $10,000 home equity
loan that he has a $50,000 debt to a medical facility that specializes
in treating a potentially terminal disease. The creditor contacts the
medical facility to verify the debt and obtain the repayment history
and current status of the loan. The creditor learns that the debt is
current. The applicant meets the income and other requirements of the
creditor's underwriting guidelines. The creditor grants the
application. The creditor has used medical information in accordance
with the exception.
    (iii) Examples of uses of medical information inconsistent with the
exception. (A) A consumer applies for $25,000 of credit and includes on
the application information about a $50,000 debt to a hospital. The
creditor contacts the hospital to verify the amount and payment status
of the debt, and learns that the debt is current and that the consumer
has no delinquencies in her repayment history. If the existing debt
were instead owed to a retail department store, the creditor would
approve the application and extend credit based on the amount and
repayment history of the outstanding debt. The creditor, however,
denies the application because the consumer is indebted to a hospital.
The creditor has used medical information, here the identity of the
medical creditor, in a manner and to an extent that is less favorable
than it would use comparable non-medical information.
    (B) A consumer meets with a loan officer of a creditor to apply for
a mortgage loan. While filling out the loan application, the consumer
informs the loan officer orally that she has a potentially terminal
disease. The consumer meets the creditor's established requirements for
the requested mortgage loan. The loan officer recommends to the credit
committee that the consumer be denied credit because the consumer has
that disease. The credit committee follows the loan officer's
recommendation and denies the application because the consumer has a
potentially terminal disease. The creditor has used medical information
in a manner inconsistent with the exception by taking into account the
consumer's physical, mental, or behavioral health, condition, or
history, type of treatment, or prognosis as part of a determination of
eligibility or continued eligibility for credit.
    (C) A consumer who has an apparent medical condition, such as a
consumer who uses a wheelchair or an oxygen tank, meets with a loan
officer to apply for a home equity loan. The consumer meets the
creditor's established requirements for the requested home equity loan
and the creditor typically does not require consumers to obtain a debt
cancellation contract, debt suspension agreement, or credit insurance
product in connection with such loans. However, based on the consumer's
apparent medical condition, the loan officer recommends to the credit
committee that credit be extended to the consumer only if the consumer
obtains a debt cancellation contract, debt suspension agreement, or
credit insurance product from a nonaffiliated third party. The credit
committee agrees with the loan officer's recommendation. The loan
officer informs the consumer that the consumer must obtain a debt
cancellation contract, debt suspension agreement, or credit insurance
product from a nonaffiliated third party to qualify for the loan. The
consumer obtains one of these products and the creditor approves the
loan. The creditor has used medical information in a manner
inconsistent with the exception by taking into account the consumer's

[[Page 70677]]

physical, mental, or behavioral health, condition, or history, type of
treatment, or prognosis in setting conditions on the consumer's
eligibility for credit.
    (e) Specific exceptions for obtaining and using medical
information. (1) In general. A creditor may obtain and use medical
information pertaining to a consumer in connection with any
determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility,
for credit:
    (i) To determine whether the use of a power of attorney or legal
representative that is triggered by a medical condition or event is
necessary and appropriate or whether the consumer has the legal
capacity to contract when a person seeks to exercise a power of
attorney or act as legal representative for a consumer based on an
asserted medical condition or event;
    (ii) To comply with applicable requirements of local, state, or
Federal laws;
    (iii) To determine, at the consumer's request, whether the consumer
qualifies for a legally permissible special credit program or credit-
related assistance program that is:
    (A) Designed to meet the special needs of consumers with medical
conditions; and
    (B) Established and administered pursuant to a written plan that:
    (1) Identifies the class of persons that the program is designed to
benefit; and
    (2) Sets forth the procedures and standards for extending credit or
providing other credit-related assistance under the program;
    (iv) To the extent necessary for purposes of fraud prevention or
detection;
    (v) In the case of credit for the purpose of financing medical
products or services, to determine and verify the medical purpose of a
loan and the use of proceeds;
    (vi) Consistent with safe and sound practices, if the consumer or
the consumer's legal representative specifically requests that the
creditor use medical information in determining the consumer's
eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit, to accommodate the
consumer's particular circumstances, and such request is documented by
the creditor;
    (vii) Consistent with safe and sound practices, to determine
whether the provisions of a forbearance practice or program that is
triggered by a medical condition or event apply to a consumer;
    (viii) To determine the consumer's eligibility for, the triggering
of, or the reactivation of a debt cancellation contract or debt
suspension agreement if a medical condition or event is a triggering
event for the provision of benefits under the contract or agreement; or
    (ix) To determine the consumer's eligibility for, the triggering
of, or the reactivation of a credit insurance product if a medical
condition or event is a triggering event for the provision of benefits
under the product.
    (2) Example of determining eligibility for a special credit program
or credit assistance program. A not-for-profit organization establishes
a credit assistance program pursuant to a written plan that is designed
to assist disabled veterans in purchasing homes by subsidizing the down
payment for the home purchase mortgage loans of qualifying veterans.
The organization works through mortgage lenders and requires mortgage
lenders to obtain medical information about the disability of any
consumer that seeks to qualify for the program, use that information to
verify the consumer's eligibility for the program, and forward that
information to the organization. A consumer who is a veteran applies to
a creditor for a home purchase mortgage loan. The creditor informs the
consumer about the credit assistance program for disabled veterans and
the consumer seeks to qualify for the program. Assuming that the
program complies with all applicable law, including applicable fair
lending laws, the creditor may obtain and use medical information about
the medical condition and disability, if any, of the consumer to
determine whether the consumer qualifies for the credit assistance
program.
    (3) Examples of verifying the medical purpose of the loan or the
use of proceeds. (i) If a consumer applies for $10,000 of credit for
the purpose of financing vision correction surgery, the creditor may
verify with the surgeon that the procedure will be performed. If the
surgeon reports that surgery will not be performed on the consumer, the
creditor may use that medical information to deny the consumer's
application for credit, because the loan would not be used for the
stated purpose.
    (ii) If a consumer applies for $10,000 of credit for the purpose of
financing cosmetic surgery, the creditor may confirm the cost of the
procedure with the surgeon. If the surgeon reports that the cost of the
procedure is $5,000, the creditor may use that medical information to
offer the consumer only $5,000 of credit.
    (iii) A creditor has an established medical loan program for
financing particular elective surgical procedures. The creditor
receives a loan application from a consumer requesting $10,000 of
credit under the established loan program for an elective surgical
procedure. The consumer indicates on the application that the purpose
of the loan is to finance an elective surgical procedure not eligible
for funding under the guidelines of the established loan program. The
creditor may deny the consumer's application because the purpose of the
loan is not for a particular procedure funded by the established loan
program.
    (4) Examples of obtaining and using medical information at the
request of the consumer. (i) If a consumer applies for a loan and
specifically requests that the creditor consider the consumer's medical
disability at the relevant time as an explanation for adverse payment
history information in his credit report, the creditor may consider
such medical information in evaluating the consumer's willingness and
ability to repay the requested loan to accommodate the consumer's
particular circumstances, consistent with safe and sound practices. The
creditor may also decline to consider such medical information to
accommodate the consumer, but may evaluate the consumer's application
in accordance with its otherwise applicable underwriting criteria. The
creditor may not deny the consumer's application or otherwise treat the
consumer less favorably because the consumer specifically requested a
medical accommodation, if the creditor would have extended the credit
or treated the consumer more favorably under the creditor's otherwise
applicable underwriting criteria.
    (ii) If a consumer applies for a loan by telephone and explains
that his income has been and will continue to be interrupted on account
of a medical condition and that he expects to repay the loan by
liquidating assets, the creditor may, but is not required to, evaluate
the application using the sale of assets as the primary source of
repayment, consistent with safe and sound practices, provided that the
creditor documents the consumer's request by recording the oral
conversation or making a notation of the request in the consumer's
file.
    (iii) If a consumer applies for a loan and the application form
provides a space where the consumer may provide any other information
or special circumstances, whether medical or non-medical, that the
consumer would like the creditor to consider in evaluating the
consumer's application, the creditor may use medical information
provided by the consumer in that space on that application to
accommodate the consumer's application for credit,

[[Page 70678]]

consistent with safe and sound practices, or may disregard that
information.
    (iv) If a consumer specifically requests that the creditor use
medical information in determining the consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit and provides the creditor with
medical information for that purpose, and the creditor determines that
it needs additional information regarding the consumer's circumstances,
the creditor may request, obtain, and use additional medical
information about the consumer as necessary to verify the information
provided by the consumer or to determine whether to make an
accommodation for the consumer. The consumer may decline to provide
additional information, withdraw the request for an accommodation, and
have the application considered under the creditor's otherwise
applicable underwriting criteria.
    (v) If a consumer completes and signs a credit application that is
not for medical purpose credit and the application contains boilerplate
language that routinely requests medical information from the consumer
or that indicates that by applying for credit the consumer authorizes
or consents to the creditor obtaining and using medical information in
connection with a determination of the consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit, the consumer has not specifically
requested that the creditor obtain and use medical information to
accommodate the consumer's particular circumstances.
    (5) Example of a forbearance practice or program. After an
appropriate safety and soundness review, a creditor institutes a
program that allows consumers who are or will be hospitalized to defer
payments as needed for up to three months, without penalty, if the
credit account has been open for more than one year and has not
previously been in default, and the consumer provides confirming
documentation at an appropriate time. A consumer is hospitalized and
does not pay her bill for a particular month. This consumer has had a
credit account with the creditor for more than one year and has not
previously been in default. The creditor attempts to contact the
consumer and speaks with the consumer's adult child, who is not the
consumer's legal representative. The adult child informs the creditor
that the consumer is hospitalized and is unable to pay the bill at that
time. The creditor defers payments for up to three months, without
penalty, for the hospitalized consumer and sends the consumer a letter
confirming this practice and the date on which the next payment will be
due. The creditor has obtained and used medical information to
determine whether the provisions of a medically-triggered forbearance
practice or program apply to a consumer.


Sec.  41.31  Limits on redisclosure of information.

    (a) Scope. This section applies to national banks, Federal branches
and agencies of foreign banks, and their respective operating
subsidiaries.
    (b) Limits on redisclosure. If a person described in paragraph (a)
of this section receives medical information about a consumer from a
consumer reporting agency or its affiliate, the person must not
disclose that information to any other person, except as necessary to
carry out the purpose for which the information was initially
disclosed, or as otherwise permitted by statute, regulation, or order.


Sec.  41.32  Sharing medical information with affiliates.

    (a) Scope. This section applies to national banks, Federal branches
and agencies of foreign banks, and their respective operating
subsidiaries.
    (b) In general. The exclusions from the term ``consumer report'' in
section 603(d)(2) of the Act that allow the sharing of information with
affiliates do not apply if a person described in paragraph (a) of this
section communicates to an affiliate:
    (1) Medical information;
    (2) An individualized list or description based on the payment
transactions of the consumer for medical products or services; or
    (3) An aggregate list of identified consumers based on payment
transactions for medical products or services.
    (c) Exceptions. A person described in paragraph (a) may rely on the
exclusions from the term ``consumer report'' in section 603(d)(2) of
the Act to communicate the information in paragraph (b) to an
affiliate:
    (1) In connection with the business of insurance or annuities
(including the activities described in section 18B of the model Privacy
of Consumer Financial and Health Information Regulation issued by the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners, as in effect on
January 1, 2003);
    (2) For any purpose permitted without authorization under the
regulations promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Services
pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of
1996 (HIPAA);
    (3) For any purpose referred to in section 1179 of HIPAA;
    (4) For any purpose described in section 502(e) of the Gramm-Leach-
Bliley Act;
    (5) In connection with a determination of the consumer's
eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit consistent with Sec. 
41.30; or
    (6) As otherwise permitted by order of the OCC.

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

12 CFR Chapter II

Authority and Issuance

0
For the reasons set forth in the joint preamble, Title 12, Chapter II,
of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:

PART 222--FAIR CREDIT REPORTING (REGULATION V)

0
1. The authority citation for part 222 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1681b and 1681s; Secs. 3, 214, and 217,
Pub. L. 108-159, 117 Stat. 1952.

0
2. Amend subpart A to part 222 by adding Sec. Sec.  222.2 and 222.3 to
read as follows:

Subpart A--General Provisions

* * * * *


Sec.  222.2  Examples.

    The examples in this part are not exclusive. Compliance with an
example, to the extent applicable, constitutes compliance with this
part. Examples in a paragraph illustrate only the issue described in
the paragraph and do not illustrate any other issue that may arise in
this part.


Sec.  222.3  Definitions.

    As used in this part, unless the context requires otherwise:
    (a) Act means the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681 et
seq.).
    (b) Affiliate means any company that is related by common ownership
or common corporate control with another company.
    (c) [Reserved]
    (d) Company means any corporation, limited liability company,
business trust, general or limited partnership, association, or similar
organization.
    (e) Consumer means an individual.
    (f) [Reserved]
    (g) [Reserved]
    (h) [Reserved]
    (i) Common ownership or common corporate control means a
relationship between two companies under which:
    (1) One company has, with respect to the other company:
    (i) Ownership, control, or power to vote 25 percent or more of the

[[Page 70679]]

outstanding shares of any class of voting security of a company,
directly or indirectly, or acting through one or more other persons;
    (ii) Control in any manner over the election of a majority of the
directors, trustees, or general partners (or individuals exercising
similar functions) of a company; or
    (iii) The power to exercise, directly or indirectly, a controlling
influence over the management or policies of a company, as the Board
determines; or
    (2) Any other person has, with respect to both companies, a
relationship described in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through (i)(1)(iii) of
this section.
    (j) [Reserved]
    (k) Medical information means:
    (1) Information or data, whether oral or recorded, in any form or
medium, created by or derived from a health care provider or the
consumer, that relates to:
    (i) The past, present, or future physical, mental, or behavioral
health or condition of an individual;
    (ii) The provision of health care to an individual; or
    (iii) The payment for the provision of health care to an
individual.
    (2) The term does not include:
    (i) The age or gender of a consumer;
    (ii) Demographic information about the consumer, including a
consumer's residence address or e-mail address;
    (iii) Any other information about a consumer that does not relate
to the physical, mental, or behavioral health or condition of a
consumer, including the existence or value of any insurance policy; or
    (iv) Information that does not identify a specific consumer.
    (l) Person means any individual, partnership, corporation, trust,
estate cooperative, association, government or governmental subdivision
or agency, or other entity.

