Special Purpose Credit Programs

Dear Boards of Directors and Chief Executive Officers:

Five federal financial institutions regulatory agencies, in conjunction with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and the Department of Justice (hereafter, the agencies) are issuing the enclosed interagency statement to remind creditors of the ability under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and Regulation B to establish special purpose credit programs (SPCPs) to meet the credit needs of specified classes of persons.¹ SPCPs are credit assistance programs for economically or socially disadvantaged consumers and commercial enterprises.

The statement explains that ECOA and Regulation B permit creditors to extend special purpose credit offered pursuant to:

• Any credit assistance program expressly authorized by federal or state law for the benefit of an economically disadvantaged class of persons;
• Any credit assistance program offered by a not-for-profit organization for the benefit of its members or an economically disadvantaged class of persons; or
• Any special purpose credit program offered by a for-profit organization, or in which such an organization participates to meet special social needs, if it meets certain standards prescribed in regulations by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).²

Credit unions, as not-for-profit organizations, fall under the second category, although some programs that credit unions participate in may also fall under the first. Credit unions may consider the use of SPCPs across all types of credit covered by ECOA and Regulation B.³ Credit unions can use an SPCP to offer, for example, special underwriting or pricing for designated loan products.⁴

Many credit unions offer special lending programs that may meet the spirit and intent of a SPCP. Affordable and equitable access to credit is a vital aspect of credit union service to members. Credit unions can use SPCPs to foster greater financial inclusion and ensure that the cooperative nature of the credit union system lives up to its mission of meeting the credit needs of consumers, including underserved populations, communities of color, and those of modest means. I encourage all credit unions to consider using an SPCP to provide credit to economically disadvantaged members and communities within their field of membership.

The statement also clarifies that the agencies do not determine whether a program qualifies for special purpose credit status. Accordingly, credit unions must determine whether their program qualifies for special purpose credit status. However, the statement indicates that creditors with questions about any aspect of ECOA and Regulation B’s special purpose credit program may consult their appropriate regulatory agencies.⁵ Lastly, the agencies encourage creditors to explore opportunities to develop SPCPs consistent with ECOA and Regulation B requirements and applicable safe and sound lending principles.

Please contact your NCUA Regional Office or state supervisory authority if you have any questions about this important tool.