Friday, November 21, 2014

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

441 G St. N.W.
Washington, DC 20548

November 17, 2014
The Honorable Tim Johnson
Chairman
The Honorable Mike Crapo
Ranking Member
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
United States Senate
The Honorable Jeb Hensarling
Chairman
The Honorable Maxine Waters
Ranking Member
Committee on Financial Services
House of Representatives
Financial Audit: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection’s Fiscal Years 2014 and 2013
Financial Statements
This report transmits the GAO auditor’s report on the results of our audits of the fiscal years
2014 and 2013 financial statements of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, known as
the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which is incorporated in the enclosed
Financial Report of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for Fiscal Year 2014. These
financial statements are the responsibility of CFPB.
As discussed more fully in the auditor’s report that begins on page 57 of the enclosed financial
report, we found
•
•
•

the CFPB financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, and
2013, are presented fairly, in all material respects, in accordance with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles;
CFPB’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of September 30, 2014,
because of a material weakness 1 in internal control over the reporting of accounts payable;
and
no reportable noncompliance for fiscal year 2014 with provisions of applicable laws,
regulations, contracts, and grant agreements we tested.

1

A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such
that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the entity’s financial statements will not be
prevented, or detected and corrected, on a timely basis. A deficiency in internal control exists when the design or
operation of a control does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned
functions, to prevent, or detect and correct, misstatements on a timely basis.

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GAO-15-146R CFPB’s Fiscal Years 2014 and 2013 Financial Statements

 This report also provides a discussion of a continuing significant deficiency 2 in CFPB’s internal
control over property and equipment that we believe merits the attention of those charged with
governance of CFPB.
Title X of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 3 and the
Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011, 4 both require GAO to annually audit CFPB's
financial statements. This report responds to these requirements. We conducted our audits in
accordance with U.S. generally accepted government auditing standards.
We are sending copies of this report to the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial
Protection, the Chair of the Federal Reserve, the Inspector General of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget,
interested congressional committees and members, and other interested parties. In addition, the
report is available at no charge on the GAO website at http://www.gao.gov.
If you or your staffs have any questions concerning this report, please contact me at (202) 5123406 or malenichj@gao.gov. Contact points for our Offices of Congressional Relations and
Public Affairs may be found on the last page of this report.

J. Lawrence Malenich
Director
Financial Management and Assurance
Enclosure

2

A significant deficiency is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control that is less severe than a
material weakness, yet important enough to merit the attention by those charged with governance.

3

Pub. L. No. 111-203, § 1017(a)(5), 124 Stat. 1376, 1976-1977 (2010), codified at 12 U.S.C. § 5497(a)(5).

4

Pub. L. No. 112-10, § 1573(a), 125 Stat. 38, 138 (2011), codified at 12 U.S.C. § 5496a.

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GAO-15-146R CFPB’s Fiscal Years 2014 and 2013 Financial Statements

 Financial Report of the
Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau

Fiscal year 2014

 

Director Richard Cordray along with CFPB Senior Leadership at a CFPB Field Hearing in
Indianapolis, IN.

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Table of contents
Table of contents ....................................................................................................... 3
Message from Richard Cordray ..................................................................................5
1.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis ............................................................. 7
1.1

The CFPB at a Glance: Overview of the Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau ........................................................................... 7

1.2 The CFPB performance and results .............................................. 14
1.3 Civil Penalty Fund Annual Report ................................................ 23
Bureau-Administered Redress ...................................................... 36
1.4 Management assurances and audit results................................... 39
1.5 Financial analysis .......................................................................... 45
1.6 Possible future risks and uncertainties ......................................... 52
2. Financial Statements and Note Disclosures .....................................................53
Message from the Chief Financial Officer ............................................. 54
2.1 U.S. Government Accountability Office auditor’s report ............. 56
Appendix I. Management’s report on internal control over
financial reporting ............................................................... 66
Appendix II. Management’s response to the auditor’s report .... 69
2.2 Financial statements and notes .................................................... 72
Note 1: Summary of significant accounting policies .................... 78
Note 2: Fund balance with Treasury ............................................ 93

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Note 3. Investments ...................................................................... 93
Note 4. Cash and other monetary assets ...................................... 94
Note 5: Accounts receivable......................................................... 96
Note 6: Property, equipment and software, net ........................... 96
Note 7: Advances & prepayments ................................................. 97
Note 8: Other liabilities ................................................................ 98
Note 9: Liabilities not covered by budgetary resources ............... 98
Note 10: Commitments and contingencies .................................. 99
Note 11: Intragovernmental costs and exchange revenue............ 99
Note 12: Apportionment categories of obligations incurred....... 101
Note 13: Undelivered orders at the end of the period .................101
Note 14: Reconciliation of net cost to budget..............................101
Note 15: President’s Budget ........................................................ 103
Note 16: Rental payments for space ........................................... 103
Note 17: Funds from dedicated collections ................................ 106
Note 18: Subsequent events........................................................ 109
Note 19: Fiduciary activities ....................................................... 109
2.3 Other information ........................................................................ 111

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Message from
Richard Cordray
Director of the CFPB
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is the Nation’s only Federal agency whose
sole focus is protecting consumers in the financial marketplace for products and services. When
Congress created the Bureau through the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act of 2010, it provided the CFPB with a number of tools to fulfill our mission to
make those markets work for Americans. Over the past fiscal year we have continued to achieve
specific and tangible results for consumers whether they are applying for a mortgage, borrowing
for college, choosing a credit card, or using any number of other consumer financial products.
During fiscal year 2014, CFPB enforcement actions resulted in almost $4 billion in penalties,
redress and relief to consumers imposed against defendants who violated Federal consumer
financial laws. For example, enforcement actions against several credit card companies
provided relief of more than $1 billion to harmed consumers. The CFPB also ordered $2.6
billion in relief for consumers who were harmed by systemic misconduct by two mortgage
servicers. Further, we assessed an additional $92.7 million in Civil Monetary Penalties to deter
future occurrences of unfair, deceptive and abusive acts.
In Fall 2013, we issued a rule requiring easier-to-use mortgage disclosure forms that clearly lay
out the terms of a mortgage for a homebuyer. The new forms integrate two overlapping forms
that were each required by federal law for more than 30 years: the Truth in Lending Act form
and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act form. Our new forms ensure that consumers
have the information they need, when they need it and empower consumers to shop around for
a mortgage, giving them greater control over their home-buying decisions.
During fiscal year 2014, we also issued a rule that allows the CFPB to supervise certain nonbank
student loan servicers, making the Bureau the first federal agency to have oversight over this

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 segment of the student loan market, which is the nation’s second largest consumer debt market.
The CFPB already oversees student loan servicing at large banks, but this new supervision of the
nonbank loan servicers will provide the Bureau with visibility into nearly 50 million borrower
accounts and will allow us to ensure that bank and nonbank student loan servicers are playing
by the same rules.
The CFPB is committed to engaging with consumers and providing them with resources to help
them navigate important decisions in their financial lives. For example, millions of Americans
are managing money or property for a loved one who is unable to pay bills or make financial
decisions on their own, which can be overwhelming work. In fiscal year 2014 we released four
Managing Someone Else’s Money guides to help these financial caregivers understand their
duties, recognize scams and exploitation, and know where to get help when necessary. The
Bureau also continues to build the AskCFPB interactive online tool, which provides consumers
with clear, unbiased answers to their financial questions. The CFPB now has more than 1,000
plain-language entries on student loans, money transfers, and many other products and
services, which consumers can search and browse by product categories and tags.
The CFPB continues to grow and mature as a Federal agency. In our first three years, we have
grown from 58 employees at the beginning of fiscal year 2011 to 1443 employees at the end of
fiscal year 2014. As we continue in our mission to make consumer financial markets work, we
are committed to continued transparency into our performance and financial operations. As
required by the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB prepared comparative financial statements for fiscal
years 2014 and 2013. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) rendered an unmodified or
“clean” audit opinion on our financial statements. GAO noted one (1) material weakness and
cited no instances of noncompliance with laws and regulations.
I am very proud of our expert and enthusiastic staff and all of the great work they have
accomplished over the past year, which is reflected in the assessment of our operations
contained in this report. It attests to the persistent work of our colleagues who perform at the
highest caliber and with a dedicated commitment to serve the public, protect consumers,
support responsible businesses, and help safeguard the American economy.
Sincerely,

Richard Cordray

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 1. Management’s Discussion
and Analysis
1.1

The CFPB at a Glance: Overview of the
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, known as the Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau (CFPB or the Bureau), was established on July 21, 2010 under Title X of the Dodd-Frank
Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Public Law No. 111-203 (Dodd-Frank Act).
The CFPB was established as an independent bureau within the Federal Reserve System. The
Bureau is an Executive agency as defined in Section 105 of Title 5, United States Code.
The Dodd-Frank Act authorizes the CFPB to exercise its authorities to ensure that, with respect
to consumer financial products and services:
1. Consumers are provided with timely and understandable information to make responsible
decisions about financial transactions;
2. Consumers are protected from unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts and practices and from
discrimination;
3. Outdated, unnecessary, or unduly burdensome regulations are regularly identified and
addressed in order to reduce unwarranted regulatory burdens;
4. Federal consumer financial law is enforced consistently in order to promote fair
competition; and
5. Markets for consumer financial products and services operate transparently and efficiently
to facilitate access and innovation.

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Under the Dodd-Frank Act, on the designated transfer date, July 21, 2011, certain authorities
and functions of several agencies relating to Federal consumer financial law transferred to the
CFPB in order to accomplish the above objectives. These authorities were transferred from the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board of Governors), Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation (FDIC), National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), and the
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In addition, Congress vested the
Bureau with authority to enforce in certain circumstances the Federal Trade Commission’s
(FTC) Telemarketing Sales Rule and its rules under the FTC Act, although the FTC retains full
authority over these rules. The Dodd-Frank Act also provided the CFPB with certain other
Federal consumer financial regulatory authorities.

Organizational Structure
Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Secretary of the Treasury was responsible for establishing the
CFPB and performing certain functions of the Bureau until a Director of the CFPB was in place.
The Bureau’s day-to-day operations were managed by the Special Advisor to the Secretary of the
Treasury for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau until January 4, 2012, when President
Obama nominated Richard Cordray to be the first Director of the CFPB. Subsequently, the U.S.
Senate confirmed the nomination of Richard Cordray on July 16, 2013, and Director Cordray
was sworn in as the first Senate-confirmed Director of the CFPB on July 17, 2013.
To accomplish its mission, the CFPB is organized into six primary divisions:
1. Consumer Education and Engagement: provides, through a variety of initiatives and
methods, including offices on specific populations, information to consumers to empower
them to make financial decisions that are best for them.
2. Supervision, Enforcement and Fair Lending: ensures compliance with Federal
consumer financial laws by supervising market participants and bringing enforcement
actions when appropriate.
3. Research, Markets and Regulations: conducts research to understand consumer
financial markets and consumer behavior, evaluates whether there is a need for regulation,
and determines the costs and benefits of potential or existing regulations.
4. Legal Division: ensures the Bureau’s compliance with all applicable laws and provides
advice to the Director and the Bureau’s divisions.

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 5. External Affairs: manages the Bureau’s relationships with external stakeholders and
ensures that the Bureau maintains robust dialogue with interested stakeholders to promote
understanding, transparency, and accountability.
6. Operations: builds and sustains the CFPB’s operational infrastructure to support the entire
organization and hears directly from consumers about challenges they face in the
marketplaces through their complaints, questions, and feedback.
The CFPB workforce is spread across the country with its headquarters in Washington, D.C. and
regional offices in Chicago, New York City, and San Francisco. The headquarters is temporarily
spread across locations within Washington, D.C., utilizing space pursuant to interagency
agreements with the Department of the Treasury (Treasury), the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency, the General Services Administration and the Federal Housing Finance Agency
(FHFA). The workforce in the CFPB’s regional offices is predominantly mobile and therefore
relatively minimal office space is used in the regions.
Additional information on the organizational structure and responsibilities of the CFPB is
available on CFPB’s website at http://www.consumerfinance.gov/.

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Advisory groups
The CFPB established four independent advisory bodies to provide consultation and advice to
the Director on a range of issues within the CFPB’s authority. Specifically, the CFPB has
formally chartered the following advisory groups:


Consumer Advisory Board – Through a public process, the Bureau invited external
experts, industry representatives, consumers, community leaders, and advocates to
nominate individuals to serve as members of this advisory group. The Consumer
Advisory Board (CAB) is a group of experts on consumer protection, consumer financial
products or services, community development, fair lending, civil rights, underserved
communities, and communities that have been significantly impacted by higher-priced
mortgage loans. They are a source of market intelligence and expertise, and they advise
and consult on Federal consumer finance issues. The CAB informs the Director about
emerging practices or trends in the consumer finance industry, and shares analysis and
recommendations. Members are charged with identifying and assessing the impact of
emerging products, practices, or services on consumers and other market participants.
During fiscal year 2014 the CAB met three times – February 2014 in Washington D.C.,
June 2014 in Reno, Nevada, and September 2014 in Washington, DC.



Community Bank Advisory Council – The Community Bank Advisory Council
(CBAC) advises on the market impact of consumer financial products or services,
specifically from the unique perspectives of community banks. Members share
information, analysis, and recommendations to better inform the CFPB’s policy
development, rulemaking, and engagement work. During fiscal year 2014 the CBAC met
twice – October 2013 and March 2014 in Washington, D.C. – and held conference call
meetings in December 2013 and May 2014.



Credit Union Advisory Council – The Credit Union Advisory Council (CUAC)
advises on the market impact of consumer financial products or services, specifically
from the unique perspectives of credit unions. Members share information, analysis, and
recommendations to inform the CFPB’s policy development, rulemaking, and
engagement work. During fiscal year 2014 the CUAC met twice – October 2013 in
Chicago, IL, and March 2014 in Washington, D.C. – and held conference call meetings
in December 2013 and June 2014.



Academic Research Council – The Academic Research Council (ARC) was
established to assist the CFPB with research, analysis, and reports on topics relating to

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 CFPB’s mission, including developments in markets for consumer financial products and
services, consumer awareness, and consumer behavior. The Council is made up of
scholars with relevant methodological and subject-matter expertise. The Council advises
the CFPB on research methodologies, data collection, and analytic strategies, and
provides feedback about research and strategic planning. During fiscal year 2014, the
ARC held a meeting in April 2014 in Washington, D.C.

Growth of the CFPB
Since its inception, the CFPB has grown in the number of employees and the corresponding
funding needed to carry out its duties and responsibilities. At the end of fiscal year 2014, the
CFPB was still below the employment levels and funding it estimates it will need to achieve the
mission and responsibilities mandated by Congress in the Dodd-Frank Act. The CFPB’s growth
to date has been relatively steady and consistent. The charts below provide a historical
depiction of the growth for employees and funding levels.

FIGURE 1:

CFPB EMPLOYEES BY FISCAL YEAR

1,600

1335

1,400
1,200

1443

970

1,000
663

800
600
400
200
0

11

58

FY 2010

FY 2011

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

FY 2012

FY 2013

FY 2014

 FIGURE 2:

OFFICE PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL POSITIONS (AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2014)

Within the Operations Division, displayed as 27% of total CFPB positions, the Office of Consumer Response
comprises 11% of total CFPB positions, while all other Operations functions comprise 16%. All percentages provided
above are rounded.

FIGURE 3:

FISCAL YEAR TRANSFERS REQUESTED COMPARED TO THE FUNDING CAP ($ IN MILLIONS)

$700
$600

$548

$498

$500
$400

$608

$598
$518

$534

$343

Transfers Requested

$300
$200

Funding Cap

$162

$100
$-

2011

2012

2013

2014

Additional information on how the CFPB is funded can be found in Section 1.5 Financial Analysis.

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Mission, Vision, and Values
Our Mission
The CFPB is a 21st century agency that helps consumer financial markets work by making rules
more effective, by consistently and fairly enforcing those rules, and by empowering consumers
to take more control over their economic lives.

Our Vision
If we achieve our mission, then we will have encouraged the development of a consumer
financial marketplace –


Where customers can see prices and risks up front and where they can easily make
product comparisons;



In which no one can build a business model around unfair, deceptive, or abusive
practices; and



That works for American consumers, responsible providers, and the economy as a whole.

We will achieve our mission and vision through:
DATA-DRIVEN ANALYSIS

The CFPB is a data-driven agency. We take in data, manage it, store it, share it appropriately,
and protect it from unauthorized access. Our aim is to use data purposefully, to analyze and
distill data to enable informed decision-making in all internal and external functions.
INNOVATIVE USE OF TECHNOLOGY

Technology is core to the CFPB accomplishing its mission. This means developing and
leveraging technology to enhance the CFPB’s reach, impact, and effectiveness. We strive to be
recognized as an innovative, 21st century agency whose approach to technology serves as a
model within government.
VALUING THE BEST PEOPLE AND GREAT TEAMWORK

At the CFPB, we believe our people are our greatest asset. Therefore, we invest in world-class
training and support in order to create an environment that encourages employees at all levels
to tackle complex challenges. We also believe effective teamwork extends outside the walls of

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 the CFPB. We seek input from and collaborate with consumers, industry, government entities,
and other external stakeholders.

