Expanded Access to Financial Services Act (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised Dec. 22, 2006 |
| Report Number |
RS22146 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Pauline Smale, Government and Finance Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
The Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-351) includesprovisions that permit federally chartered credit unions to offer nonmember individualsaccess to a defined set of financial services and products. These provisions wereoriginally passed by the House in a separate bill, H.R. 749 (the Expanded Access toFinancial Services Act), on April 27, 2005. The intent of this legislation is to attractunbanked individuals (consumers that do not have an account with a depository financialinstitution) into the financial mainstream and to better serve low-income communities.To be eligible, the consumer must meet the criteria for membership in the credit union.The credit union could offer money orders, check cashing, and money transfer services.There was little public opposition to the legislation. This report provides backgroundon the arguments offered in support of improved access, credit unions, and thelegislation.
