About Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

We are at a critical moment in our nation. Americans’ financial lives have suffered tremendously as a result of the pandemic, the associated economic dislocation, and ongoing racial inequity. These challenges are most acute for the most economically vulnerable Americans.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was created for moments like this. Born out of the Great Recession, the CFPB was forged in crisis to vigorously protect America’s consumers. Our mission is to regulate the offering and provision of consumer financial products or services under the federal consumer financial laws, to enforce federal consumer financial law fairly and consistently, and to educate and empower consumers making financial decisions. Diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences are critical in carrying out our mission because to serve the interests of American consumers, we need to understand their varying perspectives and interests.

The CFPB has rulemaking, supervisory, and independent litigating authority, and its jurisdiction includes certain aspects of mortgage lending, credit reporting, auto lending, small-dollar lending, debt collection, student lending, and consumer bank accounts, among other consumer financial areas.