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Advanced Search What's New · What's Next · Site Map · A-Z Index · FAQs · Careers About the Fed News & Events Testimony and Speeches Press Releases Monetary Policy Banking Information & Regulation Payment Systems Economic Research & Data Consumer Information Community Development Reporting Forms Publications Home > News & Events > 2006 Banking and Consumer Regulatory Policy Joint Press Release Print Conferences Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Office of Thrift Supervision For immediate release December 26, 2006 Federal Reserve Board and Office of Thrift Supervision Issue Revised Consumer Handbook on Adjustable-Rate Mortgages The Federal Reserve Board and the Office of Thrift Supervision today announced the availability of a revised Consumer Handbook on Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (the CHARM booklet), which provides information to consumers about the features and risks of such loans. In recognition of the growing use of nontraditional mortgage products that allow borrowers to defer payment of principal and sometimes interest, the agencies have substantially revised the CHARM booklet to include discussions about "interest-only" and "payment option" mortgages. The revised booklet describes how these loans typically work, showing how much (and how often) monthly payments could increase, and how the loan balance could increase if minimum monthly payments are made. The booklet includes a mortgage shopping worksheet to help consumers compare the features of different products, and a glossary to help them understand some of the terminology. Under the Board's Regulation Z (which implements the Truth in Lending Act), creditors must provide a copy of the CHARM booklet, or a suitable substitute, to consumers with every application for an adjustable rate mortgage loan. The Board is publishing a notice in the Federal Register informing creditors that they may begin immediately using the revised CHARM booklet, but also have the option to continue using their existing stock of CHARM booklets until October 1, 2007, the date when they must use the revised CHARM booklet (or suitable substitute) to comply with Regulation Z. The agencies originally published the CHARM booklet in 1987, to help educate consumers about adjustable rate mortgage loans. The booklet, which has been updated periodically, is available on the Internet at /pubs/arms/arms_english.htm. The Spanish version of the revised booklet is forthcoming. Up to 100 copies of the brochure are available free of charge from: Publications, Mail Stop 127, Federal Reserve Board, 20th and C Streets, N.W., Washington, DC 20551; 202-452-3245 The Federal Register notice is attached. Federal Register Notice 54 KB PDF | TEXT 2006 Banking and Consumer Regulatory Policy Last update: December 26, 2006 Home | News & Events Accessibility Contact us External Linking Policy FOIA PDF Reader