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Federal Reserve Bank OF DALLAS ROBERT D. M c T E E R , J R . DALLAS, TE XAS P R E S ID E N T AND C H IE F E X E C U T IV E O F F IC E R April 18, 1996 75265-5906 Notice 96-35 TO: The Chief Executive Officer of each member bank and others concerned in the Eleventh Federal Reserve District SUBJECT Revisions to the Official Staff Commentary to Regulation Z (Truth in Lending) DETAILS The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has issued revisions to the official staff commentary to Regulation Z (Truth in Lending). The revisions provide guidance mainly on issues relating to reverse mortgages and mortgages bearing rates above a certain percentage or fees above a certain amount. The update also addresses issues of general interest, such as a card issuer’s responsibilities when a cardholder asserts a claim or defense relating to a merchant dispute. The rule became effective April 1, 1996. Compliance is optional until October 1, 1996. ATTACHMENT A copy of the Board’s notice as it appears on pages 14952-59, Vol. 61, No. 66, of the Federal Register dated April 4, 1996, is attached. MORE INFORMATION For more information, please contact Eugene Coy at (214) 922-6201. For additional copies of this Bank’s notice, please contact the Public Affairs Department at (214) 922-5254. Sincerely yours, For additional copies, bankers and others are encouraged to use one of the following toll-free numbers in contacting the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas: Dallas Office (800) 333 -4460; El Paso Branch Intrastate (800) 592-1631, Interstate (800) 351-1012; Houston Branch Intrastate (800) 392-4162, Interstate (800) 221-0363; San Antonio Branch Intrastate (800) 292-5810. This publication was digitized and made available by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas' Historical Library (FedHistory@dal.frb.org) 14952 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 66 / Thursday, April 4, 1996 / Rules and Regulations 452-2412. For users of Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) only, please contact Dorthea Thompson, at (202) 452-3544. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM 12CFR Part 226 [Regulation Z; Docket No. R-0903] Truth in Lending Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. ACTION: Final rule; official staff interpretation. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Board is publishing revisions to the official staff commentary to Regulation Z (Truth in Lending). The commentary applies and interprets the requirements of Regulation Z. The revisions provide guidance mainly on issues relating to reverse mortgages and mortgages bearing rates above a certain percentage or fees above a certain amount. The update also addresses issues of general interest, such as a card issuer’s responsibilities when a cardholder asserts a claim or defense relating to a merchant dispute. DATES: This rule is effective April 1, 1996. Compliance is optional until October 1,1996. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For Subparts A and B (open-end credit), Jane Ahrens, Senior Attorney or Jane Jensen Gell, Staff Attorney; for Subparts A, C and E (closed-end credit, reverse mortgages, and mortgages bearing rates or fees above a certain percentage or amount), Ms. Ahrens or Michael Hentrel, Kurt Schumacher, or Manley Williams, Staff Attorneys, Division of Consumer and Community Affairs, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, at (202) 452-3667 or The purpose of the Truth in Lending Act (TILA; 15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) is to promote the informed use of consumer credit by requiring disclosures about its terms and cost. The act requires creditors to disclose credit terms and the cost of credit as an annual percentage rate (APR). The act requires additional disclosures for loans secured by a consumer’s home, and permits consumers to cancel certain transactions that involve their principal dwelling. It also imposes limitations on some credit transactions secured by a consum er’s principal dwelling. The act is implemented by the Board’s Regulation Z (12 CFR part 226). The Board also has an official staff commentary (12 CFR part 226 (Supp. I)) that interprets the regulation, and provides guidance to creditors in applying the regulation to specific transactions. It is updated periodically to address significant questions that arise, and is a substitute for individual staff interpretations. In December, the Board published proposed amendments to the commentary to Regulation Z (60 FR 62764, December 7, 1995). The Board received about 120 comments. Nearly 75 percent of the comments received were from financial institutions, mortgage lenders, credit or guarantee automobile protection (GAP) insurance providers, pawnbrokers or other creditors (or their representatives); the remainder were from consumer representatives, government officials, lawyers and individuals. Overall, commenters generally supported the proposed amendments. Views were mixed on a num ber of comments. In particular, nearly 60 percent of the commenters addressed the comment treating certain debt cancellation agreements as finance charges; most opposed the proposal. Except as discussed bplow, the update has been adopted as proposed. Technical amendments to proposed comments that respond to commenters’ suggestions or concerns are not specifically addressed in these supplementary materials. Compliance with the commentary update is mandatory on October 1,1996. The revisions mainly incorporate guidance given in the supplementary information that accompanied an amendment to Regulation Z implementing the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 (HOEPA), Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 66 / Thursday, April 4, 1996 / Rules and Regulations contained in the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994, Pub. L. 103- 325,108 Stat. 2160. These amendments, published on March 24,1995, and w hich became effective the following October 1, impose new disclosure requirements and substantive limitations on certain closed-end mortgage loans bearing rates or fees above a certain percentage or amount (60 FR 15463). The amendments also impose new disclosure requirements for reverse mortgage transactions. The update does not reflect changes to the commentary regarding recent amendments to the TILA concerning finance charge disclosures for home mortgage loans. The Truth in Lending Act Amendments of 1995 (1995 Amendments, Pub. L. 104-29,109 Stat. 271) clarify the treatment of several fees typically associated with real estaterelated lending. Some provisions exclude certain real estate-related closing costs from the finance charge, w hich generally codify interpretations already provided in this commentary. One provision categorizes all brokers fees paid by the consumer to the broker (or to the creditor for delivery to the broker) as finance charges. The 1995 Amendments also revise tolerances for finance charge calculations for loans secured by real estate or dwellings. The Board expects to publish proposed amendments to Regulation Z implementing the 1995 Amendments; corresponding revisions to the commentary will be proposed as part of that rulemaking. II. Commentary Revisions Subpart A—General Section 226.4—Finance Charge 4(a) Definition The Board received a substantial num ber of comments regarding proposed comment 4(a)-8, which addressed the treatment of fees charged in connection with debt cancellation agreements. Many commenters believed that debt cancellation fees should be treated as insurance premiums under § 226.4(d), which allows a creditor to exclude optional credit life and certain property insurance premiums