•HRES 77 IH 
down of the Federal Government that began on De-
cember 22, 2018; 
(2) the negative impact the shutdown is having 
on millions of consumers and the U.S. economy is 
significant and growing; for example, analysis from 
S&P Global Ratings estimates that the U.S. econ-
omy has already lost more than $6 billion as of Jan-
uary 25, 2019, and will continue to reduce real 
Gross Domestic Product by $1.2 billion each week 
the government shutdown continues; 
(3) financial institutions and other companies, 
such as consumer reporting agencies and companies 
engaged in the production of consumer scores should 
provide opportunities for consumers affected by the 
shutdown—including Federal employees, government 
contractors, small businesses, and other individ-
uals—who are or will be facing financial distress to 
easily contact and alert them of their situation im-
mediately; 
(4) affected consumers may face financial hard-
ship in making timely payments on their debts, such 
as mortgages, student loans, car loans, credit cards, 
and other debt, as well as paying for rent, food, 
transportation, school and other basic necessities, 
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•HRES 77 IH 
due to the temporary delay or permanent loss of 
their income; 
(5) financial institutions should consider waiv-
ing or reducing penalty, late payment, and similar 
fees as well as ceasing foreclosures and providing 
forbearance for the duration of the shutdown, in 
order to provide quick relief to their affected cus-
tomers; 
(6) consumers affected by the shutdown may be 
experiencing financial stress through no fault of 
their own and their creditworthiness should not be 
impaired because of the shutdown; 
(7) financial institutions and other companies, 
such as consumer reporting agencies and companies 
engaged in the production of consumer scores, 
should take steps to prevent adverse information 
being reported and utilized in any manner that 
harms affected consumers, including by preventing 
modified credit arrangements intended to help con-
sumers fulfill their financial obligations from being 
reported to, and coded by, consumer reporting agen-
cies on a person’s credit report in a manner that 
hurts the creditworthiness of the affected consumers; 
(8) new products, services, or prudent workout 
arrangements designed to help affected consumers 
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•HRES 77 IH 
that are consistent with safe and sound lending 
practices are generally in the long-term best interest 
of the financial institution, the consumer, and the 
economy; 
(9) financial institutions should work proactive-
ly to identify their customers who have been affected 
and adopt flexible, prudent arrangements to help 
such customers meet their debt and other obliga-
tions; and 
(10) prudent efforts to adopt flexible workout 
arrangements for affected consumers should not be 
subject to examiner criticism or negative examina-
tions. 
Æ 
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