2021-22605. Academic Research Council Meeting

AGENCY:

Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

ACTION:

Notice of public meeting.

SUMMARY:

Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), this notice sets forth the announcement of a public meeting of the Academic Research Council (ARC or Council) of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau). The notice also describes the functions of the Council.

DATES:

The meeting date is Friday, November 5, 2021, from approximately 1:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. eastern daylight time. This meeting will be held virtually and is open to the general public. Members of the public will receive the agenda and dial-in information when they RSVP.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kim George, Outreach and Engagement Associate, Advisory Board and Councils Section, Office of Stakeholder Management, at 202-450-8617, or email: [e-mail]. If you require this document in an alternative electronic format, please contact [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Section 2 of the of the ARC Charter provides that pursuant to the executive and administrative powers conferred on the Bureau by section 1012 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), the Director established the Academic Research Council under agency authority. Section 3 of the ARC Charter states: The committee will (1) provide the Bureau with advice about its strategic research planning process and research agenda, including views on the research that the Bureau should conduct relating to consumer financial products or services, consumer behavior, cost-benefit analysis, or other topics to enable the agency to further its statutory purposes and objectives; and (2) provide the Office of Research with technical advice and feedback on research methodologies, data collection strategies, and methods of analysis, including methodologies and strategies for quantifying the costs and benefits of regulatory actions. The duties of the ARC are solely advisory and shall extend only to the submission of advice and recommendations to the Bureau.

II. Agenda

The ARC will discuss broad policy matters related to the Bureau's Unified Regulatory Agenda and general scope of authority. The ARC will also discuss research methodologies related to small business lending. Additionally, there will be an analysis session on racial and economic equity.

Persons who need a reasonable accommodation to participate should contact [e-mail], 202-435-9EEO, 1-855-233-0362, or 202-435-9742 (TTY) at least ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or event to request assistance. The request must identify the date, time, location, and title of the meeting or event, the nature of the assistance requested, and contact information for the requester. The Bureau will strive to provide but cannot guarantee that accommodation will be provided for late requests.

Written comments will be accepted from interested members of the public and should be sent to [e-mail], a minimum of seven (7) days in advance of the meeting. The comments will be provided to the ARC members for consideration. Individuals who wish to attend this meeting must RSVP via this link https://surveys.consumerfinance.gov/​jfe/​form/​SV_​25MbWlPq3439hrw by noon, November 4, 2021. Members of the public must RSVP by the due date.

III. Availability

The Council's agenda will be made available to the public on Thursday, November 4, 2021, via consumerfinance.gov. Individuals should express in their RSVP if they require a paper copy of the agenda.

A recording and transcript of this meeting will be available after the meeting on the Bureau's website consumerfinance.gov.

Dated: October 12, 2021.

Jocelyn Sutton,

Deputy Chief of Staff, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.