0
3. Subpart D is added to part 222 to read as follows:

Subpart D--Medical Information


Sec.  222.30  Obtaining or using medical information in connection with
a determination of eligibility for credit.

    (a) Scope. This section applies to
    (1) Any of the following that participates as a creditor in a
transaction--
    (i) A bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System (other
than national banks) and its subsidiaries;
    (ii) A branch or Agency of a foreign bank (other than Federal
branches, Federal Agencies, and insured State branches of foreign
banks) and its subsidiaries;
    (iii) A commercial lending company owned or controlled by foreign
banks;
    (iv) An organization operating under section 25 or 25A of the
Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 601 et seq., and 611 et seq.);
    (v) A bank holding company and an affiliate of such holding company
(other than depository institutions and consumer reporting agencies);
or
    (2) Any other person that participates as a creditor in a
transaction involving a person described in paragraph (a)(1) of this
section.
    (b) General prohibition on obtaining or using medical information.
(1) In general. A creditor may not obtain or use medical information
pertaining to a consumer in connection with any determination of the
consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit, except as
provided in this section.
    (2) Definitions. (i) Credit has the same meaning as in section 702
of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, 15 U.S.C. 1691a.
    (ii) Creditor has the same meaning as in section 702 of the Equal
Credit Opportunity Act, 15 U.S.C. 1691a.
    (iii) Eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit means the
consumer's qualification or fitness to receive, or continue to receive,
credit, including the terms on which credit is offered. The term does
not include:
    (A) Any determination of the consumer's qualification or fitness
for employment, insurance (other than a credit insurance product), or
other non-credit products or services;
    (B) Authorizing, processing, or documenting a payment or
transaction on behalf of the consumer in a manner that does not involve
a determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued
eligibility, for credit; or
    (C) Maintaining or servicing the consumer's account in a manner
that does not involve a determination of the consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit.
    (c) Rule of construction for obtaining and using unsolicited
medical information. (1) In general. A creditor does not obtain medical
information in violation of the prohibition if it receives medical
information pertaining to a consumer in connection with any
determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility,
for credit without specifically requesting medical information.
    (2) Use of unsolicited medical information. A creditor that
receives unsolicited medical information in the manner described in
paragraph (c)(1) of this section may use that information in connection
with any determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued
eligibility, for credit to the extent the creditor can rely on at least
one of the exceptions in Sec.  222.30(d) or (e).
    (3) Examples. A creditor does not obtain medical information in
violation of the prohibition if, for example:
    (i) In response to a general question regarding a consumer's debts
or expenses, the creditor receives information that the consumer owes a
debt to a hospital.
    (ii) In a conversation with the creditor's loan officer, the
consumer informs the creditor that the consumer has a particular
medical condition.
    (iii) In connection with a consumer's application for an extension
of credit, the creditor requests a consumer report from a consumer
reporting agency and receives medical information in the consumer
report furnished by the agency even though the creditor did not
specifically request medical information from the consumer reporting
agency.
    (d) Financial information exception for obtaining and using medical
information. (1) In general. A creditor may obtain and use medical
information pertaining to a consumer in connection with any
determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility,
for credit so long as:
    (i) The information is the type of information routinely used in
making credit eligibility determinations, such as information relating
to debts, expenses, income, benefits, assets, collateral, or the
purpose of the loan, including the use of proceeds;
    (ii) The creditor uses the medical information in a manner and to
an extent that is no less favorable than it would use comparable
information that is not medical information in a credit transaction;
and
    (iii) The creditor does not take the consumer's physical, mental,
or behavioral health, condition or history, type of treatment, or
prognosis into account as part of any such determination.
    (2) Examples. (i) Examples of the types of information routinely
used in making credit eligibility determinations. Paragraph (d)(1)(i)
of this section permits a creditor, for example, to obtain and use
information about:
    (A) The dollar amount, repayment terms, repayment history, and
similar information regarding medical debts to calculate, measure, or
verify the repayment ability of the consumer, the use of proceeds, or
the terms for granting credit;
    (B) The value, condition, and lien status of a medical device that
may serve as collateral to secure a loan;

[[Page 70680]]

    (C) The dollar amount and continued eligibility for disability
income, workers' compensation income, or other benefits related to
health or a medical condition that is relied on as a source of
repayment; or
    (D) The identity of creditors to whom outstanding medical debts are
owed in connection with an application for credit, including but not
limited to, a transaction involving the consolidation of medical debts.
    (ii) Examples of uses of medical information consistent with the
exception. (A) A consumer includes on an application for credit
information about two $20,000 debts. One debt is to a hospital; the
other debt is to a retailer. The creditor contacts the hospital and the
retailer to verify the amount and payment status of the debts. The
creditor learns that both debts are more than 90 days past due. Any two
debts of this size that are more than 90 days past due would disqualify
the consumer under the creditor's established underwriting criteria.
The creditor denies the application on the basis that the consumer has
a poor repayment history on outstanding debts. The creditor has used
medical information in a manner and to an extent no less favorable than
it would use comparable non-medical information.
    (B) A consumer indicates on an application for a $200,000 mortgage
loan that she receives $15,000 in long-term disability income each year
from her former employer and has no other income. Annual income of
$15,000, regardless of source, would not be sufficient to support the
requested amount of credit. The creditor denies the application on the
basis that the projected debt-to-income ratio of the consumer does not
meet the creditor's underwriting criteria. The creditor has used
medical information in a manner and to an extent that is no less
favorable than it would use comparable non-medical information.
    (C) A consumer includes on an application for a $10,000 home equity
loan that he has a $50,000 debt to a medical facility that specializes
in treating a potentially terminal disease. The creditor contacts the
medical facility to verify the debt and obtain the repayment history
and current status of the loan. The creditor learns that the debt is
current. The applicant meets the income and other requirements of the
creditor's underwriting guidelines. The creditor grants the
application. The creditor has used medical information in accordance
with the exception.
    (iii) Examples of uses of medical information inconsistent with the
exception. (A) A consumer applies for $25,000 of credit and includes on
the application information about a $50,000 debt to a hospital. The
creditor contacts the hospital to verify the amount and payment status
of the debt, and learns that the debt is current and that the consumer
has no delinquencies in her repayment history. If the existing debt
were instead owed to a retail department store, the creditor would
approve the application and extend credit based on the amount and
repayment history of the outstanding debt. The creditor, however,
denies the application because the consumer is indebted to a hospital.
The creditor has used medical information, here the identity of the
medical creditor, in a manner and to an extent that is less favorable
than it would use comparable non-medical information.
    (B) A consumer meets with a loan officer of a creditor to apply for
a mortgage loan. While filling out the loan application, the consumer
informs the loan officer orally that she has a potentially terminal
disease. The consumer meets the creditor's established requirements for
the requested mortgage loan. The loan officer recommends to the credit
committee that the consumer be denied credit because the consumer has
that disease. The credit committee follows the loan officer's
recommendation and denies the application because the consumer has a
potentially terminal disease. The creditor has used medical information
in a manner inconsistent with the exception by taking into account the
consumer's physical, mental, or behavioral health, condition, or
history, type of treatment, or prognosis as part of a determination of
eligibility or continued eligibility for credit.
    (C) A consumer who has an apparent medical condition, such as a
consumer who uses a wheelchair or an oxygen tank, meets with a loan
officer to apply for a home equity loan. The consumer meets the
creditor's established requirements for the requested home equity loan
and the creditor typically does not require consumers to obtain a debt
cancellation contract, debt suspension agreement, or credit insurance
product in connection with such loans. However, based on the consumer's
apparent medical condition, the loan officer recommends to the credit
committee that credit be extended to the consumer only if the consumer
obtains a debt cancellation contract, debt suspension agreement, or
credit insurance product from a nonaffiliated third party. The credit
committee agrees with the loan officer's recommendation. The loan
officer informs the consumer that the consumer must obtain a debt
cancellation contract, debt suspension agreement, or credit insurance
product from a nonaffiliated third party to qualify for the loan. The
consumer obtains one of these products and the creditor approves the
loan. The creditor has used medical information in a manner
inconsistent with the exception by taking into account the consumer's
physical, mental, or behavioral health, condition, or history, type of
treatment, or prognosis in setting conditions on the consumer's
eligibility for credit.
    (e) Specific exceptions for obtaining and using medical
information. (1) In general. A creditor may obtain and use medical
information pertaining to a consumer in connection with any
determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility,
for credit--
    (i) To determine whether the use of a power of attorney or legal
representative that is triggered by a medical condition or event is
necessary and appropriate or whether the consumer has the legal
capacity to contract when a person seeks to exercise a power of
attorney or act as legal representative for a consumer based on an
asserted medical condition or event;
    (ii) To comply with applicable requirements of local, state, or
Federal laws;
    (iii) To determine, at the consumer's request, whether the consumer
qualifies for a legally permissible special credit program or credit-
related assistance program that is--
    (A) Designed to meet the special needs of consumers with medical
conditions; and
    (B) Established and administered pursuant to a written plan that--
    (1) Identifies the class of persons that the program is designed to
benefit; and
    (2) Sets forth the procedures and standards for extending credit or
providing other credit-related assistance under the program;
    (iv) To the extent necessary for purposes of fraud prevention or
detection;
    (v) In the case of credit for the purpose of financing medical
products or services, to determine and verify the medical purpose of a
loan and the use of proceeds;
    (vi) Consistent with safe and sound practices, if the consumer or
the consumer's legal representative specifically requests that the
creditor use medical information in determining the consumer's
eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit, to accommodate the
consumer's particular circumstances, and such request is documented by
the creditor;

[[Page 70681]]

    (vii) Consistent with safe and sound practices, to determine
whether the provisions of a forbearance practice or program that is
triggered by a medical condition or event apply to a consumer;
    (viii) To determine the consumer's eligibility for, the triggering
of, or the reactivation of a debt cancellation contract or debt
suspension agreement if a medical condition or event is a triggering
event for the provision of benefits under the contract or agreement; or
    (ix) To determine the consumer's eligibility for, the triggering
of, or the reactivation of a credit insurance product if a medical
condition or event is a triggering event for the provision of benefits
under the product.
    (2) Example of determining eligibility for a special credit program
or credit assistance program. A not-for-profit organization establishes
a credit assistance program pursuant to a written plan that is designed
to assist disabled veterans in purchasing homes by subsidizing the down
payment for the home purchase mortgage loans of qualifying veterans.
The organization works through mortgage lenders and requires mortgage
lenders to obtain medical information about the disability of any
consumer that seeks to qualify for the program, use that information to
verify the consumer's eligibility for the program, and forward that
information to the organization. A consumer who is a veteran applies to
a creditor for a home purchase mortgage loan. The creditor informs the
consumer about the credit assistance program for disabled veterans and
the consumer seeks to qualify for the program. Assuming that the
program complies with all applicable law, including applicable fair
lending laws, the creditor may obtain and use medical information about
the medical condition and disability, if any, of the consumer to
determine whether the consumer qualifies for the credit assistance
program.
    (3) Examples of verifying the medical purpose of the loan or the
use of proceeds. (i) If a consumer applies for $10,000 of credit for
the purpose of financing vision correction surgery, the creditor may
verify with the surgeon that the procedure will be performed. If the
surgeon reports that surgery will not be performed on the consumer, the
creditor may use that medical information to deny the consumer's
application for credit, because the loan would not be used for the
stated purpose.
    (ii) If a consumer applies for $10,000 of credit for the purpose of
financing cosmetic surgery, the creditor may confirm the cost of the
procedure with the surgeon. If the surgeon reports that the cost of the
procedure is $5,000, the creditor may use that medical information to
offer the consumer only $5,000 of credit.
    (iii) A creditor has an established medical loan program for
financing particular elective surgical procedures. The creditor
receives a loan application from a consumer requesting $10,000 of
credit under the established loan program for an elective surgical
procedure. The consumer indicates on the application that the purpose
of the loan is to finance an elective surgical procedure not eligible
for funding under the guidelines of the established loan program. The
creditor may deny the consumer's application because the purpose of the
loan is not for a particular procedure funded by the established loan
program.
    (4) Examples of obtaining and using medical information at the
request of the consumer. (i) If a consumer applies for a loan and
specifically requests that the creditor consider the consumer's medical
disability at the relevant time as an explanation for adverse payment
history information in his credit report, the creditor may consider
such medical information in evaluating the consumer's willingness and
ability to repay the requested loan to accommodate the consumer's
particular circumstances, consistent with safe and sound practices. The
creditor may also decline to consider such medical information to
accommodate the consumer, but may evaluate the consumer's application
in accordance with its otherwise applicable underwriting criteria. The
creditor may not deny the consumer's application or otherwise treat the
consumer less favorably because the consumer specifically requested a
medical accommodation, if the creditor would have extended the credit
or treated the consumer more favorably under the creditor's otherwise
applicable underwriting criteria.
    (ii) If a consumer applies for a loan by telephone and explains
that his income has been and will continue to be interrupted on account
of a medical condition and that he expects to repay the loan by
liquidating assets, the creditor may, but is not required to, evaluate
the application using the sale of assets as the primary source of
repayment, consistent with safe and sound practices, provided that the
creditor documents the consumer's request by recording the oral
conversation or making a notation of the request in the consumer's
file.
    (iii) If a consumer applies for a loan and the application form
provides a space where the consumer may provide any other information
or special circumstances, whether medical or non-medical, that the
consumer would like the creditor to consider in evaluating the
consumer's application, the creditor may use medical information
provided by the consumer in that space on that application to
accommodate the consumer's application for credit, consistent with safe
and sound practices, or may disregard that information.
    (iv) If a consumer specifically requests that the creditor use
medical information in determining the consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit and provides the creditor with
medical information for that purpose, and the creditor determines that
it needs additional information regarding the consumer's circumstances,
the creditor may request, obtain, and use additional medical
information about the consumer as necessary to verify the information
provided by the consumer or to determine whether to make an
accommodation for the consumer. The consumer may decline to provide
additional information, withdraw the request for an accommodation, and
have the application considered under the creditor's otherwise
applicable underwriting criteria.
    (v) If a consumer completes and signs a credit application that is
not for medical purpose credit and the application contains boilerplate
language that routinely requests medical information from the consumer
or that indicates that by applying for credit the consumer authorizes
or consents to the creditor obtaining and using medical information in
connection with a determination of the consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit, the consumer has not specifically
requested that the creditor obtain and use medical information to
accommodate the consumer's particular circumstances.
    (5) Example of a forbearance practice or program. After an
appropriate safety and soundness review, a creditor institutes a
program that allows consumers who are or will be hospitalized to defer
payments as needed for up to three months, without penalty, if the
credit account has been open for more than one year and has not
previously been in default, and the consumer provides confirming
documentation at an appropriate time. A consumer is hospitalized and
does not pay her bill for a particular month. This consumer has had a
credit account with the creditor for more than one year and has not
previously been in default.

