Title 15Commerce and TradeRelease 119-73

§1691a Definitions; rules of construction

Title 15 › Chapter CHAPTER 41— - CONSUMER CREDIT PROTECTION › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IV— - EQUAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITY › § 1691a

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Sets plain meanings for words used in this part of the law. "Applicant" is anyone who asks a lender for new, renewed, or continued credit, either directly or by using an existing credit plan to go over a prior limit. "Bureau" means the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. "Credit" means the right to buy or borrow now and pay later. "Creditor" is someone who regularly lends, arranges lending, or a later holder of the debt who helps decide to lend. "Person" includes people and organizations like companies, governments, trusts, partnerships, and associations. Any requirement in this part also includes the Bureau’s rules under the same part.

Full Legal Text

Title 15, §1691a

Commerce and Trade — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The definitions and rules of construction set forth in this section are applicable for the purposes of this subchapter.
(b)The term “applicant” means any person who applies to a creditor directly for an extension, renewal, or continuation of credit, or applies to a creditor indirectly by use of an existing credit plan for an amount exceeding a previously established credit limit.
(c)The term “Bureau” means the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
(d)The term “credit” means the right granted by a creditor to a debtor to defer payment of debt or to incur debts and defer its payment or to purchase property or services and defer payment therefor.
(e)The term “creditor” means any person who regularly extends, renews, or continues credit; any person who regularly arranges for the extension, renewal, or continuation of credit; or any assignee of an original creditor who participates in the decision to extend, renew, or continue credit.
(f)The term “person” means a natural person, a corporation, government or governmental subdivision or agency, trust, estate, partnership, cooperative, or association.
(g)Any reference to any requirement imposed under this subchapter or any provision thereof includes reference to the regulations of the Bureau under this subchapter or the provision thereof in question.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2010—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 111–203, § 1085(2), added subsec. (c) and struck out former subsec. (c) which read as follows: “The term ‘Board’ refers to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.” Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 111–203, § 1085(1), substituted “Bureau” for “Board”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2010 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 111–203 effective on the designated transfer date, see section 1100H of Pub. L. 111–203, set out as a note under section 552a of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

15 U.S.C. § 1691a

Title 15Commerce and Trade

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73