We aim to embody the following values in everything we do:
SERVICE

Our mission begins with service to the consumer and our country. We serve our colleagues by
listening to one another and by sharing our collective knowledge and experience.
LEADERSHIP

Fostering leadership and collaboration at all levels is at the core of our success. We believe in
investing in the growth of our colleagues and in creating an organization that is accountable to
the American people.
INNOVATION

Our organization embraces new ideas and technology. We are focused on continuously
improving, learning, and pushing ourselves to be great.

1.2

The CFPB performance and results

This section provides a summary of the CFPB’s key performance outcomes as well as selected
accomplishments that it has achieved this past fiscal year. This marks only the beginning of the
Bureau’s work on behalf of consumers and providers of financial products and services.
The CFPB developed and issued a strategic plan consistent with the Government Performance
and Results Act (GPRA) that was compiled by the Office of the Chief Strategy Officer (see
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/strategic-plan). The CFPB published its fiscal years 2013 to
2017 strategic plan in April 2013, which identifies four strategic goals and 28 associated
performance measures. In order to meet the required due date of preparing and issuing this
financial report not all performance measures could be included. However, a full Performance
Report will be published in calendar year 2015, which will include the results of all 28
performance measures, along with an analysis of CFPB’s efforts to achieve its performance
goals. Results reported below for the selected measures contained in this report show that the
CFPB has met or exceeded 12 of the 13 measures (92 percent).

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Goal 1: Prevent financial harm to consumers while promoting
good practices that benefit them
Prior to Congress enacting the Dodd-Frank Act, consumer financial protection had not been the
primary focus of any one federal agency, and no agency could set the rules for the entire
consumer financial market. The result was a system without sufficiently effective rules or
consistent enforcement of the law. Consumer financial protection is the CFPB’s singular focus.
PERFORMANCE GOAL

Complete consumer protection related rulemakings within nine months of receipt of final public
comments.
TABLE 1: PERCENTAGE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKINGS, CONDUCTED SOLELY BY THE CFPB, FINALIZED
OR OTHERWISE RESOLVED WITHIN NINE MONTHS OF THE DUE DATE FOR RECEIPT OF THE FINAL PUBLIC
COMMENTS

FY 2013

FY 2014

Target

75%

75%

Actual

78%

100%

In Fiscal Year 2014, the Bureau finalized and issued a number of rulemakings within the nine
months of the closing of a final comment period. The Bureau made additional updates to its
mortgage rules and issued an interim final rule amending provisions in Regulation Z and final
rules issued by the Bureau earlier that year, which, among other things, required that consumers
receive counseling before obtaining high-cost mortgages and that servicers provide periodic
account statements and rate adjustment notices to mortgage borrowers, as well as engage in
early intervention when borrowers become delinquent.
In November, 2013, the Bureau issued a final rule under Sections 1098 and 1100A of the DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) along with forms that
combined certain disclosures that consumers receive in connection with applying for and closing
on a mortgage loan under the Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z) and the Real Estate
Settlement Procedures Act (Regulation X). The Bureau’s final rule established new disclosure

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 requirements and forms in Regulation Z for most closed-end consumer credit transactions
secured by real property.
Also, the Bureau issued a final rule describing data instructions for lenders to use in complying
with the requirement under the High-Cost Mortgage and Homeownership Counseling
Amendments to the Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z) and Homeownership Counseling
Amendments to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA Homeownership Counseling
Amendments) Final Rule to provide a homeownership counseling list using data made available
by the Bureau or Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
In FY 2014, the Bureau amended Regulation E, which implements the Electronic Fund Transfer
Act (EFTA), to provide new protections, including disclosure requirements, and error resolution
and cancellation rights, to consumers who send remittance transfers to other consumers or
businesses in a foreign country. The amendments implement statutory requirements set forth
in the Dodd-Frank Act. The Bureau also made additional clarifying amendment and a technical
correction to this final rule.
PERFORMANCE GOAL

Ensure that all rulemakings are informed by public outreach processes, such as Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) panels and consumer and industry
roundtables.
TABLE 2: PERCENTAGE OF SIGNIFICANT CONSUMER PROTECTION RELATED, NOTICE-AND-COMMENT
RULEMAKINGS INFORMED BY PUBLIC OUTREACH PROCESSES

FY 2013

FY 2014

Target

100%

100%

Actual

100%

100%

During FY2014, CFPB rulemakings were informed by extensive public outreach efforts,
including, roundtable events and outreach meetings with industry stakeholders and consumer
advocates and as appropriate, Small Business Review Panel meetings with small business
entities. The Bureau also received valuable input from members of its Consumer Advisory
Board (CAB), Credit Union Advisory Council (CUAC), and Community Bank Advisory Council
(CBAC).

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Additionally, CFPB staff participated in numerous outreach meetings and external events to
monitor implementation issues in connection with its mortgage and remittances rules, as well as
interview testing with consumers around the country to help the Bureau develop and design the
TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure rule, and posted the model disclosures on its website for
public consideration and feedback.
PERFORMANCE GOAL

Successfully resolve the cases the CFPB files in court and administrative adjudicative
proceedings whether by litigation, settlement, issuance of default judgment, or other means.
TABLE 3: PERCENTAGE OF ALL CASES FILED BY THE CFPB SUCCESSFULLY RESOLVED THROUGH
LITIGATION, A SETTLEMENT, ISSUANCE OF DEFAULT JUDGMENT, OR OTHER MEANS

FY 2013

FY 2014

Target

75%

100%

Actual

100%

100%

In FY 2014, the Bureau successfully resolved 40 public enforcement actions. These actions
helped secure orders for almost $4 billion in penalties against defendants, redress and relief to
more than 5.9 million consumers who fell victim to various violations of consumer financial
protection laws. Of those 40 public enforcement actions, five related to fair lending, including
HMDA data reporting violations as well as discrimination in mortgage pricing, auto loan
pricing, and credit card debt collection. These fair lending actions resulted in orders for $284
million to address the harm of approximately 419,000 consumers.

Goal 2: Empower consumers to live better financial lives
The CFPB works to arm consumers with the knowledge, tools, and capabilities they need in
order to make better-informed financial decisions by engaging them in the right moments of
their financial lives, in moments when they are most receptive to seeking out and acting on
assistance. To that end, the CFPB will develop and maintain a variety of tools, programs and
initiatives that provide targeted, meaningful, and accessible assistance and information to
consumers at the moment they need them.

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 PERFORMANCE GOAL

Decrease time between receiving and closing a complaint.
TABLE 4:

INTAKE CYCLE TIME

FY 2013

FY 2014

Target

3 Days

3 Days

Actual

1 Day

1 Day

FY 2013

FY 2014

Target

15 Days

15 Days

Actual

12 Days

12 Days

FY 2013

FY 2014

Target

30 Days

30 Days

Actual

4 Days

2 Days

FY 2013

FY 2014

Target

45 Days

45 Days

Actual

78 Days

56 Days

TABLE 5:

TABLE 6:

TABLE 7:

COMPANY CYCLE TIME

CONSUMER CYCLE TIME

INVESTIGATION CYCLE TIME

Complaint volume increased about 67 percent from 144,000 complaints in FY 2013 to 240,600
in FY 2014. In addition, Consumer Response added the ability to accept complaints about
payday loans, prepaid cards, credit repair and debt settlement services, title and pawn loans and
virtual currency during FY 2014. Consumer Response continued to refine its complaint
handling processes and systems in FY 2014. Increasing efficiencies were achieved through
improvements to product-specific complaint intake forms and automation where possible.

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Actions were taken to address the increase complaint volume and complexity and to improve its
overall complaint handling operation. Process refinements implemented in the investigations
part of the complaint lifecycle as well as product-specific training in FY 2013 and FY 2014
continued to reduce the Investigations Cycle time in FY 2014.
PERFORMANCE GOAL: Facilitate the timely response to consumer complaints by companies.
TABLE 8:

PERCENTAGE OF COMPLAINTS ROUTED THROUGH THE DEDICATED COMPANY PORTAL

FY 2013

FY 2014

Target

85 %

87 %

Actual

87 %

91 %

In FY 2014, the CFPB established company portal access and trained staff of approximately 700
companies to respond to complaints on the portal.
PERFORMANCE GOAL

Expand capacity to handle consumer complaints.

TABLE 9:

NUMBER OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS HANDLED

FY 2013

FY 2014

Target

125,000

200,000

Actual

144,000

240,600

In FY 2014, the Bureau expanded the products and services about which it accepts complaints
beyond credit cards, mortgages, bank accounts and services, consumer loans, private student
loan, money transfers, credit reporting, and debt collection complaints. In FY 2014, the CFPB
began to accept complaints about payday loans, prepaid cards, credit repair and debt settlement
services, title and pawn loans, and virtual currency. The Bureau plans to continue to expand its
complaint handling to accept other products and services under its authority.
The Bureau also expanded its public Consumer Complaint Database, which was initially
launched in June 2012 and populated with credit card complaints, to include complaints about

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 additional products. In FY 2013, the Bureau added complaints about mortgages, bank account
and services, private student loans, other consumer loan complaints, credit reporting, and
money transfer complaints, as well as fields for sub-issue and state. In November 2013, debt
collection complaints were added to the database. Payday complaints were added to the
database in July 2014.
PERFORMANCE GOAL

Significantly increase targeted outreach activities and digital education materials in order to
engage consumers at the right moment.
TABLE 10: TARGETED POPULATIONS OR ORGANIZATIONS DIRECTLY SERVING TARGETED POPULATIONS
REACHED BY DIGITAL CONTENT, DECISION TOOLS, EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND RESOURCES

FY 2013

FY 2014

Target

808,114

5,000,000

Actual

1,903,417

5,600,000

In FY 2014, the CFPB continued to serve consumers with just-in-time financial information
through AskCFPB, an online database of consumers’ common questions around financial
products and services. The CFPB launched a major release of Paying for College, an online suite
of information and tools for helping consumers to understand their after-graduation monthly
debt payment before choosing a financial aid package. We also made investments in outreach
that will maximize the awareness and value of our various products for consumers.

Goal 3: Inform the public, policy makers, and the CFPB’s
own policy-making with data-driven analysis of consumer
finance markets and consumer behavior
Understanding how consumer financial markets work, the avenues for innovation in financial
products and services, and the potential for risk to consumers is a core component of the CFPB’s
mission. The CFPB’s aim is to ground all of its work – from writing rules and litigating
enforcement actions to its outreach and financial literacy efforts – in the realities of the
marketplace and the complexities of consumer behavior.

20

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 PERFORMANCE GOAL

Increase the number of reports produced about specific consumer financial products, markets,
or regulations and on consumer decision-making.
TABLE 11: REPORTS PRODUCED ABOUT SPECIFIC CONSUMER FINANCIAL PRODUCTS, MARKETS, OR
REGULATIONS AND ON CONSUMER DECISION-MAKING

FY 2013

FY 2014

Target

5

5

Actual

4

8

Preparing reports is central to the Bureau’s commitment to evidence-based policy-making. The
Bureau issued eight prominent reports in FY 2014. These reports are intended to deepen the
public’s understanding of these issues and provide the Bureau and other policy makers with a
stronger factual foundation on which to make policy judgments. In FY 2014, Bureau’s Division
of Research, Markets & Regulations (RMR) introduced a new “Data Point” report series. Data
Point reports are prepared by the RMR Office of Research to provide an evidence-based
perspective on consumer financial markets, consumer behavior, and regulations to inform the
public discourse.

Goal 4: Advance the CFPB’s performance by maximizing
resource productivity and enhancing impact
In order to maximize the effectiveness of consumer protections established by Federal consumer
financial law, the CFPB must acquire, maintain, support, and direct its resources in a way that
enables it to operate efficiently, effectively, and transparently. This means developing,
maintaining, and continuously improving the policies and controls in place to ensure the CFPB
has the resources it needs and puts those resources to the best use possible.
A key mission of the CFPB is to make financial products and services more transparent in the
consumer marketplace. The CFPB strives to achieve the same level of commitment to
transparency in its own activities, while respecting consumer privacy and confidentiality. To
accomplish this, the CFPB develops and implements mechanisms and provides channels to
maintain an open, collaborative dialogue with the public.

21

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 PERFORMANCE GOAL

Release new datasets to the public, where legally permissible and appropriate, to allow for
innovative uses of the data by individuals, non-profit entities, and businesses for the benefit of
consumers.
TABLE 12: PROVISION OF DATA TO THE PUBLIC IN LEGALLY PERMISSIBLE AND APPROPRIATE
INSTANCES

FY 2013

FY 2014

Target

5 Data Sets

7 Data Sets

Actual

4 Data Sets

7 Data Sets

In FY 2014, the CFPB launched its public data platform for Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data,
and updated the information with 2013 mortgage originations. This information will be
available for use by industry advocates and consumers to intuitively search and work with the
data and conduct analysis. The CFPB also released eRegs, a searchable tool for federal financial
regulations. eRegs currently covers two major regulations for the financial industry, Reg Z and
Reg E, and the Bureau is looking at potential opportunities for expansion. Also, in FY 2014, the
CFPB built out its Paying for College website, with cost information on approximately 7,700
educational institutions.
PERFORMANCE GOAL

Engage the public by hosting public field hearings, town hall meetings, Consumer Advisory
Board meetings, and other events on consumer finance issues.
TABLE 13: NUMBER OF PUBLIC HEARINGS, TOWN HALL MEETINGS, CONSUMER ADVISORY BOARD
MEETINGS, AND OTHER PUBLIC EVENTS HOSTED ANNUALLY.

FY 2013

FY 2014

Target

8 Events

9 Events

Actual

11 Events

13 Events

The Bureau hosted 13 public events in FY 2014, focused on key issues affecting consumer
financial markets such as credit cards, mortgages, auto finance, and payday lending. These

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 included three meetings of its Consumer Advisory Board. The Bureau also participated in
dozens of public events hosted by others in FY 2014, including testifying before Congress on
nine occasions to discuss policy, operations and budget matters.

1.3

Civil Penalty Fund Annual Report

Section 1055(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act authorizes the CFPB to obtain any appropriate legal or
equitable relief for violations of Federal consumer financial laws. That relief may include civil
penalties. Section 1017(d) of the Dodd-Frank Act further established a Consumer Financial Civil
Penalty Fund (Civil Penalty Fund) into which the Bureau deposits civil penalties it collects in
judicial and administrative actions under Federal consumer financial laws.
Under the Act, funds in the Civil Penalty Fund may be used for payments to the victims of
activities for which civil penalties have been imposed under the Federal consumer financial
laws. To the extent that such victims cannot be located or such payments are otherwise not
practicable, the Bureau may use funds in the Civil Penalty Fund for the purpose of consumer
education and financial literacy programs.
On May 7, 2013, the Bureau published the Civil Penalty Fund rule, 12 C.F.R. part 1075, a final
rule governing the Bureau’s use of the funds in the Civil Penalty Fund. That rule requires the
Bureau to issue regular reports on the Civil Penalty Fund. Included in this Annual Report within
the accompanying tables provided below are a list of all civil penalty collections from October 1,
2012 through September 30, 2014, the schedule for Civil Penalty Fund allocations, a description
of Civil Penalty Fund allocations in FY 2013 and FY 2014 and the basis for those allocations, and
an overview of the distribution of those funds.
Additional background information on the Civil Penalty Fund can be found at:
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/budget/civil-penalty-fund/
As of September 30, 2014 the Civil Penalty Fund has $112.8 million of funds available for future
allocation to harmed consumers and/or financial education. Table 14 below summarizes
significant activity of the fund since inception through September 30, 2014:

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 TABLE 14: CIVIL PENALTY FUND SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITY

Activity

Amount

Amount

Cash Collections:
FY 2012

$32,000,000

FY 2013

$49,520,001

FY 2014

$77,502,001

Total Cash Collections

$159,022,002

Less Allocations:
Victim Compensation
FY 2013

$10,488,815

FY 2014

$20,803,560

$31,292,375

Consumer Education and
Financial Literacy Programs
FY 2013

$13,380,000

FY 2014

$0

Total Allocations

$13,380,000
$44,672,375

Less Administrative Set-aside:
FY 2013
Total Available for Future
Allocations

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

$1,573,322
$112,776,305

 Civil Penalty Fund Collections
TABLE 15: FISCAL YEAR 2013 COLLECTIONS

Civil Penalty
collected

Collection date

American Express Centurion Bank

$3,900,000

October 1, 2012

American Express, FSB

$1,200,000

October 1, 2012

American Express Travel

$9,000,000

October 1, 2012

Defendant name

Payday Loan Debt Solution, Inc.
Abraham M. Pessar (Gordon, et. al)

$5,000
$1

December 28, 2012
February 26, 2013

United Guaranty Corporation

$4,500,000

April 11, 2013

Genworth Mortgage Ins. Corp.