[[Page 70682]]

The creditor attempts to contact the consumer and speaks with the
consumer's adult child, who is not the consumer's legal representative.
The adult child informs the creditor that the consumer is hospitalized
and is unable to pay the bill at that time. The creditor defers
payments for up to three months, without penalty, for the hospitalized
consumer and sends the consumer a letter confirming this practice and
the date on which the next payment will be due. The creditor has
obtained and used medical information to determine whether the
provisions of a medically-triggered forbearance practice or program
apply to a consumer.


Sec.  222.31  Limits on redisclosure of information.

    (a) Scope. This section applies to banks that are members of the
Federal Reserve System (other than national banks) and their respective
operating subsidiaries, branches and agencies of foreign banks (other
than Federal branches, Federal Agencies, and insured State branches of
foreign banks), commercial lending companies owned or controlled by
foreign banks, organizations operating under section 25 or 25A of the
Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 601 et seq., and 611 et seq.), and bank
holding companies and affiliates of such holding companies (other than
depository institutions and consumer reporting agencies).
    (b) Limits on redisclosure. If a person described in paragraph (a)
of this section receives medical information about a consumer from a
consumer reporting agency or its affiliate, the person must not
disclose that information to any other person, except as necessary to
carry out the purpose for which the information was initially
disclosed, or as otherwise permitted by statute, regulation, or order.


Sec.  222.32  Sharing medical information with affiliates.

    (a) Scope. This section applies to banks that are members of the
Federal Reserve System (other than national banks) and their respective
operating subsidiaries, branches and agencies of foreign banks (other
than Federal branches, Federal Agencies, and insured State branches of
foreign banks), commercial lending companies owned or controlled by
foreign banks, organizations operating under section 25 or 25A of the
Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 601 et seq., and 611 et seq.).
    (b) In general. The exclusions from the term ``consumer report'' in
section 603(d)(2) of the Act that allow the sharing of information with
affiliates do not apply to a person described in paragraph (a) of this
section if that person communicates to an affiliate:
    (1) Medical information;
    (2) An individualized list or description based on the payment
transactions of the consumer for medical products or services; or
    (3) An aggregate list of identified consumers based on payment
transactions for medical products or services.
    (c) Exceptions. A person described in paragraph (a) of this section
may rely on the exclusions from the term ``consumer report'' in section
603(d)(2) of the Act to communicate the information in paragraph (b) of
this section to an affiliate:
    (1) In connection with the business of insurance or annuities
(including the activities described in section 18B of the model Privacy
of Consumer Financial and Health Information Regulation issued by the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners, as in effect on
January 1, 2003);
    (2) For any purpose permitted without authorization under the
regulations promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Services
pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of
1996 (HIPAA);
    (3) For any purpose referred to in section 1179 of HIPAA;
    (4) For any purpose described in section 502(e) of the Gramm-Leach-
Bliley Act;
    (5) In connection with a determination of the consumer's
eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit consistent with Sec. 
222.30 of this part; or
    (6) As otherwise permitted by order of the Board.

0
4. A new part 232 is added to read as follows:

PART 232--OBTAINING AND USING MEDICAL INFORMATION IN CONNECTION
WITH CREDIT (REGULATION FF)

Sec.
Sec.  232.1 Scope, General Prohibition and Definitions
Sec.  232.2 Rule of Construction for Obtaining and Using Unsolicited
Medical Information
Sec.  232.3 Financial Information Exception for Obtaining and Using
Medical Information
Sec.  232.4 Specific Exceptions for Obtaining and Using Medical
Information

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1681b.


Sec.  232.1  Scope, General Prohibition and Definitions

    (a) Scope. This part applies to creditors, as defined in paragraph
(c)(3) of this section, except for creditors that are subject to
Sec. Sec.  41.30, 222.30, 334.30, 571.30, or 717.30.
    (b) In general. A creditor may not obtain or use medical
information pertaining to a consumer in connection with any
determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility,
for credit, except as provided in this section.
    (c) Definitions. (1) Consumer means an individual.
    (2) Credit has the same meaning as in section 702 of the Equal
Credit Opportunity Act, 15 U.S.C. 1691a.
    (3) Creditor has the same meaning as in section 702 of the Equal
Credit Opportunity Act, 15 U.S.C. 1691a.
    (4) Eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit means the
consumer's qualification or fitness to receive, or continue to receive,
credit, including the terms on which credit is offered. The term does
not include:
    (i) Any determination of the consumer's qualification or fitness
for employment, insurance (other than a credit insurance product), or
other non-credit products or services;
    (ii) Authorizing, processing, or documenting a payment or
transaction on behalf of the consumer in a manner that does not involve
a determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued
eligibility, for credit; or
    (iii) Maintaining or servicing the consumer's account in a manner
that does not involve a determination of the consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit.
    (5) Medical information means:
    (i) Information or data, whether oral or recorded, in any form or
medium, created by or derived from a health care provider or the
consumer, that relates to--
    (A) The past, present, or future physical, mental, or behavioral
health or condition of an individual;
    (B) The provision of health care to an individual; or
    (C) The payment for the provision of health care to an individual.
    (ii) The term does not include:
    (A) The age or gender of a consumer;
    (B) Demographic information about the consumer, including a
consumer's residence address or e-mail address;
    (C) Any other information about a consumer that does not relate to
the physical, mental, or behavioral health or condition of a consumer,
including the existence or value of any insurance policy; or
    (D) Information that does not identify a specific consumer.
    (6) Person means any individual, partnership, corporation, trust,
estate cooperative, association, government or governmental subdivision
or agency, or other entity.

[[Page 70683]]

Sec.  232.2  Rule of construction for obtaining and using unsolicited
medical information.

    (a) In general. A creditor does not obtain medical information in
violation of the prohibition if it receives medical information
pertaining to a consumer in connection with any determination of the
consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit without
specifically requesting medical information.
    (b) Use of unsolicited medical information. A creditor that
receives unsolicited medical information in the manner described in
paragraph (a) of this section may use that information in connection
with any determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued
eligibility, for credit to the extent the creditor can rely on at least
one of the exceptions in Sec.  232.3 or Sec.  232.4.
    (c) Examples. A creditor does not obtain medical information in
violation of the prohibition if, for example:
    (1) In response to a general question regarding a consumer's debts
or expenses, the creditor receives information that the consumer owes a
debt to a hospital.
    (2) In a conversation with the creditor's loan officer, the
consumer informs the creditor that the consumer has a particular
medical condition.
    (3) In connection with a consumer's application for an extension of
credit, the creditor requests a consumer report from a consumer
reporting agency and receives medical information in the consumer
report furnished by the agency even though the creditor did not
specifically request medical information from the consumer reporting
agency.


Sec.  232.3  Financial information exception for obtaining and using
medical information.

    (a) In general. A creditor may obtain and use medical information
pertaining to a consumer in connection with any determination of the
consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit so long
as:
    (1) The information is the type of information routinely used in
making credit eligibility determinations, such as information relating
to debts, expenses, income, benefits, assets, collateral, or the
purpose of the loan, including the use of proceeds;
    (2) The creditor uses the medical information in a manner and to an
extent that is no less favorable than it would use comparable
information that is not medical information in a credit transaction;
and
    (3) The creditor does not take the consumer's physical, mental, or
behavioral health, condition or history, type of treatment, or
prognosis into account as part of any such determination.
    (b) Examples. (1) Examples of the types of information routinely
used in making credit eligibility determinations. Paragraph (a)(1) of
this section permits a creditor, for example, to obtain and use
information about:
    (i) The dollar amount, repayment terms, repayment history, and
similar information regarding medical debts to calculate, measure, or
verify the repayment ability of the consumer, the use of proceeds, or
the terms for granting credit;
    (ii) The value, condition, and lien status of a medical device that
may serve as collateral to secure a loan;
    (iii) The dollar amount and continued eligibility for disability
income, workers' compensation income, or other benefits related to
health or a medical condition that is relied on as a source of
repayment; or
    (iv) The identity of creditors to whom outstanding medical debts
are owed in connection with an application for credit, including but
not limited to, a transaction involving the consolidation of medical
debts.
    (2) Examples of uses of medical information consistent with the
exception. (i) A consumer includes on an application for credit
information about two $20,000 debts. One debt is to a hospital; the
other debt is to a retailer. The creditor contacts the hospital and the
retailer to verify the amount and payment status of the debts. The
creditor learns that both debts are more than 90 days past due. Any two
debts of this size that are more than 90 days past due would disqualify
the consumer under the creditor's established underwriting criteria.
The creditor denies the application on the basis that the consumer has
a poor repayment history on outstanding debts. The creditor has used
medical information in a manner and to an extent no less favorable than
it would use comparable non-medical information.
    (ii) A consumer indicates on an application for a $200,000 mortgage
loan that she receives $15,000 in long-term disability income each year
from her former employer and has no other income. Annual income of
$15,000, regardless of source, would not be sufficient to support the
requested amount of credit. The creditor denies the application on the
basis that the projected debt-to-income ratio of the consumer does not
meet the creditor's underwriting criteria. The creditor has used
medical information in a manner and to an extent that is no less
favorable than it would use comparable non-medical information.
    (iii) A consumer includes on an application for a $10,000 home
equity loan that he has a $50,000 debt to a medical facility that
specializes in treating a potentially terminal disease. The creditor
contacts the medical facility to verify the debt and obtain the
repayment history and current status of the loan. The creditor learns
that the debt is current. The applicant meets the income and other
requirements of the creditor's underwriting guidelines. The creditor
grants the application. The creditor has used medical information in
accordance with the exception.
    (3) Examples of uses of medical information inconsistent with the
exception. (i) A consumer applies for $25,000 of credit and includes on
the application information about a $50,000 debt to a hospital. The
creditor contacts the hospital to verify the amount and payment status
of the debt, and learns that the debt is current and that the consumer
has no delinquencies in her repayment history. If the existing debt
were instead owed to a retail department store, the creditor would
approve the application and extend credit based on the amount and
repayment history of the outstanding debt. The creditor, however,
denies the application because the consumer is indebted to a hospital.
The creditor has used medical information, here the identity of the
medical creditor, in a manner and to an extent that is less favorable
than it would use comparable non-medical information.
    (ii) A consumer meets with a loan officer of a creditor to apply
for a mortgage loan. While filling out the loan application, the
consumer informs the loan officer orally that she has a potentially
terminal disease. The consumer meets the creditor's established
requirements for the requested mortgage loan. The loan officer
recommends to the credit committee that the consumer be denied credit
because the consumer has that disease. The credit committee follows the
loan officer's recommendation and denies the application because the
consumer has a potentially terminal disease. The creditor has used
medical information in a manner inconsistent with the exception by
taking into account the consumer's physical, mental, or behavioral
health, condition, or history, type of treatment, or prognosis as part
of a determination of eligibility or continued eligibility for credit.
    (iii) A consumer who has an apparent medical condition, such as a
consumer who uses a wheelchair or an oxygen tank, meets with a loan
officer to apply for a home equity loan. The consumer meets the
creditor's established requirements for the requested home

[[Page 70684]]

equity loan and the creditor typically does not require consumers to
obtain a debt cancellation contract, debt suspension agreement, or
credit insurance product in connection with such loans. However, based
on the consumer's apparent medical condition, the loan officer
recommends to the credit committee that credit be extended to the
consumer only if the consumer obtains a debt cancellation contract,
debt suspension agreement, or credit insurance product from a
nonaffiliated third party. The credit committee agrees with the loan
officer's recommendation. The loan officer informs the consumer that
the consumer must obtain a debt cancellation contract, debt suspension
agreement, or credit insurance product from a nonaffiliated third party
to qualify for the loan. The consumer obtains one of these products and
the creditor approves the loan. The creditor has used medical
information in a manner inconsistent with the exception by taking into
account the consumer's physical, mental, or behavioral health,
condition, or history, type of treatment, or prognosis in setting
conditions on the consumer's eligibility for credit.


