Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY:

Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comment.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau or CFPB) is requesting the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB's) approval of a new information collection titled “Generic Information Collection Plan for Foundational Research about Consumer Credit Markets and Household Financial Decision-Making.”

DATES:

Written comments are encouraged and must be received on or before January 23, 2023 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by the title of the information collection, OMB Control Number (see below), and docket number (see above), by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

• Email: PRA_Comments@cfpb.gov. Include Docket No. CFPB-2022-0078 in the subject line of the email.

• Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Comment Intake, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Attention: PRA Office), 1700 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20552. Because paper mail in the Washington, DC area and at the Bureau is subject to delay, commenters are encouraged to submit comments electronically.

Please note that comments submitted after the comment period will not be accepted. In general, all comments received will become public records, including any personal information provided. Sensitive personal information, such as account numbers or Social Security numbers, should not be included.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Documentation prepared in support of this information collection request is available at www.regulations.gov. Requests for additional information should be directed to Anthony May, PRA Officer, at (202) 435-7278, or email: CFPB_PRA@cfpb.gov. If you require this document in an alternative electronic format, please contact CFPB_Accessibility@cfpb.gov. Please do not submit comments to these email boxes.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title of Collection: Generic Information Collection Plan for Foundational Research about Consumer Credit Markets and Household Financial Decision-Making.

OMB Control Number: 3170-00XX.

Type of Review: New collection.

Affected Public: Individuals or households; private sector: businesses or other for-profits; not-for-profits institutions.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 48,000.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 24,000.

Abstract: Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Bureau is tasked with researching, analyzing, and reporting on topics relating to the Bureau's mission, including developments in markets for consumer financial products and services, consumer awareness, and consumer behavior. Under this generic information collection plan, the Bureau collects data through qualitative and quantitative methods, including focus groups, interviews, and controlled trials in field and laboratory settings. The primary purpose of research carried out under this generic clearance is for foundational research of an exploratory nature. This foundational research will be used for developmental and informative purposes to increase the Bureau's understanding of consumer credit markets and household financial decision-making. In addition, research may be related to the Bureau's mission regarding financial education, including evaluating the effectiveness of financial education programs and understanding financial planning behaviors, including savings, spending, and investing behavior. The Bureau envisions that the research covered under this clearance will be basic foundational research about consumer credit markets and household finance.

Request for Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Bureau, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) The accuracy of the Bureau's estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methods and the assumptions used; (c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB's approval. All comments will become a matter of public record.