$4,500,000

April 15, 2013

Mortgage Guaranty Ins. Corp (MGIC)

$2,650,000

April 16, 2013

Radian Guaranty Inc.

$3,750,000

April 29, 2013

$15,000

June 12, 2013

American Debt Settlement Solutions,
Inc.
JPMorgan Chase

$20,000,000

Total

$49,520,001

September 19, 2013

In fiscal year 2013, the Bureau collected civil penalties from 11 defendants totaling $49.5
million. 1

1

In FY13 a civil money penalty for $1.1 million was imposed in the National Legal Help Center case. The civil penalty
in this case is not reasonably expected to be received and has not resulted in accounts receivable.

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 TABLE 16: FISCAL YEAR 2014 COLLECTIONS

Defendant name
Washington Federal
Mortgage Master, Inc.

Collection date

$34,000

October 11, 2013

$425,000

October 15, 2013

Castle & Cooke Mortgage, LLC

$4,000,000

November 13, 2013

Cash America International, Inc.

$5,000,000

November 25, 2013

$1,376,000 2

November 26, 2013
July 16, 2014

Meracord, LLC.
Republic Mortgage Insurance Company

$100,000

December 5, 2013

American Express Bank, FSB

$2,000,000

December 23, 2013

American Express Centurion Bank

$3,600,000

December 23, 2013

American Express Travel Related Services

$4,000,000

December 23, 2013

$18,000,000

December 30, 2013

Ally
Fidelity Mortgage Corporation

$54,000

January 21, 2014

1st Alliance Lending, LLC

$83,000

March 5, 2014

$20,000,000

April 17, 2014

Bank of America
RealtySouth
Synchrony (GE Capital Retail Bank)
Stonebridge Title Services, Inc.
Ace Cash Express, Inc.
Colfax (Culver Capital, LLC)

2

Civil Penalty
Collected

$500,000

June 4, 2014

$3,500,000

June 20, 2014

$30,000

June 24, 2014

$5,000,000
$1

July 18, 2014
August 5, 2014

Meracord LLC paid $1.4 million in civil penalties in two installments, $600,000 on November 26, 2013 and
$800,000 on July 16, 2014.

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 USA Discounters, Ltd.

$50,000

August 19, 2014

Amerisave Mortgage Corporation

$6,000,000

August 22, 2014

First Investors Financial Services Group, Inc.

$2,750,000

August 29, 2014

Global Client Solutions

$1,000,000

September 5, 2014

Total

$77,502,001

In fiscal year 2014, the Bureau collected civil penalties from 22 defendants totaling $77.5
million. 3

Allocations from the Civil Penalty Fund
Under the Civil Penalty Fund rule, the Civil Penalty Fund Administrator allocates funds in the
Civil Penalty Fund to classes of victims of violations of Federal consumer financial laws and, to
the extent that such victims cannot be located or such payments are otherwise not practicable, to
consumer education and financial literacy programs according to a schedule published by the
Fund Administrator. That schedule established six-month periods and provides that an
allocation will be made within 60 days of the end of each period. The Fund Administrator may
allocate only those funds that were available as of the end of the six-month period and may
allocate funds to a class of victims only if that class had uncompensated harm as of the end of
the six-month period.

3

Three additional civil penalty fund cases resulted in accounts receivable in Fiscal Year 2014, to be collected in early
Fiscal Year 2015. These accounts receivable total $15.2 million. In particular, the Bureau expects civil penalty
collections of $5 million from U.S. Bank, $200,000 from Lighthouse Title, and $10 million from Flagstar Bank,
F.S.B. A civil penalty of $1 was imposed in the 3D-Resorts- Bluegrass, LLC case. The civil penalty in this case is not
reasonably expected to be received and has not resulted in accounts receivable.

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 TABLE 17: SCHEDULE FOR ALLOCATIONS, PERIODS 1, 2, 3, AND 4

Start

End

Allocation
Deadline

1

July 21, 2011

March 31, 2013

May 30, 2013

2

April 1, 2013

September 30,
2013

November 29,
2013

3

October 1,
2013

March 31, 2014

May 30, 2014

4

April 1, 2014

September 30,
2014

November 29,
2014

Period

The table displays the dates by which funds will be allocated following the first four six-month
periods. Allocations must occur within 60 days after the end of each six-month period.
Therefore, under the current schedule, subsequent allocations will also occur between April 1
and May 30 and between October 1 and November 29 of each year.

Allocations in FY 2013
Period 1: July 21, 2011 – March 31, 2013
The Bureau made its first allocation from the Civil Penalty Fund on May 30, 2013. As of March
31, 2013, $46.1 million was in the Civil Penalty Fund. Of that, $1.6 million was set aside for any
administrative costs and $44.5 million was available for allocation under 12 C.F.R.
§ 1075.105(c).

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 TABLE 18: PERIOD 1: CASES IN WHICH A CIVIL PENALTY WAS IMPOSED

Defendant Name

Date of Final Order 4

Capital One Bank

July 18, 2012

Discover

September 24, 2012

American Express Centurion Bank

October 1, 2012

American Express Bank, FSB

October 1, 2012

American Express Travel

October 1, 2012

Payday Loan Debt Solution, Inc.

December 21, 2012

Abraham M. Pessar (Gordon, et. al)

February 1, 2013

During Period 1, final orders in Bureau enforcement actions imposed civil penalties in seven
cases. The table above lists the date of the final order in each of those cases. Under the Civil
Penalty Fund rule, the victims of the violations for which the civil penalties were imposed in
these cases are eligible to receive payment from the Civil Penalty Fund to compensate their
uncompensated harm.
Of those cases, two cases—Payday Loan Debt Solution, Inc. (PLDS), and Gordon, et al.—had
classes of victims with uncompensated harm that is compensable from the Civil Penalty Fund. 5

4

Under Section 1075.101 of the Civil Penalty Fund rule, for purposes of Civil Penalty Fund allocations, a “Final Order”
is a consent order or settlement issued by a court or by the Bureau, or an appealable order issued by a court or by
the Bureau as to which the time for filing an appeal has expired and no appeals are pending. Appeals include
petitions for reconsideration, review, rehearing, and certiorari. For reporting purposes, “date of final order” for all
consent orders is defined as the date the order was entered on the docket. The chart has been updated for all
periods to reflect this definition. In our prior financial report, the “date of final order” in some instances reflected
the date the final order was signed rather than the docket-entry date. No changes in allocation periods or fiscal year
quarters have occurred as a result of this reporting update. For appealable orders, the “date of final order” is the
date the order became final under federal law.

5

Under the Civil Penalty Fund rule victims’ compensable harm is determined by looking to the terms of the relevant
court or administrative order. If the amount of a victim’s compensable harm cannot be determined based on the
terms of the relevant order, the victim’s compensable harm generally will be his or her out-of-pocket losses that
resulted from the violation. To determine the amount of a victim’s uncompensated harm, the Bureau will take the

29

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 In particular, the PLDS victims had $488,815 in uncompensated harm, and the Gordon victims
had $10 million in uncompensated harm. The victims in the other five cases had no
uncompensated harm that was compensable from the Civil Penalty Fund.
The Bureau allocated $488,815 to the PLDS class of victims and $10 million to the Gordon class
of victims, enough to compensate fully each class’s uncompensated harm. After making that
allocation, $34 million remained available for allocation. Of this figure, the Bureau allocated
$13.4 million for consumer education and financial literacy programs.

Period 1 Allocation Summary:
Victim Compensation: $10,488,815
 Payday Loan Debt Solution, Inc.
 Victim Class Allocation: $488,815
 Gordon, et al.
 Victim Class Allocation: $10,000,000
Consumer Education and Financial Literacy Programs: $13,380,000
Total Allocation: $23,868,815

Allocations in FY 2014
Period 2: April 1, 2013 – September 30, 2013
On November 29, 2013, the Bureau made its second allocation from the Civil Penalty Fund. As
of September 30, 2013, the Civil Penalty Fund contained an u nallocated balance of $56.1
million. This amount was available for allocation pursuant to 12 C.F.R. § 1075.105(c).

victim’s total compensable harm and subtract out any compensation that the victim has received—or is reasonably
expected to receive—for that harm. See 12 C.F.R. § 1075.104.

30

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 TABLE 19: PERIOD 2: CASES IN WHICH A CIVIL PENALTY WAS IMPOSED

Defendant Name

Date of Final Order

United Guaranty Corporation

April 8, 2013

Genworth Mortgage Ins. Corp.

April 5, 2013

Mortgage Guaranty Ins. Corp. (MGIC)

April 5, 2013

Radian Guaranty Inc.

April 9, 2013

American Debt Settlement Solutions, Inc.

June 7, 2013

JPMorgan Chase

September 19, 2013

National Legal Help Center 6

September 23, 2013

During Period 2, final orders in Bureau enforcement actions imposed civil penalties in seven
cases. The table above lists the date that the order in each of those cases became a “final order”
within the meaning of the Civil Penalty Fund rule. Under the Civil Penalty Fund rule, the
victims of the violations for which the civil penalties were imposed in these cases are eligible to
receive payment from the Civil Penalty Fund to compensate their uncompensated harm.
Of those seven cases, the Civil Penalty Fund Administrator determined that one case did not
have a class of victims with uncompensated harm that is compensable from the Civil Penalty
Fund, and that two cases included classes of victims with uncompensated harm that is
compensable from the Civil Penalty Fund. As of the time of the allocation, the Fund
Administrator did not yet have sufficient information to determine whether classes of victims in
the remaining four cases had “compensable harm” or “uncompensated harm” as defined by the
Civil Penalty Fund rule. The two cases with classes of victims with uncompensated harm that is
compensable from the Civil Penalty Fund were American Debt Settlement Solutions, Inc.
(ADSS) and National Legal Help Center (NLHC). Specifically, the ADSS victims had $499,248
in uncompensated harm and the NLHC victims had $2.1 million in uncompensated harm.

6

In the National Legal Help Center case, the defendants were ordered to pay $1.1 million in civil monetary penalties.
At the time of this report, the Bureau does not reasonably expect to receive these penalties.

31

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 The Bureau allocated $499,248 to two classes of victims in ADSS and $2.1 million to the NLHC
class of victims, enough to compensate fully those victim classes’ uncompensated harm. No
funds were allocated to consumer education and financial literacy programs. The remaining
unallocated Civil Penalty Fund balance remained available for future allocations.

Period 2 Allocation Summary:
Victim Compensation: $2,557,231
 American Debt Settlement Solutions, Inc.
 Victim Classes Allocation: $499,248
 National Legal Help Center
 Victim Class Allocation: $2,057,983
Consumer Education and Financial Literacy Programs: $0
Total Allocation: $2,557,231

Period 3: October 1, 2013- March 31, 2014
On May 30, 2014, the Bureau made its third allocation from the Civil Penalty Fund. As of March
31, 2014, the Civil Penalty Fund contained an unallocated balance of $91.4 million. This amount
was available for allocation pursuant to 12 C.F.R. § 1075.105(c).

32

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 TABLE 20: PERIOD 3: CASES IN WHICH A CIVIL PENALTY WAS IMPOSED

Defendant Name

Date of Final Order

Meracord, LLC

October 4, 2013

Washington Federal

October 9, 2013

Mortgage Master, Inc.

October 9, 2013

Castle & Cooke Mortgage, LLC

November 12, 2013

Republic Mortgage Insurance Company

November 19, 2013

Cash America International, Inc.

November 21, 2013

3D Resorts- Bluegrass, LLC

December 3, 2013

Ally

December 20, 2013

American Express Bank, FSB

December 24, 2013

American Express Centurion Bank

December 24, 2013

American Express Travel Related Services

December 24, 2013

Fidelity Mortgage Corporation

January 16, 2014

1st Alliance Lending, LLC

February 24, 2014

During Period 3, final orders in Bureau enforcement actions imposed civil penalties in 13 cases.
Under the Civil Penalty Fund rule, the victims of the violations for which the civil penalties were
imposed in these cases are eligible to receive payment from the Civil Penalty Fund to
compensate their uncompensated harm.
Of those cases, the Civil Penalty Fund Administrator determined that two cases did not have
eligible classes of victims, and seven cases had classes of eligible victims with no uncompensated
harm that is compensable from the Civil Penalty Fund. Additionally, as of the time of the Period
3 allocation, the Fund Administrator did not have sufficient information to determine whether
classes of victims in one Period 3 case, along with four cases from Period 2, had “compensable
harm” or “uncompensated harm” as defined in the Civil Penalty Fund rule.

33

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Of the three cases that had classes of eligible victims with uncompensated harm, the classes of
eligible victims with uncompensated harm in one case are expected to receive full compensation
pursuant to an order issued by another federal regulator. The two remaining cases with classes
of victims with uncompensated harm that is compensable from the Civil Penalty Fund were
Meracord and 3D Resorts-Bluegrass. Specifically, the Meracord victims had $11.5 million in
estimated uncompensated harm, and the 3D Resorts-Bluegrass victims had $6.7 million in
estimated uncompensated harm.
The Bureau allocated $11.5 million to the Meracord victim class and $6.7 million to the 3D
Resorts-Bluegrass victim class, enough to compensate fully those victim classes’ uncompensated
harm. No funds were allocated to consumer education and financial literacy programs. The
remaining unallocated Civil Penalty Fund balance remains available for future allocation.

Period 3 Allocation Summary:
Victim Compensation: $18,246,329
 Meracord


Victim Class Allocation: $11,542,229

 3D Resorts- Bluegrass


Victim Class Allocation: $6,704,100

Consumer Education and Financial Literacy Programs: $0
Total Allocation: $18,246,329

34

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 FY 2014 cases eligible for allocation in FY 2015
Period 4: March 31, 2014- September 30, 2014
On or before November 29, 2014, the Bureau will make its fourth allocation from the Civil
Penalty Fund. As of September 30, 2014, the Civil Penalty Fund had an unallocated balance of
$112.8 million. This amount will be available for allocation pursuant to 12 C.F.R. § 1075.105(c).
TABLE 21: PERIOD 4: CASES IN WHICH A CIVIL PENALTY WAS IMPOSED

35

Defendant Name

Date of Final Order

Bank of America

April 9, 2014

RealtySouth

May 28, 2014

Stonebridge Title Services, Inc.

June 12, 2014

Synchrony (GE Capital Retail Bank)

June 19, 2014

Ace Cash Express, Inc.

July 10, 2014

Colfax (Culver Capital, LLC)

July 29, 2014

Amerisave Mortgage Corporation

August 12, 2014

USA Discounters, Ltd.

August 14, 2014

First Investors Financial Services Group, Inc.

August 20, 2014

Global Client Solutions

August 27, 2014

U.S. Bank

September 25, 2014

Flagstar Bank, F.S.B.

September 29, 2014

Lighthouse Title

September 30, 2014

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Civil Penalty Fund Distributions
Civil penalty fund distributions have begun for two Civil Penalty Fund allocations made in
Period 1 and Period 2. These distribution figures reflect the amounts that have been mailed to
harmed consumers; these distributions are still active and checks continue to be deposited by
consumers. In the Payday Loan Debt Solution, Inc. case, $458,526 has been distributed to
harmed consumers. In the American Debt Settlements Solutions, Inc. case $499,246 has been
distributed to harmed consumers. Distributions are expected to begin in fiscal year 2015 for the
Gordon, et al., National Legal Help Center, Meracord, and 3D Resorts- Bluegrass LLC cases.

TABLE 22: CIVIL PENALTY FUND DISTRIBUTIONS

Defendant

Period

Distribution Amount

Payday Loan Debt Solution, Inc.

1

$458,526

American Debt Settlement Solutions, Inc.

2

$499,246

Bureau-Administered Redress
Dodd-Frank Act Section 1055 authorizes a court in a judicial action, or the CFPB in an
administrative proceeding, to grant any appropriate legal or equitable relief for a violation of
Federal consumer financial law. Such relief may include redress for victims of the violations,
including refunds, restitution, and damages. Relief that is intended to compensate victims is
treated as fiduciary funds and deposited into the “Legal or Equitable Relief Fund” established at
the Department of the Treasury. CFPB refers to these collections as Bureau-Administered
Redress.

36

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Bureau-Administered Redress Collections
TABLE 23: COLLECTIONS IN FY 2013

Defendant

Amount Collected

Date of Collection

$100,000

December 28, 2012

Payday Loan Debt Solution, Inc.
Gordon, et al

$22,804

August 9, 2013

In Fiscal Year 2013, the Bureau collected $122,804 in Bureau-Administered Redress funds from
two defendants. Funds for each case will be used to compensate victims in accordance with the
terms of the final order for that case. 7

TABLE 24: COLLECTIONS IN FY 2014

Defendant

Amount Collected

Date of Collection

$9,228,896

November 13, 2013

Castle and Cooke
3D Resorts- Bluegrass
Amerisave
Global Client Solutions

$50,000
$14,892,234
$4,000,000

December 6, 2013
August 15, 2014
September 5, 2014

In Fiscal Year 2014, the Bureau collected $28.2 million in Bureau-Administered Redress funds
from four defendants. 8 In these cases, funds will be distributed in accordance with terms of the
final order for each case. 9

7

For example, in the Payday Loan Debt Solution Inc. case the final order provides that the Bureau-Administered
Redress funds should be used to pay restitution to victims and to cover attendant administrative expenses.

