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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 82 (Friday, April 27, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25015-25024]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-10122]

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Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. 
Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each 
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 82 / Friday, April 27, 2012 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 25015]]

BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION

5 CFR Chapter LXXXIV

[Docket No. CFPB-2012-0016]
RIN 3209-AA15

Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the 
Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection

AGENCY: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

ACTION: Interim final rule with request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB or Bureau), 
with the concurrence of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), is 
issuing this interim final rule for employees of the Bureau. This rule 
supplements the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the 
Executive Branch (OGE Standards) issued by OGE and is necessary because 
it addresses ethical issues unique to the Bureau. The rule establishes 
restrictions on outside employment and business activities; 
prohibitions on the ownership of certain financial interests; 
restrictions on seeking, obtaining or renegotiating credit and 
indebtedness; prohibitions on recommendations concerning debt and 
equity interests; disqualification requirements based on credit or 
indebtedness; prohibitions on purchasing certain assets; and 
restrictions on participating in particular matters involving outside 
entities.

DATES: This interim final rule is effective June 26, 2012. Written 
comments are invited and must be received on or before June 26, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. CFPB-2012-
0016, by any of the following methods:
     Electronic: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Monica Jackson, Office of the 
Executive Secretary, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G 
Street NW., Washington, DC 20552.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and 
docket number or Regulatory Information Number (RIN) for this 
rulemaking. 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 comments, 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, should not be included. Comments will not be edited 
to remove any identifying or contact information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amber Vail at (202) 435-7305 or Amy 
Mertz Brown at (202) 435-7256 at the Office of General Counsel, 
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On August 7, 1992, OGE published the OGE Standards. See 57 FR 
35006-35067, as corrected at 57 FR 48557, 57 FR 52483, and 60 FR 51167, 
with additional grace period extensions for certain existing provisions 
at 59 FR 4779-4780, 60 FR 6390-6391, and 60 FR 66857-66858. The OGE 
Standards, codified at 5 CFR part 2635, effective February 3, 1993, 
established uniform standards of ethical conduct that apply to all 
executive branch personnel.
    Section 2635.105 of the OGE Standards authorizes an agency, with 
the concurrence of OGE, to adopt agency-specific supplemental 
regulations that are necessary to properly implement its ethics 
program. The Bureau, with OGE's concurrence, has determined that the 
following supplemental regulations are necessary for successful 
implementation of its ethics program in light of the Bureau's unique 
programs and operations.

II. Analysis of the Regulations

Section 9401.101 General

    Section 9401.101 explains that the regulations contained in part 
9401 (CFPB Ethics Regulations) apply to employees of the Bureau and 
supplement the OGE Standards. The section also includes cross-
references to other ethics restrictions applicable to employees--
including the regulations concerning executive branch financial 
disclosure, financial interests, post-Government restrictions, outside 
earned income and employment and affiliation limitations, and employee 
responsibilities and conduct--as well as implementing Bureau guidance 
and procedures issued in accordance with the OGE Standards.

Section 9401.102 Definitions

    Section 9401.102 defines terms and phrases used throughout these 
supplemental regulations. Many of the definitions reference terms 
defined in the OGE Standards or in the Consumer Financial Protection 
Act of 2010 (CFPA) (12 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.).
    The terms ``credit'' and ``Director'' are statutory terms taken 
from the CFPA. See 12 U.S.C. 5481(7), 5481(10).
    This regulation broadly defines the term ``debt or equity 
interest'' to include without limitation, ``secured and unsecured 
bonds, debentures, notes, securitized assets, commercial papers, and 
preferred and common stock.'' It extends to any right to acquire or 
dispose of any such debt or equity interest and to beneficial or legal 
interests derived from a trust. However, the term does not include 
deposit accounts (e.g., savings accounts, checking accounts, 
certificates of deposit, money market accounts), credit union shares, 
future interests created by someone other than the employee or the 
employee's spouse or dependent child, or a right as a beneficiary of an 
estate that has not been settled.
    The term ``dependent child'' has the same meaning as in OGE's 
financial disclosure regulations at 5 CFR 2634.105(d).
    The term ``Designated Agency Ethics Official'' (DAEO) means the 
individual appointed by the Director to coordinate and manage the 
ethics program. It also includes the Alternate DAEO and a

[[Page 25016]]

designee of the DAEO or Alternate DAEO, unless a particular provision 
in these supplemental regulations states otherwise.
    The term ``domestic partner'' includes an individual with whom an 
employee has a close, committed, personal, and financially 
interdependent relationship in which both parties have agreed to be 
responsible for each other's common welfare and share financial 
obligations, and who for at least six months have shared the same 
regular and permanent residence and intend to do so indefinitely, or 
would have a common residence but for an assignment abroad or other 
employment-related, financial or similar obstacle. The definition of 
``domestic partner'' in these supplemental regulations is the same as 
the one used to determine whether an individual is eligible to receive 
benefits under the Bureau's Domestic Partner Health Insurance Subsidy 
Program.
    The term ``employee'' includes all Bureau employees, including 
special Government employees.
    The phrase ``entity supervised by the Bureau'' means a person that 
is subject to the Bureau's supervision authority pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 
5514(a)(1) or 5515(a) and in regulations promulgated thereunder, as 
identified on a list to be maintained and regularly updated by the 
Bureau.
    The terms ``indebted'' and ``indebtedness'' refer to a legal 
obligation under which an individual or borrower received money or 
assets on credit, and now owes payment.
    The term ``indebted to an entity'' means an obligation to make 
payments to that entity as a result of an indebtedness, whether 
originally made with that entity or with another entity. This includes 
without limitation a servicer on a mortgage to whom payments are made.
    The term ``participate'' means to participate personally and 
substantially and has the meaning set forth in the OGE Standards at 5 
CFR 2635.402(b)(4).
    The terms ``particular matter,'' ``particular matter involving 
specific parties,'' ``person,'' and ``special Government employee'' 
have the same meanings as in the OGE Standards and in OGE's regulations 
on post-employment conflict of interest at 5 CFR 2635.402(b)(3), 
2641.201(h), 2635.102(k) and 2635.102(l), respectively.
    The term ``spouse'' means an employee's husband or wife by lawful 
marriage, but does not include a legally separated spouse when the 
employee and spouse live apart, there is an intention to end the 
marriage or separate permanently, and the employee has no control over 
the legally separated spouse's debt or equity interests.

