Directory of Federal Agencies

Federal Laws Against Discrimination in Home Financing

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing sales or loans on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, familial status (having children under the age of 18), or handicap.

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits discrimination in any aspect of a credit transaction on the basis of race, religion, age, color, national origin, receipt of public assistance funds, sex, marital status, or the exercise of any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act.

The Department of Housing & Urban Developement (HUD) has primary responsibility for implementing the Fair Housing Act.

Office of Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity
Department of Housing and Urban Developement
Washington, DC 20410-2000
1-800-424-8590
www.hud.gov/complaints/housediscrim.cfm

Other Federal Agencies Monitor Compliance By Particular Types Of Lenders
If you have a complaint about a bank or other financial institution, the Federal Reserve System can help. The Federal Reserve System is one of five federal banking agencies responsible for administering many of the federal laws that protect consumers in their dealings with financial institutions.

The Federal Reserve investigates consumer complaints against banks that are members of the Federal Reserve System (state member banks). The Board of Governors, in Washington, D.C., works with the twelve Federal Reserve Banks across the country to ensure that state member banks abide by the law.

The Federal Reserve System can help consumers by:

Identifying the appropriate federal banking regulator and referring complaints to that agency
Investigating complaints about state member banks
Answering questions about banking practices

For information on filing a complaint about a bank, savings and loan, or credit union, contact one of the following federal agencies, depending on the type of institution you bank at.

National Banks (Banks with "National" in the name or "N.A." after the name)
Agency to Contact:

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Customer Assistance Unit
1301 McKinney Street
Suite 3450
Houston, TX 77010
1-800-613-6743
www.occ.treas.gov
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency - Ensuring a Safe and Sound National Banking System For All Americans

State Chartered Banks That Are Members Of The Federal Reserve System
Two signs will be prominently displayed on the door of the bank or in the lobby. One will say "Member, Federal Reserve System." The other will indicate deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and/or "Deposits Federally Insured to $100,000 - Backed by the Full Faith and Credit of the United States Government." The word "National" does not appear in the name, the initials N.A. do not appear after the name.
Agency to Contact:

Division of Consumer and Community Affairs
Mail Stop 801
20th and C Streets NW
Federal Reserve Board
Washington, DC 20551
202-452-3693
www.federalreserve.gov
The Division of Consumer and Community Affairs - The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is responsible for implementing various federal laws intended to protect and inform consumers in credit and other financial service transactions, ensuring that consumers receive comprehensive information and fair treatment in these transactions, and promoting economic development and community lending in historically underserved areas. The Board's Division of Consumer & Community Affairs conducts research not only to inform the Board's regulatory and policy development functions but also to support its consumer outreach and community development functions.

State Chartered Banks That Are Not Members Of The Federal Reserve System
A sign will be prominently displayed at each teller station that indicates that deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and/or "Deposits Federally Insured to $100,000 - Backed by the Full Faith and Credit of the United States Government." There will not be a sign saying "Member, Federal Reserve System." The word "National" or the initials N.A. will not appear in the name.
Agency to Contact:

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Office of Compliance and Consumer Affairs
550 17th Street, N.W.
Room PA-1730, 7th Floor
Washington, DC 20429
202-942-3100 or
1-800-934-FDIC (934-3342)
www.fdic.gov
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) requires the expertise and hard work of a diverse staff to meet its mandate to supervise the management of banks and savings and loans, ensure compliance with fair credit and community reinvestment statutes, and help foster economic stability in the US.

Savings and Loan Associations (Federal Savings Associations And Some State Savings Associations)
Generally, the word "Federal" appears in the name of the savings and loan association or its name includes initials such as "FA" which indicate its status as a federal savings and loan association. A sign will be prominently displayed at each teller station that says "Deposits Federally Insured to $100,000 - Backed by the Full Faith and Credit of the United States Government."
Agency to Contact:

Office of Thrift Supervision
Consumer Programs
1700 G Street, N.W., 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20552
202-906-6237 or
1-800-842-6929
www.ots.treas.gov
The Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) is the primary federal regulator of federally chartered and state chartered savings associations, their subsidiaries, and their registered savings and loan holding companies. OTS was established as a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury on August 9, 1989, and has four regional offices located in Jersey City, Atlanta, Dallas, and San Francisco. OTS is funded by assessments and fees levied on the industry it regulates.

Federally Chartered Credit Unions (Those with "Federal" in the name)
Agency to Contact:

National Credit Union Administration
Office of Public and Congressional Affairs
1775 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-518-6330
www.ncua.gov
The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is the federal agency that charters and supervises federal credit unions and insures savings in federal and most state chartered credit unions across the country through the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), a federal fund backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government.

Other Lenders
Finance Companies, Stores, Auto Dealers, Mortgage Companies, and Credit Bureaus
Agency to Contact:

Federal Trade Commission
Consumer Response Center
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20580
202-326-3758 or
Toll Free 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)
www.ftc.gov
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) works for the consumer (you) to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them.

Department of Justice

Department of Justice
Civil Division
Washington, DC 20530
202-514-3301
www.usdoj.gov
The United States Department of Justice mission is to enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law, to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic, to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime, to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior, and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.

References:
www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/mortgage/morbro.HTM
www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/agencies/default.htm

Federal Laws
Major laws that govern financial institutions and protect individuals in their financial dealings

Organizations

Fannie Mae
Freddie Mac
Ginnie Mae
Nellie Mae
Sallie Mae

Consumer Info

Credit Bureau
Credit Report
Directory of Federal Agencies
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Identity Theft
Predatory Lending
Repair Your Bad Credit
Truth in Lending Act
Borrowers Beware

Miscellaneous

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
Prepayment Penalty

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