8

Two Bureau-Administered Redress cases resulted in accounts receivable in Fiscal Year 2014, to be collected in Fiscal
Year 2015 totaling $29.6 million. In particular, the Bureau expects to collect redress of $2.1 million from Global
Client Solutions and $27.5 million from Flagstar Bank, F.S.B.

37

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Bureau-Administered Redress Distributions
TABLE 25: BUREAU-ADMINISTERED REDRESS DISBURSEMENTS

Defendant

Quarter of Distribution

Amount Distributed

Payday Loan Debt Solution, Inc.

FY14 Q1

$76,442

Castle and Cooke Mortgage, LLC.

FY14 Q3

$9,175,596

In the first quarter of FY2014, Bureau-Administered Redress funds from the Payday Loan Debt
Solution, Inc. case were distributed to eligible victims in accordance with the terms of the final
order. 10 In the third quarter of FY 2014, Bureau-Administered Redress funds from the Castle
and Cooke Mortgage, LLC case were distributed to eligible victims in accordance with the terms
of the final order. In FY 2014, using Bureau-Administered Redress funds the Bureau distributed
a total of $9.3 million to harmed consumers.

9

In the Castle and Cooke, Amerisave, and Global Client Solution cases, the respective final orders provide that the
Bureau-Administered Redress funds should be used to pay redress to victims and to cover attendant administrative
expenses.

10

The final order in the Payday Loan Debt Solution, Inc. case included two classes of victims. One class was
compensated in accordance with the final order using Bureau-Administered Redress funds. The other class was
compensated with an allocation and subsequent disbursement from the Civil Penalty Fund.

38

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 1.4

Management assurances and audit
results

CFPB Statement of Management Assurance
Fiscal Year 2014, November 10, 2014
The management of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is responsible for establishing and
maintaining effective internal control and financial management systems that meet the objectives of the
Federal Managers’ Financial Integrity Act of 1982 (FMFIA). Continuous monitoring and periodic
evaluations provide the basis for the annual assessment and report on management’s controls, as required
by FMFIA. The FMFIA methodologies assist in assessing the applicable entity-wide controls,
documenting the applicable processes, and identifying and testing the key controls. Based on the results
of these ongoing evaluations, the CFPB is able to provide a qualified statement of assurance that the
internal control over the effectiveness and efficiency of operations and compliance with applicable laws
and regulations meet the objectives of FMFIA, with the exception of a material weakness identified as of
September 30, 2014. We will continue to take appropriate steps to implement timely corrective actions.
As required by the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB is to provide a management assertion as to the effectiveness
of the CFPB’s internal control over financial reporting. The CFPB management is responsible for
establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. The CFPB conducted its
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria
established under 31 U.S.C. Sec. 3512(c) and applicable sections of OMB Circular A-123. Based on the
results of this evaluation, a material weakness was identified in its internal control over financial
reporting as of September 30, 2014. Other than the exception noted, the internal controls were operating
effectively and no other material weaknesses were found in the design or operation of the internal control
over financial reporting.
Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB is required to maintain financial management systems that comply
substantially with Federal financial management systems requirements and applicable Federal accounting
standards. The CFPB utilizes financial management systems that substantially comply with the
requirements for Federal financial management systems and applicable Federal accounting standards.

Richard Cordray
Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

39

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Federal Managers’ Financial Integrity Act
The CFPB was established as an independent bureau in the Federal Reserve System under the
Dodd-Frank Act Section 1011 (a). As an independent, non-appropriated bureau, CFPB
recognizes the importance of Federal laws associated with implementing effective risk
management, including the Federal Managers’ Financial Integrity Act. This includes ensuring
that CFPB operations and programs are effective and efficient and that internal controls are
sufficient to minimize exposure to waste and mismanagement.
In fiscal year 2014, CFPB performed an evaluation of its risks and systems of internal controls.
Based on the results of those evaluations, the CFPB is able to provide a qualified statement of
assurance that the internal control over the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, and
compliance with applicable laws and regulations meet the objectives of FMFIA, with the
exception of one (1) material weakness and one (1) significant deficiency that were identified as
of September 30, 2014, listed below. The CFPB is committed to continuously enhancing and
improving its systems of internal control and realizing more effective and efficient ways to
accomplish its mission; as well as taking appropriate steps to implement timely corrective
actions.
Accounts Payable Accrual Process (Material Weakness)
A material weakness has been identified in the accounts payable accrual
process. Although policies and procedures are in place around the accrual process, a
number of errors continue to exist relating to the calculation of the accrual amounts for
expenses and property and equipment and the OCFO review process over those accrual
amounts. In fiscal year 2013, a significant deficiency was identified in the accounts
payable accrual process. During fiscal year 2014, the OCFO implemented corrective
actions to mitigate the risks of this deficiency: provided additional outreach and
guidance to Contracting Officer Representatives (COR) and invoice approvers,
implemented a sampling methodology to review the accrual amounts, and began
developing a resource and desk guide for the CORs and invoice approvers. The
corrective actions implemented did not mitigate the risks appropriately and the errors in
the accounts payable accrual amounts resulted in the identification of a material
weakness. During fiscal year 2015, the Bureau will implement steps to remediate these
issues working with CORs, invoice approvers, and the Bureau’s accountable
officials. Such corrective actions will include the completion and dissemination of the
resource and desk guide for the CORs and invoice approvers, more collaboration

40

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 between the OCFO and the CORs and invoice approvers when calculating the accrual
amounts, more oversight by the OCFO over the budget execution of contracts and
interagency agreements which impact the associated accrual amounts, and a more
comprehensive OCFO review process over the accrual amounts. Although it is our
understanding that this material weakness does not indicate that the Bureau overspent
its funds in FY 2014 (in fact it appears to have underspent them), the Bureau is
committed to correcting the imprecision in the accrual estimation process to ensure the
proper accounting and reporting of the Bureau’s expenses.
Accounting for Property and Equipment (Significant Deficiency)
A significant deficiency continues to be identified over the accounting for property and
equipment. Although policies and procedures around the accounting for property and
equipment are in place, a number of errors continue to exist relating to the proper
capitalization or expensing of costs associated with the purchase of furniture and
equipment or development of internal use software. In fiscal year 2013, a significant
deficiency was identified in the accounting for property and equipment. During fiscal
year 2014, the OCFO implemented corrective actions to mitigate the risks of this
deficiency: provided additional outreach and guidance to CORs and invoice approvers
and implemented a review process over contracts and interagency agreements for the
purchase or development of items that may be capitalized. The corrective actions
implemented did not fully mitigate the risks and therefore this significant deficiency is
still identified in fiscal year 2014. During fiscal year 2015, the Bureau will increase its
collaboration between the OCFO, applicable CORs and invoice approvers, and the Office
of Procurement; continue its review over contracts and interagency agreements; and
implement a process to more systematically gather and disseminate information on fixed
asset acquisitions to ensure capitalized costs are accurately captured and recorded.
Additionally, the CFPB identified several enhancement areas to focus on and during fiscal year
2015 will continue to make progress toward: implementing a more comprehensive asset
management process; implementing an enterprise risk management program; developing,
reviewing, and revising policies and procedures as appropriate; fully implementing and
enhancing the guidelines and processes around accruals and asset capitalization; developing a
new performance management system and additional steps to promote fairness and inclusion in
the workplace; carefully managing the headquarters renovation; providing leadership and
management training, enhancing staff training and development programs and working towards
the goal of being fully staffed; and enhancing the Bureau’s Information Security Program.

41

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Federal financial management systems requirements
Section 1017(a)(4)(C) of the Dodd-Frank Act requires the CFPB to implement and maintain
financial management systems that substantially comply with Federal financial management
systems requirements and applicable Federal accounting standards. The CFPB performs or is
subject to a number of other assessments in order to further support compliance with the
requirement set forth within the Dodd Frank Act requiring the CFPB to implement and
maintain Financial Management Systems that comply substantially with the Federal Financial
Management Systems requirements and applicable accounting standards. These assessments
also assist in documenting compliance with the Federal Financial Management System
requirements. Assessments include but are not limited to:







Internal Control over Financial Reporting (ICOFR)
Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA)
Improper Payments
Annual Financial Statement Audit
Federal Manager’s Financial Integrity Act Reporting of 1982 (FMFIA)
Federal Financial Management Improvement Act of 1996 (FFMIA)

Based on the results of these internal control assessments, the CFPB provided reasonable
assurance that as of September 30, 2014:


The CFPB financial management systems substantially comply with the requirements for
Federal financial management systems and applicable Federal accounting standards.

Additionally, as discussed in the section on Financial Management System Strategy below, the
CFPB has entered into an agreement with the Bureau of Fiscal Services, Administrative
Resource Center (BFS/ARC) for the cross-servicing of the CFPB’s core financial management
system needs. As such, BFS/ARC has provided assurances to the CFPB that BFS/ARC’s system
is in compliance with the Federal Financial Management Improvement Act (FFMIA) whereby
the system is substantially compliant with:

42



Federal financial management system requirements,



Applicable federal accounting standards, and



The United States Standard General Ledger at the transaction level.

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 BFS/ARC has reported that its system substantially complies with these three requirements of
FFMIA and recently completed a Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagement (SSAE)
No. 16, Reporting on Controls at a Service Organization. The independent auditors opined in
the SSAE-16 report that BFS/ARC’s controls were suitably designed to provide reasonable
assurance that control objectives would be achieved if customer agencies applied the
complementary customer agency controls.
The CFPB evaluated its internal controls over the processing of transactions between the CFPB
and BFS/ARC. The CFPB has determined it has adequate complementary customer controls in
place.

Financial statement audit and report on internal control over
financial reporting
Sections 1017(a)(4)(B) and (D) of the Dodd-Frank Act require the CFPB to prepare and submit
to GAO annual financial statements and an assertion of the effectiveness of the internal control
over financial reporting. Section 1017(a)(5)(A) and (B) of the Dodd-Frank Act also require GAO
to audit those financial statements and report their results to the Bureau, Congress and the
President. The CFPB prepared comparative financial statements for fiscal years 2013 and 2014.
GAO issued an unmodified or “clean” audit opinion on the CFPB’s fiscal years 2013 and 2014
financial statements. GAO opined that due to a material weakness in internal control over the
reporting of accounts payable, the CFPB did not maintain, in all material respects, effective
internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2014. However, GAO reported that
its tests for compliance with selected provisions of applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and
grant agreements disclosed no instances of noncompliance for fiscal year 2014 that would be
reported under U.S. generally accepted government auditing standards.

Financial management systems strategy
The CFPB recognized during its initial years of operation that it needed to leverage from other
federal agencies existing financial management resources, systems and information technology
platforms. Initially, all of the CFPB’s financial management transactions were processed
through the Department of the Treasury’s Departmental Offices. The Bureau also relied on
Treasury for much of its information technology infrastructure. The CFPB has maintained an
agreement with the BFS for the cross-servicing of a commercial off-the-shelf core financial
management system designed and configured to meet generally accepted accounting principles

43

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 for Federal entities. In addition to the core financial management system, BFS provides services
that include transactional processing, financial reporting, human resource services,
procurement services, and travel services. The CFPB’s goal is to continue providing an effective
strategy that supports our financial management systems.
The CFPB recognizes the importance of financial management systems and oversight as a part
of the capital planning and investment control process. Accordingly, the CFPB relies on its
Investment Review Board (IRB) as the executive advisory body responsible for ensuring that all
business and technology investments are aligned to the CFPB’s mission, vision, strategic goals
and initiatives, and utilize program management best practices to achieve the maximum return
on investments. The IRB is chaired by the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Investments over $0.5
million are reviewed by the IRB, unless waived by the Chair in consultation with IRB
members. The Chair may require IRB review of investments less than $0.5 million if the
investment is deemed significant.

Federal Information Security Management Act
The Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) requires Federal agencies to
develop, document, and implement an agency-wide program to provide security for the
information and information systems that support the operations and assets of the agency. The
CFPB has developed a Cyber Security Program in accordance with FISMA that is grounded in a
foundation of well-documented policies, standards and processes. The Bureau relies on the
soundness of this program to conduct reviews of its third-party service organizations including
other federal entities with whom we have cross servicing agreements that enable us to leverage
their existing information technology and platforms. As the CFPB continues to mature and
grow, the security program will adjust as well to ensure the safety and protection of the Bureau’s
data and assets.

Improper payments
The Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act of 2011 (IPERA) requires agencies to
review their programs and activities annually to identify those susceptible to significant
improper payments. While the CFPB’s Bureau Fund is not subject to the Act, in the interest of
being consistent with government best practices, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer
conducted such a review of five areas of payments during fiscal year 2014 – Purchase Card,
Contract Payments and/or Invoices, Travel Card, Claims and/or Vouchers and Payroll. The

44

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 CFPB’s risk assessment process did not identify any programs susceptible to significant
improper payments.
The Civil Penalty Fund is subject to the Act. In fiscal year 2013, the CFPB made no
disbursements from the Civil Penalty Fund. In fiscal year 2014, disbursements did not meet the
reporting threshold for the Act.

Limitations of the Financial Statements
The principal financial statements contained in this report have been prepared to present the
financial position and results of operations of the CFPB pursuant to the requirements of the
Dodd-Frank Act Section 1017(a)(4)(B). While the statements have been prepared from the
books and records of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles for the Federal government, and follow the general presentation
guidance provided by OMB, the statements are in addition to the financial reports used to
monitor and control budgetary resources, which are prepared using the same books and records.
The statements should be read with the understanding that they are for a component of the U.S.
Government, a sovereign entity.

1.5

Financial analysis

Analysis of FY 2014 Financial Condition and Results
Since its inception in 2011 the Bureau has experienced considerable growth in the number of its
employees, in the maturity of its processes and activities, and in the consumption of requested
resources to conduct its activities. This is reflected in the data provided in Table 26 below that
reports on significant changes between fiscal years 2014 and 2013.

45

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 TABLE 26: SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(In Dollars)

Percentage Change

FY 2014

FY 2013

Total Assets

41%

$687,481,254

$485,889,146

Total Liabilities

90%

$149,420,380

$78,579,861

Total Net Position

32%

$538,060,874

$407,309,285

Total Net Cost
of Operations

27%

$497,553,748

$391,324,842

Total Budgetary
Resources

12%

$796,718,485

$708,690,708

Total Obligations
Incurred

-7%

$499,812,046

$538,759,116

Total Outlays

21%

$432,475,653

$356,591,467

Total Assets are $687.5 million as of September 30, 2014, an increase of $201.6 million (or 41
percent) over fiscal year 2013. The main factors contributing to the net increase are collections
into the Bureau Fund ($91 million increase in Investments of the Bureau Fund) and the Civil
Penalty Fund ($75.5 million increase in the Civil Penalty Fund balance). The Bureau’s accounts
receivable increased significantly in fiscal year 2014 (from $54,883 to $15.4 million) due to Civil
Penalties imposed by the Bureau in fiscal year 2014 but not yet collected as of September 30,
2014. (The collections occurred in October 2014, after the closing date of the 2014 statements,
see Note 18). Property and equipment increased from $27.7 million to $37.5 million (an
increase of 35 percent), resulting primarily from the addition of assets related to software
development and the leasehold improvement project.
Total Liabilities are $149.4 million as of September 30, 2014, an increase of $70.8 million (or
90 percent) over fiscal year 2013. The Bureau’s liabilities generally represent the resources due
to others such as benefits owed to employees and payments owed to vendors and Federal
agencies for goods and services provided. Liabilities also include victim compensation amounts
allocated from the Civil Penalty Fund (net of distributions to date), which increased from $13
million in 2013 to $30.3 million in fiscal year 2014.

46

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Total Net Position at the end of fiscal year 2014 increased by $130.8 million from fiscal year
2013 as a result of the Bureau’s total financing sources exceeding the cost of operations. While
both the financing sources and cost of operations increased in 2014 due to the general growth of
the agency, the increase in the net position is primarily due to activity in the Civil Penalty Fund,
where Civil Monetary Penalties increased from about $49.5 million imposed in fiscal year 2013
to over $92.7 million imposed in fiscal year 2014, an increase in non-exchange revenue of $43.2
million. A similar increase is reflected in Total Budgetary Resources.
Total Net Cost of Operations increased in fiscal year 2014 from $391.3 million to $497.6
million (an increase of $106.2 million or 27 percent) due to the growth of the agency in each of
its four strategic goals: (1) Prevent Financial Harm to Consumers While Promoting Good
Practices That Benefit Them; (2) Empower Consumers to Live Better Financial Lives; (3) Inform
the Public, Policy Makers, and the CFPB’s own Policy-Making with Data-Driven Analysis of
Consumer Finance Markets and Consumer Behavior; and, (4) Advance the CFPB’s Performance
by Maximizing Resources Productivity and Enhancing Impact. The largest increase in program
cost in fiscal year 2014 supported the strategic goal of preventing financial harm to consumers
while promoting good practices that benefit them. This goal includes the Bureau’s rulemaking
and enforcement activities for the consumer financial market.