from the finance charge if the creditor meets certain conditions, including disclosure of the premium. As proposed, the comment sought to clarify that, under the existing regulation, debt cancellation fees can be excluded from the finance charge only if they are “insurance” and all the requirements of § 226.4(d) are satisfied. The Board has not defined the term “insurance” for purposes of the rules governing insurance premiums in § 226.4(d), but has instead deferred to state law. The proposed comment was consistent with this approach. The comments, mostly from creditors or their trade associations, expressed concern about the need to determine on a state-by-state basis whether debt cancellation fees should be treated as insurance premiums. Many commenters believed that a state law analysis would create a lack of uniformity in measuring the cost of credit, contrary to the purposes of the TILA, because debt cancellation fees would be included in the finance charge and APR in some states and not in others. Several commenters expressed concern about potential liability if state law is unclear. In response to these concerns, the proposed comment regarding debt cancellation fees has been withdrawn. The issues raised by the commenters regarding equal treatment of such fees would be better addressed in the context of a regulatory amendment; it is anticipated that a proposed rule governing debt cancellation fees would be considered along w ith proposed regulations to implement the 1995 Amendments. Subpart B—Open-End Credit Section 226.6—Initial Disclosure Statem ent 6(b) Other Charges Comment 6(b)-l clarifies that a membership fee to join an organization is an “other charge” if the primary benefit of membership is the opportunity to apply for a credit card and other benefits are merely incidental. •The comment clarifies that creditors cannot avoid disclosing a fee as an “other charge” by characterizing the fee as one entitling the consumer to belong to an organization, if the organization has no substantive benefits other than obtaining the credit. If an independent organization and a card issuer enter into an agreement offering the opportunity to apply for a credit card as one of several benefits of membership in the organization, these benefits would generally not be considered to be merely incidental to the credit feature. Section 226.12— Special Credit Card Rules 12(c) Right of Cardholder To Assert Claims or Defenses Against Card Issuer 12(c)(2) Adverse Credit Reports Prohibited Comments 12(c)(2)-l and - 2 address a card issuer’s responsibilities in 14953 responding to a cardholder’s right to assert a claim or defense. Comment 12(c)(2)-2 provides guidance on when a card issuer may consider a dispute settled for purposes of reporting an amount in dispute as delinquent. Several commenters expressed concern that the proposed comment would not permit card issuers to terminate the investigation if the cardholder fails to respond to requests for information the card issuer can reasonably obtain only from the cardholder. A sentence has been added to clarify that in conducting an investigation, a card issuer’s lack of knowledge resulting from the cardholder’s failure or refusal to comply w ith a particular request may be used as a factor in resolving the dispute. Card issuers cannot satisfy the requirement to conduct a reasonable investigation by accepting a m erchant’s view of the dispute without also giving the cardholder an opportunity to respond. The comment clarifies that a reasonable investigation includes an independent assessment of the cardholder’s claim based on information from both the merchant and the cardholder, if possible. The card issuer’s dispute resolution experience, if any, with the merchant would be a factor in that assessment. Comment 12(c)(2)— also has been 1 revised to clarify that a card issuer may continue its normal collection activities for the portion of the balance that is delinquent and undisputed. Some commenters believed that the regulation would permit card issuers to begin collection actions on an amount in dispute. Although the card issuer is not prohibited from undertaking its normal collection activities for delinquent accounts, amounts in dispute are not considered delinquent. One commenter recommended that consumers be given notice of their rights under the claims and defenses provision. Such a notice requirement would be better addressed in the context of a regulatory amendment. Section 226.14—Determination o f A nnual Percentage Rate 14(c) Annual Percentage Rate for Periodic Statements Comment 14(c)-10 provides guidance on calculating the APR on periodic statements when a transaction occurs at the end of one cycle, but is posted to the account in a subsequent cycle. The comment clarifies how creditors using the date of the transaction to figure finance charges calculate the APR to reflect the delay in posting. Creditors using the posting date to calculate 14954 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 66 / Thursday, April 4, 1996 / Rules and Regulations finance charges are not affected by the comment. Creditors that calculate the APR in accord with comment 14(c)-10 for the billing cycle in which the transaction is posted need not furnish an amended statement for the previous cycle to reflect the missing transaction. Subpart C—Closed-End Credit Section 17— General Disclosure Requirements 17(c) Basis of Disclosure and Use of Estimates Paragraph 17(c)(1) Comment 17(c)(l)-10 is revised to clarify that if a contract for a variablerate transaction provides for a delay in implementing changes in index values, the creditor may use any index in effect during the delay period. The last paragraph has been renumbered, and the first sentence in that paragraph is revised for clarity. Comment 17(c)(l)-18 addresses pawn transactions. The comment clarifies that the term creditor may include pawnbrokers. The comment is adopted as proposed; it covers extensions of credit by pledging an item, or by selling an item with the opportunity to repurchase (which occurs seventy-five, percent or more of the time, in the Board’s understanding). Section 226.18 requires that creditors make certain disclosures as applicable, and this comment clarifies how some of the items required to be disclosed under § 226.18 (such as the amount financed, the finance charge, and the annual percentage rate) should be disclosed in a pawn transaction. The comment also provides guidance on when a separate itemization of the amount financed must be disclosed, and how to calculate the finance charge when fees are charged. the creditor w ithout itemizing or noting this fact. Concern is raised about the appropriateness of such treatment under the TILA where a substantial portion of a fee categorized as “amounts paid to others,” is in fact retained by the creditor. Accordingly, a sentence has been added to clarify that given the flexibility in itemizing the amount financed, creditors may reflect that they have retained a portion of the “amount paid to others” rather than disclosing the specific amount retained. Section 226.20— Subsequent Disclosure Requirements 20(a) Refinancings Comment 20(a)-3, as proposed, clarified that changing the index on a variable-rate transaction does not require new disclosures to consumers. Upon further analysis, the final comment provides that changing the index to a comparable index does not require new disclosures, whether the change replaces the existing index or substitutes an index for one that no longer exists. comment 31(d)-l, which provides that where there is a change in terms of disclosures labelled as estimates redisclosure is required. Further, language from the supplemental information accompanying the proposal has been added to clarify that a change in terms may result from a formal written agreement or otherwise. 