Section 9401.103 Prior Approval for Outside Employment

    This section requires employees to obtain written approval prior to 
engaging in certain outside employment and activities. This prior 
approval requirement will be an integral part of the Bureau's ethics 
program. The prior approval requirement is necessary to ensure that an 
employee's participation in certain outside employment or activities 
does not adversely affect Bureau operations or place the employee at 
risk of violating applicable Federal conduct statutes and regulations. 
In addition, prior approval is necessary to avoid the appearance that 
an outside employment or activity was obtained through a misuse of the 
employee's official position and to address a number of other ethics 
concerns.
    Because the Bureau engages in enforcement, supervisory and 
regulatory functions across the consumer financial services sector, 
requiring prior approval is necessary to ensure that a reasonable 
person will not question the integrity of Bureau programs and 
operations. The Bureau would be hindered in fulfilling its mission if 
members of the public did not have confidence in employees' ability to 
act impartially while performing their official duties.
    Paragraph (a) requires that an employee obtain prior written 
approval from the employee's supervisor and the concurrence of the DAEO 
before engaging in outside employment, except to the extent the Bureau 
has issued an instruction or internal directive exempting an activity 
or class of activities from this requirement. Under paragraph (d), an 
employee must submit a new request for approval when the scope of the 
approved activity changes or when the employee's position changes.
    Paragraph (b) broadly defines ``employment'' to include any form of 
non-Federal employment or business relationship involving the provision 
of personal services other than in the discharge of official duties, 
regardless of whether the services are compensated. It includes outside 
teaching, speaking, or writing.
    A note following paragraph (b) pertains to the special approval 
requirement in both 18 U.S.C. 203(d) and 205(e) for certain 
representational activities otherwise covered by the conflict of 
interest restrictions on compensation and activities of employees in 
claims against and other matters affecting the Government. The note 
explains that in addition to the regulatory approval required in this 
section, an employee who wishes to act as agent or attorney for or 
otherwise represent his or her parents, spouse, child, or a person for 
whom or for an estate for which he or she is serving as guardian, 
executor, administrator, trustee, or other personal fiduciary in such 
matters must obtain the approval of the Government official responsible 
for the employee's appointment to the federal service.
    Paragraph (c) sets out the standard to be applied by the employee's 
supervisor and the DAEO in acting on requests for prior approval of 
outside employment. Approval will be granted only upon a determination 
that the outside employment is not expected to involve conduct 
prohibited by statute, the OGE Standards, or these supplemental 
regulations.
    Under paragraph (e), the DAEO may issue instructions or internal 
directives governing the submission of requests for approval of outside 
employment that may exempt categories of employment from the prior 
approval requirement of this section based on a determination that 
employment within those categories generally would be approved and is 
not likely to involve prohibited conduct or create an appearance of 
lack of impartiality.

Section 9401.104 Additional Rules Concerning Outside Employment for 
Covered Employees

    This section supplements Sec.  2635.802 of the OGE Standards by 
prohibiting covered employees from engaging in compensated outside 
employment for any entity supervised by the Bureau or for an officer, 
director, or employee of such entity. This regulation addresses 
situations unique to covered employees, including those who are 
involved in the supervision of entities offering or providing a 
consumer financial product or service, and prohibits activity that may 
interfere with the objective and impartial performance of an employee's 
official duties. This regulation is based in part on 18 U.S.C. 1909, 
which prohibits national bank examiners from performing any service for 
compensation for any bank or banking or loan association, or any 
officer, director, or employee thereof.
    For purposes of this section, the term ``covered employee'' means 
all employees serving in an examiner or attorney position, specified 
persons within the Office of Research and the Office of Enforcement, 
all Public Financial Disclosure Report filers, and other employees 
specified in a Bureau order or directive who the DAEO

[[Page 25017]]

determines should be covered by the rule.

Section 9401.105 Additional Rules Concerning Outside Employment for 
Bureau Attorneys

    Employees serving in an attorney position are subject to 
restrictions in addition to the prior approval of outside employment 
requirement in Sec.  9401.103 and the prohibited outside employment 
restriction in Sec.  9401.104. This section prohibits all such 
individuals from practicing law outside of their official duties where 
they may in fact or in appearance take a legal position in conflict 
with the interests of the Bureau. Bureau attorneys are prohibited from 
interpreting a statute, regulation, or rule administered by the Bureau 
as part of the outside practice of law. The regulation in this section 
is consistent with the rules of professional conduct governing the 
attorney-client relationship. It is a necessary supplement to the OGE 
Standards because it specifically addresses the unique and sensitive 
relationship between an attorney and a client, which for Bureau 
attorneys is the Bureau.
    Paragraph (b) contains an exemption allowing an employee to 
represent himself or herself unless the employee participated 
personally and substantially in the matter as part of his or her 
official duties or the matter is the subject of the employee's official 
responsibility.

