CRCM study materials
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CRCM key terms

CRCM · Get comfortable with the vocabulary.

Regulation DD (Truth in Savings)

A federal regulation implementing the Truth in Savings Act that requires banks to disclose deposit account terms, fees, and interest in a standardized format and sets advertising rules for deposit accounts.

Related: Annual Percentage Yield (APY), Regulation E
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

The standardized annual rate of return on a deposit account, reflecting compounding interest and stated as a percentage; it is designed to let consumers compare deposit products.

Related: Regulation DD (Truth in Savings)
Regulation E

A federal regulation implementing the Electronic Fund Transfer Act that establishes consumer rights and error-resolution procedures for electronic transfers, including debit cards, ATM transactions, and certain prepaid accounts.

Related: Overdraft Opt-In, Prepaid Account
Regulation CC

A federal regulation implementing the Expedited Funds Availability Act that sets maximum hold times for deposited checks and governs return of unpaid checks and substitute checks.

Related: Substitute Check
Substitute Check

A paper reproduction of an original check created under the Check 21 Act that is legally equivalent to the original and can be processed electronically.

Related: Regulation CC
Escheatment

The process by which a bank transfers unclaimed or dormant deposit funds to the state after a statutory period, following required notices and due diligence to locate the owner.

Related: Regulation DD (Truth in Savings)
Right of Setoff

A bank's legal ability, often governed by contract and state law, to apply a depositor's funds to offset a matured debt the depositor owes the same bank.

Overdraft Opt-In

A requirement under Regulation E that a consumer affirmatively consent before a bank may charge a fee for covering ATM and one-time debit card transactions that overdraw the account.

Related: Regulation E, UDAAP
FDIC Deposit Insurance

Federal protection that insures deposits at insured banks up to the statutory limit per depositor, per institution, and per ownership category if the bank fails.

Regulation Z (Truth in Lending)

A federal regulation implementing the Truth in Lending Act that requires disclosure of credit terms and costs for consumer loans and governs related advertising and servicing practices.

Related: Annual Percentage Rate (APR), Finance Charge, Ability-to-Repay/Qualified Mortgage
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

The standardized annual cost of consumer credit, including interest and certain fees, expressed as a percentage so borrowers can compare credit offers.

Related: Regulation Z (Truth in Lending), Finance Charge
Finance Charge

The total cost of consumer credit as defined by Regulation Z, including interest and certain loan fees, but excluding items the regulation specifically excludes.

Related: Annual Percentage Rate (APR), Regulation Z (Truth in Lending)
Ability-to-Repay/Qualified Mortgage

Rules requiring mortgage lenders to make a reasonable, good-faith determination that a borrower can repay a loan and establishing legal protections for qualified mortgages that meet specified criteria.

Related: Regulation Z (Truth in Lending), Escrow Account
Regulation X (RESPA)

A federal regulation implementing the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act that governs mortgage servicing, escrow accounts, disclosures, and resolution of borrower complaints and errors.

Related: Escrow Account, Force-Placed Insurance
Escrow Account

An account used to hold borrower funds for property taxes and insurance and to make payments when due, subject to limits and disclosure requirements under Regulation X.

Related: Regulation X (RESPA), Force-Placed Insurance
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA)

A federal law requiring certain mortgage lenders to collect, report, and publicly disclose data about loan applications, approvals, denials, and borrower characteristics to detect discriminatory lending patterns.

Related: Regulation B (ECOA)
Regulation B (ECOA)

A federal regulation implementing the Equal Credit Opportunity Act that prohibits credit discrimination based on protected characteristics and requires notices and recordkeeping for credit decisions.

Related: Adverse Action Notice, Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA)
Adverse Action Notice

A required communication telling a credit applicant that their application was denied or terms were changed adversely, including the reasons for the decision or how to obtain them.

Related: Regulation B (ECOA)
Flood Disaster Protection Act

A federal law requiring flood insurance for certain loans secured by property in special flood hazard areas and mandating notice and escrow requirements.

Related: Force-Placed Insurance
Force-Placed Insurance

Insurance a lender purchases on behalf of a borrower who fails to maintain required coverage, typically at the borrower's expense and subject to notice and fee rules.

Related: Escrow Account, Regulation X (RESPA)
Trigger Terms

Specific words or phrases in credit or deposit advertising, such as an interest rate or payment amount, that require additional disclosures to prevent misleading offers.

Related: Regulation Z (Truth in Lending), Regulation DD (Truth in Savings), Clear and Conspicuous
Clear and Conspicuous

A standard requiring disclosures and marketing statements to be presented in a way that is easily noticeable, readable, and understandable to the intended audience.

Related: Trigger Terms, UDAAP
Equal Housing Lender

A required statement and logo used in mortgage advertising to show that a lender does not discriminate and complies with fair housing and equal credit opportunity laws.

Related: Regulation B (ECOA), Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA)
Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)

A federal law restricting automated telephone calls and text messages, requiring prior express consent for many marketing contacts, and providing consumers a private right of action.

Related: CAN-SPAM Act
CAN-SPAM Act

A federal law governing commercial email that requires accurate header information, a clear opt-out mechanism, and prompt honoring of unsubscribe requests.

Related: Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)
Prescreened Solicitation

A firm offer of credit made to consumers selected using credit report information under FCRA, subject to notice, opt-out, and firm-offer requirements.

Related: UDAAP
Fiduciary Duty

A legal obligation to act in the best interest of a client or beneficiary, placing the client's interests ahead of the institution's own interests and avoiding conflicts.

Related: Regulation Best Interest, UTMA Account
UTMA Account

A custodial account holding assets for a minor under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act, with the custodian managing the property until the minor reaches the statutory age.

Related: Fiduciary Duty
Health Savings Account (HSA)

A tax-advantaged savings account for eligible individuals with high-deductible health plans, used for qualified medical expenses and subject to IRS contribution and distribution rules.

Regulation Best Interest

A SEC rule requiring broker-dealers and associated persons to act in the best interest of retail customers when recommending securities, without putting their own interests ahead.

Related: Fiduciary Duty
Prepaid Account

A card, code, or other device used to access funds loaded in advance; many prepaid accounts are subject to Regulation E consumer protections, including error resolution and disclosures.

Related: Regulation E
UDAAP

A legal standard prohibiting unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices in consumer financial products and services, enforced by federal and state regulators.

Related: Regulation DD (Truth in Savings), Regulation Z (Truth in Lending), Clear and Conspicuous
BSA/AML

A framework of federal laws and regulations requiring financial institutions to detect, report, and deter money laundering and terrorist financing, including customer due diligence and recordkeeping.

Related: Suspicious Activity Report (SAR), Customer Identification Program (CIP), OFAC
Suspicious Activity Report (SAR)

A confidential report financial institutions file with FinCEN when they detect suspicious activity that may involve money laundering, fraud, or other financial crimes.

Related: BSA/AML, Customer Identification Program (CIP)
Customer Identification Program (CIP)

A required program under the Bank Secrecy Act for verifying the identity of customers opening accounts, maintaining records, and checking against government lists.

Related: BSA/AML, OFAC
OFAC

The U.S. Treasury office that administers economic and trade sanctions; banks must screen customers and transactions and block or reject prohibited dealings.

Related: BSA/AML, Customer Identification Program (CIP)
GLBA Privacy

A federal law requiring financial institutions to protect nonpublic personal information, provide privacy notices, and allow consumers to limit certain information sharing.

Three Lines of Defense

A governance model in which business units own risk, a compliance or risk function monitors and advises, and internal audit provides independent assurance to the board.