Sec.  232.4  Specific exceptions for obtaining and using medical
information.

    (a) In general. A creditor may obtain and use medical information
pertaining to a consumer in connection with any determination of the
consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit:
    (1) To determine whether the use of a power of attorney or legal
representative that is triggered by a medical condition or event is
necessary and appropriate or whether the consumer has the legal
capacity to contract when a person seeks to exercise a power of
attorney or act as legal representative for a consumer based on an
asserted medical condition or event;
    (2) To comply with applicable requirements of local, state, or
Federal laws;
    (3) To determine, at the consumer's request, whether the consumer
qualifies for a legally permissible special credit program or credit-
related assistance program that is--
    (i) Designed to meet the special needs of consumers with medical
conditions; and
    (ii) Established and administered pursuant to a written plan that--
    (A) Identifies the class of persons that the program is designed to
benefit; and
    (B) Sets forth the procedures and standards for extending credit or
providing other credit-related assistance under the program;
    (4) To the extent necessary for purposes of fraud prevention or
detection;
    (5) In the case of credit for the purpose of financing medical
products or services, to determine and verify the medical purpose of a
loan and the use of proceeds;
    (6) Consistent with safe and sound practices, if the consumer or
the consumer's legal representative specifically requests that the
creditor use medical information in determining the consumer's
eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit, to accommodate the
consumer's particular circumstances, and such request is documented by
the creditor;
    (7) Consistent with safe and sound practices, to determine whether
the provisions of a forbearance practice or program that is triggered
by a medical condition or event apply to a consumer;
    (8) To determine the consumer's eligibility for, the triggering of,
or the reactivation of a debt cancellation contract or debt suspension
agreement if a medical condition or event is a triggering event for the
provision of benefits under the contract or agreement; or
    (9) To determine the consumer's eligibility for, the triggering of,
or the reactivation of a credit insurance product if a medical
condition or event is a triggering event for the provision of benefits
under the product.
    (b) Example of determining eligibility for a special credit program
or credit assistance program. A not-for-profit organization establishes
a credit assistance program pursuant to a written plan that is designed
to assist disabled veterans in purchasing homes by subsidizing the down
payment for the home purchase mortgage loans of qualifying veterans.
The organization works through mortgage lenders and requires mortgage
lenders to obtain medical information about the disability of any
consumer that seeks to qualify for the program, use that information to
verify the consumer's eligibility for the program, and forward that
information to the organization. A consumer who is a veteran applies to
a creditor for a home purchase mortgage loan. The creditor informs the
consumer about the credit assistance program for disabled veterans and
the consumer seeks to qualify for the program. Assuming that the
program complies with all applicable law, including applicable fair
lending laws, the creditor may obtain and use medical information about
the medical condition and disability, if any, of the consumer to
determine whether the consumer qualifies for the credit assistance
program.
    (c) Examples of verifying the medical purpose of the loan or the
use of proceeds. (1) If a consumer applies for $10,000 of credit for
the purpose of financing vision correction surgery, the creditor may
verify with the surgeon that the procedure will be performed. If the
surgeon reports that surgery will not be performed on the consumer, the
creditor may use that medical information to deny the consumer's
application for credit, because the loan would not be used for the
stated purpose.
    (2) If a consumer applies for $10,000 of credit for the purpose of
financing cosmetic surgery, the creditor may confirm the cost of the
procedure with the surgeon. If the surgeon reports that the cost of the
procedure is $5,000, the creditor may use that medical information to
offer the consumer only $5,000 of credit.
    (3) A creditor has an established medical loan program for
financing particular elective surgical procedures. The creditor
receives a loan application from a consumer requesting $10,000 of
credit under the established loan program for an elective surgical
procedure. The consumer indicates on the application that the purpose
of the loan is to finance an elective surgical procedure not eligible
for funding under the guidelines of the established loan program. The
creditor may deny the consumer's application because the purpose of the
loan is not for a particular procedure funded by the established loan
program.
    (d) Examples of obtaining and using medical information at the
request of the consumer. (1) If a consumer applies for a loan and
specifically requests that the creditor consider the consumer's medical
disability at the relevant time as an explanation for adverse payment
history information in his credit report, the creditor may consider
such medical information in evaluating the consumer's willingness and
ability to repay the requested loan to accommodate the consumer's
particular circumstances, consistent with safe and sound practices. The
creditor may also decline to consider such medical information to
accommodate the consumer, but may evaluate the consumer's application
in accordance with its otherwise applicable underwriting criteria. The
creditor may not deny the consumer's application or otherwise treat the
consumer less favorably because the consumer specifically requested a
medical accommodation, if the creditor would have extended the credit
or treated the consumer more favorably under the

[[Page 70685]]

creditor's otherwise applicable underwriting criteria.
    (2) If a consumer applies for a loan by telephone and explains that
his income has been and will continue to be interrupted on account of a
medical condition and that he expects to repay the loan liquidating
assets, the creditor may, but is not required to, evaluate the
application using the sale of assets as the primary source of
repayment, consistent with safe and sound practices, provided that the
creditor documents the consumer's request by recording the oral
conversation or making a notation of the request in the consumer's
file.
    (3) If a consumer applies for a loan and the application form
provides a space where the consumer may provide any other information
or special circumstances, whether medical or non-medical, that the
consumer would like the creditor to consider in evaluating the
consumer's application, the creditor may use medical information
provided by the consumer in that space on that application to
accommodate the consumer's application for credit, consistent with safe
and sound practices, or may disregard that information.
    (4) If a consumer specifically requests that the creditor use
medical information in determining the consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit and provides the creditor with
medical information for that purpose, and the creditor determines that
it needs additional information regarding the consumer's circumstances,
the creditor may request, obtain, and use additional medical
information about the consumer as necessary to verify the information
provided by the consumer or to determine whether to make an
accommodation for the consumer. The consumer may decline to provide
additional information, withdraw the request for an accommodation, and
have the application considered under the creditor's otherwise
applicable underwriting criteria.
    (5) If a consumer completes and signs a credit application that is
not for medical purpose credit and the application contains boilerplate
language that routinely requests medical information from the consumer
or that indicates that by applying for credit the consumer authorizes
or consents to the creditor obtaining and using medical information in
connection with a determination of the consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit, the consumer has not specifically
requested that the creditor obtain and use medical information to
accommodate the consumer's particular circumstances.
    (e) Example of a forbearance practice or program. After an
appropriate safety and soundness review, a creditor institutes a
program that allows consumers who are or will be hospitalized to defer
payments as needed for up to three months, without penalty, if the
credit account has been open for more than one year and has not
previously been in default, and the consumer provides confirming
documentation at an appropriate time. A consumer is hospitalized and
does not pay her bill for a particular month. This consumer has had a
credit account with the creditor for more than one year and has not
previously been in default. The creditor attempts to contact the
consumer and speaks with the consumer's adult child, who is not the
consumer's legal representative. The adult child informs the creditor
that the consumer is hospitalized and is unable to pay the bill at that
time. The creditor defers payments for up to three months, without
penalty, for the hospitalized consumer and sends the consumer a letter
confirming this practice and the date on which the next payment will be
due. The creditor has obtained and used medical information to
determine whether the provisions of a medically-triggered forbearance
practice or program apply to a consumer.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

12 CFR Chapter III

Authority and Issuance

0
For the reasons set forth in the joint preamble, the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation amends part 334 of chapter III of title 12 of the
Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 334--FAIR CREDIT REPORTING

0
1. The authority citation for part 334 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1819(Tenth) and 1818; 15 U.S.C. 1681b and
1681s.


0
2. Subpart A is added to part 334 to read as follows:

Subpart A--General Provisions


Sec.  334.1  [Reserved]


Sec.  334.2  Examples.

    The examples in this part are not exclusive. Compliance with an
example, to the extent applicable, constitutes compliance with this
part. Examples in a paragraph illustrate only the issue described in
the paragraph and do not illustrate any other issue that may arise in
this part.


Sec.  334.3  Definitions.

    As used in this part, unless the context requires otherwise:
    (a) Act means the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681 et
seq.).
    (b) Affiliate means any company that is related by common ownership
or common corporate control with another company.
    (c) [Reserved]
    (d) Company means any corporation, limited liability company,
business trust, general or limited partnership, association, or similar
organization.
    (e) Consumer means an individual.
    (f) [Reserved]
    (g) [Reserved]
    (h) [Reserved]
    (i) Common ownership or common corporate control means a
relationship between two companies under which:
    (1) One company has, with respect to the other company:
    (i) Ownership, control, or power to vote 25 percent or more of the
outstanding shares of any class of voting security of a company,
directly or indirectly, or acting through one or more other persons;
    (ii) Control in any manner over the election of a majority of the
directors, trustees, or general partners (or individuals exercising
similar functions) of a company; or
    (iii) The power to exercise, directly or indirectly, a controlling
influence over the management or policies of a company, as the FDIC
determines; or
    (2) Any other person has, with respect to both companies, a
relationship described in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through (i)(1)(iii) of
this section.
    (j) [Reserved]
    (k) Medical information means:
    (1) Information or data, whether oral or recorded, in any form or
medium, created by or derived from a health care provider or the
consumer, that relates to:
    (i) The past, present, or future physical, mental, or behavioral
health or condition of an individual;
    (ii) The provision of health care to an individual; or
    (iii) The payment for the provision of health care to an
individual.
    (2) The term does not include:
    (i) The age or gender of a consumer;
    (ii) Demographic information about the consumer, including a
consumer's residence address or e-mail address;
    (iii) Any other information about a consumer that does not relate
to the physical, mental, or behavioral health or condition of a
consumer, including the existence or value of any insurance policy; or
    (iv) Information that does not identify a specific consumer.

[[Page 70686]]

    (l) Person means any individual, partnership, corporation, trust,
estate cooperative, association, government or governmental subdivision
or agency, or other entity.

0
3. Subpart D is added to part 334 to read as follows:

Subpart D--Medical Information


Sec.  334.30  Obtaining or using medical information in connection with
a determination of eligibility for credit.

    (a) Scope. This section applies to:
    (1) Any of the following that participates as a creditor in a
transaction:
    (i) A State bank insured by the FDIC (other than members of the
Federal Reserve System);
    (ii) An insured State branch of a foreign bank; or
    (2) Any other person that participates as a creditor in a
transaction involving a person described in paragraph (a)(1) of this
section.
    (b) General prohibition on obtaining or using medical information.
(1) In general. A creditor may not obtain or use medical information
pertaining to a consumer in connection with any determination of the
consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit, except as
provided in this section.
    (2) Definitions. (i) Credit has the same meaning as in section 702
of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, 15 U.S.C. 1691a.
    (ii) Creditor has the same meaning as in section 702 of the Equal
Credit Opportunity Act, 15 U.S.C. 1691a.
    (iii) Eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit means the
consumer's qualification or fitness to receive, or continue to receive,
credit, including the terms on which credit is offered. The term does
not include:
    (A) Any determination of the consumer's qualification or fitness
for employment, insurance (other than a credit insurance product), or
other non-credit products or services;
    (B) Authorizing, processing, or documenting a payment or
transaction on behalf of the consumer in a manner that does not involve
a determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued
eligibility, for credit; or
    (C) Maintaining or servicing the consumer's account in a manner
that does not involve a determination of the consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit.
    (c) Rule of construction for obtaining and using unsolicited
medical information. (1) In general. A creditor does not obtain medical
information in violation of the prohibition if it receives medical
information pertaining to a consumer in connection with any
determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility,
for credit without specifically requesting medical information.
    (2) Use of unsolicited medical information. A creditor that
receives unsolicited medical information in the manner described in
paragraph (c)(1) of this section may use that information in connection
with any determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued
eligibility, for credit to the extent the creditor can rely on at least
one of the exceptions in Sec.  334.30(d) or (e).
    (3) Examples. A creditor does not obtain medical information in
violation of the prohibition if, for example:
    (i) In response to a general question regarding a consumer's debts
or expenses, the creditor receives information that the consumer owes a
debt to a hospital.
    (ii) In a conversation with the creditor's loan officer, the
consumer informs the creditor that the consumer has a particular
medical condition.
    (iii) In connection with a consumer's application for an extension
of credit, the creditor requests a consumer report from a consumer
reporting agency and receives medical information in the consumer
report furnished by the agency even though the creditor did not
specifically request medical information from the consumer reporting
agency.
    (d) Financial information exception for obtaining and using medical
information.
    (1) In general. A creditor may obtain and use medical information
pertaining to a consumer in connection with any determination of the
consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit so long
as:
    (i) The information is the type of information routinely used in
making credit eligibility determinations, such as information relating
to debts, expenses, income, benefits, assets, collateral, or the
purpose of the loan, including the use of proceeds;
    (ii) The creditor uses the medical information in a manner and to
an extent that is no less favorable than it would use comparable
information that is not medical information in a credit transaction;
and
    (iii) The creditor does not take the consumer's physical, mental,
or behavioral health, condition or history, type of treatment, or
prognosis into account as part of any such determination.
    (2) Examples. (i) Examples of the types of information routinely
used in making credit eligibility determinations. Paragraph (d)(1)(i)
of this section permits a creditor, for example, to obtain and use
information about:
    (A) The dollar amount, repayment terms, repayment history, and
similar information regarding medical debts to calculate, measure, or
verify the repayment ability of the consumer, the use of proceeds, or
the terms for granting credit;
    (B) The value, condition, and lien status of a medical device that
may serve as collateral to secure a loan;
    (C) The dollar amount and continued eligibility for disability
income, workers' compensation income, or other benefits related to
health or a medical condition that is relied on as a source of
repayment; or
    (D) The identity of creditors to whom outstanding medical debts are
owed in connection with an application for credit, including but not
limited to, a transaction involving the consolidation of medical debts.
    (ii) Examples of uses of medical information consistent with the
exception. (A) A consumer includes on an application for credit
information about two $20,000 debts. One debt is to a hospital; the
other debt is to a retailer. The creditor contacts the hospital and the
retailer to verify the amount and payment status of the debts. The
creditor learns that both debts are more than 90 days past due. Any two
debts of this size that are more than 90 days past due would disqualify
the consumer under the creditor's established underwriting criteria.
The creditor denies the application on the basis that the consumer has
a poor repayment history on outstanding debts. The creditor has used
medical information in a manner and to an extent no less favorable than
it would use comparable non-medical information.
    (B) A consumer indicates on an application for a $200,000 mortgage
loan that she receives $15,000 in long-term disability income each year
from her former employer and has no other income. Annual income of
$15,000, regardless of source, would not be sufficient to support the
requested amount of credit. The creditor denies the application on the
basis that the projected debt-to-income ratio of the consumer does not
meet the creditor's underwriting criteria. The creditor has used
medical information in a manner and to an extent that is no less
favorable than it would use comparable non-medical information.
    (C) A consumer includes on an application for a $10,000 home equity
loan that he has a $50,000 debt to a medical facility that specializes
in treating a potentially terminal disease. The creditor contacts the
medical