How the CFPB is funded and other sources of revenue and
collections
Bureau fund
Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB is funded principally by transfers from the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System up to a limit set forth in the statute. The CFPB
requests transfers from the Board of Governors in amounts that are reasonably necessary to
carry out its mission. Funding is capped at a pre-set percentage of the total 2009 operating
expenses of the Federal Reserve System, subject to an annual adjustment. Specifically, the
CFPB fund transfers are capped as follows:


In fiscal year 2011, up to 10 percent of these Federal Reserve System expenses (or
approximately $498 million),



47

In fiscal year 2012, up to 11 percent of these expenses (or approximately $547.8 million),

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 

In fiscal year 2013, up to 12 percent of these expenses (or approximately $597.6 million),
and



In fiscal year 2014 and beyond, the cap remains at 12 percent but will be adjusted
annually based on the percentage increase in the employment cost index for total
compensation for State and local government workers published by the Federal
Government.

The Dodd-Frank Act requires the CFPB to maintain an account with the Federal Reserve –
“Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Fund” (Bureau Fund). Funds requested from the
Board of Governors are transferred into the Bureau Fund. Bureau funds determined not to be
needed to meet the current needs of the CFPB are invested in Treasury securities on the open
market. Earnings from the investments are also deposited into this fund. During fiscal year
2014 four transfers totaling $534 million were received from the Board of Governors. The
amount transferred from the Board of Governors to the CFPB was $74 million less than the
funding cap of $608 million, and $36 million less than the $570 million budget for fiscal year
2014.
The Dodd-Frank Act explicitly provides that Bureau funds obtained by or transferred to the
CFPB are not Government funds or appropriated funds.

Civil Penalty Fund
As discussed previously in Section 1.3 of this report entitled, “Civil Penalty Fund Annual
Report,” the CFPB collected civil penalties from judicial or administrative actions in the amount
of $77.5 million for fiscal year 2014 and $49.5 million for fiscal year 2013.

Other collections
During fiscal year 2014, the CFPB collected $149,600 in filing fees pursuant to the Interstate
Land Sales Full Disclosure Act of 1968. The fees were deposited into an account maintained by
the Department of the Treasury, and are retained and available until expended for the purpose
of covering all or part of the costs that the Bureau incurs to operate the Interstate Land Sales
program.

48

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Fiduciary activity and custodial revenue
Dodd-Frank Act section 1055 authorizes a court in a judicial action, or the CFPB in an
administrative proceeding, to grant any appropriate legal or equitable relief for a violation of
Federal consumer financial law. Such relief may include redress for victims of the violations,
including refunds, restitution, and damages. Relief that is intended to compensate victims is
treated as fiduciary funds and deposited into the “Legal or Equitable Relief Fund” established at
the Department of the Treasury. Fiduciary assets are not assets of the CFPB and are not
recognized on the balance sheet. During fiscal year 2014, the CFPB collected $28.2 million in
redress to be administered by the CFPB. Further information is contained in our financial
statements at Note 19 entitled, “Fiduciary Activities.”
Further, section 1055 of the Act provides that the CFPB may obtain the remedy of disgorgement
for a violation of Federal consumer law. Disgorgement paid by the defendant is treated by CFPB
as custodial revenue and maintained in the Miscellaneous Receipts Fund of the U.S. Treasury.
CFPB reported the fiscal year 2014 disgorged deposits of $27,076 and any other miscellaneous
funds collected or receivable (e.g., FOIA fees of $18,841) on the Statement of Custodial Activity
– a statement that displays all custodial revenue for fiscal year 2013.

TABLE 27: OVERALL SUMMARY OF CFPB REVENUE AND RECEIPTS BY TYPE AND FISCAL YEAR

Fiscal
Year

Transfers
requested

Civil Penalty
Fund receipts

Fiduciary
receipts

Custodial
revenue

2014

$533,800,000

$77,502,001

$28,231,130

$45,694

2013

$518,400,000

$49,520,001

$122,804

$128,201

What the CFPB has funded
As the CFPB migrated from its start-up efforts towards a steady state status as an entity during
fiscal year 2014; many of its obligations related to resources essential to operations and
activities such as personnel, information technology, mission-specific and human capital
support, and other general support service activities. The CFPB incurred $499.8 million in

49

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 obligations 11 – $259 million in Contracts & Support Services 12, $237 million in Salary &
Benefits, and $4 million in All Other.

FIGURE 4:

FISCALYEAR 2014 OBLIGATIONS INCURRED ($ IN MILLIONS)

Other
$4

Salary &
benefits
$237

Contracts &
support
services
$259

Examples of some of the larger obligations incurred for CFPB’s fiscal year 2014 activities
included in the $259 million for contracts and support services include:


Assets in development, such as:
o

$6.9 million for supervisory compliance tools that will automate data analysis by
providing functionality for examiners to analyze specific loan files in the field.

o

$22.9 million for maintaining ongoing operations of CFPB’s consumer contact center
and enhancements to the case management database;



$22.8 million to the Department of the Treasury, Departmental Offices for various
services such as information technology and human resource systems support;

11

Obligations incurred amount of $499.8 million that is reported here and on the Statement of Budgetary Resources,
includes $4.8 million in upward adjustments to prior year obligations, and $495 million associated with the fiscal
year 2014 budget.

12

Includes $104.7 million of interagency agreements (IAA) CFPB entered into with other Federal agencies. IAA’s are
not reported in USASpending.gov

50

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 

$7.5 million in agreements with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to
provide Office of Inspector General services; and



$12.1 million to the BFS/ARC and the Department of the Treasury Franchise Fund for
cross-servicing of various human resource and financial management services, such as
core financial accounting, transaction processing and reporting, travel, payroll and
various IT services.

Net costs of the CFPB’s operations
The Statement of Net Cost presents the CFPB net cost for its four strategic goals: (1) Prevent
Financial Harm to Consumers While Promoting Good Practices That Benefit Them; (2)
Empower Consumers to Live Better Financial Lives; (3) Inform the Public, Policy Makers, and
the CFPB’s own Policy-Making with Data-Driven Analysis of Consumer Finance Markets and
Consumer Behavior; and, (4) Advance the CFPB’s Performance by Maximizing Resources
Productivity and Enhancing Impact. Net program costs for fiscal year 2014 are displayed in the
chart below.

FIGURE 5:

FISCAL YEAR 2014 NET PROGRAM COSTS ($ IN MILLIONS) `

Inform the
public
$45.7
Empower
consumers
$100.7

Advance
CFPB's
performance
$122.8

51

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

Prevent harm
to consumers
$228.4

 1.6

Possible future risks and uncertainties

Funding and independence
The Congress, in implementing the Dodd-Frank Act, followed a long-established precedent in
providing the CFPB with sources of funding outside of the Congressional appropriations process
to ensure full independence as the Bureau supervises and regulates providers of consumer
financial products and services and protects financial consumers. Congress has consistently
provided for independent sources of funding for Federal banking supervisors to allow for longterm planning and the execution of complex initiatives and to ensure that financial institutions
are examined regularly and thoroughly for compliance with the law.
The CFPB has been tasked with supervising more entities than all other Federal bank
supervisors combined, including supervising the largest, most complex banks. Effective
supervision that assures a level playing field between bank and non-bank institutions requires
dedicated and predictable resources and independent examiners. However, the CFPB is
nonetheless the only banking supervisor with a statutory cap on its primary source of funding.

Possible future impact on financial services environment
It is anticipated that markets in both U.S. and foreign financial services sectors will evolve to
address different and ever-changing implications based on their programs, unique business
mixes, and organizational structures. These future external challenges must be monitored, as
they will impact the work of the CFPB in protecting financial consumers and addressing a
continually changing financial environment.

52

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Financial Statements and
Note Disclosures

53 CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2014

Message from the Chief Financial Officer
During fiscal year 2014, the Office of the Chief Financial
Officer (OCFO) continued to provide support for the
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Fiscal year
2014 marked a significant transition from the Bureau’s
initial years’ status, most appropriately characterized as
one of continued growth and maturity towards its goal of
achieving a steady state status as a Federal agency. While
the rate of growth has slowed during fiscal year 2014,
CFPB still required significant attention to the growth and
maturity of its workforce, resources, and support contracts that facilitate the work of the only
Federal agency with the sole focus of protecting the rights of financial consumers and enforcing
Federal financial consumer laws.
The OCFO made numerous improvements to CFPB’s financial management processes and
enhanced the reporting of financial management results to CFPB decision makers and
interested stakeholders. Three major actions included:
•

Coordinating with the Bureau of Fiscal Services on the migration and training for
travelers and supervisors to a new travel system and new processes for the decentralized
review and approval of travel by immediate supervisors;

•

Coordinating the receipt, management and disbursement of monies in the Civil Penalty
Fund and the Legal or Equitable Relief Fund resulting from the actions of various
defendants who violated Federal financial consumer laws; and,

•

Continuing to provide program managers with monthly and quarterly financial data and
information such as the status of funds for relevant programs, key investments, staffing
status, and the availability to request funds for unanticipated needs.

Provided are the CFPB’s financial statements as an integral part of the fiscal year 2014 Financial
Report. For fiscal year 2014, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) rendered an
unmodified or “clean” audit opinion on the CFPB’s financial statements and noted one (1)
material weakness regarding the accounts payable accruals process and one (1) significant
deficiency regarding the recordation of property and equipment in the CFPB’s internal control
and cited no instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. The OCFO will implement
changes to the accounts payable accruals process and the property and equipment recordation
process in fiscal year 2015 to remediate the issues identified by the GAO. The OCFO will work

54

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 closely with the Chief Procurement Officer and the Contracting Officer Representatives, as well
as other Bureau accountable officials to successfully remediate this material weakness and
significant deficiency.

Stephen J. Agostini

55

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 2.1

56

U.S. Government Accountability Office
auditor’s report

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 441 G St. N.W.
Washington, DC 20548

Independent Auditor’s Report
To the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection
In our audits of the fiscal years 2014 and 2013 financial statements of the Bureau of Consumer
Financial Protection, known as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), we found
•
•
•

the CFPB financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014,
and 2013, are presented fairly, in all material respects, in accordance with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles;
CFPB’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of September 30,
2014; and
no reportable noncompliance for fiscal year 2014 with provisions of applicable laws,
regulations, contracts, and grant agreements we tested.

The following sections discuss in more detail (1) our report on the financial statements and on
internal control over financial reporting, which includes required supplementary information
(RSI) 1 and other information 2 included with the financial statements; (2) our report on
compliance with laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements; and (3) agency comments.
Report on the Financial Statements and on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
As required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act 3 and the FullYear Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011, 4 we have audited CFPB’s financial statements.
CFPB’s financial statements comprise the balance sheets as of September 30, 2014, and 2013;
the related statements of net cost of operations, changes in net position, budgetary resources,
and custodial activity for the fiscal years then ended; and the related notes to the financial
statements. We also have audited CFPB’s internal control over financial reporting as of
September 30, 2014, based on criteria established under 31 U.S.C. § 3512(c), commonly
known as the Federal Managers’ Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA), and applicable sections of
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-123, Management’s Responsibility for
Internal Control.
We conducted our audits in accordance with U.S. generally accepted government auditing
standards. We believe that the audit evidence we obtained is sufficient and appropriate to
provide a basis for our audit opinions.

1

RSI consists of Management’s Discussion and Analysis, which is included with the financial statements.

2

Other information consists of information included with the financial statements, other than the RSI and the auditor’s
report.

3

Pub. L. No. 111-203, § 1017(a)(5), 124 Stat. 1376, 1976-1977 (2010), codified at 12 U.S.C. § 5497(a)(5).

4

Pub. L. No. 112-10, § 1573(a), 125 Stat 38, 138 (2011), codified at 12 U.S.C. § 5496a.

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Management’s Responsibility
CFPB management is responsible for (1) the preparation and fair presentation of these financial
statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; (2) preparing,
measuring, and presenting the RSI in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles; (3) preparing and presenting other information included in documents containing the
audited financial statements and auditor’s report, and ensuring the consistency of that
information with the audited financial statements and the RSI; (4) maintaining effective internal
control over financial reporting, including the design, implementation, and maintenance of
internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are
free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; (5) evaluating the effectiveness
of internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria established under FMFIA and
applicable sections of OMB Circular A-123; and (6) providing its assertion about the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2014, based on its
evaluation, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over
Financial Reporting in appendix I.
Auditor’s Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on
CFPB’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. U.S. generally accepted
government auditing standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement, and
whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
We are also responsible for applying certain limited procedures to the RSI and other information
included with the financial statements.
An audit of financial statements involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on
the auditor’s judgment, including the auditor’s assessment of the risks of material misstatement
of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the
auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the
financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the
circumstances. An audit of financial statements also involves evaluating the appropriateness of
the accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made
by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. An
audit of internal control over financial reporting includes obtaining an understanding of internal
control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, 5 evaluating
the design and operating effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on the
assessed risk, and testing relevant internal control over financial reporting. Our audit of internal
control also considered the entity’s process for evaluating and reporting on internal control over
financial reporting based on criteria established under FMFIA and applicable sections of OMB
Circular A-123. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered
necessary in the circumstances.

5

A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such
that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the entity’s financial statements will not be
prevented, or detected and corrected, on a timely basis. A deficiency in internal control exists when the design or
operation of a control does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned
functions, to prevent, or detect and correct, misstatements on a timely basis.

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 We did not evaluate all internal controls relevant to operating objectives as broadly established
under FMFIA, such as those controls relevant to preparing performance information and
ensuring efficient operations. We limited our internal control testing to testing controls over
financial reporting. Our internal control testing was for the purpose of expressing an opinion on
whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained, in all material
respects. Consequently, our audit may not identify all deficiencies in internal control over
financial reporting that are less severe than a material weakness.
Definitions and Inherent Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
An entity’s internal control over financial reporting is a process effected by those charged with
governance, management, and other personnel, the objectives of which are to provide
reasonable assurance that (1) transactions are properly recorded, processed, and summarized
to permit the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles, and assets are safeguarded against loss from unauthorized acquisition,
use, or disposition, and (2) transactions are executed in accordance with laws governing the
use of budget authority and with other applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and grant
agreements that could have a direct and material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent, or
detect and correct, misstatements due to fraud or error. We also caution that projecting any
evaluation of effectiveness to future periods is subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies
or procedures may deteriorate.
Opinion on Financial Statements
In our opinion, CFPB’s financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, CFPB’s
financial position as of September 30, 2014, and 2013, and its net cost of operations, changes
in net position, budgetary resources, and custodial activity for the fiscal years then ended in
accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
However, misstatements may nevertheless occur in other financial information reported by
CFPB and not be detected as a result of the internal control deficiencies described in this report.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
In our opinion, because of a material weakness in internal control over the reporting of accounts
payable, CFPB did not maintain, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial
reporting as of September 30, 2014, based on criteria established under FMFIA and applicable
sections of OMB Circular A-123.
Despite the material weakness in CFPB’s internal control over reporting of accounts payable,
CFPB made necessary and appropriate adjustments to its records and was therefore able to
prepare financial statements that were fairly presented in all material respects for fiscal year
2014. However, the material weakness may adversely affect any decisions by CFPB’s
management that are based, in whole or in part, on information that is inaccurate because of
this weakness. The issues constituting this material weakness, which are discussed in more
detail below, were also disclosed by CFPB in its fiscal year 2014 (1) FMFIA assurance
statement and (2) Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. We
considered this material weakness in determining the nature, timing, and extent of our audit
procedures on CFPB’s fiscal year 2014 financial statements.