31(c)(l )(ii) Telephone Disclosures Based on comment and upon further analysis, comment 31(c)(l)(ii)-l, as adopted, uses business days for purposes of rescission, which is consistent w ith other timing requirements in § 226.31. The proposal would have allowed creditors to use calendar days to calculate the timing requirements for telephone disclosures which are permitted when a consumer initiates a change in terms. 31(c)(l)(iii) Consumer’s Waiver o f Waiting Period Before Consummation Comment 31(c)(l)(iii)— provides 1 guidance on circumstances in w hich the consumer may modify or waive the right to the three-day waiting period to meet bona fide personal financial Subpart E—Special Rules for Certain emergencies. Language has been added Home Mortgage Transactions to clarify that the impending sale of the Section 226.31— General Rules consumer’s home at foreclosure is an example of a bona fide personal 31(c) Timing of Disclosures financial emergency where foreclosure 31(c)(1) Disclosures fo r Certain Closed- would occur during the three-day End Home Mortgages waiting period. Comment 31(c)(1)— clarifies that for 1 31(c)(2) Disclosures for Reverse purposes of § 226.32, disclosures are Mortgages furnished (that is, delivered) when To achieve consistency w ith other received by the consumer, not when timing rules in § 226.31, comment mailed by the creditor. The majority of 31(c)(2)— clarifies that for purposes of 1 the commenters opposed the proposal. providing reverse mortgage disclosures Some suggested that the Board follow to consumers, creditors are to use the the timing requirements of § 226.19(a), definition of “business day” found in which allows creditors to provide comment 31(c)(1)— 2. certain disclosures by mail. The timing rules in §§ 226.19(a) and 226.31 differ; 31(d) Basis of Disclosures and Use of however, the HOEPA requires a Estimates Section 18— Content o f Disclosures different interpretation of § 226.31(c)(1). Comment 31(d)— as adopted, 1, 18(c) Itemization of Amount Financed The HOEPA’s disclosure scheme is clarifies that, for purposes of Subpart E, intended to ensure that consumers who Paragraph 18(c)(l)(iii) the rule in § 226.31(c)(l)(i) requiring have applied for a loan covered by Comment 18(c)(l)(iii)-2 concerns the new disclosures w hen creditors change § 226.32 are provided with basic cost treatment of certain charges, such as terms also applies to disclosures marked information about the impending finder’s fees or commissions, that may as estimates. transaction, and have a period of time sometimes be added to a fee charged by to consider whether to complete the Section 226.32—Requirements for a third party for services such as transaction. Certain Closed-End Home Mortgages extended warranties and service Comment 31(c)(1)— clarifies that 2 contracts on automobiles. The comment while the definition of business days is 32(a) Coverage offers guidance on how creditors may the same as that for the right of Paragraph 32(a)(1)(H) itemize and disclose the amount rescission, the timing rules differ. Comment 32(a)(l)(ii)-l, as adopted, charged for the service (including any includes an additional example amount the creditor may have retained). 31(c)( 1)(i) Change in Terms illustrating the calculation of “total loan Comment 31(c)(l)(i)-l addresses a For the most part, commenters agreed amount.” with the Board’s proposed treatment. As creditor’s duty to provide new Creditors must follow the rules in § 226.32(c) disclosures after a change in proposed, the comment stated that a § 226.32 if the total points and fees terms. As adopted, the comment creditor could include in the “amount payable by the consumer at or before paid to others,” any amount retained by incorporates the substance of proposed Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 66 / Thursday, April 4, 1996 / Rules and Regulations loan closing exceed the greater of $400 or 8 percent of the total loan amount. The Board is required to adjust the $400 amount each year. Comment 32(a)(l)(ii)-2 states the adjusted amount for 1996 ($412), and addresses how the Board calculates the adjustment. 32(c)(3) Regular Payment The substance of comments 32(c)(3)1 and 32(c)(3)— are adopted as 2 proposed, but the comments have been combined and reorganized to state more precisely the general rule and exceptions to that rule. The comment clarifies that creditors may rely on the rules in § 226.18(g) for determining the regular payment, with one exception. Section 18(g) provides flexibility to creditors in reflecting optional amounts such as voluntary credit life insurance in the payment schedule. Language has been added to clarify that only optional amounts to which the consumer has agreed at the time the disclosures are given may be disclosed as a part of the regular payment. 32(d) Limitations List o f Subjects in 12 CFR Part 226 Advertising, Banks, Banking, Consumer protection, Credit, Federal Reserve System, Mortgages, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Truth in lending. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Board amends 12 CFR part 226 as follows: PART 226—TRUTH IN LENDING (REGULATION Z) 1. The authority citation for part 226 continues to read as follows: Authority: 12 U.S.C. 3806; 15 U.S.C. 1604 and 1637(c)(5). 2. In Supplement I to Part 226, under Section 226.4—Finance Charge, under 4(d) Insurance., paragraph 5. is revised to read as follows: Supplement I—Official Staff Interpretations * * * * Subpart A—General * * * * * Section 226.4—Finance Charge * * * * * * 4(d) * Insurance. * * * 3. In Supplement I to Part 226, under Section 226.6—Initial Disclosure Statem ent, under 6(b) Other charges., paragraph l.v. is revised to read as follows: * * * * * Subpart B—Open-End Credit 32(d)(2) Negative Amortization Comment 32(d)(2)— has been ! modified to clarify the interpretation of the prohibition against including negative amortization in a mortgage covered by § 226.32. * 5. Required credit life insurance. Credit life, accident, health, or !oss-of-income insurance must be voluntary in order for the premium or charges to be excluded from the finance charge. Whether the insurance is in feet required or optional is a factual question. If the insurance is required, the premiums must be included in the finance charge, whether the insurance is purchased from the creditor or from a third party. If the consumer is required to elect one of several options— such as to purchase credit life insurance, or to assign an existing life insurance policy, or to pledge security such as a certificate of deposit—and the consumer purchases the credit life insurance policy, the premium must be included in the finance charge. (If the consumer assigns a preexisting policy or pledges security instead, no premium is included in the finance charge. The security interest would be disclosed under § 226.6(c) or § 226.18(m). See the commentary to § 226.4(b) (7) and (8).) * * * * * * * * * * Section 226.6—Initial Disclosure Statem ent * * * * * 6(b) ^ * O ther charges. * * v. A membership or participation fee for a package of services that includes an openend credit feature, unless the fee is required whether or not the open-end credit feature is included. For example, a membership fee to join a credit union is not an “other charge,” even if membership is required to apply for credit. For the fee to be excluded from disclosure as an "other charge,” however, the package of services must have some substantive purpose other than access to the credit feature. For exafnple, if the primary benefit of membership in an organization is the opportunity to apply for a credit card, and the other benefits offered (such as a newsletter or a member information hotline) are merely incidental to the credit feature, the membership fee w ould have to be disclosed as an "other charge.” * * * * * 4. In Supplement I to Part 226, under Section 226.12— Special Credit Card Provisions, under 12(c)(2) Adverse credit reports prohibited., paragraph 1 is revised and paragraph 2 is added to read as follows: * * * * * Section 226.12—Special Credit Card Provisions * * * * * 12(c)(2) A dverse credit reports prohibited. 