83 FR 8247 - Request for Information Regarding Bureau External Engagements

BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 38 (February 26, 2018)

Page Range		8247-8249
FR Document		2018-03788
The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) seeks comments and information from interested parties to assist the Bureau in assessing its public and non-public external engagements, including but not limited to field hearings, town halls, roundtables, and meetings of the Advisory Board and Councils.
Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 38 (Monday, February 26, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 38 (Monday, February 26, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8247-8249]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03788]


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BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION

[Docket No. CFPB-2018-0005]


Request for Information Regarding Bureau External Engagements

AGENCY: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

ACTION: Notice and request for information.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) seeks 
comments and information from interested parties to assist the Bureau 
in assessing its public and non-public external engagements, including 
but not limited to field hearings, town halls, roundtables, and 
meetings of the Advisory Board and Councils.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 29, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit responsive information and other comments, 
identified by Docket No. CFPB-2018-0005, by any of the following 
methods:
     Electronic: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
     Email: [email protected]. Include Docket 
No. CFPB-2018-0005 in the subject line of the message.
     Mail: Comment Intake, Consumer Financial Protection 
Bureau, 1700 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20552.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Comment Intake, Consumer Financial 
Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20552.
    Instructions: The Bureau encourages the early submission of 
comments. All submissions must include the document title and docket 
number. Because paper mail in the Washington, DC area and at the Bureau 
is subject to delay, commenters are encouraged to submit comments 
electronically. In general, all comments received will be posted 
without change to http://www.regulations.gov. In addition, comments 
will be available for public inspection and copying at 1700 G Street 
NW, Washington, DC 20552, on official business days between the hours 
of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. eastern time. You can make an appointment to 
inspect the documents by telephoning 202-435-7275.
    All submissions in response to this request for information, 
including attachments and other supporting materials, will become part 
of the public record and subject to public disclosure. Sensitive 
personal information, such as account numbers or Social Security 
numbers, or names of other individuals, should not be included. 
Submissions will not be edited to remove any identifying or contact 
information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Zixta Martinez, Associate Director, 
External Affairs, at 202-435-9745. If you require this document in an 
alternative electronic format, please contact 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In addition to using notice and comment to 
seek feedback on regulations from external stakeholders, the Bureau of 
Consumer Financial Protection has historically conducted external 
engagements, such as field hearings, town halls, roundtables, non-
public meetings, and public meetings of the Bureau's Advisory Board and 
Councils, to discuss and receive feedback on its work.
    To assess its external engagements, the Bureau is, as described 
below,

[[Page 8248]]

issuing this request for information seeking public comment on how best 
to conduct future external engagements while continuing to achieve the 
Bureau's statutory objectives.

