Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Urgent Call to CFPB for Regulatory Clarity on the Need to Search for and Implement Less Discriminatory Algorithms

This letter from the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and Consumer Reports to the CFPB Director Rohit Chopra calls for regulatory clarity on the obligation for financial institutions to search for and implement less discriminatory algorithms in credit underwriting and pricing. It emphasizes the urgent need for clear guidance to prevent algorithmic discrimination that affects marginalized communities. The letter outlines the challenges and risks associated with machine learning models that can perpetuate biases, and it stresses the importance of robust regulatory frameworks to ensure fair lending practices are upheld.