1. Scope o f prohibition. Although an amount in dispute may not be reported as delinquent until the matter is resolved: i. That amount may be reported as disputed. 14955 ii. Nothing in this provision prohibits the card issuer from undertaking its normal collection activities for the delinquent and undisputed portion of the account. 2. Settlem ent o f dispute. A card issuer may not consider a dispute settled and report an amount disputed as delinquent or begin collection of the disputed amount until it has com pleted a reasonable investigation of the cardholder’s claim. A reasonable investigation requires an independent assessm ent of the cardholder’s claim based on information obtained from both the cardholder and the merchant, if possible. In conducting an investigation, the card issuer may request the cardholder’s reasonable cooperation. The card issuer may not automatically consider a dispute settled if the cardholder fails or refuses to com ply with a particular request. However, if the card issuer otherwise has no means of obtaining information necessary to resolve the dispute, the lack of information resulting from the cardholder’s failure or refusal to comply with a particular request may lead the card issuer reasonably to terminate the investigation. * * * * * 5. In Supplement I to Part 226, under Section 226.14—Determination o f A nnual Percentage Rate, under 19(c) A nnual percentage rate for periodic ■ statements., a new paragraph 10. is added to read as follows: * * * * * Section 226.14—Determination o f Annual Percentage Hate * * * * * 14(c) Annual percentage rate for periodic statem ents. * * * * * 10. Transactions at end o f billing cycle. The annual percentage rate reflects transactions and charges imposed during the billing cycle. However, it may be impracticable to post a transaction that occurs at the end of a billing cycle until the follow ing cycle, such as a cash'advance that occurs on the last day of a billing cyole and is posted to the account in the following cycle. A card issuer that uses the date of the transaction to figure finance charges should calculate the annual percentage rate as follow s for the billing cycle in which the transaction and charges are posted: i. The denominator is calculated as if the transaction occurred on the first day of the billing cycle; and 11. The numerator includes the amount of the transaction charge plus all finance charges derived from the application o f the periodic rate to the amount of the transaction (including all charges from a prior cycle). * * * * * 6. In Supplement I to Part 226, under Section 226.17—General Disclosure Requirements, under Paragraph 17(c)(1)., paragraph 10. is revised and a new paragraph 18. is added to read as follows: * * * * * 14956 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 66 / Thursday, April 4, 1996 / Rules and Regulations Subpart C—Closed-End Credit payments o f $1,025.31. The finance charge should be $266,463.32 and the total of payments $366,463.32. B. Same loan as above, except with a 2 * * * * * percent rate cap on periodic adjustments. 17(c) Basis o f disclosures an d use of The disclosures should reflect a com posite estim ates. annual percentage rate of 11.53 percent based Paragraph 17(c)(1). on 9 percent for the first year, 11 percent for * * * * * the second year, and 12 percent for the remaining 28 years. Reflecting those three 10. Discounted an d prem ium variable-rate rate levels, the payment schedule should transactions. In some variable-rate show 12 payments of $8 0 4.62,12 payments transactions, creditors may set an initial o f $950.09, and 336 payments of $1,024.34. interest rate that is not determined by the The finance charge should be $265,234.76 index or formula used to make later interest and the total of payments $365,234.76. rate adjustments. Typically, this initial rate C. Same loan as above, except with a 7Vi charged to consumers is lower than the rate percent cap on payment adjustments. The w ould be if it were calculated using the disclosures should reflect a com posite annual index or formula. However, in some cases the percentage rate o f 11.64 percent, based on 9 initial rate may be higher. In a discounted percent for one year and 12 percent for 29 transaction, for example, a creditor may years. Because of the payment cap, five levels calculate interest rates according to a formula o f payments should be reflected. The using the six-month Treasury bill rate plus a payment schedule should show 12 payments 2 percent margin. If the Treasury bill rate at o f $80 4.6 2 ,1 2 payments of $864.97,12 consummation is 10 percent, the creditor payments of $929.84,12 payments of m ay forgo the 2 percent spread and charge $999.58, and 312 payments of $1,070.04. The only 10 percent for a limited time, instead of finance charge should be $277,040.60, and setting an initial rate of 12 percent. the total of payments $377,040.60. i. When creditors use an initial interest rate vi. A loan in which the initial interest rate that is not calculated using the index or is set according to the index or formula used formula for later rate adjustments, the for later adjustments but is not set at the disclosures should reflect a com posite annual value of the index or formula at percentage rate based on the initial rate for consummation is not a discounted variableas long as it is charged and, for the remainder rate loan. For example, if a creditor commits o f the term, the rate that would have been to an initial rate based on the formula on a applied using the index or formula at the date prior to consummation, but the index time of consummation. The rate at has moved during the period between that consummation need not be used if a contract time and consummation, a creditor should provides for a delay in the implementation of base its disclosures on the initial rate. changes in an index value. For example, if * * * * * the contract specifies that rate changes are 18. Pawn Transactions. When, in based on the index value in effect 45 days before the change date, creditors may use any connection with an extension of credit, a consumer pledges or sells an item to a index value in effect during the 45 day pawnbroker creditor in return for a sum of period before consummation in calculating a m oney and retains the right to redeem the com posite annual percentage rate. item for a greater sum (the redemption price) 11. The effect of the m ultiple rates must also w ithin a specified period of time, disclosures be reflected in the calculation and disclosure are required. In addition to other disclosure of the finance charge, total of payments, and requirements that may be applicable under payment schedule. § 226.18, for purposes of paw n transactions: iii. If a loan contains a rate or payment cap i. The amount financed is the initial sum that would prevent the initial rate or paid to the consumer. The pawnbroker payment, at the time o f the first adjustment, creditor need not provide a separate from changing to the rate determined by the itemization of the amount financed if that index or formula at consummation, the effect entire amount is paid directly to the o f that rate or payment cap should be consumer and the disclosed description of reflected