Overview of This Request for Information

    To ensure that the Bureau hears regularly from diverse external 
stakeholders, it conducts public and non-public meetings, including 
field hearings, town halls, roundtables, and meetings of its Advisory 
Board and Councils.
    The Bureau's field hearings are organized around a specific topic 
and take place in geographically diverse locations throughout the 
United States. Field hearings are announced on the Bureau's website, 
are open to the public, and are livestreamed on the Bureau's website. 
The hearings typically begin with introductory remarks by a Bureau 
staff member, state or local officials, the CFPB Director, followed by 
a panel discussion with industry representatives, nonprofit 
organizations, academics, or other subject matter experts. After the 
panel discussion, a CFPB staff member invites audience input about the 
specific topic and/or discussion. Participation is open to all field 
hearing attendees. Field hearings are available to view as archived 
videos on the Bureau's website at https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/events/archive-past-events/.
    Town halls may be open to the public or invitation-only and are 
sometimes co-hosted by another organization. They are historically 
organized around a specific topic or financial education. Town halls 
typically include remarks by the CFPB Director or a CFPB staff person, 
followed by an audience comment period. Sometimes town halls will 
include a small discussion panel made up of the CFPB Director or CFPB 
staff and an external stakeholder, such as an industry representative 
or a member of a nonprofit organization. To date, the Bureau has held 
33 field hearings and 15 town halls in over 40 cities.
    Roundtables are invitation-only events with the CFPB Director or 
CFPB staff to discuss particular issues. Roundtables have historically 
included industry representatives, nonprofit organizations, academics, 
or other interested parties.
    The Bureau has organized four formal advisory groups (Advisory 
Board and Councils):
     The Consumer Advisory Board (CAB);
     The Community Bank Advisory Council (CBAC);
     The Credit Union Advisory Council (CUAC); and
     The Academic Research Council (ARC).
    The CAB is required by section 1014(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall 
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act). The purpose 
of the CAB is ``to advise and consult with the Bureau in the exercise 
of its functions under the Federal consumer financial laws, and to 
provide information on emerging practices in the consumer financial 
products or services industry, including regional trends, concerns, and 
other relevant information.'' 12 U.S.C. 5494(a). The CAB is a source of 
market intelligence and expertise for the agency; the CAB also advises 
and consults with Bureau staff about various aspects of the Bureau's 
work. The Bureau has established three other advisory groups. The CBAC 
advises the Bureau about the effects of regulating consumer financial 
products or services from the unique perspectives of community banks, 
and the CUAC does the same from the unique perspectives of credit 
unions. The ARC advises the Bureau about research methodologies, data 
collection, and analytic strategies and provides feedback about 
research and strategic planning.
    Since their establishment in 2012, the Bureau's advisory groups 
have convened in-person and via conference call to fulfill their 
designated purpose. In addition to service on the full advisory group, 
members also typically serve on a subcommittee that is focused on 
particular issues. Advisory group meetings can take place during one 
day or a series of days, depending on the meeting objectives. The 
meeting structure typically includes remarks by the CFPB Director and 
discussions among members and Bureau subject matter experts. At 
meetings of the CAB, there are also presentations from CAB members 
about consumer finance trends and themes. In addition, when advisory 
group meetings are held outside of Washington, DC, they have 
historically included a segment where members of the public may provide 
comment on issues that they care about. Advisory group meetings are 
announced to the public via the Federal Register and the Bureau's 
website. They are also livestreamed, and a summary of the meeting is 
published. Each advisory group produces an annual report to the 
Director about its activities for the fiscal year. To date, the Bureau 
has conducted 47 public meetings of its advisory groups.
    The Bureau aims to conduct engagements in locations throughout the 
United States in order to engage with the public and inform its work. 
The Bureau expects that entities that have engaged with the Bureau are 
likely to have useful information and perspectives about Bureau 
engagements. The Bureau is especially interested in better 
understanding how it may improve or revise its engagements to better 
achieve the Bureau's statutory objectives.

Areas of Interest

    The following list of areas of interest represents a preliminary 
attempt by the Bureau to identify elements of Bureau processes related 
to external engagements on which it should focus. This non-exhaustive 
list is meant to assist in the formulation of comments and is not 
intended to restrict the issues that may be addressed. In addressing 
these areas, the Bureau requests that commenters identify with 
specificity the Bureau practices at issue, providing examples where 
appropriate.
    The Bureau is seeking feedback on all aspects of conducting future 
external engagements, including the following areas of interest:
    1. Strategies for seeking public and private feedback from diverse 
external stakeholders on the Bureau's work;
    2. Structures for convening diverse external stakeholders and the 
public to discuss Bureau work in ways that maximize public 
participation and constructive input, including but not limited to 
structures utilized by the Bureau to date, such as field hearings, town 
halls, roundtables, and meetings of the advisory groups;
    3. Processes for transparency in determining topics, locations, 
timing, frequency, participants, and other important elements of both 
public and private events;
    4. Vehicles for soliciting public and private perspectives from 
outside of Washington, DC on the Bureau's work;
    5. Strategies for promoting transparency of external engagements, 
including Advisory Board and Council meetings, while protecting 
confidential business information and encouraging frank dialogue;
    6. Strategies and channels for distributing information about 
external engagements to maximize awareness and participation; and
    7. Other approaches, methods, or practices not currently utilized 
by the Bureau that would elicit constructive input on the Bureau's 
work.

