[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4674-4675]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01607]
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BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION
Academic Research Council Solicitation of Applications for
Membership
AGENCY: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Section 1013(b)(1) of the Consumer Financial Protection Act,
12 U.S.C. 5493(b)(1), establishes the Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau's (``Bureau'') Office of Research and assigns to it the
responsibility of researching, analyzing, and reporting on topics
relating to the Bureau's mission, including developments in markets for
consumer financial products and services, consumer awareness, and
consumer behavior. The Bureau established the Academic Research Council
as a technical advisory body comprised of scholars to provide the
Office of Research with guidance as it performs its responsibilities.
Director Richard Cordray invites qualified individuals to apply for
appointment to the Academic Research Council. Appointments to the
Council are typically for two years. However, the Director may amend
the Council charter from time to time during the charter terms, as the
Director deems necessary to accomplish the purpose of the Council.
There are two vacancies on the Academic Research Council. Bureau
expects to announce the selection of new members in March 2014.
DATES: Complete application packets received on or before February 11,
2014 will be given consideration for membership on the Council.
ADDRESSES: Complete application packets must include a
r[eacute]sum[eacute] for each applicant and a completed application.
The appropriate forms can be accessed at: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/blog/accepting-applications-for-our-academic-research-council.
If electronic submission is not feasible, the completed application
packet can be mailed to Christopher Banks, Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street NW., 6108 E-A, Washington, DC 20552.
All applications for membership on the Academic Research Council
should be sent:
Electronically: [email protected]. We
strongly encourage electronic submissions.
Mail: Christopher Banks, Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau, 1700 G Street NW., 6111 E-B, Washington, DC 20552. Post marked
on or before 5:00 p.m. eastern standard time on February 11, 2014.
Hand Delivery/Courier in Lieu of Mail: Christopher Banks,
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street NW., 6111 E-B,
Washington, DC 20552. Received on or before 5:00 p.m. eastern standard
time on February 11, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information
should be directed to Christopher Banks, Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau, (202) 435-9064.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Bureau is charged with regulating ``the offering and provision
of consumer financial products or services under the Federal consumer
financial laws,'' so as to ensure that ``all consumers have access to
markets for consumer financial products and services and that markets
for consumer financial products and services are fair, transparent, and
competitive.'' Pursuant to Section 1021(c) of the Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Public Law 111-203 (``Dodd-
Frank Act''), the Bureau's primary functions are:
1. Conducting financial education programs;
2. Collecting, investigating, and responding to consumer
complaints;
3. Collecting, researching, monitoring, and publishing information
relevant to the function of markets for consumer financial products and
services to identify risks to consumers and to the proper functioning
of such markets;
4. Supervising persons covered under the Dodd-Frank Act for
compliance with
[[Page 4675]]
Federal consumer financial law, and taking appropriate enforcement
action to address violations of Federal consumer financial law;
5. Issuing rules, orders, and guidance implementing Federal
consumer financial law; and
6. Performing such support activities as may be needed or useful to
facilitate the other functions of the Bureau.
II. Academic Research Council
Section 1013(b)(1) of the Consumer Financial Protection Act, 12
U.S.C. 5493(b)(1), establishes the Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau's Office of Research and assigns to it the responsibility of
researching, analyzing, and reporting on topics relating to the
Bureau's mission, including developments in markets for consumer
financial products and services, consumer awareness, and consumer
behavior. The Bureau established the Academic Research Council as a
technical advisory body comprised of scholars to provide the Office of
Research methodological and technical advice and feedback on its
research work by framing research questions; suggesting new data
collection strategies and methods of analysis; providing feedback, both
backward and forward looking, on the Office of Research's research
program; providing input into its research strategic planning process
and research agenda; collaborating with CFPB research staff on high
value research projects which shall allow for transfer of specialized
expertise; and supporting high quality recruitment.
III. Qualifications
In appointing members of the Council, the Office of Research seeks
to recruit tenured academics, with a world class research and
publishing background, and a record of public or academic service. We
are seeking prominent experts who are recognized for their professional
achievements and objectivity in economics, statistics, psychology or
behavioral science. In particular, academics with strong methodological
and technical expertise in structural or reduced form econometrics,
modeling of consumer decision-making, behavioral economics,
experimental economics, program evaluation, psychology, and financial
choice. The members of the Council will collectively provide a balance
of expertise across these areas.
The Council is composed of no more than eight members. Currently we
have six Council members. We are looking to fill two additional seats
on the Council in 2014. You can learn more about current Academic
Research Council members at http://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/1209_cfpb_arcbios.pdf.
The Bureau has a special interest in ensuring that the perspectives
of women and men, all racial and ethnic groups, and individuals with
disabilities are adequately represented on the Board and Councils, and
therefore, encourages applications from qualified candidates from these
groups. The Bureau also has a special interest in establishing a
Council that is represented by a diversity of viewpoints and
constituencies, and therefore encourages nominations for qualified
candidates who:
1. Represent the United States' geographic diversity; and
2. Understand the interests of special populations identified in
the Dodd-Frank Act, including servicemembers, older Americans,
students, and traditionally underserved consumers and communities.
IV. Application Procedures
Any interested person may apply for membership on the Council.
A complete application packet must include:
1. A complete r[eacute]sum[eacute] or curriculum vitae for the
applicant; and
2. Completed application--http://www.consumerfinance.gov/blog/accepting-applications-for-our-academic-research-council.
To evaluate potential sources of conflicts of interest, the Bureau
will ask potential candidates to provide information related to
financial holdings and/or professional affiliations, and to allow the
Bureau to perform a background check. The Bureau will not review
nominations and will not answer questions from internal or external
parties regarding applications until the application period has closed.
The Bureau will not entertain nominations of federally registered
lobbyists and individuals who have been convicted of a felony for a
position on the Council.
Only complete applications will be given consideration for review
of membership on the Council.
Dated: January 23, 2014.
Christopher D'Angelo,
Chief of Staff, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
[FR Doc. 2014-01607 Filed 1-28-14; 8:45 am]
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