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 In addition, we found that although CFPB took actions to attempt to address a significant
deficiency in internal control over accounting for property and equipment that we reported in
fiscal year 2013, our fiscal year 2014 audit continued to identify deficiencies in this area. These
deficiencies, while not considered a material weakness, are important enough to merit the
attention of those charged with governance of CFPB. Therefore, we considered these
deficiencies over accounting for property and equipment collectively to be a significant
deficiency in CFPB’s internal control over financial reporting in fiscal year 2014. 6 This significant
deficiency is discussed in more detail later in this report.
In addition to the material weakness and significant deficiency in internal control, we also
identified other deficiencies in CFPB’s internal control over financial reporting that we do not
consider to be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies. Nonetheless, these deficiencies
warrant CFPB management’s attention. We have communicated these matters to CFPB
management and, where appropriate, will report on them separately.
Material Weakness in Internal Control over Reporting of Accounts Payable
During our fiscal year 2014 audit, we found serious control deficiencies that affected CFPB’s
determination and reporting of accounts payable accruals. Specifically, we found that CFPB did
not have effective procedures in place to determine and record an appropriate amount for goods
and services received but not yet paid for as of September 30, 2014. Additionally, CFPB did not
have effective review procedures to timely detect and correct inaccuracies in the accrual
amounts.
CFPB’s accounts payable balance consists primarily of amounts owed for goods and services
received relating to contracts and property and equipment acquisitions that have not been paid.
CFPB’s accounts payable balance (including both intragovernmental and amounts due to the
public) increased 75 percent from $32 million in fiscal year 2013 to approximately $56 million in
fiscal year 2014. CFPB’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) is responsible for the
accrual process. CFPB’s established procedures state that the OCFO sends a report to the
contracting officer representative (COR) (for contracts) and invoice approver (for interagency
agreements) of each division or program office, asking each to respond with an amount for
services provided or goods received through the end of each quarter, for which CFPB has not
received an invoice. The COR and invoice approver are then responsible for estimating an
amount for each contract or interagency agreement, respectively, that should be accrued as of
the end of each quarter. On a quarterly basis, the OCFO reviews financial documents, such as
open obligation and accrual reports, to ensure completeness and accuracy of accruals
submitted by the CORs and invoice approvers.
In our fiscal year 2013 audit opinion, we reported on a significant deficiency with respect to
reporting accounts payable. 7 Consequently, we separately reported the details of the significant
deficiency, along with recommendations for corrective actions, in May 2014. 8 Based on these
recommendations, with which it concurred, CFPB took actions in an attempt to improve the
6
A significant deficiency is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control that is less severe than a
material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those charged with governance.
7

GAO, Financial Audit: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection’s Fiscal Years 2013 and 2012 Financial Statements,
GAO-14-170R (Washington, D.C.: Dec. 16, 2013).
8

GAO, Management Report: Improvements Needed in CFPB’s Internal Controls and Accounting Procedures, GAO14-455R (Washington, D.C.: May 2, 2014).

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 reporting of accounts payable. Such actions included (1) holding meetings with the CORs and
invoice approvers to discuss responsibilities and challenges with the accounts payable accrual
process, (2) requesting additional information and documentation from the CORs and invoice
approvers to support the accrual amounts, (3) sampling accruals using a risk-based approach to
perform reasonableness reviews, and (4) developing a guide for the CORs and invoice
approvers discussing topics such as roles, responsibilities, accruals, open obligations, and fixed
assets.
However, as of the end of our fiscal year 2014 audit, the guidance for the CORs and invoice
approvers was still in draft form. Our fiscal year 2014 testing results showed that the CORs and
invoice approvers continued to make errors in determining the amount of accounts payable to
be accrued for reporting purposes. Specifically, we found multiple instances in which the CORs
did not adequately estimate the amount owed for goods and services received as of
September 30, 2014, and the OCFO reviews were not effective in detecting and correcting the
errors. Based on our testing of a statistical sample of 42 accounts payable accruals, we found
that CFPB incorrectly recorded approximately $3.2 million for nine sample items that
represented goods and services that had already been received and paid for as of
September 30, 2014. We also identified five accruals totaling $0.9 million for goods and services
that had not yet been received in fiscal year 2014. In total, we identified 14 errors in our
statistical sample of 42 that resulted in an overstatement to accounts payable of approximately
$4.1 million. Most of these errors occurred as a result of the accounts payable accruals not
being adjusted once the invoices were approved and paid. Because the OCFO’s sampling
methodology to review accruals was implemented in the third quarter of fiscal year 2014 and
included only the 10 largest accrual amounts, it was not effective at detecting these errors.
After we brought these errors to CFPB’s attention, CFPB management conducted an analysis to
identify additional instances in which accounts payable accruals could have been misstated. We
reviewed CFPB’s analysis in relation to our testing results and determined that it was
reasonable. Based on its analysis, CFPB reduced its accounts payable balance by $7.7 million.
However, the cumulative impact of these continuing control deficiencies is such that a
reasonable possibility exists that a material misstatement of CFPB’s financial statements would
not be prevented, or detected and corrected, on a timely basis. Consequently, these control
deficiencies collectively represent a material weakness in CFPB’s internal control over reporting
of accounts payable.
These serious deficiencies in internal control over reporting of accounts payable are likely to
continue to exist until CFPB (1) finalizes, disseminates, and implements detailed guidance to
the CORs and invoice approvers; (2) provides continuous and effective training for the CORs
and invoice approvers; and (3) strengthens its methodology to review accounts payable
accruals. Because CFPB continues to grow as an agency, which has resulted in higher volumes
of transactions each year, it is imperative that it address these issues in an effective and timely
manner.
Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Accounting for Property and Equipment
During our fiscal year 2014 audit, we continued to find that CFPB did not effectively implement
internal controls over the recording of its property and equipment, which led to significant, but
not material, misstatements in its financial statements. Specifically, we found that CFPB did not
have effective procedures to properly distinguish between costs that should be recorded as
property and equipment and those that should be recorded as gross costs (i.e., expensed) and

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 appropriately record them in its financial records. Additionally, CFPB did not have effective
review procedures to timely detect and correct errors in its records.
CFPB’s property and equipment consist of internal-use software, internal-use software in
development, general-purpose furniture and equipment, and leasehold improvements in
development. During fiscal year 2014, CFPB acquired approximately $15 million in property and
equipment. CFPB policy requires capitalizing property and equipment with estimated useful
lives of 2 or more years that meet the following criteria: internal-use software purchased or
developed of $750,000 or more; leasehold improvements and equipment acquisitions of
$50,000 or more; and bulk purchases of $250,000 or more of similar items. Other property
items, normal repairs, and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. CFPB’s
established procedures for recording its property and equipment additions include that on a
quarterly basis, the OCFO reviews property and equipment acquisitions and goods and services
transactions of $50,000 and greater to help ensure that purchased items and costs associated
with property and equipment, including internal-use software, are appropriately classified as
capitalized assets or operating costs, consistent with its capitalization policy. For internal-use
software, federal accounting standards provide that capitalized costs should include the full cost
incurred during the software development stage, and exclude costs associated with preliminary
design and post-implementation services. 9
In our fiscal year 2013 audit opinion, we reported on a significant deficiency with respect to
accounting for property and equipment. 10 Consequently, we separately reported the details of
the significant deficiency, along with recommendations for corrective actions, in May 2014. 11
Based on these recommendations, with which it concurred, CFPB took actions in an attempt to
improve the reporting of property and equipment. Such actions included the OCFO (1) working
in conjunction with the Office of Procurement through monthly roundtable meetings to discuss
financial-related topics and (2) performing additional reviews and analytics of contracts and
interagency agreements for items that may meet the CFPB capitalization threshold.
However, the results of our fiscal year 2014 testing showed that CFPB continued to make errors
in capitalizing costs and the OCFO’s review was not effective in detecting and correcting these
errors. Specifically, the results of our tests, which covered 100 percent of property and
equipment additions in fiscal year 2014, revealed that CFPB erroneously capitalized as internaluse software and internal-use software in development $4.4 million in costs that related to
maintenance and other operating costs that should have been included in gross cost. These
errors occurred, in part, as a result of CFPB not having an effective mechanism to track the
development stage for internal-use software. While the OCFO uses tracking schedules
prepared by the applicable CORs and program offices to determine the current stage of internaluse software, these schedules change frequently and thus might be outdated at the time of
capitalization. Consequently, CFPB cannot effectively determine whether the amounts invoiced
represent costs associated with preliminary design, which should be expensed; software
development, which should be capitalized; or post-implementation services, which should be
expensed. We also found that the OCFO’s quarterly reviews were not effective in detecting and
correcting these errors to ensure that the amounts recorded for property and equipment were
9

Statement of Federal Financial Accounting Standards No. 10, Accounting for Internal Use Software, October 9,
1998, as amended through June 30, 2014.
10

GAO-14-170R.

11

GAO-14-455R.

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 accurate and complete. For example, we found instances in which the invoices were not
properly reviewed to determine whether the goods and services charged met the capitalization
criteria. After we brought these issues to CFPB’s attention, CFPB made the corresponding
corrections to its fiscal year 2014 financial statements.
These deficiencies increase the risk that CFPB’s reported balances for property and equipment
as well as its reported expenses could be misstated, and collectively represent a significant
deficiency in CFPB’s internal control over its accounting for property and equipment that merits
attention by those charged with governance. Until CFPB strengthens its control procedures to
ensure (1) adequate and continuous coordination between the OCFO, CORs, the Office of
Procurement, and other program offices at the time of capitalization and (2) effective review of
property and equipment costs, the deficiencies in internal control over the accounting for
property and equipment are likely to continue to exist.
Other Matters
Required Supplementary Information
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles issued by the Federal Accounting Standards
Advisory Board (FASAB) require that the RSI be presented to supplement the financial
statements. Although not a part of the financial statements, FASAB considers this information to
be an essential part of financial reporting for placing the financial statements in appropriate
operational, economic, or historical context. We have applied certain limited procedures to the
RSI in accordance with U.S. generally accepted government auditing standards, which
consisted of inquiries of management about the methods of preparing the RSI and comparing
the information for consistency with management’s responses to the auditor’s inquiries, the
financial statements, and other knowledge we obtained during the audit of the financial
statements, in order to report omissions or material departures from FASAB guidelines, if any,
identified by these limited procedures. We did not audit and we do not express an opinion or
provide any assurance on the RSI because the limited procedures we applied do not provide
sufficient evidence to express an opinion or provide any assurance.
Other Information
CFPB’s other information contains information, some of which is not directly related to the
financial statements. This information is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not
a required part of the financial statements or the RSI. We read the other information included
with the financial statements in order to identify material inconsistencies, if any, with the audited
financial statements. Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on CFPB’s
financial statements. We did not audit and do not express an opinion or provide any assurance
on the other information.
Report on Compliance with Laws, Regulations, Contracts, and Grant Agreements
In connection with our audits of CFPB’s financial statements, we tested compliance with
selected provisions of applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements consistent
with the auditor’s responsibility discussed below. We caution that noncompliance may occur and
not be detected by these tests. We performed our tests of compliance in accordance with U.S.
generally accepted government auditing standards.

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Management’s Responsibility
CFPB management is responsible for complying with laws, regulations, contracts, and grant
agreements applicable to CFPB.
Auditor’s Responsibility
Our responsibility is to test compliance with selected provisions of laws, regulations, contracts,
and grant agreements applicable to CFPB that have a direct effect on the determination of
material amounts and disclosures in the CFPB financial statements, and perform certain other
limited procedures. Accordingly, we did not test compliance with all laws, regulations, contracts,
and grant agreements applicable to CFPB.
Results of Our Tests for Compliance with Laws, Regulations, Contracts, and Grant Agreements
Our tests for compliance with selected provisions of applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and
grant agreements disclosed no instances of noncompliance for fiscal year 2014 that would be
reportable under U.S. generally accepted government auditing standards. However, the
objective of our tests was not to provide an opinion on compliance with laws, regulations,
contracts, and grant agreements applicable to CFPB. Accordingly, we do not express such an
opinion.
Intended Purpose of Report on Compliance with Laws, Regulations, Contracts, and Grant
Agreements
The purpose of this report is solely to describe the scope of our testing of compliance with
selected provisions of applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements, and the
results of that testing, and not to provide an opinion on compliance. This report is an integral
part of an audit performed in accordance with U.S. generally accepted government auditing
standards in considering compliance. Accordingly, this report on compliance with laws,
regulations, contracts, and grant agreements is not suitable for any other purpose.
Agency Comments
We provided a draft of this report to the Director of CFPB for comment. In his written comments,
reprinted in appendix II, CFPB’s Director stated that he was pleased to receive an unmodified
audit opinion on the bureau’s fiscal years 2014 and 2013 financial statements. The Director also
agreed with the material weakness over reporting of accounts payable and the significant
deficiency over accounting for property and equipment that we reported, and added that CFPB
will continue to work to enhance its system of internal control and ensure the reliability of its
financial reporting. The Director cited a number of steps CFPB plans to take in fiscal year 2015
to remediate these issues. Specifically, CFPB’s plans for addressing the material weakness
over reporting of accounts payable include completing and disseminating guidance for the
CORs and invoice approvers; providing continuous and effective training to the CORs and
invoice approvers; improving collaboration between the OCFO, CORs, and invoice approvers
when calculating accrual amounts; increasing oversight of contracts and interagency
agreements that affect accrual amounts; and performing more comprehensive review
processes. To address the significant deficiency over accounting for property and equipment,
CFPB stated that it plans to increase collaboration between the OCFO, CORs, invoice
approvers, and the Office of Procurement; continue its review of contracts and interagency
agreements; and implement a process to more systematically gather and disseminate

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 information on fixed asset acquisitions to ensure that capitalized costs are accurately captured
and recorded.
We will evaluate CFPB’s actions to address the deficiencies identified in this report as part of
our fiscal year 2015 audit.

J. Lawrence Malenich
Director
Financial Management and Assurance
November 10, 2014

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Appendix I. Management’s report on internal
control over financial reporting

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 1700 G Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20552

November 10, 2014
Mr. Gene Dodaro
Comptroller General of the United States
441 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20548
Dear Mr. Dodaro,
As required by Section 1017 of the Dodd-Frank Act, 12 U.S.C. Section 5497(a)(4)(D), the Consumer
Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) provides this management assertion regarding the
effectiveness of internal control that apply to financial reporting by the CFPB based on criteria
established in Section 3512(c) of Title 31, United States Code (commonly known as the Federal
Managers’ Financial Integrity Act) and applicable sections of Office of Management and Budget
Circular A-123.
The CFPB’s internal control over financial reporting is a process effected by those charged with
governance, management, and other personnel, the objectives of which are to provide reasonable
assurance that (1) transactions are properly recorded, processed, and summarized to permit the
preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles, and assets are safeguarded against loss from unauthorized acquisition, use, or
disposition; and (2) transactions are executed in accordance with laws governing the use of budget
authority and with other applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements that could
have a direct and material effect on the financial statements.
CFPB management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial
reporting, including the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to
the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. CFPB management evaluated the effectiveness of
CFPB’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2014, based on the criteria
established under 31 U.S.C. 3512(c) and applicable sections of Office of Management and Budget
Circular A-123.

consumerfinance.gov
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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Based on the results of this evaluation, other than the material weakness identified regarding the
accounts payable accruals process, as of September 30, 2014, the CFPB’s internal control over
financial reporting was operating effectively and no other material weaknesses were found in the
design or operation of the internal control.

Richard Cordray
Director
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Stephen J. Agostini
Chief Financial Officer
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

consumerfinance.gov
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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Appendix II. Management’s response to the
auditor’s report

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 1700 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20552

November 12, 2014
Mr. J. Lawrence Malenich
Director, Financial Management and Assurance
Government Accountability Office
441 G Street, N.W., Room 5T45
Washington, DC 20548
Dear Mr. Malenich,
I appreciate the opportunity to respond to the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) draft
audit report titled, Financial Audit: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection’s Fiscal Years
2014 and 2013 Financial Statements, and want to thank you and your staff for your dedicated
efforts and collaboration to meet the audit requirements.
We are pleased that GAO’s auditors rendered an unmodified or “clean” audit opinion, meaning
GAO found that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau) financial
statements are presented fairly, in all material respects, and in conformity with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles, and that there were no instances of reportable noncompliance
with laws and regulations tested by GAO. Maintaining an unmodified or “clean” audit opinion
on the CFPB’s comparative financial statements for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 is a significant
accomplishment.
We acknowledge and concur with GAO’s identification of one material weakness in internal
control over the reporting of accounts payable. It is our understanding that this material
weakness does not indicate that the Bureau overspent its funds in fiscal year 2014 (in fact it
appears to have underspent them). Nevertheless, the Bureau is committed to correcting the
imprecision in the accrual estimation process to ensure the proper accounting and reporting of
the Bureau’s expenses. In fiscal year 2013, a significant deficiency was identified in the accounts
payable accrual process. During fiscal year 2014, the OCFO implemented corrective actions to
mitigate the risks of this deficiency: provided additional outreach and guidance to Contracting
Officer Representatives (COR) and invoice approvers, implemented a sampling methodology to
review the accrual amounts, and began developing a resource and desk guide for the CORs and
invoice approvers. The corrective actions implemented did not mitigate the risks appropriately
and the errors in the accounts payable accrual amounts resulted in the identification of a
material weakness. During fiscal year 2015, the Bureau will implement further steps to
remediate these issues working with CORs, invoice approvers, and the Bureau’s accountable
officials. These corrective actions will include the completion and dissemination of the resource
and desk guide for the CORs and invoice approvers, continuous and effective training for the
CORs and invoice approvers, improved collaboration between the OCFO and the CORs and
invoice approvers when calculating the accrual amounts, increased oversight by the OCFO over
the budget execution of contracts and interagency agreements that impact the associated accrual
amounts, and a more comprehensive OCFO review process over the accrual amounts.
In fiscal year 2014, the GAO cited one repeat significant deficiency regarding property and
equipment. As a result of this significant deficiency identified in fiscal year 2013, during fiscal
year 2014 the OCFO implemented corrective actions: provided additional outreach and
guidance to CORs and invoice approvers and implemented a review process over contracts and
consumerfinance.gov
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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 interagency agreements for the purchase or development of items that may be capitalized. The
corrective actions implemented did not fully mitigate the risks and therefore this significant
deficiency is still identified in fiscal year 2014. During fiscal year 2015, the Bureau will increase
its collaboration between the OCFO, applicable CORs and invoice approvers, and the Office of
Procurement; continue its review over contracts and interagency agreements; and implement a
process to more systematically gather and disseminate information on fixed asset acquisitions to
ensure capitalized costs are accurately captured and recorded.
The CFPB will continue to work to enhance our system of internal control and ensure the
reliability of CFPB’s financial reporting. The CFPB looks forward to working with GAO in future
audits and truly appreciates GAO’s work over the past fiscal year.
If you have any questions relating to this response, please contact Stephen J. Agostini, Chief
Financial Officer.