Section 9401.106 Prohibited Financial Interests

    Paragraph (a) prohibits an employee or the employee's spouse or 
minor child from owning or controlling a debt or equity interest in an 
entity supervised by the Bureau. As set forth in Section 9401.102, the 
term ``supervised by the Bureau'' refers to the Bureau's authority 
under the CFPA to supervise and examine certain financial institutions 
and other providers of consumer financial products and services. Under 
5 CFR 2635.403(a), an agency may, by supplemental regulation, prohibit 
or restrict the holding of a financial interest by its employees and 
the spouses and minor children of those employees based on the agency's 
determination that the acquisition or holding of such financial 
interest would cause a reasonable person to question the impartiality 
and objectivity with which agency programs are administered.
    The Bureau has determined that in light of the Bureau's sensitive 
supervisory functions, the restriction is necessary to: (1) Maintain 
public confidence in the impartiality and objectivity with which the 
Bureau executes its supervisory functions; (2) eliminate any concern 
that sensitive information provided to the Bureau might be misused for 
private gain; and (3) avoid the widespread disqualification of 
employees from official matters that might impair the Bureau's ability 
to fulfill its mission.
    The prohibition in paragraph (a) also applies to the spouse and 
minor children of an employee. Under 5 CFR 2635.403(a), a restriction 
on the holdings of financial interests by spouses or minor children of 
agency employees must be based on the agency's determination that there 
is a direct and appropriate nexus between the restriction as applied to 
spouses and minor children and the efficiency of the service. The 
Bureau has determined that such a nexus exists and is adopting this 
provision to avoid the need to disqualify employees from official 
matters to prevent violations of criminal law (18 U.S.C. 208), to 
maintain public confidence in the objectivity and impartiality of the 
Bureau's administration of its programs, and to avoid the potential 
appearance that an employee's spouse could trade on information 
obtained through the employee's official position.
    The scope of this prohibition extends only to those entities 
supervised by the Bureau that are identified on a list maintained by 
the Bureau for the purposes of easing administration of this provision 
and minimizing inadvertent violations. The Bureau's regulatory and 
enforcement authority under the CFPA may extend beyond those entities 
supervised by the Bureau that are identified on the list. However, the 
regulation limits the prohibition on ownership of debt and equity 
interests to only those entities identified on the list, in order to 
establish a bright-line test and enable employees to easily identify 
prohibited interests.
    Paragraph (b) sets forth several exceptions intended to ease the 
restrictions on the financial interests of employees and their spouses 
and minor children to permit interests of a character unlikely to raise 
questions regarding the objective and impartial performance of 
employees' official duties or the possible misuse of their positions. 
The exceptions permit employees and their spouses and minor children to 
own or control interests in entities supervised by the Bureau through 
investments in a publicly traded or available mutual fund (as long as 
the fund does not have a stated policy of concentrating in the 
financial services industry or the banking industry), a widely held and 
diversified pension plan, or a fund administered by a Federal 
government agency.
    Paragraph (c) requires employees to immediately disqualify 
themselves if they own or control a prohibited interest and consult 
with the DAEO concerning a potential waiver under paragraph (d).
    Paragraph (d) authorizes the DAEO, in consultation with senior 
management in the Division in which the employee works, to waive under 
certain limited circumstances on a case-by-case basis the prohibition 
in paragraph (a). In general, a request for a waiver will be considered 
if mitigating circumstances exist due to how the employee or the 
employee's spouse or minor child acquired ownership or control, the 
employee makes a prompt and complete written disclosure of the debt or 
equity interest to the DAEO, and the employee's disqualification from 
matters involving the entity in which the prohibited interest is held 
would not unduly interfere with the full performance of the employee's 
duties. If owning or controlling the debt or equity interest would 
raise financial conflict of interest concerns under 18 U.S.C. 208(a), 
the DAEO will consult with OGE prior to authorizing the employee to own 
or control the debt or equity interest. The DAEO also will consult with 
OGE prior to authorizing an employee to work on a particular matter 
that would raise financial conflict of interest concerns under 18 
U.S.C. 208(a).
    Paragraph (e) attributes to an employee a debt or equity interest 
held by entities described in this subsection (e.g., trusts, 
partnerships, closely held corporations). An employee who has knowledge 
of an attributed interest that would violate subparagraph (a) of this 
section is required to report the interest in writing to the DAEO. The 
DAEO may require the employee to terminate the relationship with the 
third party entity, disqualify himself or herself from participating in 
a matter, or take other appropriate action as determined by the DAEO to 
avoid a violation of the conflict of interest statutes, the OGE 
Standards or these supplemental regulations, or an appearance of misuse 
of position or loss of impartiality.

Section 9401.107 Prohibition on Acceptance of Credit on Preferential 
Terms From an Entity Supervised by the Bureau

    Section 9401.107 prohibits employees or the employee's spouse or 
minor child from accepting credit from or entering into a financial 
relationship with an entity supervised by the Bureau if the 
relationship is based on terms more favorable than those offered in

[[Page 25018]]

comparable circumstances to the public. This provision is intended to 
reinforce the general principle that employees may not use their public 
office for private gain and the requirement that employees have a 
responsibility to avoid receiving preferential treatment in their 
personal dealings with entities supervised by the Bureau.

Section 9401.108 Restrictions on Seeking, Obtaining, or Renegotiating 
Credit From an Entity That Is or Represents a Party to a Matter to 
Which an Employee Is Assigned or May Be Assigned

    Section 9401.108 prohibits an employee from seeking, obtaining, or 
renegotiating credit from an entity, while the employee is assigned to 
participate in a particular matter involving specific parties in which 
the entity is or represents a party to the matter. The prohibition also 
extends to those matters to which the employee is not currently 
assigned, but the employee is aware of the pendency of the matter and 
believes it is likely that he or she will participate in the matter. 
This prohibition also applies for two years after the employee's 
participation in the matter has ended.
    This prohibition applies equally to the employee's spouse or minor 
children, unless the credit or indebtedness is supported exclusively by 
the income or independent means of the spouse or minor child and is 
obtained on terms and conditions no more favorable than those offered 
to the public, and the employee does not participate in the 
negotiations for the credit or indebtedness or serve as a co-maker, 
endorser, or guarantor of the loan.
    The prohibition on seeking, obtaining, or renegotiating credit is 
necessary for several reasons. Under 5 CFR 2635.403(a), the Bureau may 
prohibit or restrict the acquisition or holding of a financial interest 
or class of financial interests by employees, and the spouses and minor 
children of those employees, when the Bureau has determined that the 
acquisition or holding of such financial interests would cause a 
reasonable person to question the impartiality and objectivity with 
which the Bureau programs are administered. ``Financial interest'' may 
include an indebtedness relationship, under 5 CFR 2635.403(c). This 
prohibition is necessary to prevent the loss of public confidence in 
the integrity of Bureau programs and to prevent the appearance of loss 
of impartiality. These concerns might arise if an employee appears to 
be using his or her official position or contacts with an entity 
resulting from the employee's work on a matter to obtain loans or 
extensions of credit on favorable terms, or to be benefitting from his 
or her official position through possible forbearance by the lender in 
collecting on the indebtedness. This section also will strengthen 
public confidence in the Bureau's integrity by limiting the ability of 
employees to engage in financial transactions with entities that are or 
represent a party to a particular matter involving specific parties to 
which the employee is assigned.
    Under paragraph (c), an employee must immediately disqualify 
himself or herself from participating in a particular matter involving 
specific parties after the employee becomes aware that certain 
identified persons are seeking, obtaining, or renegotiating credit or 
indebtedness with an entity that is or represents a party to the 
matter, while the matter is pending before the Bureau. The Bureau does 
not intend to impose an affirmative duty on the part of the employee to 
investigate or inquire whether the persons identified in this section 
are seeking, obtaining, or renegotiating credit.
    Because this section supplements Sec.  2635.502 of the OGE 
Standards, the list of persons identified in paragraph (c) of this 
section are defined broadly and include the employee's spouse, domestic 
partner, and dependent child, and other related entities. This section 
is designed to ensure that employees and persons associated with 
employees in a non-governmental capacity do not benefit or appear to 
benefit from the employees' official positions and that employees do 
not lose or appear to lose their impartiality.
    Paragraph (d) provides exemptions to the prohibition in paragraphs 
(a) and (b) and the disqualification requirement in paragraph (c), for 
two forms of credit: borrowing through the use of a credit or charge 
card and borrowing through overdraft protection, on terms and 
conditions available to the public. The need for regulation is 
diminished because these forms of credit are typically fairly 
standardized and low credit amounts are customary. The Bureau has 
determined permitting employees to have adequate access to sources of 
credit to meet their individual financial needs outweighs the 
incremental benefit that may be gained by extending the rule to cover 
these forms of credit.
    The DAEO may grant a waiver under paragraph (e) based on a 
determination that the participation in matters otherwise prohibited by 
this section is not prohibited by law and would not create an 
appearance of loss of impartiality or use of public office for private 
gain.