in the disclosures. the amount financed is “the amount of cash iv. Because these transactions involve given directly to you” or a similar phrase. irregular payment amounts, an annual ii. The finance charge is the difference percentage rate tolerance of V* of 1 percent between the initial sum paid to the consumer applies, in accordance with § 226.22(a)(3). and the redemption price plus any other v. Examples of discounted variable-rate finance charges paid in connection w ith the transactions include: transaction. (See § 226.4.) A. A 30-year loan for $100,000 with no iii. The term c f the transaction, for prepaid finance charges and rates determined calculating the annual percentage rate, is the by the Treasury bill rate plus 2 percent. Rate period of time agreed to by the pawnbroker and payment adjustments are made annually. creditor and the consumer. The term of the transaction does not include a grace period Although the Treasury bill rate at the time of consummation is 10 percent, the creditor sets (including any statutory grace period) after the agreed redemption date. the interest rate for one year at 9 percent, * * * * * instead of 12 percent according to the formula. The disclosures should reflect a 7. In Supplement I to Part 226, under composite annual percentage rate of 11.63 Section 226.18— Content o f Disclosures, percent based on 9 percent for one year and under Paragraph 18(c)(l)(iii)., a new 12 percent for 29 years. Reflecting those two paragraph 2. is added to read as follows: rate levels, the payment schedule should * * * * * show 12 payments of $804.62 and 348 Section 226.17—General Disclosure Requirements Section 226.18—Content o f Disclosures * * * * * * 18(c) * Item izatiorpof am ount financed. * * * * Paragraph 18(c)(l)(iii). * * * * 2. Charges ad ded to am ounts p a id to others. A sum is sometimes added to the amount of a fee charged to a consumer for a service provided by a third party (such as for an extended warranty or a service contract) that is payable in the same amount in comparable cash and credit transactions. In the credit transaction, the amount is retained by the creditor. Given the flexibility permitted in meeting the requirements of the amount financed itemization (see the commentary to § 226.18(c)), the creditor in such cases may reflect that the creditor has retained a portion of the amount paid to others. For example, the creditor could add to the category “amount paid to others” language such as “ (we may be retaining a portion of this amount).” * * * * * 8. In Supplement I to Part 226, under Section 226.20 Subsequent Disclosure Requirements, under Paragraph 20(a) Refinancings., paragraph 3. is revised to read as follows: * * * Section 226.20 Requirem ents * * * Subsequent Disclosure Paragraph 20(a) Refinancings. * * * * 3. Variable-rate. i. If a variable-rate feature was properly disclosed under the regulation, a rate change in accord with those disclosures is not a refinancing. For example, no new disclosures are required when the variable-rate feature is invoked on a renewable balloon-payment mortgage that was previously disclosed as a variable-rate transaction. ii. Even if it is not accom plished by the cancellation of the old obligation and substitution of a new one, a new transaction subject to new disclosures results if the creditor either: A. Increases the rate based on a variablerate feature that was not previously disclosed: or B. Adds a variable-rate feature to the obligation. A creditor does not add a variable-rate feature by changing the index of a variable-rate transaction to a comparable index, whether the change replaces the existing index or substitutes an index for one that no longer exists. iii. If either of the events in paragraph 20(a)3.ii.A. or ii.B. occurs in a-transaction secured by a principal dw elling w ith a term longer than one year, the disclosures required under § 226.19(b) also must be given at that time. * * * * * 9. In Supplement I to Part 226, a new Subpart E—Special Rules fo r Certain Home Mortgage Transactions is added following subpart D to read as follows: * * * * * Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 66 / Thursday, April 4, 1996 / Rules and Regulations Subpart E— Special Rules for Certain Home Mortgage T ransactions Section 226.31—General Rules 31(c) Tim ing o f disclosure. Paragraph 31(c)( 1) Disclosures fo r certain closed-end hom e mortgages. 1. Furnishing disclosures. Disclosures are considered furnished when received by the consumer. 2. Pre-consum m ation waiting period. A creditor must furnish § 226.32 disclosures at least three business days prior to consummation. Under § 226.32, “business day” has the same meaning as the rescission rule in comment 2(a)(6)-2—all calendar days except Sundays and the federal legal holidays listed in 5 USC 6103(a). However, w h ile the disclosure rule under §§ 226.15 and 226.23 extends to midnight of the third business day, the rule under § 226.32 does not. For exam ple, under § 226.32, if disclosures were provided on a Friday, consum m ation could occur any time on Tuesday, the third business day following receipt o f the disclosures. If the timing of the rescission rule were to be used, consum m ation could not occur until after midnight on Tuesday. Paragraph 31(c)( 1)(i) Change in terms. 1. Redisclosure required. Creditors must provide new disclosures when a change in terms makes disclosures previously provided under § 226.32(c) inaccurate, including disclosures based on and labeled as an estimate. A change in terms may result from a formal written agreement or otherwise. Paragraph 31(c)(1)(H) Telephone disclosures. 1. T elephone disclosures. Disclosures by telephone must be furnished at least three business days prior to consummation, calculated in accord with the timing rules under § 226.31(c)(1). Paragraph 31(c)(l)(iii) Consum er’s waiver o f waiting p erio d before consumm ation. 1. M odification or waiver. A consumer may m odify or w aive the right to the three-day waiting period only after receiving the disclosures required by § 226.32 and only if the circumstances meet the criteria for establishing a bona fide personal financial emergency under § 226.23(e). Whether these criteria are met is determined by the facts surrounding individual situations. The im m inent sale of the consumer’s home at foreclosure during the three-day period is one example of a bona fide personal financial emergency. Each consumer entitled to the three-day waiting period must sign the handwritten statement for the waiver to be effective. Paragraph 31(c)(2) Disclosures fo r reverse mortgages. 1. Business days. For purposes of providing reverse mortgage disclosures, “business day” has the same meaning as in comment 31(c)(l)-2—all calendar days except Sundays and the federal legal holidays listed in 5 USC 6103(a). This means if disclosures are provided on a Friday, consummation could occur any time on Tuesday, the third business day following receipt of the disclosures. 2. O pen-end plans. Disclosures for openend reverse mortgages must be provided at least three business days before the first transaction under the plan (see § 226.5(b)(1)). 31(d) Basis o f disclosures and use o f estim ates. 1. Redisclosure. Section 226.31(d) allows the use of estimates when information necessary for an accurate disclosure is unknown to the creditor, provided that the disclosure is clearly identified as an estimate. For purposes of Subpart E. the rule in § 226.31(c)(l)(i) requiring new disclosures when the creditor changes terms also applies to disclosures labeled as estimates. Section 226.32—Requirements for Certain Closed-End H om e Mortgages 32(a) Coverage. Paragraph 32(a)(l)(i). 