Poster Description
The Federal Equal Housing Lender Poster – OCC Banks describes the protections applicable to persons engaging in residential real estate-related loans and credit transactions with OCC-supervised national banks and Federal savings associations under the Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Equal Opportunity Credit Act (EOCA). The poster describes types of transactions and characteristics protected by the FHA and EOCA and provides information on where to send a discrimination complaint.
The FHA protects people from discrimination when they are renting, buying, or securing financing for any housing. Under the FHA, consumers are protected from discrimination based on their race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. The OCC regulations require OCC-regulated national banks and Federal savings associations to post the protected classes and discriminatory practices that are prohibited with regard to residential real estate-related transactions. This includes discrimination in:
- making a loan for the purpose of purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing, or maintaining a dwelling
- making any loan secured by a dwelling
- fixing the amount, interest rate, duration, application procedures, or other terms or conditions of such loan
- appraising property
The Equal Housing Lender Poster also informs customers of covered institutions that the EOCA prohibits discrimination in any credit transaction:
- on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, or age
- because income is from public assistance
- because a right has been exercised under the Consumer Credit Protection Act
Complaints
Persons who believe that have been discriminated against in violation of the FHA or the EOCA may file a complaint with the appropriate regulating agency. OCC regulations require that the Federal Equal Housing Lender Poster for OCC-supervised national banks and Federal savings associations include contact information for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the current address of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Customer Assistance Group, to which complaints may be addressed.
Posting Requirement
The Federal Equal Housing Lender Poster – OCC Banks must be posted by OCC-supervised national banks and Federal savings associations engaged in extending loans for the purpose of purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing, or maintaining a dwelling or any loan secured by a dwelling or residential real estate. (12 CFR § 128.5; 24 C.F.R. § 110.10(c)).
- The poster must be conspicuously displayed in a central location within the institution where deposits are received or where such loans are made, in a manner clearly visible to the general public entering the area.
- Posting in Spanish is recommended in offices serving areas with a substantial Spanish-speaking population.