Improving Access to Traditional Banking Act of 2019

To amend the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to establish an Office for Under-Banked, Un-Banked, and Underserved Consumers, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Improving Access to Traditional Banking Act of 2019 2. Office for Under-Banked, Un-Banked, and Underserved Consumers Section 1013 of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 ( 12 U.S.C. 5493 (i) Office for Under-Banked, Un-Banked, and Underserved Consumers (1) Establishment Before the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of the subsection, the Bureau shall— (A) establish an Office for Under-Banked, Un-Banked, and Underserved Consumers (hereinafter referred to as the Office (B) lead coordination between the appropriate Federal banking agencies, the National Credit Union Administration, and State banking supervisors on this matter to ensure the most efficient and effective use of governmental resources. (2) Duties (A) Research The Office shall conduct research to identify any causes and challenges contributing to the decision of individuals who, and households that, do not initiate or maintain on-going and sustainable relationships with depository institutions, including consulting with trade associations representing minority depository institutions, organizations representing the interests of traditionally underserved consumers and communities, organizations representing the interests of consumers (particularly low- and moderate-income individuals), civil rights groups, community groups, consumer advocates, and the Consumer Advisory Board about this matter. (B) Best practices and strategies The Office shall identify best practices and develop and implement strategies to increase the participation of under-banked, un-banked, and underserved consumers in the banking system. (C) Financial education The Office shall identify and develop strategies to increase financial education to under-banked, un-banked, and underserved consumers. (D) Report (i) In general The Office shall submit a report to Congress, within two years of the establishment of the Office and every 2 years thereafter, that identifies any factors impeding the ability to, or limiting the option for, individuals or households to have access to on-going and sustainable relationships with depository institutions to meet their financial needs, discusses any regulatory, legal, or structural barriers to enhancing participation of under-banked, un-banked, and underserved consumers with depository institutions, and contains regulatory and legislative recommendations to promote better participation for all consumers with the banking system. (ii) Timing of report To the extent possible, the Office shall submit each report required under clause (i) during a year in which the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation does not issue the report on encouraging use of depository institutions by the unbanked required under section 49 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. (3) Use of all available information The Bureau and the Office, in carrying out this subsection, and each Federal agency specified under paragraph (1)(B), in coordinating with the Bureau, shall use all available data sources when researching participation of under-banked, un-banked, and underserved consumers in the banking system. .

Summary: Improving Access to Traditional Banking Act of 2019 This bill establishes in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau the Office for Under-Banked, Un-Banked, and Underserved Consumers. The office must, in part (1) report on impeding factors for individuals and families that do not participate in the banking system, and (2) develop strategies to increase such participation.