1. A pplication date. An application is deemed received when it reaches the creditor in any of the ways applications are normally transmitted. (See § 226.19(a).) For example, if a borrower applies for a 10-year loan on September 30 and the creditor counteroffers with a 7-year loan on October 10, the application is deemed received in September and the creditor must measure the annual percentage rate against the appropriate Treasury security yield as of August 15. An application transmitted through an intermediary agent or broker is received when it reaches the creditor, rather than w hen it reaches the agent or broker. (See comment 19(b)-3 to determine whether a transaction involves an intermediary agent or broker.) 2. When fifteenth not a business day. If the 15th day of the month immediately preceding the application date is not a business day, the creditor must use the yield as of the business day immediately preceding the 15th. 3. Calculating annual percentage rates for variable-rate loans an d discount loans. Creditors must use the rules set out in the commentary to § 226.17(c)(1) in calculating the annual percentage rate for variable-rate loans (assume the rate in effect at the time of disclosure remains unchanged) and for discount, premium, and stepped-rate transactions (which must reflect com posite annual percentage rates). 4. Treasury securities. To determine the yield on a Treasury security for the annual percentage rate test, creditors may use the Board's Selected Interest Rates (statistical release H -15) or the actual auction results. Treasury auctions are held at regular intervals for the different types of securities. These figures are published by major financial and metropolitan newspapers, and are also available from Federal Reserve Banks. Creditors must use the yield on the security that has the nearest maturity at issuance to the loan’s maturity. For example, if a creditor must compare the annual percentage rate to Treasury securities with either seven-year or ten-year maturities, the annual percentage rate for an eight-year loan is compared w ith securities that have a seven-year maturity; the annual percentage rate for a nine-year loan is compared with securities that have a ten-year maturity. If the loan maturity is exactly halfway between, the annual percentage rate is compared w ith the Treasury security that has the lower yield. 14957 For example, if the loan has a maturity of 20 years and comparable securities have maturities of 10 years w ith a yield o f 6.501 percent and 30 years with a yield o f 6.906 percent, the annual percentage rate is compared w ith 10 percentage points over the yield of 6.501 percent, the lower of the two yields. Paragra ph 32(a)(l)(ii). 1. Total loan amount. For purposes of the “point:, and fees” test, the total loan amount is calculated by taking the amount financed, as determined according to § 226.18(b), and deducting any cost listed in § 226.32(b)(l)(iii) that is both included as points and fees under § 226.32(b)(1) and financed by the creditor. Some exam ples follow, each using a $10,000 amount borrowed, a $300 appraisal fee, and $400 in points: 1. If the consumer finances a $300 fee for a creditor-conducted appraisal and pays $400 in points at closing, the amount financed under § 226.18(b) is $9,900 ($10,000 plus the $300 appraisal fee that is paid to and financed by the creditor, less $400 in prepaid finance charges). The $300 appraisal fee paid to the creditor is added to other points and fees under § 226.32(b)(l)(iii). It is deducted from the amount financed ($9,900) to derive a total loan amount o f $9,600. ii. If the consum er pays the $300 fee for the creditor-conducted appraisal in cash at closing, the $300 is included in the points and fees calculation because it is paid to the creditor. However, because the $300 is not financed by the creditor, the fee is not part o f the amount financed under § 226.18(b) ($10,000, in this case). The total loan amount is $9,600 ($10,000, less $400 in prepaid finance charges). iii. If the consumer finances a $300 fee for an appraisal conducted by someone other than the creditor or an affiliate, the $300 fee is not included w ith other points and fees under § 226.32(b)(l)(iii). The amount financed under § 226.18(b) is $9,900 ($10,000 plus the $300 fee for an independentlyconducted appraisal that is financed by the creditor, less the $400 paid in cash and deducted as prepaid finance charges). 2. A nnual adjustm en t o f $400 am ount. A mortgage loan is covered by § 226.32 if the total points and fees payable by the consumer at or before loan consummation exceed the greater of $400 or 8 percent of the total loan amount. The $400 figure is adjusted annually by the Board; the adjusted figure becomes effective on January 1 of the following year. The adjusted figure for 1996 is $412, reflecting a 3.00 percent increase in the CPIU from June 1994 to June 1995, rounded to the nearest w h ole dollar. The Board will publish adjustments after the June figures become available each year. The adjustment for the upcom ing year will be included in any proposed commentary published in the fall, and incorporated into the commentary the follow ing spring. 32(b) Definitions Paragraph 32(b)(l)(i). 1. General. Items defined as finance charges under § 226.4(a) and 226.(4)(b) are included under this paragraph as a com ponent o f the total "points and fees.” Items excluded from the finance charge 14958 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 66 / Thursday, April 4, 1996 / Rules and Regulations under other provisions of § 226.4 are not included under paragraph 32(b)(l)(i), although a fee may be included in "points and fees” under paragraphs 32(b)(l)(ii) and 32(b)(l)(iii). Paragra ph 32(b)(1)(H). 1. Mortgage broker fees. In determining "points and fees” for purposes of this section, com pensation paid by a consumer to a mortgage broker (directly or through the creditor for delivery to the broker) is included in the calculation whether or not the amount is disclosed as a finance charge. Mortgage broker fees that are not paid by the consumer are not included. Mortgage broker fees already included in the calculation as finance charges under § 226.32(b)(l)(i) need not be counted again under § 226.32(hj(l)(ii). 2. Example. Section 226.32(b)(l)(iii) defines “points and fees” to include all items listed in § 226.4(c)(7), other than amounts held for the future payment of taxes. An item listed in § 226.4(c)(7) may be excluded from the “points and fees” calculation, however, if the charge is reasonable, the creditor receives no direct or indirect'compensation from the charge, and the charge is not paid to an affiliate of the creditor. For example, a reasonable fee paid by the consumer to an independent, third-party appraiser may be excluded from the “points and fees” calculation (assuming no compensation is paid to the creditor). A fee paid by the consumer for an appraisal performed by the creditor must be included in the calculation, even though the fee may be excluded from , the finance charge if it is bona fide and reasonable in amount. 32(c) Disclosures. 