Richard Cordray
Director
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Financial statements and notes

72 CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2014

CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU
BALANCE SHEET
As of September 30, 2014 and 2013
(In Dollars)
2014

2013

Assets:
Intragovernmental
Fund Balance with Treasury (Note 2)

$

Investments (Note 3)

39,658,210 $

26,764,046

434,793,473

343,797,086

2,900,006

4,993,642

477,351,689

375,554,774

265,163

325,312

Cash in the Civil Penalty Fund (Note 4)

157,001,716

81,520,001

Total Cash, and Other Monetary Assets

Advances and Prepayments (Note 7)
Total Intragovernmental
Cash, and Other Monetary Assets
Cash in the Bureau Fund (Note 4)

157,266,879

81,845,313

Accounts Receivable (Note 5)

15,363,382

54,883

Property, Equipment, and Software, Net (Note 6)

37,496,598

27,684,477

2,706

749,699

Advances and Prepayments (Note 7)
Total Assets

$ 687,481,254 $ 485,889,146

Liabilities:
Intragovernmental
Accounts Payable
Benefits Payable

$

27,209,775 $

12,778,174

12,094,603

6,570,070

442,000

270,811

Total Intragovernmental

39,746,378

19,619,055

Accounts Payable

28,713,030

19,400,933

Employer Benefits Contributions

29,658,237

11,131,319

4,553,007

3,441,835

Civil Penalty Fund Allocation (Note 4)

30,334,602

13,046,046

Unfunded Leave

16,400,954

11,939,809

14,172

864

Other (Note 8)

Accrued Funded Payroll

Other (Note 8)
Total Liabilities (Note 9)

$ 149,420,380 $

78,579,861

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)
Net Position:
Cumulative Results of Operations - Funds from Dedicated
Collections (consolidated totals) (Note 17)
Total Liabilities and Net Position

$ 538,060,874 $ 407,309,285
$ 687,481,254 $ 485,889,146

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU
STATEMENT OF NET COST
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
(In Dollars)
2014

2013

Program Costs:
Prevent Financial Harm to Consumers While Promoting Good
Practices That Benefit Them:
Gross Costs

$ 228,378,527 $ 166,120,841

Net Prevent Financial Harm to Consumers While Promoting Good
Practices That Benefit Them

$ 228,378,527 $ 166,120,841

Empower Consumers to Live Better Financial Lives:
Gross Costs
Net Empower Consumers to Live Better Financial Lives
Inform The Public, Policy Makers, and the CFPB's own PolicyMaking with Data-Driven Analysis of Consumer Finance Markets and
Consumer Behavior:
Gross Costs

$ 100,716,666 $

70,921,575

$ 100,716,666 $

70,921,575

$

43,144,983

Less: Earned Revenue
Net Inform The Public, Policy Makers, and the CFPB's own PolicyMaking with Data-Driven Analysis of Consumer Finance Markets
and Consumer Behavior
Advance the CFPB's Performance by Maximizing Resource
Productivity & Enhancing Impact:
Gross Costs
Net Advance the CFPB's Performance by Maximizing Resource
Productivity & Enhancing Impact

45,763,864 $
(80,000)

$

45,683,864 $

43,144,983

$ 122,774,691 $ 111,137,443

$ 122,774,691 $ 111,137,443

Total Gross Program Costs

$ 497,633,748 $ 391,324,842

Less: Total Earned Revenues

$

Net Cost of Operations (Note 11)

$ 497,553,748 $ 391,324,842

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

(80,000)

 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET POSITION
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
(In Dollars)
2014

2013

Cumulative Results of Operations:
Beginning Balances

$ 407,309,285 $ 228,503,943

Budgetary Financing Sources:
Nonexchange Revenue
Transfers from the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System
Civil Penalties
Interstate Land Sales Fees
Interest from Investments
Total Nonexchange Revenue
Other

533,800,000
92,702,001

518,400,000
49,520,001

149,600
132,368
626,783,969
3,870

146,900
204,345
568,271,246
10,089

1,517,498

1,848,849

628,305,337

570,130,184

(497,553,748)

(391,324,842)

130,751,589

178,805,342

Other Financing Sources (Non-Exchange):
Imputed Financing Sources
Total Financing Sources
Net Cost of Operations
Net Change
Cumulative Results of Operations - Funds from
Dedicated Collections (consolidated totals) (Note 17)

$ 538,060,874 $ 407,309,285

Net Position

$ 538,060,874 $ 407,309,285

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU
STATEMENT OF BUDGETARY RESOURCES
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
(In Dollars)
2014

2013

Budgetary Resources:
Unobligated Balance Brought Forward, October 1

$ 169,931,592 $ 131,568,070

Recoveries of Prior Year Unpaid Obligations

14,992,113

8,750,005

Unobligated Balance from Prior Year Budget Authority, Net

184,923,705

140,318,075

Funds Available for Obligation

611,594,848

568,288,019

199,932

84,614

Spending Authority from Offsetting Collections
Total Budgetary Resources

$ 796,718,485 $ 708,690,708

Status of Budgetary Resources:
Obligations Incurred (Note 12)

$ 499,812,046 $ 538,759,116

Unobligated Balance, End of Year:
E xempt from Apportionment
Total Budgetary Resources

296,906,439

169,931,592

$ 796,718,485 $ 708,690,708

Change in Obligated Balance:
Unpaid Obligations:
Unpaid Obligations, Brought Forward, October 1

$ 282,450,772 $ 109,033,128

Obligations Incurred
Outlays (Gross)
Recoveries of Prior Year Unpaid Obligations
Unpaid Obligations, End of Year

499,812,046

538,759,116

(432,475,653)

(356,591,467)

(14,992,113)
(8,750,005)
$ 334,795,052 $ 282,450,772

Memorandum (non-add) Entries:
Obligated Balance, Start of Year

$ 282,450,772 $ 109,033,128

Obligated Balance, End of Year

$ 334,795,052 $ 282,450,772

Budget Authority and Outlays, Net:
Budget Authority, Gross

$ 611,794,780 $ 568,372,633

Actual Offsetting Collections

(199,932)

(84,614)

Budget Authority, Net

$ 611,594,848 $ 568,288,019

Outlays, Gross

$ 432,475,653 $ 356,591,467

Actual Offsetting Collections
Agency Outlays, Net

(199,932)

$ 432,275,721 $ 356,506,853

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

(84,614)

 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU
STATEMENT OF CUSTODIAL ACTIVITY
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
(In Dollars)
2014

2013

Revenue Activity:
Sources of Cash Collections:
Disgorgement

$

Miscellaneous

27,076 $

118,194

20,002

3,369

Total Cash Collections

47,078

121,563

Accrual Adjustments

(1,384)

Total Custodial Revenue

45,694

128,201

Amounts Transferred to the Department of the Treasury

47,078

121,563

Increase/(Decrease) in Amounts Yet to be Transferred

(1,384)

6,638

Disposition of Collections:

Net Custodial Activity

$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

- $

6,638
-

 Note 1: Summary of significant accounting
policies
A. Reporting entity
The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, known as the Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau (CFPB), was established on July 21, 2010 under Title X of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street
Reform and Consumer Protection Act Public Law No. 111-203 (Dodd-Frank Act). The CFPB was
established as an independent bureau within the Federal Reserve System. The Bureau is an
Executive agency as defined in section 105 of Title 5, United States Code. Section 1017 of the
Dodd-Frank Act provides that the CFPB financial statements are not to be consolidated with the
financial statements of either the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve or the Federal
Reserve System.
The Dodd-Frank Act authorizes the CFPB to exercise its authorities to ensure that, with respect
to consumer financial products and services:
a.

Consumers are provided with timely and understandable information to make
responsible decisions about financial transactions;

b.

Consumers are protected from unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts and practices and
from discrimination;

c.

Outdated, unnecessary, or unduly burdensome regulations are regularly identified
and addressed in order to reduce unwarranted regulatory burdens;

d.

Federal consumer financial law is enforced consistently in order to promote fair
competition; and

e.

Markets for consumer financial products and services operate transparently and
efficiently to facilitate access and innovation.

Under the Dodd-Frank Act, on the designated transfer date, July 21, 2011, certain authorities
and functions of several agencies relating to Federal consumer financial law were transferred to
the CFPB in order to accomplish the above objectives. These authorities were transferred from
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board of Governors), Comptroller of the
Currency (OCC), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(FDIC), National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), and the Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD). In addition, Congress vested the Bureau with authority to enforce

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 in certain circumstances the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Telemarketing Sales Rule and
its rules under the FTC Act, although the FTC retains full authority over these rules. The DoddFrank Act also provided the CFPB with certain other federal consumer financial regulatory
authorities in addition to these transferred authorities.

To accomplish its mission, the CFPB is organized into six primary divisions/offices:
1.

Consumer Education and Engagement: provides, through a variety of initiatives
and methods, including offices on specific populations, information to consumers to
allow them to make financial decisions that are best for them.

2. Supervision, Enforcement and Fair Lending: ensures compliance with Federal
consumer financial laws by supervising market participants and bringing enforcement
actions when appropriate.
3. Research, Markets and Regulations: conducts research to understand consumer
financial markets and consumer behavior, evaluates whether there is a need for
regulation, and determines the costs and benefits of potential or existing regulations.
4. Legal Division: ensures the Bureau’s compliance with all applicable laws and provides
advice to the Director and the Bureau’s divisions.
5. External Affairs: manages the Bureau’s relationships with external stakeholders and
ensures that the Bureau maintains robust dialogue with interested stakeholders to
promote understanding, transparency, and accountability.
6. Operations: builds and sustains the CFPB’s operational infrastructure to support the
entire organization and hears directly from consumers about challenges they face in the
marketplaces through their complaints, questions, and feedback.

The CFPB workforce is spread across the country with its headquarters in Washington, D.C. and
regional offices in Chicago, New York City, and San Francisco. The headquarters is temporarily
spread across several locations within Washington, D.C., utilizing space pursuant to interagency
agreements with the Department of the Treasury (Treasury), the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency, the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Federal Housing Finance Agency
(FHFA). In addition to its locations within Washington D.C., the CFPB also utilizes space

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 pursuant to occupancy agreements with GSA for the regional offices in New York, Chicago and
San Francisco.
Additional information on the organizational structure and responsibilities of CFPB is available
on CFPB’s website at http://www.consumerfinance.gov/.

B. Basis of presentation
The CFPB's principal statements were prepared from its official financial records and general
ledger in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and, while not
required to comply with all OMB guidance such as OMB Circular A-136, CFPB generally tracks
the general presentation guidance established by OMB Circular A-136, Financial Reporting
Requirements, as revised. The financial statements are a requirement of the Dodd-Frank Act.
The financial statements are in addition to the financial reports prepared by the CFPB, which
are used to monitor and control budgetary resources. The financial statements have been
prepared to report the financial position, net cost of operations, changes in net position, the
status and availability of budgetary resources, and the custodial activities of the CFPB. Financial
statements are presented on a comparative basis. During fiscal year 2013, the CFPB prepared
and issued a strategic plan that contains four strategic goals and associated performance
metrics. The strategic plan was designed to meet the objectives of the Government Performance
and Results Act and help the CFPB measure its performance in fulfilling its responsibilities
under the Dodd-Frank Act. The comparative statement of net cost contains four responsibility
segments based on the strategic plan.

C. Basis of accounting
Transactions are recorded on both an accrual accounting basis and a budgetary basis. Under the
accrual basis of accounting, revenues are recognized when earned, and expenses are recognized
when a liability is incurred, without regard to receipt or payment of cash. Budgetary accounting
facilitates compliance with legal requirements and controls over the use of funds. The
Statement of Custodial Activity is presented on the modified cash basis of accounting. Cash
collections and amounts transferred to Treasury are reported on a cash basis. The change in
receivables is reported on an accrual basis. The CFPB conforms to GAAP for federal entities as
prescribed by the standards set forth by the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board
(FASAB). FASAB is recognized by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as the

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 body designated to establish GAAP for federal government entities. Certain assets, liabilities
and costs have been classified as intragovernmental throughout the financial statements and
notes. Intragovernmental assets and liabilities are those due from or to other federal entities.
Intragovernmental costs are payments or accruals due to other federal entities. The CFPB has
rights and ownership of all assets, except for custodial assets, reported in these financial
statements. Custodial/Non-entity assets can result from CFPB enforcement actions that require
the defendant to pay disgorgement as well as from the collection of Freedom of Information Act
fees. Disgorgement is an equitable remedy that a court or the CFPB can impose in a judicial or
administrative action to deprive defendants of their ill-gotten gains and to deter violations of
Federal consumer financial laws. In addition, as further discussed in Note 1.R. and Note 19, the
CFPB also administers certain funds in a fiduciary capacity.

D. Funding sources
The CFPB’s funding is obtained primarily through transfers from the Board of Governors,
interest earned on investments, and penalties and fees collected. The Dodd-Frank Act requires
the CFPB to maintain an account with the Federal Reserve – the “Bureau of Consumer Financial
Protection Fund” (Bureau Fund). The Director of the CFPB, or his designee, requests transfers
from the Board of Governors in amounts necessary to carry out the authorities and operations of
the Bureau. The Board of Governors transfers the funds into the Bureau Fund, which is
maintained at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (FRBNY). Bureau funds determined not
needed to meet the current needs of the Bureau are invested in Treasury securities on the open
market. Earnings from the investments are also deposited into this fund. The CFPB requests
funds on a quarterly basis. The funds maintained at the FRBNY are reported in the financial
statements and related notes and represent budget authority for CFPB.
The CFPB funding requests for the Bureau Fund are capped as follows:
The amount that shall be transferred to the Bureau in each fiscal year shall not exceed a fixed
percentage of the total operating expenses ($4.98 billion) of the Federal Reserve System, subject
to an annual inflation adjustment, as reported in the Annual Report, 2009, of the Board of
Governors, equal to:


In fiscal year 2011, up to 10 percent of these Federal Reserve System expenses (or
approximately $498 million),



81

In fiscal year 2012, up to 11 percent of these expenses (or approximately $547.8 million),

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 

In fiscal year 2013, up to 12 percent of these expenses (or approximately $597.6 million),
and



In fiscal year 2014 and beyond, the cap remains at 12 percent but will be adjusted
annually based on the percentage increase in the employment cost index for total
compensation for State and local government workers published by the Federal
Government.