    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 5511(c).


[[Page 8249]]


    Dated: February 15, 2018.
Mick Mulvaney,
Acting Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
[FR Doc. 2018-03788 Filed 2-23-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4810-AM-P
8248 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 38 / Monday, February 26, 2018 / Notices

issuing this request for information • The Credit Union Advisory Council the public and inform its work. The
seeking public comment on how best to (CUAC); and Bureau expects that entities that have
conduct future external engagements • The Academic Research Council engaged with the Bureau are likely to
while continuing to achieve the (ARC). have useful information and
Bureau’s statutory objectives. The CAB is required by section perspectives about Bureau engagements.
1014(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street The Bureau is especially interested in
Overview of This Request for Reform and Consumer Protection Act
Information better understanding how it may
(Dodd-Frank Act). The purpose of the improve or revise its engagements to
To ensure that the Bureau hears CAB is ‘‘to advise and consult with the better achieve the Bureau’s statutory
regularly from diverse external Bureau in the exercise of its functions objectives.
stakeholders, it conducts public and under the Federal consumer financial
non-public meetings, including field laws, and to provide information on Areas of Interest
hearings, town halls, roundtables, and emerging practices in the consumer
meetings of its Advisory Board and financial products or services industry, The following list of areas of interest
Councils. including regional trends, concerns, and represents a preliminary attempt by the
The Bureau’s field hearings are other relevant information.’’ 12 U.S.C. Bureau to identify elements of Bureau
organized around a specific topic and 5494(a). The CAB is a source of market processes related to external
take place in geographically diverse intelligence and expertise for the engagements on which it should focus.
locations throughout the United States. agency; the CAB also advises and This non-exhaustive list is meant to
Field hearings are announced on the consults with Bureau staff about various assist in the formulation of comments
Bureau’s website, are open to the public, aspects of the Bureau’s work. The and is not intended to restrict the issues
and are livestreamed on the Bureau’s Bureau has established three other that may be addressed. In addressing
website. The hearings typically begin advisory groups. The CBAC advises the these areas, the Bureau requests that
with introductory remarks by a Bureau Bureau about the effects of regulating commenters identify with specificity the
staff member, state or local officials, the consumer financial products or services Bureau practices at issue, providing
CFPB Director, followed by a panel from the unique perspectives of examples where appropriate.
discussion with industry community banks, and the CUAC does The Bureau is seeking feedback on all
representatives, nonprofit organizations, the same from the unique perspectives
aspects of conducting future external
academics, or other subject matter of credit unions. The ARC advises the
engagements, including the following
experts. After the panel discussion, a Bureau about research methodologies,
areas of interest:
CFPB staff member invites audience data collection, and analytic strategies
input about the specific topic and/or and provides feedback about research 1. Strategies for seeking public and
discussion. Participation is open to all and strategic planning. private feedback from diverse external
field hearing attendees. Field hearings Since their establishment in 2012, the stakeholders on the Bureau’s work;
are available to view as archived videos Bureau’s advisory groups have 2. Structures for convening diverse
on the Bureau’s website at https:// convened in-person and via conference external stakeholders and the public to
www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/ call to fulfill their designated purpose. discuss Bureau work in ways that
events/archive-past-events/. In addition to service on the full maximize public participation and
Town halls may be open to the public advisory group, members also typically constructive input, including but not
or invitation-only and are sometimes co- serve on a subcommittee that is focused
limited to structures utilized by the
hosted by another organization. They on particular issues. Advisory group
Bureau to date, such as field hearings,
are historically organized around a meetings can take place during one day
town halls, roundtables, and meetings of
specific topic or financial education. or a series of days, depending on the
meeting objectives. The meeting the advisory groups;
Town halls typically include remarks by
the CFPB Director or a CFPB staff structure typically includes remarks by 3. Processes for transparency in
person, followed by an audience the CFPB Director and discussions determining topics, locations, timing,
comment period. Sometimes town halls among members and Bureau subject frequency, participants, and other
will include a small discussion panel matter experts. At meetings of the CAB, important elements of both public and
made up of the CFPB Director or CFPB there are also presentations from CAB private events;
staff and an external stakeholder, such members about consumer finance trends 4. Vehicles for soliciting public and
as an industry representative or a and themes. In addition, when advisory private perspectives from outside of
member of a nonprofit organization. To group meetings are held outside of Washington, DC on the Bureau’s work;
date, the Bureau has held 33 field Washington, DC, they have historically
included a segment where members of 5. Strategies for promoting
hearings and 15 town halls in over 40
the public may provide comment on transparency of external engagements,
cities.
Roundtables are invitation-only issues that they care about. Advisory including Advisory Board and Council
events with the CFPB Director or CFPB group meetings are announced to the meetings, while protecting confidential
staff to discuss particular issues. public via the Federal Register and the business information and encouraging
Roundtables have historically included Bureau’s website. They are also frank dialogue;
industry representatives, nonprofit livestreamed, and a summary of the 6. Strategies and channels for
organizations, academics, or other meeting is published. Each advisory distributing information about external
interested parties. group produces an annual report to the engagements to maximize awareness
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES

The Bureau has organized four formal Director about its activities for the fiscal and participation; and
advisory groups (Advisory Board and year. To date, the Bureau has conducted
7. Other approaches, methods, or
Councils): 47 public meetings of its advisory
practices not currently utilized by the
• The Consumer Advisory Board groups.
The Bureau aims to conduct Bureau that would elicit constructive
(CAB);
• The Community Bank Advisory engagements in locations throughout the input on the Bureau’s work.
Council (CBAC); United States in order to engage with Authority: 12 U.S.C. 5511(c).

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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 38 / Monday, February 26, 2018 / Notices 8249

Dated: February 15, 2018. Designated Federal Officer (ADFO) (Mr. Secretary of Defense, may serve on the
Mick Mulvaney, Keating), Arlington National Cemetery, Committee or authorized subcommittee
Acting Director, Bureau of Consumer Arlington, VA 22211. for more than two consecutive terms of
Financial Protection. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. service. The Secretary of the Army shall
[FR Doc. 2018–03788 Filed 2–23–18; 8:45 am] Timothy P. Keating, Alternate designate the Committee Chair from the
BILLING CODE 4810–AM–P Designated Federal Officer, by email at total Advisory Committee membership.
timothy.p.keating.civ@mail.mil or by The Committee meets at the call of the
telephone 877–907–8585. DFO, in consultation with the
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Committee Chair. It is estimated that the
Advisory Committee on Arlington Committee meets four times per year.
Department of the Army National Cemetery was established c. Appointment. The operations of the
pursuant to Title 10, United States Code Committee and the appointment of
Advisory Committee on Arlington members are subject to the Federal
National Cemetery; Solicitation for Section 4723. The selection, service and
appointment of members of the Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–
New Members 463, as amended) and departmental
Committee are publicized in the
AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD. Committee Charter, available on the implementing regulations, including
ACTION: Notice and request for resumes Arlington National Cemetery website Department of Defense Instruction
from highly qualified individuals to be http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/ 5105.04, Department of Defense Federal
considered for Advisory Committee About/Advisory-Committee-on- Advisory Committee Management
membership. Arlington-National-Cemetery/Charter. Program, available at http://
The substance of the provisions of the www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/
SUMMARY: The Advisory Committee on Charter is as follows: 510504p.pdf. Appointed members who
Arlington National Cemetery is an a. Selection. The Committee Charter are not full-time or permanent part-time
independent Federal advisory provides that the Committee shall be Federal officers or employees shall be
committee chartered to provide the comprised of no more than nine appointed as experts and consultants
Secretary of Defense, through the members, all of whom are preeminent under the authority of Title 5, United
Secretary of the Army, independent authorities in their respective fields of States Code Section 3109 and shall
advice and recommendations on interest or expertise. Of these, no more serve as special government employees.
Arlington National Cemetery, including, than seven members are nominated by Committee members appointed as
but not limited to cemetery the Secretary of the Army. special government employees shall
administration, the erection of By direction of the Secretary of the serve without compensation except that
memorials at the cemetery, and master Army, all resumes submitted in travel and per diem expenses associated
planning for the cemetery. The response to this notice will be presented with official Committee activities are