1. Format. The disclosures must be clear and conspicuous but need not be in any particular type size or typeface, nor presented in any particular manner. The disclosures need not be a part of the note or mortgage document. Paragraph 32(c)(3) Regular paym ent. 1. General. The regular payment is the amount due from the borrower at regular intervals, such as monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, or annually. There must be at least two payments, and the payments must be in an amount and at such intervals that they fully amortize the amount owed. In disclosing the regular payment, creditors may rely on the rules set forth in § 226.18(g); however, the amounts for voluntary items not agreed to by the consumer such as credit life insurance may not be included in the regular payment. i. If the loan has more than one payment level, the regular payment for each level must be disclosed. For example: A. In a 30-year graduated payment mortgage where there w ill be payments of $300 for the first 120 months, $400 for the next 120 m onths, and $500 for the last 120 months, each payment amount must be disclosed, along w ith the length of time that the payment w ill be in effect. B. If interest and principal are paid at different tim es, the regular amount for each must be disclosed. C. In discounted or premium variable-rate transactions where the creditor sets the initial interest rate and later rate adjustments are determined by an index or formula, the creditor must disclose both the initial payment based on the discount or premium and the paym ent that w ill be in effect thereafter. Additional explanatory material w h ich does not detract from the required disclosures may accompany the disclosed amounts. For example, if a m onthly payment is $250 for the first six months and then increases based on an index and margin, the creditor could use language such as the following: “Your regular monthly payment w ill be $250 for six months. After six months your regular m onthly payment w ill be based on an index and margin, which currently would make your payment $350. Your actual payment at that time may be higher or lower.” Paragraph 32(c)(4) Variable-rate. 1. Calculating "worst-case" paym en t exam ple. Creditors may rely on instructions in § 226.19(b)(2)(x) for calculating the maximum possible increases in rates in the shortest possible timeframe, based on the face amount of the note (not the hypothetical loan amount of $10,000 required by § 226.19(b)(2)(x)). The creditor must provide a maximum payment for each payment level, where a paym ent schedule provides for more than one payment level and more than one maximum payment amount is possible. law results in a refund that is greater than the refund calculated by using the method described in section 933(d) o f the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992, creditors should use the state law definition in determining if a refund is a prepayment penalty. 32(d)(7) Prepaym ent p en a lty exception. Paragraph 32(d)(7)(iii). 1. Calculating debt-to-incom e ratio. “Debt” does not include amounts paid by the borrower in cash at closing or amounts from the loan proceeds that directly repay an existing debt. Creditors may consider com bined debt-to-income ratios for transactions involving joint applicants. 2. Verification. Verification of employment satisfies the requirement for payment records for em ploym ent income. 32(e) P rohibited acts an d practices. Paragraph 32(e)f 1) Repaym ent ability. 1. D eterm ining repaym ent ability. The information provided to the creditor in connection w ith § 226.32(d)(7) may be used to show that the creditor considered the consum er’s incom e and obligations before extending the credit. Any expected income can be considered by the creditor, except equity incom e that the consumer would obtain through the foreclosure of a mortgage covered by § 226.32. For example, a creditor may use information about income other than regular salary or wages such as gifts, expected retirement payments, or income from housecleaning or childcare. The creditor also may use unverified incom e, as long as the creditor has a reasonable basis for believing that the income exists and will support the loan. Paragraph 32(e)(2) H om e-Im provement Contracts. Paragraph 32(e)(2)(i). 1. Joint payees. If a creditor pays a contractor w ith an instrument jointly payable to the contractor and the consumer, the instrument must name as payee each consumer w h o is primarily obligated on the note. Paragraph 32(e)(3) N otice to Assignee. 1. Subsequent sellers or assignors. Any person, whether or not the original creditor, that sells or assigns a mortgage subject to this section m ust furnish the notice of potential liability to the purchaser or assignee. 2. Format. While the notice of potential liability need not be in any particular format, the notice m ust be prominent. Placing it on the face o f the note, such as with a stamp, is one m eans o f satisfying the prominence requirement. 32(d) Lim itations Paragraph 32(d)(l)(i) Balloon paym ent. 1. Regular periodic paym ents. The repayment schedule for a § 226.32 mortgage loan w ith a term of less than five years must fully amortize the outstanding principal balance through “regular periodic payments.” A payment is a “regular periodic payment” if it is not more than twice the amount of other payments. Paragraph 32(d)(2) Negative am ortization. 1. Negative am ortization. The prohibition against negative amortization in a mortgage covered by § 226.32 does not preclude reasonable increases in the principal balance that result from events permitted by the legal obligation unrelated to the payment schedule. For example, when a consumer fails to obtain property insurance and the creditor purchases insurance, the creditor may add a reasonable premium to the consum er’s principal balance, to the extent permitted by the legal obligation. Paragraph 32(d)(4) Increased interest rate. 1. Variable-rate transactions. The limitation on interest rate increases does not apply to rate increases resulting from changes Section 226.33—Requirem ents fo r Reverse in accordance w ith the legal obligation in a Mortgages variable-rate transaction, even if the increase occurs after default by the consumer. 33(a) Definition. 1. N onrecourse transaction. A nonrecourse Paragraph 32(d)(5) Rebates. 1. Calculation o f refunds. The limitation reverse mortgage transaction limits the applies only to refunds of precomputed (such hom eowner’s liability to the proceeds of the sale of the hom e (or any lesser amount as add-on) interest and not to any other specified in the credit obligation). If a charges that are considered finance charges transaction structured as a closed-end reverse under § 226.4 (for example, points and fees paid at closing). The calculation of the refund mortgage transaction allow s recourse against the consumer, and the annual percentage rate o f interest includes odd-days interest, or the points and fees exceed those specified whether paid at or after consummation. Paragraph 32(d)(6) P repaym ent penalties. under § 226.32(a)(1), the transaction is 1. State law. For purposes of computing a subject to all the requirements of § 226.32, including the limitations concerning balloon refund of unearned interest, if using the payments and negative amortization. actuarial m ethod defined by applicable state Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 66 / Thursday, April 4, 1996 / Rules and Regulations Paragraph 33(a)(2). 1. Default. Default is not defined by the statute or regulation, but rather by the legal obligation between the parties and state or other law. 2. Definite term or m atu rity date. To meet the definition of a reverse mortgage transaction, a creditor cannot require any principal, interest, or shared appreciation or equity to be due and payable (other than in the case of default) until after the consumer’s death, transfer of the dwelling, or the consumer ceases to occupy the dw elling as a principal dwelling. Some.state laws require legal obligations secured by a mortgage to specify a definite maturity date or term of repayment in the instrument. Stating a definite maturity date or term of repayment in an obligation does not violate the definition of a reverse mortgage transaction if the maturity date or term of repayment used would in no case operate to cause maturity prior to the occurrence of any of the events recognized in the regulation. For example, a provision that allows a reverse mortgage loan to become due and payable only after the consum er’s death, transfer, or cessation of occupancy, or after a specified term, but w hich automatically extends the term for consecutive periods as long as none of the events specified in this section had yet occurred would be permissible. 