Banking Agencies Issue Statement on Private Student Loans

Since many data furnishers furnish information on private student loans, we are sending out a July 25 statement from the federal bank regulatory agencies

encouraging financial institutions to work constructively with private student loan borrowers experiencing financial difficulties.  Prudent workout arrangements are consistent with safe and sound lending practices and are generally in the long-term best interest of both the financial institution and the borrower.  

Student loan borrowers who are unemployed or underemployed may face hardship in making payments on their private student loan debts after separation from school or during periods of economic difficulty.  Current interagency guidance permits prudent workout and modification programs for retail loans, including student loans, and provides that extensions, deferrals, renewals, and rewrites may be used to help borrowers overcome temporary financial difficulties. Institutions that have private student loan workout programs should provide borrowers with information that clearly explains the programs, including eligibility criteria and the process for requesting a modification.  

The statement was issued by the FDIC, the FRB, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. These agencies also provided a link to a statement, Agencies Encourage Financial Institutions to Work with Student Loan Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulties.

Thank you,
 
Consumer Data Industry Association