Section 9401.109 Disqualification of Employees From Particular Matters 
Involving Creditors

    Section 9401.109(a) prohibits an employee from participating in a 
particular matter involving specific parties if the employee is aware 
that the employee, the employee's spouse, domestic partner, or 
dependent child, or a specified related entity has credit with or is 
indebted to an entity that is or represents a party to the matter.
    This section supplements Sec.  2635.502 of the OGE Standards. The 
disqualification requirement is designed to ensure that employees and 
persons and entities related to employees do not benefit or appear to 
benefit from employees' official positions and the employees do not 
lose or appear to lose their impartiality when taking official action.
    Paragraph (b) exempts certain forms of credit and indebtedness from 
the disqualification requirement in paragraph (a) as long as the person 
with the credit or indebtedness is not in an adversarial position with 
the entity that extended the credit or to which the indebtedness is 
owed, and the credit or indebtedness was offered on terms and 
conditions no more favorable than those offered to the general public. 
The exemptions include revolving consumer credit and charge cards; 
overdraft protection on checking and similar accounts; amortizing 
indebtedness on consumer goods (e.g., automobiles); educational loans 
(e.g., student loans; loans taken out by a parent or guardian to pay 
for a child's education costs); and loans on residential homes (e.g., 
mortgages, home equity lines of credit).
    Paragraph (c) allows an employee to participate in a matter from 
which they would be disqualified under paragraph (a), if the credit or 
indebtedness is the sole responsibility of a person listed in 
paragraphs (a)(2) through (a)(8), and other conditions are met. The 
exception is intended to address situations where the credit or 
indebtedness is unlikely to raise ethics concerns regarding the 
motivation of the lender or the impartiality of an employee's 
performance of official duties because the connection between the 
employee and that credit or indebtedness is attenuated.
    Despite the general disqualification requirement in paragraph (a) 
of this section, the DAEO may authorize an employee to participate in 
the matter using the authorization process set forth in 5 CFR 
2635.502(d) of the OGE Standards.

[[Page 25019]]

Section 9401.110 Prohibited Recommendations

    This section prohibits employees from making any recommendation or 
suggestion regarding the acquisition, sale, or other divestiture of a 
debt or equity interest of an entity supervised by the Bureau or of an 
entity that is or represents a party to a particular matter involving 
specific parties to which the employee is assigned. This rule is 
intended in part to eliminate any misunderstanding or harm that could 
result from such a recommendation. For example, an investor should not 
be misled into believing that an equity interest in a particular entity 
supervised by the Bureau is a good investment because the investor 
believes that the employee from whom the investor receives a 
recommendation may have access to inside information concerning that 
entity. This provision also supplements 5 CFR 2635.704 with a provision 
designed specifically to prohibit employees from using or creating the 
appearance of using information unavailable to the general public to 
further a private interest.

Section 9401.111 Restrictions on Participating in Matters Involving 
Covered Entities

    This section disqualifies an employee from participating in a 
particular matter involving specific parties if a covered entity is or 
represents a party to the matter. For purposes of this disqualification 
requirement, the term ``covered entity'' includes a person for whom the 
employee is aware that his or her spouse, domestic partner, 
fianc[eacute], child, parent, sibling, or member of the employee's 
household is serving or seeking to serve as an officer, director, 
trustee, general partner, agent, attorney, consultant, contractor, or 
employee. Disqualification of the employee eliminates the potential for 
an appearance of preferential treatment in those instances where the 
employee's connection to a covered entity would likely raise questions 
regarding the appropriateness of actions taken by the employee or the 
Bureau. This section is not intended to impose an affirmative duty on 
the part of the employee to investigate or inquire as to whether these 
individuals have these relationships with covered entities.
    The DAEO may authorize an employee to participate in the matter 
using the authorization process set forth in 5 CFR 2635.502(d) of the 
OGE Standards.

Section 9401.112 Prohibited Purchase of Assets

    This section prohibits employees, or their spouse and minor 
children, from purchasing real or personal property from an entity 
supervised by the Bureau unless it is sold at public auction or by 
other means that assures that the selling price of the property is the 
asset's fair market value. For example, fixed price retail transactions 
from an entity supervised by the Bureau would be excluded from this 
prohibition. This section is proposed to maintain public confidence in 
the impartiality and objectivity with which the Bureau executes its 
supervisory functions and as a supplement to the general prohibition in 
5 CFR 2635.702 against the use of public office for private gain.

Section 9401.113 Waivers

    This section authorizes the DAEO to grant a written waiver of any 
provision of this part based upon a determination that the waiver will 
not result in conduct inconsistent with the OGE Standards or otherwise 
prohibited by law. Under this section, the DAEO may grant a written 
waiver but require the employee to take further action. This provision 
is intended, in appropriate cases, to lessen the burden that these 
supplemental regulations may impose on employees while ensuring that 
employees do not engage in actions or hold financial interests that may 
interfere with the objective and impartial performance of their 
official duties.

III. Matters of Regulatory Procedure

Administrative Procedure Act

    Under 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2), rules relating to agency management or 
personnel are exempt from the notice and comment rulemaking 
requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). In addition, 
under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(A), notice and comment rulemaking requirements 
do not apply to rules concerning matters of agency organization, 
procedure, or practice. Given that the rule concerns matters of agency 
management or personnel, and organization, procedure, or practice, the 
notice and comment requirements of the APA do not apply here. 
Furthermore, under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), the Bureau finds that good 
cause exists to waive the proposed rulemaking requirements under the 
APA because the notice and comment procedures would be contrary to the 
public interest. The Bureau began exercising certain of its 
supervision, enforcement, and regulatory authorities on July 21, 2011. 
Given the Bureau's newly acquired authorities, it is necessary to 
promptly establish supplemental ethics rules that will: (1) Maintain 
public confidence in the impartiality and objectivity with which the 
Bureau executes its regulatory and supervisory functions; (2) eliminate 
concerns that sensitive information provided to the Bureau might be 
misused for private gain; and (3) ensure that employees are not 
disqualified from participating in official matters that might result 
in the Bureau's inability to fulfill its mission. The absence of such 
rules may adversely affect the public's confidence and may call into 
question the impartiality with which Bureau programs are carried out. 
For these reasons, the Bureau finds good cause to issue this regulation 
as an Interim Final Rule effective 60 days after publication.
    The Bureau is issuing this interim final rule for comment and 
welcomes comments from the public on all aspects of the rule. The 
Bureau will consider comments as appropriate. Comments may be submitted 
in accordance with the instructions in the ADDRESSES section of these 
supplemental regulations.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Because no notice of proposed rulemaking is required, the 
provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) do 
not apply.