33(c) Projected total cost o f credit. Paragraph 33(c)( 1) Costs to consumer. 1. Costs and charges to consum er—relation to finance charge. All costs and charges to the consumer that are incurred in a reverse mortgage transaction are included in the projected total cost o f credit, and thus in the total annual loan cost rates, whether or not the cost or charge is a finance charge under §226.4. 2. A nn uity costs. As part of the credit transaction, some creditors require or permit a consumer to purchase an annuity that immediately—or at some future time— supplem ents or replaces the creditor’s payments. The amount paid by the consumer for the annuity is a cost to the consumer under this section, regardless of whether the annuity is purchased through the creditor or a third party, or whether the purchase is mandatory or voluntary. 3. Disposition costs excluded. Disposition costs incurred in connection w ith the sale or transfer of the property subject to the reverse mortgage are not included in the costs to the consumer under this paragraph. (However, see the definition of Val„ in appendix K to the regulation to determ inethe effect certain disposition costs may have on the total annual loan cost rates.) Paragraph 33(c)(2) P aym ents to consumer. 1. Paym ents upon a specified event. The projected total cost of credit should not reflect contingent payments in w hich a credit to the outstanding loan balance or a payment to the consumer’s estate is made upon the occurrence of an event (for example, a “death benefit” payable if the consumer's death occurs within a certain period o f time). Thus, the table of total annual loan cost rates required under § 226.33(b)(2) would not reflect such payments. At its option, ‘ however, a creditor may put an asterisk, 1 4 959 (b) Instructions an d equations fo r the total footnote, or similar type of notation in the table next to the applicable total annual loan annual loan cost rate. cost rate, and state in the body of the note, (b)(5) N um ber o f unit-periods between two apart from the table, the assumption upon given dates. w h ich the total annual loan cost is made and 1. A ssum ption as to when transaction any different rate that would apply if the begins. The computation o f the total annual contingent benefit were paid. loan cost rate is based on the assumption that Paragraph 33(c)(3) A ddition al creditor the reverse mortgage transaction begins on com pensation. the first day of the month in which 1. Shared appreciation or equity. Any consummation is estimated to occur. shared appreciation or equity that the Therefore, fractional unit-periods (used creditor is entitled to receive pursuant to the under appendix ] for calculating annual legal obligation must be included in the total percentage rates) are not used. cost of a reverse mortgage loan. For example, (b)(9) A ssum ption fo r discretionary cash if a creditor agrees to a reduced interest rate advances. on the transaction in exchange for a portion 1. A m oun t o f credit. Creditors should of the appreciation or equity that may be compute the total annual loan cost rates for realized when the dw elling is sold, that portion is included in the projected total cost transactions involving discretionary cash advances by assuming that 50 percent of the of credit. initial amount of the credit available under Paragraph 33(c)(4) Lim itations on the transaction is advanced at closing or, in consum er liability. an open-end transaction, when the consumer 1. In general. Creditors must include any becom es obligated under the plan. (For the limitation on the consumer’s liability (such as a nonrecourse limit or an equity purposes of this assumption, the initial conservation agreement) in the projected amount of the credit is the principal loan total cost of credit. These limits and amount less any costs to the consumer under agreements protect a portion of the equity in section 226.33(c)(1).) the dw elling for the consumer or the (b)( 10) A ssum ption fo r variable-rate consum er’s estate. For example, the reverse mortgage transactions. follow ing are limitations on the consumer’s 1. Initial discount or prem ium rate. Where liability that must be included in the a variable-rate reverse mortgage transaction projected total cost of credit: includes an initial discount or premium rate, 1. A limit on the consumer’s liability to a the creditor should apply the same rules for certain percentage of the projected value of calculating the total annual loan cost rate as the home. are applied when calculating the annual ii. A lim it on the consum er’s liability to the percentage rate for a loan with an initial net proceeds from the sale of the property discount or premium rate (see the subject to the reverse mortgage. commentary to § 226.17(c)). 2. Uniform assum ption fo r ‘‘net pro ceeds” (d) Reverse mortgage m o del form and recourse lim itations. If the legal obligation sam ple form. between the parties does not specify a (d)(2) Sam ple form. percentage for the “net proceeds” liability of 1. General. The “clear and conspicuous” the consumer, for purposes of the disclosures standard for reverse mortgage disclosures required by § 226.33, a creditor must assume does not require disclosures to be printed in that the costs associated with selling the property w ill equal 7 percent of the projected any particular type size. Disclosures may be made on more than one page, and use both sale price (see the definition of the Val„ the front and the reverse sides, as long as the symbol under appendix K(b)(6)). pages constitute an integrated document and * * * * * the table disclosing the total annual loan cost 10. In Supplement I to Part 226, a new rates is on a single page. A ppendix K—Total A nnual Loan Cost Rate Computations for Reverse Mortgage Transactions and a new Appendix L— A ssum ed Loan Periods fo r Computations o f Total Annual Loan Cost Rates are added at the end of the supplem ent to read as follows: * * * * * Appendix K—Total Annual Loan Cost Rate Computations for Reverse Mortgage Transactions 1. General. The calculation of-total annual loan cost rates under appendix K is based on the principles set forth and the estimation or “iteration” procedure used to compute annual percentage rates under appendix J. Rather than restate this iteration process in full, the regulation cross-references the procedures found in appendix J. In other aspects the appendix reflects the special nature o f reverse mortgage transactions. Special definitions and instructions are included where appropriate. Appendix L—Assumed Loan Periods for Computations of Total Anntlal Loan Cost Rates 1. General. The life expectancy figures used in appendix L are those found in the U.S. Decennial Life Tables for women, as rounded to the nearest w hole year and as published by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. The figures contained in appendix L must be used by creditors for all consumers (men and women). Appendix L w ill be revised periodically by the Board to incorporate revisions to the figures made in the Decennial Tables. By order of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, acting through the Secretary of the Board under delegated authority, March 28, 1996. William W. Wiles, Secretary o f the Board. [FR Doc. 96-8045 Filed 4 -3 -9 6 ; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6 2 1 0 -0 1 -P