Secretary of the Army may act on the to and reviewed by a panel of three reimbursable.
Committee’s advice and senior Army leaders. Potential nominees Additional information about the
recommendations. The Committee is shall be prioritized after review and Committee is available on the internet
comprised of no more than nine (9) consideration of their resumes for: at: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/
members. Subject to the approval of the demonstrated technical/professional About/Advisory-Committee-on-
Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of expertise; preeminence in a field(s) of Arlington-National-Cemetery/Charter.
the Army appoints no more than seven interest or expertise; potential Brenda S. Bowen,
(7) of these members. The purpose of contribution to membership balance in
this notice is to solicit resumes from a Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
terms of the points of view represented [FR Doc. 2018–03829 Filed 2–23–18; 8:45 am]
wide range of highly qualified and the functions to be performed;
individuals desiring appointment to the potential organizational and financial
BILLING CODE 5001–03–P
Committee. Appointment as a members conflicts of interest; commitment to our
of the Committee and its sub- Nation’s veterans and their families; and
committees may be made for terms of DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
published points of view relevant to the
service ranging from one to four years. objectives of the Committee. The panel Defense Acquisition Regulations
All nominees by the Secretary of the will provide the DFO with a prioritized System
Army for Secretary of Defense for list of potential nominees for
approval must be preeminent [Docket Number DARS–2017–0021; OMB
consideration by the Executive Director,
authorities in their respective fields of Control Number 0704–0214]
Army National Military Cemeteries for
interest or expertise. This notice solicits an initial recommendation to the
submissions of resumes from interested Submission for OMB Review;
Secretary of the Army. The Executive Comment Request
and highly qualified individuals to fill Director, Army National Military
Committee membership vacancies that Cemeteries, the Secretary of the Army, AGENCY: Defense Acquisition
may occur through September 30, 2018. and the Secretary of Defense are not Regulations System, Department of
DATES: All nominations must be limited or bound by the Defense (DoD).
received no later than May 1, 2018. recommendations of the Army senior ACTION: Notice.
ADDRESSES: Individuals interested in leader panel. Sources in addition to this
being considered for appointment may Federal Register notice may be utilized SUMMARY: The Defense Acquisition
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES

submit a resume and contact in the solicitation and selection of Regulations System has submitted to
information (address and phone individuals for consideration. OMB for clearance, the following
number) to the Department of the Army b. Service. The Secretary of Defense proposal for collection of information
through the Committee’s Designated may approve the appointment of a under the provisions of the Paperwork
Federal Officer at the following address: Committee member for a one-to-four Reduction Act.
Advisory Committee on Arlington year term of service; however, no DATES: Consideration will be given to all
National Cemetery, ATTN: Alternate member, unless authorized by the comments received by March 28, 2018.

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Document Created: 2018-02-24 01:00:41
Document Modified: 2018-02-24 01:00:41
Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice and request for information.
Dates		Comments must be received by May 29, 2018.
Contact		Zixta Martinez, Associate Director, External Affairs, at 202-435-9745. If you require this document in an alternative electronic format, please contact [email protected]
FR Citation		83 FR 8247