List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 9401

    Conflict of interests, Government employees.

Authority and Issuance

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Bureau, in 
concurrence with OGE, is amending title 5 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations by adding a new chapter LXXXIV, consisting of part 9401, to 
read as follows:

TITLE 5--ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL

CHAPTER LXXXIV--BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION

PART 9401--SUPPLEMENTAL STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT FOR EMPLOYEES 
OF THE BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION

Sec.
9401.101 General.
9401.102 Definitions.
9401.103 Prior approval for outside employment.
9401.104 Additional rules concerning outside employment for covered 
employees.
9401.105 Additional rules concerning outside employment for Bureau 
attorneys.
9401.106 Prohibited financial interests.

[[Page 25020]]

9401.107 Prohibition on acceptance of credit on preferential terms 
from an entity supervised by the Bureau.
9401.108 Restrictions on seeking, obtaining, or renegotiating credit 
from an entity that is or represents a party to a matter to which an 
employee is assigned or may be assigned.
9401.109 Disqualification of employees from particular matters 
involving creditors.
9401.110 Prohibited recommendations.
9401.111 Restriction on participating in matters involving covered 
entities.
9401.112 Prohibited purchase of assets.
9401.113 Waivers.

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 7301; 5 U.S.C. App. (Ethics in Government 
Act of 1978); E.O. 12674, 54 FR 15159; 3 CFR, 1898 Comp., p.215, as 
modified by E.O. 12731, 55 FR 42547; 3 CFR, 1990 Comp., p. 306; 5 
CFR 2635.105, 2635.403, 2635.502 and 2635.803.

Sec.  9401.101  General.

    (a) Purpose. In accordance with 5 CFR 2635.105, the regulations in 
this part supplement the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of 
the Executive Branch contained in 5 CFR part 2635 (OGE Standards) and 
prescribe the standards of ethical conduct applicable to employees of 
the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau).
    (b) Other regulations, guidance and procedures. Employees are 
required to comply with the OGE Standards and the CFPB Ethics 
Regulations, as well as with guidance and procedures issued by the 
Bureau pursuant to 5 CFR 2635.105(c). Employees also are subject to all 
other government-wide regulations concerning executive branch ethics 
including without limitation, financial disclosure regulations 
contained in 5 CFR part 2634, regulations concerning financial 
interests contained in 5 CFR part 2640, post-employment conflict of 
interest restrictions contained in 5 CFR part 2641, outside earned 
income limitations and employment and affiliation restrictions 
applicable to certain noncareer employees contained in 5 CFR part 2636, 
and the regulations concerning executive branch employee 
responsibilities and conduct contained in 5 CFR part 735.

Sec.  9401.102  Definitions.

    For purposes of this part:
    CFPB Ethics Regulations means the supplemental ethics standards set 
forth in this part.
    Control means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power or 
authority to manage, direct, or oversee.
    Credit has the meaning set forth in 12 U.S.C. 5481(7) and as 
further defined in regulations promulgated by the Bureau to implement 
that statute. A person may have credit without any outstanding balance 
owed.
    Debt or equity interest includes without limitation, secured and 
unsecured bonds, debentures, notes, securitized assets, commercial 
papers, and preferred and common stock. The term encompasses both 
current and contingent ownership interests; a beneficial or legal 
interest derived from a trust; a right to acquire or dispose of any 
long or short position in debt or equity interests; interests 
convertible into debt or equity interests; and options, rights, 
warrants, puts, calls, straddles, derivatives, and other similar 
interests. It does not include deposits; credit union shares; a future 
interest created by someone other than the employee or the employee's 
spouse or dependent child; or a right as a beneficiary of an estate 
that has not been settled.
    Dependent child has the meaning set forth in 5 CFR 2634.105(d). It 
includes an employee's son, daughter, stepson, or stepdaughter if:
    (1) Unmarried, under the age of 21, and living in the employee's 
household; or
    (2) Claimed as a ``dependent'' on the employee's income tax return.
    Designated Agency Ethics Official (DAEO) means the official within 
the Bureau that the Director has appointed to coordinate and manage the 
ethics program at the Bureau, under 5 CFR 2638.202(b). For purposes of 
this part, the term ``DAEO'' also includes the Alternate DAEO appointed 
under 5 CFR 2638.202(b), and a designee of the DAEO or Alternate DAEO 
unless a particular provision says an authority is reserved to the 
DAEO.
    Director means the Director of the Bureau.
    Domestic partner means a person with whom a Bureau employee:
    (1) Has a close and committed personal relationship and both 
parties are at least 18 years of age, are each other's sole domestic 
partner, and intend to remain in the relationship indefinitely, and 
neither is married to, in a civil union with, or partnered with any 
other spouse or domestic partner;
    (2) Is not related by blood in a manner that would bar marriage 
under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the employee resides;
    (3) Is in a financially interdependent relationship in which both 
agree to be responsible for each other's common welfare and share in 
financial obligations; and
    (4) Has shared for at least six months the same regular and 
permanent residence in a committed relationship and both parties intend 
to do so indefinitely, or would maintain a common residence but for an 
assignment abroad or other employment-related, financial, or similar 
obstacle.
    Employee means an employee of the Bureau, including a special 
Government employee.
    Entity supervised by the Bureau means a person that is subject to 
the Bureau's supervision authority pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 5514(a)(1) or 
5515(a) and in regulations promulgated thereunder, as identified on a 
list to be maintained by CFPB.
    Indebted or indebtedness means a legal obligation under which an 
individual or borrower received money or assets on credit, and 
currently owes payment.
    Indebted to an entity means an obligation to make payments to an 
entity as a result of an indebtedness, whether originally made with 
that entity or with another entity. This includes without limitation, a 
servicer on a mortgage to whom payments are made.
    OGE Standards mean the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees 
of the Executive Branch contained in 5 CFR part 2635.
    Participate means personal and substantial participation and has 
the meaning set forth in 5 CFR 2635.402(b)(4). An employee participates 
when, for example, he or she makes a decision, gives approval or 
disapproval, renders advice, provides a recommendation, conducts an 
investigation or examination, or takes an official action in a 
particular matter, and such involvement is of significance to the 
matter. It requires more than official responsibility, knowledge, 
perfunctory involvement, or involvement on an administrative or 
peripheral issue.
    Particular matter has the meaning set forth in 5 CFR 
2635.402(b)(3). The term includes a matter that involves deliberation, 
decision, or action and is focused upon the interests of specific 
persons or a discrete and identifiable class of persons. It may include 
governmental action such as legislation, regulations, or policy-making 
that is narrowly focused on the interest of a discrete and identifiable 
class of persons.
    Particular matter involving specific parties has the meaning set 
forth in 5 CFR 2641.201(h). Such a matter typically involves a specific 
proceeding affecting the legal rights of the parties or an isolatable 
transaction or related set of transactions between identified parties. 
The term includes without limitation, a contract, audit, enforcement 
action, examination, investigation, litigation proceeding, or request 
for a ruling.