[[Page 70687]]

facility to verify the debt and obtain the repayment history and
current status of the loan. The creditor learns that the debt is
current. The applicant meets the income and other requirements of the
creditor's underwriting guidelines. The creditor grants the
application. The creditor has used medical information in accordance
with the exception.
    (iii) Examples of uses of medical information inconsistent with the
exception. (A) A consumer applies for $25,000 of credit and includes on
the application information about a $50,000 debt to a hospital. The
creditor contacts the hospital to verify the amount and payment status
of the debt, and learns that the debt is current and that the consumer
has no delinquencies in her repayment history. If the existing debt
were instead owed to a retail department store, the creditor would
approve the application and extend credit based on the amount and
repayment history of the outstanding debt. The creditor, however,
denies the application because the consumer is indebted to a hospital.
The creditor has used medical information, here the identity of the
medical creditor, in a manner and to an extent that is less favorable
than it would use comparable non-medical information.
    (B) A consumer meets with a loan officer of a creditor to apply for
a mortgage loan. While filling out the loan application, the consumer
informs the loan officer orally that she has a potentially terminal
disease. The consumer meets the creditor's established requirements for
the requested mortgage loan. The loan officer recommends to the credit
committee that the consumer be denied credit because the consumer has
that disease. The credit committee follows the loan officer's
recommendation and denies the application because the consumer has a
potentially terminal disease. The creditor has used medical information
in a manner inconsistent with the exception by taking into account the
consumer's physical, mental, or behavioral health, condition, or
history, type of treatment, or prognosis as part of a determination of
eligibility or continued eligibility for credit.
    (C) A consumer who has an apparent medical condition, such as a
consumer who uses a wheelchair or an oxygen tank, meets with a loan
officer to apply for a home equity loan. The consumer meets the
creditor's established requirements for the requested home equity loan
and the creditor typically does not require consumers to obtain a debt
cancellation contract, debt suspension agreement, or credit insurance
product in connection with such loans. However, based on the consumer's
apparent medical condition, the loan officer recommends to the credit
committee that credit be extended to the consumer only if the consumer
obtains a debt cancellation contract, debt suspension agreement, or
credit insurance product from a nonaffiliated third party. The credit
committee agrees with the loan officer's recommendation. The loan
officer informs the consumer that the consumer must obtain a debt
cancellation contract, debt suspension agreement, or credit insurance
product from a nonaffiliated third party to qualify for the loan. The
consumer obtains one of these products and the creditor approves the
loan. The creditor has used medical information in a manner
inconsistent with the exception by taking into account the consumer's
physical, mental, or behavioral health, condition, or history, type of
treatment, or prognosis in setting conditions on the consumer's
eligibility for credit.
    (e) Specific exceptions for obtaining and using medical
information. (1) In general. A creditor may obtain and use medical
information pertaining to a consumer in connection with any
determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility,
for credit:
    (i) To determine whether the use of a power of attorney or legal
representative that is triggered by a medical condition or event is
necessary and appropriate or whether the consumer has the legal
capacity to contract when a person seeks to exercise a power of
attorney or act as legal representative for a consumer based on an
asserted medical condition or event;
    (ii) To comply with applicable requirements of local, state, or
Federal laws;
    (iii) To determine, at the consumer's request, whether the consumer
qualifies for a legally permissible special credit program or credit-
related assistance program that is:
    (A) Designed to meet the special needs of consumers with medical
conditions; and
    (B) Established and administered pursuant to a written plan that:
    (1) Identifies the class of persons that the program is designed to
benefit; and
    (2) Sets forth the procedures and standards for extending credit or
providing other credit-related assistance under the program;
    (iv) To the extent necessary for purposes of fraud prevention or
detection;
    (v) In the case of credit for the purpose of financing medical
products or services, to determine and verify the medical purpose of a
loan and the use of proceeds;
    (vi) Consistent with safe and sound practices, if the consumer or
the consumer's legal representative specifically requests that the
creditor use medical information in determining the consumer's
eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit, to accommodate the
consumer's particular circumstances, and such request is documented by
the creditor;
    (vii) Consistent with safe and sound practices, to determine
whether the provisions of a forbearance practice or program that is
triggered by a medical condition or event apply to a consumer;
    (viii) To determine the consumer's eligibility for, the triggering
of, or the reactivation of a debt cancellation contract or debt
suspension agreement if a medical condition or event is a triggering
event for the provision of benefits under the contract or agreement; or
    (ix) To determine the consumer's eligibility for, the triggering
of, or the reactivation of a credit insurance product if a medical
condition or event is a triggering event for the provision of benefits
under the product.
    (2) Example of determining eligibility for a special credit program
or credit assistance program. A not-for-profit organization establishes
a credit assistance program pursuant to a written plan that is designed
to assist disabled veterans in purchasing homes by subsidizing the down
payment for the home purchase mortgage loans of qualifying veterans.
The organization works through mortgage lenders and requires mortgage
lenders to obtain medical information about the disability of any
consumer that seeks to qualify for the program, use that information to
verify the consumer's eligibility for the program, and forward that
information to the organization. A consumer who is a veteran applies to
a creditor for a home purchase mortgage loan. The creditor informs the
consumer about the credit assistance program for disabled veterans and
the consumer seeks to qualify for the program. Assuming that the
program complies with all applicable law, including applicable fair
lending laws, the creditor may obtain and use medical information about
the medical condition and disability, if any, of the consumer to
determine whether the consumer qualifies for the credit assistance
program.
    (3) Examples of verifying the medical purpose of the loan or the
use of proceeds. (i) If a consumer applies for $10,000 of credit for
the purpose of financing vision correction surgery, the creditor may
verify with the surgeon

[[Page 70688]]

that the procedure will be performed. If the surgeon reports that
surgery will not be performed on the consumer, the creditor may use
that medical information to deny the consumer's application for credit,
because the loan would not be used for the stated purpose.
    (ii) If a consumer applies for $10,000 of credit for the purpose of
financing cosmetic surgery, the creditor may confirm the cost of the
procedure with the surgeon. If the surgeon reports that the cost of the
procedure is $5,000, the creditor may use that medical information to
offer the consumer only $5,000 of credit.
    (iii) A creditor has an established medical loan program for
financing particular elective surgical procedures. The creditor
receives a loan application from a consumer requesting $10,000 of
credit under the established loan program for an elective surgical
procedure. The consumer indicates on the application that the purpose
of the loan is to finance an elective surgical procedure not eligible
for funding under the guidelines of the established loan program. The
creditor may deny the consumer's application because the purpose of the
loan is not for a particular procedure funded by the established loan
program.
    (4) Examples of obtaining and using medical information at the
request of the consumer. (i) If a consumer applies for a loan and
specifically requests that the creditor consider the consumer's medical
disability at the relevant time as an explanation for adverse payment
history information in his credit report, the creditor may consider
such medical information in evaluating the consumer's willingness and
ability to repay the requested loan to accommodate the consumer's
particular circumstances, consistent with safe and sound practices. The
creditor may also decline to consider such medical information to
accommodate the consumer, but may evaluate the consumer's application
in accordance with its otherwise applicable underwriting criteria. The
creditor may not deny the consumer's application or otherwise treat the
consumer less favorably because the consumer specifically requested a
medical accommodation, if the creditor would have extended the credit
or treated the consumer more favorably under the creditor's otherwise
applicable underwriting criteria.
    (ii) If a consumer applies for a loan by telephone and explains
that his income has been and will continue to be interrupted on account
of a medical condition and that he expects to repay the loan by
liquidating assets, the creditor may, but is not required to, evaluate
the application using the sale of assets as the primary source of
repayment, consistent with safe and sound practices, provided that the
creditor documents the consumer's request by recording the oral
conversation or making a notation of the request in the consumer's
file.
    (iii) If a consumer applies for a loan and the application form
provides a space where the consumer may provide any other information
or special circumstances, whether medical or non-medical, that the
consumer would like the creditor to consider in evaluating the
consumer's application, the creditor may use medical information
provided by the consumer in that space on that application to
accommodate the consumer's application for credit, consistent with safe
and sound practices, or may disregard that information.
    (iv) If a consumer specifically requests that the creditor use
medical information in determining the consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit and provides the creditor with
medical information for that purpose, and the creditor determines that
it needs additional information regarding the consumer's circumstances,
the creditor may request, obtain, and use additional medical
information about the consumer as necessary to verify the information
provided by the consumer or to determine whether to make an
accommodation for the consumer. The consumer may decline to provide
additional information, withdraw the request for an accommodation, and
have the application considered under the creditor's otherwise
applicable underwriting criteria.
    (v) If a consumer completes and signs a credit application that is
not for medical purpose credit and the application contains boilerplate
language that routinely requests medical information from the consumer
or that indicates that by applying for credit the consumer authorizes
or consents to the creditor obtaining and using medical information in
connection with a determination of the consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit, the consumer has not specifically
requested that the creditor obtain and use medical information to
accommodate the consumer's particular circumstances.
    (5) Example of a forbearance practice or program. After an
appropriate safety and soundness review, a creditor institutes a
program that allows consumers who are or will be hospitalized to defer
payments as needed for up to three months, without penalty, if the
credit account has been open for more than one year and has not
previously been in default, and the consumer provides confirming
documentation at an appropriate time. A consumer is hospitalized and
does not pay her bill for a particular month. This consumer has had a
credit account with the creditor for more than one year and has not
previously been in default. The creditor attempts to contact the
consumer and speaks with the consumer's adult child, who is not the
consumer's legal representative. The adult child informs the creditor
that the consumer is hospitalized and is unable to pay the bill at that
time. The creditor defers payments for up to three months, without
penalty, for the hospitalized consumer and sends the consumer a letter
confirming this practice and the date on which the next payment will be
due. The creditor has obtained and used medical information to
determine whether the provisions of a medically-triggered forbearance
practice or program apply to a consumer.


Sec.  334.31  Limits on redisclosure of information.

    (a) Scope. This section applies to State banks insured by the FDIC
(other than members of the Federal Reserve System) and insured State
branches of foreign banks.
    (b) Limits on redisclosure. If a person described in paragraph (a)
of this section receives medical information about a consumer from a
consumer reporting agency or its affiliate, the person must not
disclose that information to any other person, except as necessary to
carry out the purpose for which the information was initially
disclosed, or as otherwise permitted by statute, regulation, or order.


Sec.  334.32  Sharing medical information with affiliates.

    (a) Scope. This section applies to State banks insured by the FDIC
(other than members of the Federal Reserve System) and insured State
branches of foreign banks.
    (b) In general. The exclusions from the term ``consumer report'' in
section 603(d)(2) of the Act that allow the sharing of information with
affiliates do not apply if a person described in paragraph (a) of this
section communicates to an affiliate--
    (1) Medical information;
    (2) An individualized list or description based on the payment
transactions of the consumer for medical products or services; or

[[Page 70689]]

    (3) An aggregate list of identified consumers based on payment
transactions for medical products or services.
    (c) Exceptions. A person described in paragraph (a) of this section
may rely on the exclusions from the term ``consumer report'' in section
603(d)(2) of the Act to communicate the information in paragraph (b) of
this section to an affiliate--
    (1) In connection with the business of insurance or annuities
(including the activities described in section 18B of the model Privacy
of Consumer Financial and Health Information Regulation issued by the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners, as in effect on
January 1, 2003);
    (2) For any purpose permitted without authorization under the
regulations promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Services
pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of
1996 (HIPAA);
    (3) For any purpose referred to in section 1179 of HIPAA;
    (4) For any purpose described in section 502(e) of the Gramm-Leach-
Bliley Act;
    (5) In connection with a determination of the consumer's
eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit consistent with Sec. 
334.30; or
    (6) As otherwise permitted by order of the FDIC.

