Title 12Banks and BankingRelease 119-73not60

§5565 Relief Available

Title 12 › Chapter 53— WALL STREET REFORM AND CONSUMER PROTECTION › Subchapter V— BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION › Part E— Enforcement Powers › § 5565

Last updated Apr 3, 2026|Official source

Summary

Courts and the Bureau can order fixes when federal consumer financial laws are broken. They can cancel or change contracts, make companies give money back or return property, require payments like restitution or damages, force companies to give up unfair profits, pay for public notice about the problem, limit business activities, and impose fines (civil penalties). They cannot award punitive or exemplary damages. If the Bureau, a state attorney general, or a state regulator sues and wins, they can recover their legal costs. Anyone who breaks these laws must pay fines. The fines can be up to $5,000 per day for ordinary violations, up to $25,000 per day for reckless violations, and up to $1,000,000 per day for knowing violations. When deciding the fine, the Bureau or court will look at the violator’s size and good faith, how serious the violation was, harm to consumers (including how many products were affected), past violations, and other fair‑ness factors. The Bureau can settle, reduce, or cancel a fine. A fine can only be imposed after the Bureau gives notice and a chance for a hearing, or after a court orders the fine and rules for the Bureau.

Full Legal Text

Title 12, §5565

Banks and Banking — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)The court (or the Bureau, as the case may be) in an action or adjudication proceeding brought under Federal consumer financial law, shall have jurisdiction to grant any appropriate legal or equitable relief with respect to a violation of Federal consumer financial law, including a violation of a rule or order prescribed under a Federal consumer financial law.
(2)Relief under this section may include, without limitation—
(A)rescission or reformation of contracts;
(B)refund of moneys or return of real property;
(C)restitution;
(D)disgorgement or compensation for unjust enrichment;
(E)payment of damages or other monetary relief;
(F)public notification regarding the violation, including the costs of notification;
(G)limits on the activities or functions of the person; and
(H)civil money penalties, as set forth more fully in subsection (c).
(3)Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as authorizing the imposition of exemplary or punitive damages.
(b)In any action brought by the Bureau, a State attorney general, or any State regulator to enforce any Federal consumer financial law, the Bureau, the State attorney general, or the State regulator may recover its costs in connection with prosecuting such action if the Bureau, the State attorney general, or the State regulator is the prevailing party in the action.
(c)(1)Any person that violates, through any act or omission, any provision of Federal consumer financial law shall forfeit and pay a civil penalty pursuant to this subsection.
(2)(A)For any violation of a law, rule, or final order or condition imposed in writing by the Bureau, a civil penalty may not exceed $5,000 for each day during which such violation or failure to pay continues.
(B)Notwithstanding paragraph (A), for any person that recklessly engages in a violation of a Federal consumer financial law, a civil penalty may not exceed $25,000 for each day during which such violation continues.
(C)Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), for any person that knowingly violates a Federal consumer financial law, a civil penalty may not exceed $1,000,000 for each day during which such violation continues.
(3)In determining the amount of any penalty assessed under paragraph (2), the Bureau or the court shall take into account the appropriateness of the penalty with respect to—
(A)the size of financial resources and good faith of the person charged;
(B)the gravity of the violation or failure to pay;
(C)the severity of the risks to or losses of the consumer, which may take into account the number of products or services sold or provided;
(D)the history of previous violations; and
(E)such other matters as justice may require.
(4)The Bureau may compromise, modify, or remit any penalty which may be assessed or had already been assessed under paragraph (2). The amount of such penalty, when finally determined, shall be exclusive of any sums owed by the person to the United States in connection with the costs of the proceeding, and may be deducted from any sums owing by the United States to the person charged.
(5)No civil penalty may be assessed under this subsection with respect to a violation of any Federal consumer financial law, unless—
(A)the Bureau gives notice and an opportunity for a hearing to the person accused of the violation; or
(B)the appropriate court has ordered such assessment and entered judgment in favor of the Bureau.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective on the designated transfer date, see section 1058 of Pub. L. 111–203, set out as a note under section 5561 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

12 U.S.C. § 5565

Title 12Banks and Banking

Last Updated

Apr 3, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60