[[Page 25021]]

    Person has the same meaning set forth in 5 CFR 2635.102(k). It 
includes without limitation, an individual, corporation and 
subsidiaries it controls, company, association, firm, partnership, 
society, joint stock company, or any other organization or institution.
    Special Government employee has the meaning set forth in 5 CFR 
2635.102(l).
    Spouse means an employee's husband or wife by lawful marriage, but 
does not include an employee's spouse if:
    (1) The employee and the employee's spouse are legally separated;
    (2) The employee and the employee's spouse live apart;
    (3) There is an intention to end the marriage or separate 
permanently; and
    (4) The employee has no control over the legally separated spouse's 
debt or equity interests.

Sec.  9401.103  Prior approval for outside employment.

    (a) General requirement. Before engaging in outside employment, an 
employee must obtain written approval from the employee's supervisor 
and the concurrence of the DAEO, except to the extent that the Bureau 
has issued an instruction or internal directive pursuant to paragraph 
(e) of this section exempting an activity or class of activities from 
this requirement.
    (b) Definition of employment. For purposes of this section, 
``employment'' means any form of non-Federal employment, business 
relationship, or activity involving the provision of personal services 
by the employee, regardless of whether the services are compensated. It 
includes without limitation, personal services as an officer, director, 
employee, agent, advisor, attorney, consultant, contractor, general 
partner, trustee, teacher, speaker, or writer.

    Note to Sec.  9401.103(b): Both 18 U.S.C. 203(d) and 205(e) 
require special approval for certain representational activities in 
claims against and other matters affecting the interests of the 
Government. Thus, an employee who wishes to act as agent or attorney 
for or otherwise represent his or her parents, spouse, child, or a 
person for whom or for an estate for which he or she is serving as 
guardian, executor, administrator, trustee, or other personal 
fiduciary in such matters as described in those statutes shall 
obtain the approval of the Government official responsible for the 
employee's appointment in addition to the regulatory approval 
required in this section.

    (c) Standard for approval. Approval will be granted only upon a 
determination that the outside employment is not expected to involve 
conduct prohibited by statute, the OGE Standards, or the CFPB Ethics 
Regulations in this part.
    (d) Renewed request for approval. Upon a significant change in 
either the nature, scope, or duties of the employee's outside 
employment or in the employee's official Bureau position, the employee 
shall submit a new request for approval.
    (e) DAEO responsibilities. The DAEO may issue instructions or 
internal directives governing the submission of requests for approval 
of outside employment and designating appropriate officials to act on 
such requests. The instructions or internal directives may exempt 
categories of employment from the prior approval requirement of this 
section based on a determination that employment within those 
categories generally would be approved and is not likely to involve 
prohibited conduct or create an appearance of lack of impartiality.

Sec.  9401.104  Additional rules concerning outside employment for 
covered employees.

    (a) Prohibited outside employment. A covered employee shall not 
engage in compensated outside employment for an entity supervised by 
the Bureau or for an officer, director, or employee of such entity.
    (b) Definition of employment. For purposes of this section, 
``employment'' has the same meaning as set forth in Sec.  9401.103(b) 
of this part.
    (c) Definition of covered employee. For purposes of this section, 
``covered employee'' means:
    (1) An employee serving in an examiner position;
    (2) An employee serving in an attorney position;
    (3) An employee in the Office of Research, serving as a section 
chief at CFPB pay band 71 or above or as a senior economist in the 
Compliance Analysis Section;
    (4) An employee serving in an investigator, paralegal, or financial 
analyst position in the Office of Enforcement;
    (5) An employee required to file a Public Financial Disclosure 
Report (OGE Form 278) under 5 CFR part 2634; or
    (6) Any other Bureau employee specified in a Bureau order or 
directive whose duties and responsibilities, as determined by the DAEO, 
require application of the prohibition on outside employment contained 
in this section to ensure public confidence that the Bureau's programs 
are conducted impartially and objectively.

Sec.  9401.105  Additional rules concerning outside employment for 
Bureau attorneys.

    (a) Prohibited outside practice of law. In addition to the prior 
approval requirements under Sec.  9401.103 and the outside employment 
restrictions under Sec.  9401.104 of this part, an employee serving in 
an attorney position shall not engage in the practice of law outside 
his or her official Bureau duties that might require the attorney to:
    (1) Take a position that is or appears to be in conflict with the 
interests of CFPB; or
    (2) Interpret any statute, regulation, or rule administered or 
issued by the Bureau.
    (b) Exemption for self representation. Nothing in this section 
prevents a Bureau attorney from acting as an agent or attorney for or 
otherwise representing himself or herself in the outside practice of 
law, except:
    (1) In those matters in which the employee has participated 
personally and substantially as a Government employee; or
    (2) In those matters which are the subject of the employee's 
official responsibility.

Sec.  9401.106  Prohibited financial interests.