Office of Thrift Supervision

    12 CFR Chapter V.

Authority and Issuance

0
For the reasons set forth in the joint preamble, the Office of Thrift
Supervision amends chapter V of title 12 of the Code of Federal
Regulations as follows:

PART 571--FAIR CREDIT REPORTING

0
1. The authority citation for part 571 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 1828, 1831p-1,
and 1881-1884; 15 U.S.C. 1681b, 1681s, and 1681w; 15 U.S.C. 6801 and
6805(b)(1).

Subpart A--General Provisions

0
2. Revise Sec.  571.1(b) to read as follows:


Sec.  571.1  Purpose and Scope.

* * * * *
    (b) Scope. (1)-(3) [Reserved]
    (4) The scope of Subpart D of this part is stated in Sec. Sec. 
571.30(a), 571.31(a), and 571.32(a) of this part.
    (5)-(8) [Reserved]
    (9) Subpart I of this part applies to savings associations whose
deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (and
federal savings association operating subsidiaries in accordance with
Sec.  559.3(h)(1) of this chapter).

0
3. Add Sec.  571.2 to read as follows:


Sec.  571.2  Examples.

    The examples in this part are not exclusive. Compliance with an
example, to the extent applicable, constitutes compliance with this
part. Examples in a paragraph illustrate only the issue described in
the paragraph and do not illustrate any other issue that may arise in
this part.

0
4. Amend Sec.  571.3 by revising the introductory text and paragraphs
(a) through (n) to read as follows:


Sec.  571.3  Definitions.

    As used in this part, unless the context requires otherwise:
    (a) Act means the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681 et
seq.).
    (b) Affiliate means any company that is related by common ownership
or common corporate control with another company.
    (c) [Reserved]
    (d) Company means any corporation, limited liability company,
business trust, general or limited partnership, association, or similar
organization.
    (e) Consumer means an individual.
    (f)-(h) [Reserved]
    (i) Common ownership or common corporate control means a
relationship between two companies under which:
    (1) One company has, with respect to the other company:
    (i) Ownership, control, or power to vote 25 percent or more of the
outstanding shares of any class of voting security of a company,
directly or indirectly, or acting through one or more other persons;
    (ii) Control in any manner over the election of a majority of the
directors, trustees, or general partners (or individuals exercising
similar functions) of a company; or
    (iii) The power to exercise, directly or indirectly, a controlling
influence over the management or policies of a company, as the OTS
determines; or
    (2) Any other person has, with respect to both companies, a
relationship described in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through (i)(1)(iii) of
this section.
    (j) [Reserved]
    (k) Medical information means:
    (1) Information or data, whether oral or recorded, in any form or
medium, created by or derived from a health care provider or the
consumer, that relates to--
    (i) The past, present, or future physical, mental, or behavioral
health or condition of an individual;
    (ii) The provision of health care to an individual; or
    (iii) The payment for the provision of health care to an
individual.
    (2) The term does not include:
    (i) The age or gender of a consumer;
    (ii) Demographic information about the consumer, including a
consumer's residence address or e-mail address;
    (iii) Any other information about a consumer that does not relate
to the physical, mental, or behavioral health or condition of a
consumer, including the existence or value of any insurance policy; or
    (iv) Information that does not identify a specific consumer.
    (l) Person means any individual, partnership, corporation, trust,
estate cooperative, association, government or governmental subdivision
or agency, or other entity.
    (m)-(n) [Reserved]
* * * * *

0
5. Add subpart D to part 571 to read as follows:

Subpart D--Medical Information


Sec.  571.30  Obtaining or using medical information in connection with
a determination of eligibility for credit.

    (a) Scope. This section applies to:
    (1) Any of the following that participates as a creditor in a
transaction--
    (i) A savings association;
    (ii) A subsidiary owned in whole or in part by a savings
association;
    (iii) A savings and loan holding company;
    (iv) A subsidiary of a savings and loan holding company other than
a bank or subsidiary of a bank; or
    (v) A service corporation owned in whole or in part by a savings
association; or
    (2) Any other person that participates as a creditor in a
transaction involving a person described in paragraph (a)(1) of this
section.
    (b) General prohibition on obtaining or using medical information.
(1) In general. A creditor may not obtain or use medical information
pertaining to a consumer in connection with any determination of the
consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit, except as
provided in this section.
    (2) Definitions. (i) Credit has the same meaning as in section 702
of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, 15 U.S.C. 1691a.
    (ii) Creditor has the same meaning as in section 702 of the Equal
Credit Opportunity Act, 15 U.S.C. 1691a.
    (iii) Eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit means the
consumer's

[[Page 70690]]

qualification or fitness to receive, or continue to receive, credit,
including the terms on which credit is offered. The term does not
include:
    (A) Any determination of the consumer's qualification or fitness
for employment, insurance (other than a credit insurance product), or
other non-credit products or services;
    (B) Authorizing, processing, or documenting a payment or
transaction on behalf of the consumer in a manner that does not involve
a determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued
eligibility, for credit; or
    (C) Maintaining or servicing the consumer's account in a manner
that does not involve a determination of the consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit.
    (c) Rule of construction for obtaining and using unsolicited
medical information. (1) In general. A creditor does not obtain medical
information in violation of the prohibition if it receives medical
information pertaining to a consumer in connection with any
determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility,
for credit without specifically requesting medical information.
    (2) Use of unsolicited medical information. A creditor that
receives unsolicited medical information in the manner described in
paragraph (c)(1) of this section may use that information in connection
with any determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued
eligibility, for credit to the extent the creditor can rely on at least
one of the exceptions in Sec.  571.30(d) or (e).
    (3) Examples. A creditor does not obtain medical information in
violation of the prohibition if, for example:
    (i) In response to a general question regarding a consumer's debts
or expenses, the creditor receives information that the consumer owes a
debt to a hospital;
    (ii) In a conversation with the creditor's loan officer, the
consumer informs the creditor that the consumer has a particular
medical condition; or
    (iii) In connection with a consumer's application for an extension
of credit, the creditor requests a consumer report from a consumer
reporting agency and receives medical information in the consumer
report furnished by the agency even though the creditor did not
specifically request medical information from the consumer reporting
agency.
    (d) Financial information exception for obtaining and using medical
information. (1) In general. A creditor may obtain and use medical
information pertaining to a consumer in connection with any
determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility,
for credit so long as:
    (i) The information is the type of information routinely used in
making credit eligibility determinations, such as information relating
to debts, expenses, income, benefits, assets, collateral, or the
purpose of the loan, including the use of proceeds;
    (ii) The creditor uses the medical information in a manner and to
an extent that is no less favorable than it would use comparable
information that is not medical information in a credit transaction;
and
    (iii) The creditor does not take the consumer's physical, mental,
or behavioral health, condition or history, type of treatment, or
prognosis into account as part of any such determination.
    (2) Examples. (i) Examples of the types of information routinely
used in making credit eligibility determinations. Paragraph (d)(1)(i)
of this section permits a creditor, for example, to obtain and use
information about:
    (A) The dollar amount, repayment terms, repayment history, and
similar information regarding medical debts to calculate, measure, or
verify the repayment ability of the consumer, the use of proceeds, or
the terms for granting credit;
    (B) The value, condition, and lien status of a medical device that
may serve as collateral to secure a loan;
    (C) The dollar amount and continued eligibility for disability
income, workers' compensation income, or other benefits related to
health or a medical condition that is relied on as a source of
repayment; or
    (D) The identity of creditors to whom outstanding medical debts are
owed in connection with an application for credit, including but not
limited to, a transaction involving the consolidation of medical debts.
    (ii) Examples of uses of medical information consistent with the
exception. (A) A consumer includes on an application for credit
information about two $20,000 debts. One debt is to a hospital; the
other debt is to a retailer. The creditor contacts the hospital and the
retailer to verify the amount and payment status of the debts. The
creditor learns that both debts are more than 90 days past due. Any two
debts of this size that are more than 90 days past due would disqualify
the consumer under the creditor's established underwriting criteria.
The creditor denies the application on the basis that the consumer has
a poor repayment history on outstanding debts. The creditor has used
medical information in a manner and to an extent no less favorable than
it would use comparable non-medical information.
    (B) A consumer indicates on an application for a $200,000 mortgage
loan that she receives $15,000 in long-term disability income each year
from her former employer and has no other income. Annual income of
$15,000, regardless of source, would not be sufficient to support the
requested amount of credit. The creditor denies the application on the
basis that the projected debt-to-income ratio of the consumer does not
meet the creditor's underwriting criteria. The creditor has used
medical information in a manner and to an extent that is no less
favorable than it would use comparable non-medical information.
    (C) A consumer includes on an application for a $10,000 home equity
loan that he has a $50,000 debt to a medical facility that specializes
in treating a potentially terminal disease. The creditor contacts the
medical facility to verify the debt and obtain the repayment history
and current status of the loan. The creditor learns that the debt is
current. The applicant meets the income and other requirements of the
creditor's underwriting guidelines. The creditor grants the
application. The creditor has used medical information in accordance
with the exception.
    (iii) Examples of uses of medical information inconsistent with the
exception. (A) A consumer applies for $25,000 of credit and includes on
the application information about a $50,000 debt to a hospital. The
creditor contacts the hospital to verify the amount and payment status
of the debt, and learns that the debt is current and that the consumer
has no delinquencies in her repayment history. If the existing debt
were instead owed to a retail department store, the creditor would
approve the application and extend credit based on the amount and
repayment history of the outstanding debt. The creditor, however,
denies the application because the consumer is indebted to a hospital.
The creditor has used medical information, here the identity of the
medical creditor, in a manner and to an extent that is less favorable
than it would use comparable non-medical information.
    (B) A consumer meets with a loan officer of a creditor to apply for
a mortgage loan. While filling out the loan application, the consumer
informs the loan officer orally that she has a potentially terminal
disease. The consumer meets the creditor's established requirements for
the requested mortgage loan. The loan officer recommends to the credit
committee that the consumer be denied

[[Page 70691]]

credit because the consumer has that disease. The credit committee
follows the loan officer's recommendation and denies the application
because the consumer has a potentially terminal disease. The creditor
has used medical information in a manner inconsistent with the
exception by taking into account the consumer's physical, mental, or
behavioral health, condition, or history, type of treatment, or
prognosis as part of a determination of eligibility or continued
eligibility for credit.
    (C) A consumer who has an apparent medical condition, such as a
consumer who uses a wheelchair or an oxygen tank, meets with a loan
officer to apply for a home equity loan. The consumer meets the
creditor's established requirements for the requested home equity loan
and the creditor typically does not require consumers to obtain a debt
cancellation contract, debt suspension agreement, or credit insurance
product in connection with such loans. However, based on the consumer's
apparent medical condition, the loan officer recommends to the credit
committee that credit be extended to the consumer only if the consumer
obtains a debt cancellation contract, debt suspension agreement, or
credit insurance product from a nonaffiliated third party. The credit
committee agrees with the loan officer's recommendation. The loan
officer informs the consumer that the consumer must obtain a debt
cancellation contract, debt suspension agreement, or credit insurance
product from a nonaffiliated third party to qualify for the loan. The
consumer obtains one of these products and the creditor approves the
loan. The creditor has used medical information in a manner
inconsistent with the exception by taking into account the consumer's
physical, mental, or behavioral health, condition, or history, type of
treatment, or prognosis in setting conditions on the consumer's
eligibility for credit.
    (e) Specific exceptions for obtaining and using medical
information. (1) In general. A creditor may obtain and use medical
information pertaining to a consumer in connection with any
determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility,
for credit--
    (i) To determine whether the use of a power of attorney or legal
representative that is triggered by a medical condition or event is
necessary and appropriate or whether the consumer has the legal
capacity to contract when a person seeks to exercise a power of
attorney or act as legal representative for a consumer based on an
asserted medical condition or event;
    (ii) To comply with applicable requirements of local, state, or
federal laws;
    (iii) To determine, at the consumer's request, whether the consumer
qualifies for a legally permissible special credit program or credit-
related assistance program that is--
    (A) Designed to meet the special needs of consumers with medical
conditions; and
    (B) Established and administered pursuant to a written plan that--
    (1) Identifies the class of persons that the program is designed to
benefit; and
    (2) Sets forth the procedures and standards for extending credit or
providing other credit-related assistance under the program;
    (iv) To the extent necessary for purposes of fraud prevention or
detection;
    (v) In the case of credit for the purpose of financing medical
products or services, to determine and verify the medical purpose of a
loan and the use of proceeds;
    (vi) Consistent with safe and sound practices, if the consumer or
the consumer's legal representative specifically requests that the
creditor use medical information in determining the consumer's
eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit, to accommodate the
consumer's particular circumstances, and such request is documented by
the creditor;
    (vii) Consistent with safe and sound practices, to determine
whether the provisions of a forbearance practice or program that is
triggered by a medical condition or event apply to a consumer;
    (viii) To determine the consumer's eligibility for, the triggering
of, or the reactivation of a debt cancellation contract or debt
suspension agreement if a medical condition or event is a triggering
event for the provision of benefits under the contract or agreement; or
    (ix) To determine the consumer's eligibility for, the triggering
of, or the reactivation of a credit insurance product if a medical
condition or event is a triggering event for the provision of benefits
under the product.
    (2) Example of determining eligibility for a special credit program
or credit assistance program. A not-for-profit organization establishes
a credit assistance program pursuant to a written plan that is designed
to assist disabled veterans in purchasing homes by subsidizing the down
payment for the home purchase mortgage loans of qualifying veterans.
The organization works through mortgage lenders and requires mortgage
lenders to obtain medical information about the disability of any
consumer that seeks to qualify for the program, use that information to
verify the consumer's eligibility for the program, and forward that
information to the organization. A consumer who is a veteran applies to
a creditor for a home purchase mortgage loan. The creditor informs the
consumer about the credit assistance program for disabled veterans and
the consumer seeks to qualify for the program. Assuming that the
program complies with all applicable law, including applicable fair
lending laws, the creditor may obtain and use medical information about
the medical condition and disability, if any, of the consumer to
determine whether the consumer qualifies for the credit assistance
program.
    (3) Examples of verifying the medical purpose of the loan or the
use of proceeds. (i) If a consumer applies for $10,000 of credit for
the purpose of financing vision correction surgery, the creditor may
verify with the surgeon that the procedure will be performed. If the
surgeon reports that surgery will not be performed on the consumer, the
creditor may use that medical information to deny the consumer's
application for credit, because the loan would not be used for the
stated purpose.
    (ii) If a consumer applies for $10,000 of credit for the purpose of
financing cosmetic surgery, the creditor may confirm the cost of the
procedure with the surgeon. If the surgeon reports that the cost of the
procedure is $5,000, the creditor may use that medical information to
offer the consumer only $5,000 of credit.
    (iii) A creditor has an established medical loan program for
financing particular elective surgical procedures. The creditor
receives a loan application from a consumer requesting $10,000 of
credit under the established loan program for an elective surgical
procedure. The consumer indicates on the application that the purpose
of the loan is to finance an elective surgical procedure not eligible
for funding under the guidelines of the established loan program. The
creditor may deny the consumer's application because the purpose of the
loan is not for a particular procedure funded by the established loan
program.
    (4) Examples of obtaining and using medical information at the
request of the consumer. (i) If a consumer applies for a loan and
specifically requests that the creditor consider the consumer's medical
disability at the relevant time as an explanation for adverse payment
history information in his credit report, the creditor may consider
such medical information in evaluating the