    (a) Prohibited interests. Except as permitted by this section, an 
employee or an employee's spouse or minor child shall not own or 
control a debt or equity interest in an entity supervised by the 
Bureau.
    (b) Exceptions. Interests prohibited in paragraph (a) of this 
section do not include the ownership or control of a debt or equity 
interest in:
    (1) Mutual funds. A publicly traded or publicly available mutual 
fund or other collective investment fund if:
    (i) The fund does not have a stated policy of concentration in the 
financial services industry or the banking industry; and
    (ii) Neither the employee nor the employee's spouse exercises or 
has the ability to exercise control over or selection of the financial 
interests held by the fund.
    (2) Pension plans. A widely held, diversified pension or other 
retirement fund that is administered by an independent trustee or 
custodian. Such a fund is diversified if it holds no more than 5% of 
the value of its portfolio in the securities of any one issuer (other 
than the United States Government) and no more than 20% in any 
particular economic or geographic sector (other than the United 
States).
    (3) Federal retirement and thrift savings plans. Funds administered 
by the Thrift Plan for Employees of the Federal Reserve System, the 
Retirement Plan for Employees of the Federal Reserve System, the Thrift 
Savings Plan, or a Federal government agency.
    (c) Disqualification. If an employee or an employee's spouse or 
minor child

[[Page 25022]]

owns or controls a debt or equity interest that is prohibited under 
paragraph (a) of this section, the employee shall immediately 
disqualify himself or herself from participating in all particular 
matters involving an entity with which the employee or the employee's 
spouse or minor child has a debt or equity interest, unless and until 
the employee is granted a waiver pursuant to paragraph (d) of this 
section and the waiver includes an authorization allowing the employee 
to participate in such matters.
    (d) Waivers. Upon request by the employee, the DAEO has the 
authority to grant an individual waiver under this paragraph, which 
authority may be delegated only to the Alternate DAEO. The DAEO, in 
consultation with senior management in the Division in which the 
employee works, may issue a written waiver permitting the employee or 
the employee's spouse or minor child to own or control a particular 
debt or equity interest that otherwise would be prohibited by this 
section, if:
    (1) Mitigating circumstances exist due to the way the employee or 
the employee's spouse or minor child acquired ownership or control of 
the debt or equity interest. Mitigating circumstances may include, but 
are not limited to:
    (i) The employee or the employee's spouse or minor child acquired 
the debt or equity interest through inheritance, gift, merger, 
acquisition, or other change in corporate structure, or otherwise 
without specific intent on the part of the employee or the employee's 
spouse or minor child; or
    (ii) The employee's spouse received the debt or equity interest as 
part of a compensation package in connection with employment or prior 
to marriage to the employee;
    (2) The employee makes a prompt and complete written disclosure of 
the debt or equity interest to the DAEO; and
    (3) The disqualification of the employee from participating in 
particular matters involving an entity with which the employee or the 
employee's spouse or minor child has a debt or equity interest, as 
specified in the written waiver, would not unduly interfere with the 
full performance of the employee's duties.
    (e) Covered third party entities. Immediately after becoming aware 
that a covered third party entity owns or controls a debt or equity 
interest that an employee would be prohibited from owning or 
controlling under paragraph (a) of this section, the employee shall 
report the interest in writing to the DAEO. The DAEO may require the 
employee to terminate the relationship with the covered third party 
entity, disqualify himself or herself from certain particular matters, 
or take other action as necessary to avoid a statutory violation, or a 
violation of the OGE Standards or the CFPB Ethics Regulations, 
including an appearance of misuse of position or loss of impartiality. 
For purposes of this paragraph (e), ``covered third party entity'' 
includes:
    (1) A partnership in which the employee or the employee's spouse or 
minor child is a general partner;
    (2) A partnership or closely held corporation in which the employee 
or the employee's spouse or minor child individually or jointly holds 
more than a 10 percent equity interest;
    (3) A trust in which the employee or the employee's spouse or minor 
child has a legal or beneficial interest;
    (4) An investment club or similar informal investment arrangement 
between the employee or the employee's spouse or minor child, and 
others;
    (5) A qualified profit sharing, retirement, or similar plan in 
which the employee or the employee's spouse or minor child has an 
interest; or
    (6) An entity in which the employee or the employee's spouse or 
minor child individually or jointly holds more than a 25 percent equity 
interest.

Sec.  9401.107  Prohibition on acceptance of credit on preferential 
terms from an entity supervised by the Bureau.

    An employee, and the employee's spouse or minor child, may not 
accept credit from or enter into any other financial relationship with 
an entity supervised by the Bureau, if the credit or financial 
relationship contains terms that are more favorable than those offered 
to the public in comparable circumstances.

Sec.  9401.108  Restrictions on seeking, obtaining, or renegotiating 
credit from an entity that is or represents a party to a matter to 
which an employee is assigned or may be assigned.

    (a) Prohibition on employee seeking, obtaining, or renegotiating 
credit or indebtedness. (1) While an employee is assigned to 
participate in a particular matter involving specific parties, the 
employee shall not seek, obtain, or renegotiate credit or indebtedness 
with an entity that is or represents a party to the matter. This 
prohibition also applies to a particular matter involving specific 
parties pending at the Bureau in which the employee is not currently 
participating but of which the employee is aware and believes it is 
likely that he or she will participate.
    (2) The prohibition in paragraph (a)(1) of this section continues 
for two years after the employee's participation in the particular 
matter has ended.
    (b) Prohibition on employee's spouse or minor child seeking, 
obtaining, or renegotiating credit or indebtedness. The prohibition in 
paragraph (a) of this section shall apply to the spouse or minor child 
of an employee unless:
    (1) The credit or indebtedness is supported only by the income or 
independent means of the spouse or minor child;
    (2) The credit or indebtedness is obtained on terms and conditions 
no more favorable than those offered to the general public; and
    (3) The employee does not participate in the negotiation for the 
credit or indebtedness or serve as co-maker, endorser, or guarantor of 
the credit or indebtedness.
    (c) Disqualification requirement for credit sought by person 
related to an employee. An employee shall disqualify himself or herself 
from participating in a particular matter involving specific parties as 
soon as he or she learns that any of the following persons are seeking, 
obtaining, or renegotiating credit or indebtedness with an entity that 
is or represents a party to the matter:
    (1) The employee's spouse, domestic partner, or dependent child;
    (2) A partnership in which the employee or the employee's spouse, 
domestic partner, or dependent child is a general partner;
    (3) A partnership or closely held corporation in which the employee 
or the employee's spouse, domestic partner, or dependent child 
individually or jointly owns or controls more than a 10 percent equity 
interest;
    (4) A trust in which the employee or the employee's spouse, 
domestic partner, or dependent child has a legal or beneficial 
interest;
    (5) An investment club or similar informal investment arrangement 
between the employee or the employee's spouse, domestic partner, or 
dependent child, and others;
    (6) A qualified profit sharing, retirement, or similar plan in 
which the employee or the employee's spouse, domestic partner, or 
dependent child has an interest; or
    (7) An entity in which the employee or the employee's spouse, 
domestic partner, or dependent child individually or jointly holds more 
than a 25 percent equity interest.
    (d) Exemptions. The following forms of credit are exempted from the 
prohibition in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section and the 
disqualification requirement in paragraph (c) of this section:

[[Page 25023]]

    (1) Revolving consumer credit or charge cards issued by insured 
depository institutions or insured credit unions on terms and 
conditions no more favorable than those offered to the general public; 
and
    (2) Overdraft protection on checking accounts and similar accounts 
at insured depository institutions or insured credit unions on terms 
and conditions no more favorable than those offered to the general 
public.
    (e) Waivers. The DAEO, after consultation with senior management in 
the Division in which the employee works, may grant a written waiver 
from the prohibition in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section or the 
disqualification requirement in paragraph (c) of this section, based on 
a determination that participation in matters otherwise prohibited by 
this section would not be prohibited by law (18 U.S.C. 208) or create 
an appearance of loss of impartiality or use of public office for 
private gain, and would not otherwise be inconsistent with the OGE 
Standards or the CFPB Ethics Regulations.

Sec.  9401.109  Disqualification of employees from particular matters 
involving creditors.

    (a) Disqualification required. Absent an authorization pursuant to 
paragraph (d) of this section, an employee shall not participate in a 
particular matter involving specific parties if the employee is aware 
that any of the following have credit with or are indebted to an entity 
that is or represents a party to the matter:
    (1) The employee;
    (2) The employee's spouse, domestic partner, or dependent child;
    (3) A partnership in which the employee or the employee's spouse, 
domestic partner, or dependent child is a general partner;
    (4) A partnership or closely held corporation in which the employee 
or the employee's spouse, domestic partner, or dependent child 
individually or jointly owns or controls more than 10 percent of its 
equity;
    (5) A trust in which the employee or the employee's spouse, 
domestic partner, or dependent child has a legal or beneficial 
interest;
    (6) An investment club or similar informal investment arrangement 
between the employee or the employee's spouse, domestic partner, or 
dependent child, and others;
    (7) A qualified profit sharing, retirement, or similar plan in 
which the employee or the employee's spouse, domestic partner, or 
dependent child has an interest; or
    (8) An entity in which the employee or the employee's spouse, 
domestic partner, or dependent child individually or jointly holds more 
than a 25 percent equity interest.
    (b) Forms of credit and indebtedness exempted. The following forms 
of credit and indebtedness are exempted from the disqualification 
requirement in paragraph (a) of this section, as long as the person 
listed in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(8) of this section is not in an 
adversarial position (e.g., delinquent in payments; disputing the terms 
or conditions of the account; subject to debt collection measures like 
wage garnishment; involved in any disagreement that may cast doubt on 
the employee's ability to remain impartial) with the entity that 
extended the credit or to which the indebtedness is owed, and the 
credit or indebtedness was offered on terms and conditions no more 
favorable than those offered to the general public:
    (1) Revolving consumer credit or charge cards issued by insured 
depository institutions or insured credit unions;
    (2) Overdraft protection on checking accounts and similar accounts 
at insured depository institutions or insured credit unions;
    (3) Amortizing indebtedness on consumer goods (e.g., automobiles);
    (4) Educational loans (e.g., student loans; loans taken out by a 
parent or guardian to pay for a child's education costs); and
    (5) Loans on residential homes (e.g., home mortgages; home equity 
lines of credit).
    (c) Credit or indebtedness of employee's spouse, domestic partner, 
dependent child, or other specified persons. An employee's 
disqualification under paragraph (a) of this section is not required 
if:
    (1) The credit or indebtedness is solely the responsibility of the 
person listed in paragraphs (a)(2) through (a)(8) of this section; and
    (2) The credit or the liability for repayment of the indebtedness 
is not dependent on, attributable to, or derived from the employee's 
income, assets, or activities.
    (d) Authorization to participate. The DAEO may authorize an 
employee to participate in a matter that would require disqualification 
under paragraph (a) of this section, using the authorization process 
set forth in 5 CFR 2635.502(d) of the OGE Standards. The DAEO will 
consult with senior management in the Division in which the employee 
works before issuing such an authorization.

Sec.  9401.110  Prohibited recommendations.

    An employee shall not make recommendations or suggestions, directly 
or indirectly, concerning the acquisition or sale or other divestiture 
of a debt or equity interest of an entity supervised by the Bureau, or 
an entity that is or represents a party to a particular matter 
involving specific parties to which the employee is assigned.

Sec.  9401.111  Restriction on participating in matters involving 
covered entities.

    (a) An employee shall not participate in a particular matter 
involving specific parties if a covered entity is or represents a party 
to the matter, unless the employee receives authorization from the 
DAEO. For purposes of this paragraph, a ``covered entity'' is a person 
for whom the employee is aware the employee's spouse, domestic partner, 
fianc[eacute], child, parent, sibling, or member of the employee's 
household is serving or seeking to serve as an officer, director, 
trustee, general partner, agent, attorney, consultant, contractor, or 
employee.
    (b) The DAEO may authorize the employee to participate in the 
matter using the authorization process set forth in 5 CFR 2635.502(d) 
of the OGE Standards. The DAEO will consult with senior management in 
the Division in which the employee works before issuing such an 
authorization.

Sec.  9401.112  Prohibited purchase of assets.

    An employee, or an employee's spouse or minor child, shall not 
purchase, directly or indirectly, any real or personal property from an 
entity supervised by the Bureau, unless it is sold at public auction or 
by other means which assures that the selling price reflects the 
asset's fair market value.

Sec.  9401.113  Waivers.

    The DAEO may grant a written waiver from any provision of this part 
where the DAEO finds good cause to do so; provided, however, that the 
DAEO will not do so unless the DAEO finds that the waiver is not 
inconsistent with the OGE Standards or otherwise prohibited by law and 
that, under the particular circumstances, application of the provision 
being waived is not necessary in order to avoid a violation of an 
ethics rule. Each waiver must be in writing and supported by a 
statement of facts and findings and may impose appropriate conditions, 
such as requiring the employee to execute a written disqualification 
statement.

[[Page 25024]]

    Dated: April 16, 2012.
Richard Cordray,
Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
Don Fox,
Principal Deputy Director, Office of Government Ethics.
[FR Doc. 2012-10122 Filed 4-26-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-AM-P
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