[[Page 70692]]

consumer's willingness and ability to repay the requested loan to
accommodate the consumer's particular circumstances, consistent with
safe and sound practices. The creditor may also decline to consider
such medical information to accommodate the consumer, but may evaluate
the consumer's application in accordance with its otherwise applicable
underwriting criteria. The creditor may not deny the consumer's
application or otherwise treat the consumer less favorably because the
consumer specifically requested a medical accommodation, if the
creditor would have extended the credit or treated the consumer more
favorably under the creditor's otherwise applicable underwriting
criteria.
    (ii) If a consumer applies for a loan by telephone and explains
that his income has been and will continue to be interrupted on account
of a medical condition and that he expects to repay the loan by
liquidating assets, the creditor may, but is not required to, evaluate
the application using the sale of assets as the primary source of
repayment, consistent with safe and sound practices, provided that the
creditor documents the consumer's request by recording the oral
conversation or making a notation of the request in the consumer's
file.
    (iii) If a consumer applies for a loan and the application form
provides a space where the consumer may provide any other information
or special circumstances, whether medical or non-medical, that the
consumer would like the creditor to consider in evaluating the
consumer's application, the creditor may use medical information
provided by the consumer in that space on that application to
accommodate the consumer's application for credit, consistent with safe
and sound practices, or may disregard that information.
    (iv) If a consumer specifically requests that the creditor use
medical information in determining the consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit and provides the creditor with
medical information for that purpose, and the creditor determines that
it needs additional information regarding the consumer's circumstances,
the creditor may request, obtain, and use additional medical
information about the consumer as necessary to verify the information
provided by the consumer or to determine whether to make an
accommodation for the consumer. The consumer may decline to provide
additional information, withdraw the request for an accommodation, and
have the application considered under the creditor's otherwise
applicable underwriting criteria.
    (v) If a consumer completes and signs a credit application that is
not for medical purpose credit and the application contains boilerplate
language that routinely requests medical information from the consumer
or that indicates that by applying for credit the consumer authorizes
or consents to the creditor obtaining and using medical information in
connection with a determination of the consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit, the consumer has not specifically
requested that the creditor obtain and use medical information to
accommodate the consumer's particular circumstances.
    (5) Example of a forbearance practice or program. After an
appropriate safety and soundness review, a creditor institutes a
program that allows consumers who are or will be hospitalized to defer
payments as needed for up to three months, without penalty, if the
credit account has been open for more than one year and has not
previously been in default, and the consumer provides confirming
documentation at an appropriate time. A consumer is hospitalized and
does not pay her bill for a particular month. This consumer has had a
credit account with the creditor for more than one year and has not
previously been in default. The creditor attempts to contact the
consumer and speaks with the consumer's spouse, who is not the
consumer's legal representative. The spouse informs the creditor that
the consumer is hospitalized and is unable to pay the bill at that
time. The creditor defers payments for up to three months, without
penalty, for the hospitalized consumer and sends the consumer a letter
confirming this practice and the date on which the next payment will be
due. The creditor has obtained and used medical information to
determine whether the provisions of a medically-triggered forbearance
practice or program apply to a consumer.


Sec.  571.31  Limits on redisclosure of information.

    (a) Scope. This section applies to savings associations and federal
savings association operating subsidiaries.
    (b) Limits on redisclosure. If a person described in paragraph (a)
of this section receives medical information about a consumer from a
consumer reporting agency or its affiliate, the person must not
disclose that information to any other person, except as necessary to
carry out the purpose for which the information was initially
disclosed, or as otherwise permitted by statute, regulation, or order.


Sec.  571.32  Sharing medical information with affiliates.

    (a) Scope. This section applies to savings associations and federal
savings association operating subsidiaries.
    (b) In general. The exclusions from the term ``consumer report'' in
section 603(d)(2) of the Act that allow the sharing of information with
affiliates do not apply if a person described in paragraph (a) of this
section communicates to an affiliate:
    (1) Medical information;
    (2) An individualized list or description based on the payment
transactions of the consumer for medical products or services; or
    (3) An aggregate list of identified consumers based on payment
transactions for medical products or services.
    (c) Exceptions. A person described in paragraph (a) of this section
may rely on the exclusions from the term ``consumer report'' in section
603(d)(2) of the Act to communicate the information in paragraph (b) of
this section to an affiliate:
    (1) In connection with the business of insurance or annuities
(including the activities described in section 18B of the model Privacy
of Consumer Financial and Health Information Regulation issued by the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners, as in effect on
January 1, 2003);
    (2) For any purpose permitted without authorization under the
regulations promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Services
pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of
1996 (HIPAA);
    (3) For any purpose referred to in section 1179 of HIPAA;
    (4) For any purpose described in section 502(e) of the Gramm-Leach-
Bliley Act;
    (5) In connection with a determination of the consumer's
eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit consistent with Sec. 
571.30; or
    (6) As otherwise permitted by order of the OTS.

National Credit Union Administration

0
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 12 CFR chapter VII is amended
as follows:

PART 717--FAIR CREDIT REPORTING

0
1. Revise the authority citation for part 717 to read as follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1681a, 1681b, 1681s, 1681w, 6801 and 6805.


0
2. Amend part 717 by revising subpart A to read as follows:

[[Page 70693]]

Subpart A--General Provisions


Sec.  717.1  Purpose.

    (a) Purpose. The purpose of this part is to establish standards for
Federal credit unions regarding consumer report information. In
addition, the purpose of this part is to specify the extent to which
Federal credit unions may obtain, use or share certain information.
This part also contains a number of measures Federal credit unions must
take to combat consumer fraud and related crimes, including identity
theft.
    (b) [Reserved].


Sec.  717.2  Examples.

    The examples in this part are not exclusive. Compliance with an
example, to the extent applicable, constitutes compliance with this
part. Examples in a paragraph illustrate only the issue described in
the paragraph and do not illustrate any other issue that may arise in
this part.


Sec.  717.3  Definitions.

    As used in this part, unless the context requires otherwise:
    (a) Act means the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681 et
seq.).
    (b) Affiliate means any company that is related by common ownership
or common corporate control with another company. For example, an
affiliate of a Federal credit union is a credit union service
corporation (CUSO), as provided in 12 CFR part 712, that is controlled
by the Federal credit union.
    (c) [Reserved]
    (d) Company means any corporation, limited liability company,
business trust, general or limited partnership, association, or similar
organization.
    (e) Consumer means an individual.
    (f) [Reserved]
    (g) [Reserved]
    (h) [Reserved]
    (i) Common ownership or common corporate control means a
relationship between two companies under which:
    (1) One company has, with respect to the other company:
    (i) Ownership, control, or power to vote 25 percent or more of the
outstanding shares of any class of voting security of a company,
directly or indirectly, or acting through one or more other persons;
    (ii) Control in any manner over the election of a majority of the
directors, trustees, or general partners (or individuals exercising
similar functions) of a company; or
    (iii) The power to exercise, directly or indirectly, a controlling
influence over the management or policies of a company, as the NCUA
determines; or
    (iv) Example. NCUA will presume a credit union has a controlling
influence over the management or policies of a CUSO, if the CUSO is 67%
owned by credit unions.
    (2) Any other person has, with respect to both companies, a
relationship described in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through (i)(1)(iii) of
this section.
    (j) [Reserved]
    (k) Medical information means:
    (1) Information or data, whether oral or recorded, in any form or
medium, created by or derived from a health care provider or the
consumer, that relates to:
    (i) The past, present, or future physical, mental, or behavioral
health or condition of an individual;
    (ii) The provision of health care to an individual; or
    (iii) The payment for the provision of health care to an
individual.
    (2) The term does not include:
    (i) The age or gender of a consumer;
    (ii) Demographic information about the consumer, including a
consumer's residence address or e-mail address;
    (iii) Any other information about a consumer that does not relate
to the physical, mental, or behavioral health or condition of a
consumer, including the existence or value of any insurance policy; or
    (iv) Information that does not identify a specific consumer.
    (l) Person means any individual, partnership, corporation, trust,
estate cooperative, association, government or governmental subdivision
or agency, or other entity.

0
3. Subpart D is added to part 717 to read as follows:

Subpart D--Medical Information


Sec.  717.30  Obtaining or using medical information in connection with
a determination of eligibility for credit.

    (a) Scope. This section applies to:
    (1) A Federal credit union that participates as a creditor in a
transaction; or
    (2) Any other person that participates as a creditor in a
transaction involving a person described in paragraph (a)(1) of this
section.
    (b) General prohibition on obtaining or using medical information.
(1) In general. A creditor may not obtain or use medical information
pertaining to a consumer in connection with any determination of the
consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit, except as
provided in this section.
    (2) Definitions. (i) Credit has the same meaning as in section 702
of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, 15 U.S.C. 1691a.
    (ii) Creditor has the same meaning as in section 702 of the Equal
Credit Opportunity Act, 15 U.S.C. 1691a.
    (iii) Eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit means the
consumer's qualification or fitness to receive, or continue to receive,
credit, including the terms on which credit is offered. The term does
not include:
    (A) Any determination of the consumer's qualification or fitness
for employment, insurance (other than a credit insurance product), or
other non-credit products or services;
    (B) Authorizing, processing, or documenting a payment or
transaction on behalf of the consumer in a manner that does not involve
a determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued
eligibility, for credit; or
    (C) Maintaining or servicing the consumer's account in a manner
that does not involve a determination of the consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit.
    (c) Rule of construction for obtaining and using unsolicited
medical information. (1) In general. A creditor does not obtain medical
information in violation of the prohibition if it receives medical
information pertaining to a consumer in connection with any
determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility,
for credit without specifically requesting medical information.
    (2) Use of unsolicited medical information. A creditor that
receives unsolicited medical information in the manner described in
paragraph (c)(1) of this section may use that information in connection
with any determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued
eligibility, for credit to the extent the creditor can rely on at least
one of the exceptions in Sec.  717.30(d) or (e).
    (3) Examples. A creditor does not obtain medical information in
violation of the prohibition if, for example:
    (i) In response to a general question regarding a consumer's debts
or expenses, the creditor receives information that the consumer owes a
debt to a hospital.
    (ii) In a conversation with the creditor's loan officer, the
consumer informs the creditor that the consumer has a particular
medical condition.
    (iii) In connection with a consumer's application for an extension
of credit, the creditor requests a consumer report from a consumer
reporting agency and receives medical information in the consumer
report furnished by the agency even though the creditor did not
specifically request medical information from the consumer reporting
agency.
    (d) Financial information exception for obtaining and using medical

[[Page 70694]]

information. (1) In general. A creditor may obtain and use medical
information pertaining to a consumer in connection with any
determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility,
for credit so long as:
    (i) The information is the type of information routinely used in
making credit eligibility determinations, such as information relating
to debts, expenses, income, benefits, assets, collateral, or the
purpose of the loan, including the use of proceeds;
    (ii) The creditor uses the medical information in a manner and to
an extent that is no less favorable than it would use comparable
information that is not medical information in a credit transaction;
and
    (iii) The creditor does not take the consumer's physical, mental,
or behavioral health, condition or history, type of treatment, or
prognosis into account as part of any such determination.
    (2) Examples. (i) Examples of the types of information routinely
used in making credit eligibility determinations. Paragraph (d)(1)(i)
of this section permits a creditor, for example, to obtain and use
information about:
    (A) The dollar amount, repayment terms, repayment history, and
similar information regarding medical debts to calculate, measure, or
verify the repayment ability of the consumer, the use of proceeds, or
the terms for granting credit;
    (B) The value, condition, and lien status of a medical device that
may serve as collateral to secure a loan;
    (C) The dollar amount and continued eligibility for disability
income, workers' compensation income, or other benefits related to
health or a medical condition that is relied on as a source of
repayment; or
    (D) The identity of creditors to whom outstanding medical debts are
owed in connection with an application for credit, including but not
limited to, a transaction involving the consolidation of medical debts.
    (ii) Examples of uses of medical information consistent with the
exception. (A) A consumer includes on an application for credit
information about two $20,000 debts. One debt is to a hospital; the
other debt is to a retailer. The creditor contacts the hospital and the
retailer to verify the amount and payment status of the debts. The
creditor learns that both debts are more than 90 days past due. Any two
debts of this size that are more than 90 days past due would disqualify
the consumer under the creditor's established underwriting criteria.
The creditor denies the application on the basis that the consumer has
a poor repayment history on outstanding debts. The creditor has used
medical information in a manner and to an extent no less favorable than
it would use comparable non-medical information.
    (B) A consumer indicates on an application for a $200,000 mortgage
loan that she receives $15,000 in long-term disability income each year
from her former employer and has no other income. Annual income of
$15,000, regardless of source, would not be sufficient to support the
requested amount of credit. The creditor denies the application on the
basis that the projected debt-to-income ratio of the consumer does not
meet the creditor's underwriting criteria. The creditor has used
medical information in a manner and to an extent that is no less
favorable than it would use comparable non-medical information.
    (C) A consumer includes on an application for a $10,000 home equity
loan that he has a $50,000 debt to a medical facility that specializes
in treating a potentially terminal disease. The creditor contacts the
medical facility to verify the debt and obtain the repayment history
and current status of the loan. The creditor learns that the debt is
current. The applicant meets the income and other requirements of the
creditor's underwriting guidelines. The creditor grants the
application. The creditor has used medical information in accordance
with the exception.
    (iii) Examples of uses of medical information inconsistent with the
exception. (A) A consumer applies for $25,000 of credit and includes on
the application information about a $50,000 debt to a hospital. The
creditor contacts the hospital to verify the amount and payment status
of the debt, and learns that the debt is current and that the consumer
has no delinquencies in her repayment history. If the existing debt
were instead owed to a retail department store, the creditor would
approve the application and extend credit based on the amount and
repayment history of the outstanding debt. The creditor, however,
denies the application because the consumer is indebted to a hospital.
The creditor has used medical information, here the identity of the
medical creditor, in a manner and to an extent that is less favorable
than it would use comparable non-medical information.
    (B) A consumer meets with a loan officer of a creditor to apply for
a mortgage loan. While filling out the loan application, the consumer
informs the loan officer orally that she has a potentially terminal
disease. The consumer meets the creditor's established requirements for
the requested mortgage loan. The loan officer recommends to the credit
committee that the consumer be denied credit because the consumer has
that disease. The credit committee follows the loan officer's
recommendation and denies the application because the consumer has a
potentially terminal disease. The creditor has used medical information
in a manner inconsistent with the exception by taking into account the
consumer's physical, mental, or behavioral health, condition, or
history, type of treatment, or prognosis as part of a determination of
eligibility or continued eligibility for credit.
    (C) A consumer who has an apparent medical condition, such as a
consumer who uses a wheelchair or an oxygen tank, meets with a loan
officer to apply for a home equity loan. The consumer meets the
creditor's established requirements for the requested home equity loan
and the creditor typically does not require consumers to obtain a debt
cancellation contract, debt suspension agreement, or credit insurance
product in connection with such loans. However, based on the consumer's
apparent medical condition, the loan officer recommends to the credit
committee that credit be extended to the consumer only if the consumer
obtains a debt cancellation contract, debt suspension agreement, or
credit insurance product from a nonaffiliated third party. The credit
committee agrees with the loan officer's recommendation. The loan
officer informs the consumer that the consumer must obtain a debt
cancellation contract, debt suspension agreement, or credit insurance
product from a nonaffiliated third party to qualify for the loan. The
consumer obtains one of these products and the creditor approves the
loan. The creditor has used medical information in a manner
inconsistent with the exception by taking into account the consumer's
physical, mental, or behavioral health, condition, or history, type of
treatment, or prognosis in setting conditions on the consumer's
eligibility for credit.
    (e) Specific exceptions for obtaining and using medical
information. (1) In general. A creditor may obtain and use medical
information pertaining to a consumer in connection with any
determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility,
for credit:
    (i) To determine whether the use of a power of attorney or legal
representative that is triggered by a medical condition or event is
necessary and appropriate or whether the consumer has the legal
capacity to contract when a person

[[Page 70695]]

seeks to exercise a power of attorney or act as legal representative
for a consumer based on an asserted medical condition or event;
    (ii) To comply with applicable requirements of local, state, or
Federal laws;
    (iii) To determine, at the consumer's request, whether the consumer
qualifies for a legally permissible special credit program or credit-
related assistance program that is:
    (A) Designed to meet the special needs of consumers with medical
conditions; and
    (B) Established and administered pursuant to a written plan that:
    (1) Identifies the class of persons that the program is designed to
benefit; and
    (2) Sets forth the procedures and standards for extending credit or
providing other credit-related assistance under the program;
    (iv) To the extent necessary for purposes of fraud prevention or
detection;
    (v) In the case of credit for the purpose of financing medical
products or services, to determine and verify the medical purpose of a
loan and the use of proceeds;
    (vi) Consistent with safe and sound practices, if the consumer or
the consumer's legal representative specifically requests that the
creditor use medical information in determining the consumer's
eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit, to accommodate the
consumer's particular circumstances, and such request is documented by
the creditor;
    (vii) Consistent with safe and sound practices, to determine
whether the provisions of a forbearance practice or program that is
triggered by a medical condition or event apply to a consumer;
    (viii) To determine the consumer's eligibility for, the triggering
of, or the reactivation of a debt cancellation contract or debt
suspension agreement if a medical condition or event is a triggering
event for the provision of benefits under the contract or agreement; or
    (ix) To determine the consumer's eligibility for, the triggering
of, or the reactivation of a credit insurance product if a medical
condition or event is a triggering event for the provision of benefits
under the product.
    (2) Example of determining eligibility for a special credit program
or credit assistance program. A not-for-profit organization establishes
a credit assistance program pursuant to a written plan that is designed
to assist disabled veterans in purchasing homes by subsidizing the down
payment for the home purchase mortgage loans of qualifying veterans.
The organization works through mortgage lenders and requires mortgage
lenders to obtain medical information about the disability of any
consumer that seeks to qualify for the program, use that information to
verify the consumer's eligibility for the program, and forward that
information to the organization. A consumer who is a veteran applies to
a creditor for a home purchase mortgage loan. The creditor informs the
consumer about the credit assistance program for disabled veterans and
the consumer seeks to qualify for the program. Assuming that the
program complies with all applicable law, including applicable fair
lending laws, the creditor may obtain and use medical information about
the medical condition and disability, if any, of the consumer to
determine whether the consumer qualifies for the credit assistance
program.
    (3) Examples of verifying the medical purpose of the loan or the
use of proceeds. (i) If a consumer applies for $10,000 of credit for
the purpose of financing vision correction surgery, the creditor may
verify with the surgeon that the procedure will be performed. If the
surgeon reports that surgery will not be performed on the consumer, the
creditor may use that medical information to deny the consumer's
application for credit, because the loan would not be used for the
stated purpose.
    (ii) If a consumer applies for $10,000 of credit for the purpose of
financing cosmetic surgery, the creditor may confirm the cost of the
procedure with the surgeon. If the surgeon reports that the cost of the
procedure is $5,000, the creditor may use that medical information to
offer the consumer only $5,000 of credit.
    (iii) A creditor has an established medical loan program for
financing particular elective surgical procedures. The creditor
receives a loan application from a consumer requesting $10,000 of
credit under the established loan program for an elective surgical
procedure. The consumer indicates on the application that the purpose
of the loan is to finance an elective surgical procedure not eligible
for funding under the guidelines of the established loan program. The
creditor may deny the consumer's application because the purpose of the
loan is not for a particular procedure funded by the established loan
program.
    (4) Examples of obtaining and using medical information at the
request of the consumer. (i) If a consumer applies for a loan and
specifically requests that the creditor consider the consumer's medical
disability at the relevant time as an explanation for adverse payment
history information in his credit report, the creditor may consider
such medical information in evaluating the consumer's willingness and
ability to repay the requested loan to accommodate the consumer's
particular circumstances, consistent with safe and sound practices. The
creditor may also decline to consider such medical information to
accommodate the consumer, but may evaluate the consumer's application
in accordance with its otherwise applicable underwriting criteria. The
creditor may not deny the consumer's application or otherwise treat the
consumer less favorably because the consumer specifically requested a
medical accommodation, if the creditor would have extended the credit
or treated the consumer more favorably under the creditor's otherwise
applicable underwriting criteria.
    (ii) If a consumer applies for a loan by telephone and explains
that his income has been and will continue to be interrupted on account
of a medical condition and that he expects to repay the loan by
liquidating assets, the creditor may, but is not required to, evaluate
the application using the sale of assets as the primary source of
repayment, consistent with safe and sound practices, provided that the
creditor documents the consumer's request by recording the oral
conversation or making a notation of the request in the consumer's
file.
    (iii) If a consumer applies for a loan and the application form
provides a space where the consumer may provide any other information
or special circumstances, whether medical or non-medical, that the
consumer would like the creditor to consider in evaluating the
consumer's application, the creditor may use medical information
provided by the consumer in that space on that application to
accommodate the consumer's application for credit, consistent with safe
and sound practices, or may disregard that information.
    (iv) If a consumer specifically requests that the creditor use
medical information in determining the consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit and provides the creditor with
medical information for that purpose, and the creditor determines that
it needs additional information regarding the consumer's circumstances,
the creditor may request, obtain, and use additional medical
information about the consumer as necessary to verify the information
provided by the consumer or to determine whether to make an

[[Page 70696]]

accommodation for the consumer. The consumer may decline to provide
additional information, withdraw the request for an accommodation, and
have the application considered under the creditor's otherwise
applicable underwriting criteria.
    (v) If a consumer completes and signs a credit application that is
not for medical purpose credit and the application contains boilerplate
language that routinely requests medical information from the consumer
or that indicates that by applying for credit the consumer authorizes
or consents to the creditor obtaining and using medical information in
connection with a determination of the consumer's eligibility, or
continued eligibility, for credit, the consumer has not specifically
requested that the creditor obtain and use medical information to
accommodate the consumer's particular circumstances.
    (5) Example of a forbearance practice or program. After an
appropriate safety and soundness review, a creditor institutes a
program that allows consumers who are or will be hospitalized to defer
payments as needed for up to three months, without penalty, if the
credit account has been open for more than one year and has not
previously been in default, and the consumer provides confirming
documentation at an appropriate time. A consumer is hospitalized and
does not pay her bill for a particular month. This consumer has had a
credit account with the creditor for more than one year and has not
previously been in default. The creditor attempts to contact the
consumer and speaks with the consumer's adult child, who is not the
consumer's legal representative. The adult child informs the creditor
that the consumer is hospitalized and is unable to pay the bill at that
time. The creditor defers payments for up to three months, without
penalty, for the hospitalized consumer and sends the consumer a letter
confirming this practice and the date on which the next payment will be
due. The creditor has obtained and used medical information to
determine whether the provisions of a medically-triggered forbearance
practice or program apply to a consumer.


Sec.  717.31  Limits on redisclosure of information

    (a) Scope. This section applies to Federal credit unions.
    (b) Limits on redisclosure. If a Federal credit union receives
medical information about a consumer from a consumer reporting agency
or its affiliate, the person must not disclose that information to any
other person, except as necessary to carry out the purpose for which
the information was initially disclosed, or as otherwise permitted by
statute, regulation, or order.


Sec.  717.32  Sharing medical information with affiliates.

    (a) Scope. This section applies to Federal credit unions.
    (b) In general. The exclusions from the term ``consumer report'' in
section 603(d)(2) of the Act that allow the sharing of information with
affiliates do not apply if a Federal credit union communicates to an
affiliate:
    (1) Medical information;
    (2) An individualized list or description based on the payment
transactions of the consumer for medical products or services; or
    (3) An aggregate list of identified consumers based on payment
transactions for medical products or services.
    (c) Exceptions. A Federal credit union may rely on the exclusions
from the term ``consumer report'' in section 603(d)(2) of the Act to
communicate the information in paragraph (b) to an affiliate:
    (1) In connection with the business of insurance or annuities
(including the activities described in section 18B of the model Privacy
of Consumer Financial and Health Information Regulation issued by the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners, as in effect on
January 1, 2003);
    (2) For any purpose permitted without authorization under the
regulations promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Services
pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of
1996 (HIPAA);
    (3) For any purpose referred to in section 1179 of HIPAA;
    (4) For any purpose described in section 502(e) of the Gramm-Leach-
Bliley Act;
    (5) In connection with a determination of the consumer's
eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit consistent with Sec. 
717.30; or
    (6) As otherwise permitted by order of the NCUA.

    Dated: November 8, 2005.
John C. Dugan,
Comptroller of the Currency.

    By order of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System, November 14, 2005.
Robert deV. Frierson,
Deputy Secretary of the Board.

    Dated at Washington, DC, this 8th day of November, 2005.

    By order of the Board of Directors,

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Robert E. Feldman,
Executive Secretary.

    Dated: November 11, 2005.

    By the Office of Thrift Supervision,
John M. Reich,
Director.

    By the National Credit Union Administration Board on November 8,
2005.
Mary F. Rupp,
Secretary of the Board.
[FR Doc. 05-22830 Filed 11-21-05; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4810-33-P

 


Last Updated 11/17/2005 Regs@fdic.gov

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