The Dodd-Frank Act explicitly provides that Bureau funds obtained by or transferred to the
Bureau Fund are not Government funds or appropriated funds.
If the Director were to determine that the non-appropriated funds to which it is entitled under
the Act are insufficient to carry out its responsibilities, the Act provided the potential for the
CFPB also to obtain appropriated funds, up to a capped amount, in fiscal years 2011-2014.
There has been no such determination. In accordance with the Act and appropriations law
requirements, further action would have been required on the part of the Director and Congress
in order for CFPB to obtain such appropriated funds.
The CFPB also collects filing fees from developers under the Interstate Land Sales Full
Disclosure Act (ILSA). ILSA protects consumers from fraud and abuse in the sale or lease of
land. On July 21, 2011, the responsibility for administering ILSA was transferred to the CFPB
from HUD pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act. The Dodd-Frank Act requires land developers to
register subdivisions of 100 or more non-exempt lots and to provide each purchaser with a
disclosure document called a Property Report. Developers must pay a fee when they register
such subdivisions. While the CFPB continues to administer the legislation with respect to the
transfer of these functions under the ILSA, and collect the fees, the fees are currently being
deposited into an account maintained by Treasury. The fees collected may be retained and are
available until expended for the purpose of covering all or part of the costs that the Bureau
incurs for ILSA program operations.
Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB is also authorized to obtain civil penalties for
violations of Federal consumer financial laws. The Act requires the CFPB to maintain a separate
fund, known as the Consumer Financial Civil Penalty Fund (Civil Penalty Fund). Civil penalties
are deposited into the Civil Penalty Fund established and maintained at the FRBNY. The Act
authorizes the CFPB to use the Civil Penalty Fund for payment to the victims of activities for
which civil penalties have been imposed and, in certain circumstances, for consumer education
and financial literacy programs. Amounts in the Civil Penalty Fund are available “without fiscal

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 year limitation.” The Civil Penalty Fund had its initial collections and deposits in fiscal year
2012.
The CFPB also recognizes imputed financing sources. An imputed financing source is recognized
by the receiving entity for costs that are paid by other entities. The CFPB recognized imputed
costs and financing sources in fiscal years 2014 and 2013 as prescribed by accounting standards.
The CFPB recognizes as an imputed financing source the amount of pension and postretirement benefit expenses for current employees that OCC and the Office of Personnel
Management (OPM) has or will pay on the CFPB’s behalf. Further, CFPB recognized earned
revenue for reimbursable activity of CFPB staff detailed to an educational institution for
conducting research.

E. Use of estimates
The Bureau has made certain estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets,
liabilities, revenues, expenses, and the disclosure of contingent liabilities to prepare these
financial statements. The estimates are based on current conditions that may change in the
future. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Some of the significant transactions
subject to estimates include costs regarding benefit plans for the CFPB employees that are
administered by OPM, OCC and the Federal Reserve System, costs regarding payments to
victims from the Civil Penalty Fund, and cost allocations among the programs on the Statement
of Net Cost.

F. Funds from dedicated collections
FASAB’s Statement of Federal Financial Accounting Standards (SFFAS) No. 27 “Identifying and
Reporting Earmarked Funds” established certain disclosure requirements for funds defined as
“earmarked.” In June 2012, FASAB issued SFFAS 43, Funds from Dedicated Collections:
Amending Statement of Federal Financial Accounting Standards 27, Identifying and
Reporting Earmarked Funds. SFFAS 43 amendments include changing the term “earmarked
funds” to “funds from dedicated collections.” SFFAS 27, as amended by SFFAS 43, contains
three requirements for funds to be considered funds from dedicated collection: (1) A statute
committing the federal government to use specifically identified revenues and/or other
financing sources that are originally provided to the federal government by a non-federal source
only for designated activities, benefits or purposes; (2) Explicit authority for the fund to retain

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 revenues and/or other financing sources not used in the current period for future use to finance
the designated activities, benefits, or purposes; and (3) A requirement to account for and report
on the receipt, use and retention of the revenues and/or other financing sources that
distinguishes the fund from the federal government’s general revenues.
Based on the standard’s criteria, CFPB has determined that the Bureau Fund is a fund from
dedicated collections due to its meeting the three required criteria – source of funds are from a
non-federal source, explicit authority to retain funds for future use, and a requirement to
account for and report on the funds receipt, use and retention separate from the federal
government’s general revenues. Further, the CFPB has determined based on the criteria of
SFFAS 27 & 43 that the Civil Penalty Fund is also a fund from dedicated collections and has
established a separate special fund to account for its activity. These funds, which also qualify as
special funds, are discussed further in Note 1.H. below. SFFAS 43 is effective for fiscal year 2013
reporting beginning on October 1, 2012. Accordingly, the CFPB’s comparative statements for
fiscal years 2014 and 2013 are displayed consistent with the reporting requirements of SFFAS 27
& 43. See additional disclosure in Note 17 “Funds from Dedicated Collections.”

G. Entity and non-entity assets
Entity assets are assets that the CFPB may use in its operations. This includes amounts where
the CFPB management has the authority to decide how funds will be used. Non-Entity Assets
are those assets that an agency holds on behalf of another Federal agency or on behalf of a third
party and are not available for the agency’s use. The CFPB’s non-entity assets include cash from
disgorgement payments made by defendants and collections from Freedom of Information Act
fees as recorded in the Statement of Custodial Activity.

H. Fund balance with Treasury
The U.S. Treasury holds funds in the Treasury General Account for CFPB which are available to
pay agency liabilities and to finance authorized purchase obligations. Treasury processes cash
receipts, such as fees collected from the ILSA program, and makes disbursements on CFPB’s
behalf. As discussed in Note 1.D. above, CFPB also maintains an account with the FRBNY
known as the Bureau Fund. During the year, increases to the Bureau Fund are generally
comprised of fund transfers from the Board of Governors and investment interest. These funds
are available for transfer to CFPB's Fund Balance with Treasury. Also, as discussed above in

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Note 1.D., CFPB maintains an additional account at the FRBNY for the Civil Penalty Fund.
These funds are also available for transfer to CFPB’s Fund Balance with Treasury under a
separate fund symbol from the Bureau Fund. CFPB’s Fund Balance with Treasury for the
activity described above is maintained in special funds. A special fund is established where the
law requires collections to be used for a specific purpose, and the law neither authorizes the fund
to conduct a cycle of business-type operations (making it a revolving fund) nor designates it as a
trust fund.
CFPB also receives custodial revenues and fiduciary activity that are maintained in the
Miscellaneous Receipts Fund of the U.S. Treasury, and a deposit fund respectively. The
Miscellaneous Receipts fund holds non-entity receipts from custodial collections that the CFPB
cannot deposit into funds under its control. This fund includes disgorgement deposits and any
other miscellaneous funds collected (i.e., FOIA fees) that will be sent to the U.S. Treasury
General Fund upon collection. Enforcement activity can result in CFPB receiving redress funds
that are maintained in a deposit fund. Redress funds are held in a fiduciary capacity until CFPB
can make payment directly to the harmed individuals or entities.

I. Investments
CFPB has the authority to invest the funds in the Bureau Fund account that are not required to
meet the current needs of the Bureau. CFPB invests solely in U.S. Treasury securities purchased
at a discount on the open market, which are normally held to maturity and carried at cost. CFPB
selects investments with maturities suitable to its needs, currently three-month Treasury bills.
Investments are adjusted for discounts. In accordance with GAAP, CFPB records the value of its
investments in U.S. Treasury securities at cost and amortizes the discount on a straight-line
basis over the term of the respective issues. Results under the straight line method approximate
results under the interest method. Interest is credited to the Bureau Fund.

J. Accounts receivable
Accounts receivable consists of amounts owed to CFPB by the public. An allowance for
uncollectible accounts receivable from the public is established when either (1) management
determines that collection is unlikely to occur after a review of outstanding accounts and the
failure of all collection efforts, or (2) an account for which no allowance has been established is

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 submitted to Treasury for collection, which generally takes place when it becomes 120 days
delinquent.

K. Property, Equipment, and Software, Net
Property, Equipment, and Software is recorded at historical cost. It consists of tangible assets
and software. Under CFPB's property management policy, equipment acquisitions of $50,000
or more are capitalized and depreciated using the straight-line method (using a half year
convention for the year assets are placed into service) over the estimated useful life of the asset.
Similarly, internal use software, software purchased or developed to facilitate the operation of
an entity’s programs, is capitalized for software of $750,000 or more and depreciated using the
straight-line method (using a half year convention) over the estimated useful life of the asset.
Additionally, for bulk purchases of similar items, which individually do not meet the
capitalization threshold, the acquisition is capitalized and depreciated if the depreciated basis of
the bulk purchase is $250,000 or more. Applicable standard governmental guidelines regulate
the disposal and convertibility of agency property and equipment.
The useful life classifications for capitalized assets are as follows:

PP&E Category

Useful Lives (years)

Laptop/Desktop Computers

3

Internal Use Software

5

Mainframe Computer System

7

Servers

7

Telecommunications Equipment

7

Furniture

8

Other Equipment

10

A leasehold (capital) improvement's useful life is equal to the remaining occupancy agreement
term or the estimated useful life of the improvement, whichever is shorter. CFPB has no real

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 property holdings or stewardship or heritage assets. Other property items, normal repairs, and
maintenance are charged to expense as incurred.

L. Advances and Prepaid Charges
Advances and prepayments may occur as a result of reimbursable agreements, subscriptions,
payments to contractors and employees, and payments to entities administering benefit
programs for CFPB employees. Payments made in advance of the receipt of goods and services
are recorded as advances or prepaid charges at the time of prepayment and recognized as
expenses when the related goods and services are received.

M. Liabilities
Liabilities represent the amount of monies likely to be paid by CFPB as a result of transactions
or events that have already occurred. Liabilities may be intragovernmental (claims against the
CFPB by other Federal agencies) or with the public (claims against CFPB by an entity or person
that is not a Federal agency). However, no liability can be paid if there is no funding. Liabilities
for which funds are not available, therefore, are classified as not covered by budgetary resources.
There is no certainty that the funding will be received. Additionally, the Government, acting in
its sovereign capacity, can abrogate liabilities. Liabilities not covered by budgetary resources on
the Balance Sheet are equivalent to amounts reported as components not requiring or
generating resources on the Reconciliation of Net Cost to Budget.
CIVIL PENALTY FUND

The CFPB has determined that for the funds collected and deposited into the Civil Penalty Fund
(CPF), victims do not have ownership rights to those funds that the Federal government must
uphold. Accordingly, until CFPB decides to allocate CPF monies to classes of victims, no
liabilities exist. The estimated amount of the liabilities of the Civil Penalty Fund will be
recorded based on the results of the defined allocation process. The measurement of the liability
will be based on the amount allocated by the Fund Administrator via the Civil Penalty Fund
allocation process. The amount allocated by the Fund Administrator may differ from the
amount of uncompensated harm initially estimated based on the court order, settlement
agreement, or documentation provided by the Office of Enforcement. The allocated amount
may differ based on additional research and documentation obtained after the initial estimate
was calculated.

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CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 N. Annual, Sick, and Other Leave
Annual leave, compensatory time, and credit hours earned by the Bureau’s employees, but not
yet used, are reported as accrued liabilities. The accrued balance is adjusted annually to current
pay rates. The accrued leave, for which funding is not available, is recorded as an unfunded
liability. Sick and other leave are expensed as taken.

O. Employee Benefits
CFPB employees can elect to enroll in various benefit programs – medical, vision, dental, longterm disability, life insurance, etc.
BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYEES TRANSFERRED PURSUANT TO THE DODD-FRANK ACT

The Dodd-Frank Act provided employees transferred from other agencies (Board of Governors,
Federal Reserve Banks, OCC, OTS, FDIC, NCUA, and HUD) with the ability to continue
participation in the transferring agency or bank’s non-Title 5 benefit programs for one year from
the CFPB transfer date of July 21, 2011. The transferring agencies continued to administer the
non-Title 5 benefit programs for those transferred employees continuing participation in the
transferring agencies’ plans for the one-year period. Upon conclusion of the one-year period,
the employees had the opportunity to enroll in Title 5 benefit programs and/or in non-Title 5
benefit programs sponsored by CFPB. Title 5 of the U.S. Code outlines benefit programs for the
majority of the Federal workforce, which are typically administered by OPM. For those
employees participating in the transferring agencies’ programs, CFPB reimbursed the
transferring agencies for the employer’s contribution to the programs. CFPB also has
reimbursed the transferring agencies for administrative costs pursuant to memoranda of
understanding with the transferring agencies. These costs are reflected as expenses in CFPB’s
financial statements.
BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYEES NOT TRANSFERRED PURSUANT TO THE DODD-FRANK ACT

Employees not transferred to the Bureau pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act may enroll in some
benefit programs administered by OPM and also have the option to enroll in non-Title 5 benefit
programs sponsored by CFPB in addition to, or in lieu of, OPM programs. For those employees
participating in OPM’s benefit programs, CFPB records the employer’s contribution to those
programs. For those employees participating in CFPB’s non-Title 5 benefit programs, CFPB
directly contracts with vendors to provide those services. The Bureau recognizes the employer’s

88

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 contributions for these benefits as the benefits are earned. All of these costs are reflected as
expenses in CFPB’s financial statements.

P. Pension costs and other retirement benefits
CFPB employees are enrolled in several retirement and pension programs and post-employment
benefits in accordance with the Dodd-Frank Act.
EMPLOYEES TRANSFERRED FROM THE FEDERAL RESERVE, OCC, OTS, FDIC, AND HUD

The Dodd-Frank Act allowed employees transferred from OCC, OTS, FDIC, and HUD to
continue participating in the pension or retirement plans in which they were enrolled at their
transferring agency or to affirmatively elect, between January 21, 2012 and January 20, 2013, to
join the Federal Reserve System Retirement Plan and the Federal Reserve System Thrift Plan.
Many transferee employees from these agencies are in the traditional Title 5 retirement plans
(Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), or
CSRS Offset); however, a few transferees from OTS are in a non-Title 5 plan (i.e., Pentegra
Defined Benefit Plan). Transferees from the Federal Reserve were allowed to remain in the
Federal Reserve System retirement program or to affirmatively elect into the appropriate Title 5
retirement plan during that same timeframe. For those employees who elected to enroll in an
alternative retirement plan, the enrollment became effective in January 2013.
CFPB does not report on its financial statements information pertaining to the retirement plans
covering its employees. Reporting amounts such as plan assets, accumulated plan benefits, and
related unfunded liabilities, if any, is the responsibility of the Federal Reserve System, OCC, or
OPM as the administrator of their respective plans. In all cases, CFPB pays any employer
contributions required by the plans. Refer to the chart below for information on which agency
administers each of the retirement plans for CFPB employees.
OCC, OTS, and FDIC also offered other agency-only savings plans to employees. Any
transferees who participated in such plans are allowed to continue their participation as long as
they remain enrolled in their current retirement plans. In such cases, CFPB pays any employer
contributions. Employees who elect to enroll in the Federal Reserve System retirement plan will
not be allowed to continue their participation in either the Title 5 Thrift Savings Plan or the
OCC, OTS, and FDIC agency savings plans.

89

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 CFPB has also reimbursed the transferring agencies for administrative costs pursuant to
memoranda of understanding with the transferring agencies. These costs are reflected as
expenses in CFPB’s financial statements.
ALL OTHER EMPLOYEES OF CFPB

Employees hired with prior Title 5 Federal Retirement System coverage who are not transferees
under the Dodd Frank Act may remain enrolled in the appropriate retirement programs
administered by OPM – CSRS, CSRS Offset, or FERS. These employees alternatively have the
option to enroll in the Federal Reserve System retirement plans. CFPB began providing these
new employees the opportunity to enroll in the Federal Reserve retirement system plans
beginning in November 2011. For those employees electing to enroll in the Federal Reserve
System’s retirement plans, the enrollment becomes effective at the beginning of the pay period
following receipt of their written election decision. New employees with no previous coverage
under a Title 5 retirement plan are automatically enrolled in the Federal Reserve System’s
retirement plans. CFPB pays the employer’s contribution into those plans.

TABLE 28: PENSION/RETIREMENT PLANS FOR CFPB EMPLOYEES

Name

Administering Agency

Federal Reserve System Retirement Plan
(FRSRP)

Federal Reserve System

Federal Reserve System Thrift Plan

Federal Reserve System

Pension Enhancement Plan for Officers
of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System
Retirement Plan for Employees of the
Federal Reserve System Benefits
1
Equalization Plan
Retirement Plan for Employees of the
Federal Reserve System Benefits
Equalization Plan for Section 415 Excess
Benefits
Thrift Plan for Employees of the Federal
Reserve System Benefits Equalization
1
Plan

90

Federal Reserve System
Federal Reserve System

Federal Reserve System

Federal Reserve System

Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS)

OPM

CSRS Offset

OPM

Federal Employees Retirement System
(FERS)

OPM

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Thrift Savings Plan

Federal Retirement Thrift Investment
Board

FDIC Savings Plan

FDIC

OCC 401(k)

OCC

OTS 401(k)

OCC

OTS Deferred Compensation Plan

OCC

OCC (administration is through
Pentegra)
1 This retirement program does not have any CFPB participants for fiscal years 2013 or 2014.
Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan (OTS)

The Bureau does not have a separate pension or retirement plan distinct from the plans
described above. CFPB expenses its contributions to the retirement plans of covered employees
as the expenses are incurred. CFPB reported imputed costs (not paid by CFPB) with respect to
retirement plans (OPM-administered), health benefits and life insurance (for employees retiring
under Title 5 retirement plans; OPM-administered) pursuant to guidance received from OPM.
These costs are paid by OPM. Disclosure is intended to provide information regarding the full
cost of CFPB’s program in conformity with GAAP. CFPB, however, records expenses for the
post-retirement health benefits (i.e., health benefits also OPM-administered) for those
employees retiring under the Federal Reserve System retirement plans. These costs are not
imputed costs with OPM. The associated liabilities for these post-retirement health benefits are
incorporated as part of the line item on the Balance Sheet for Benefits Payable.
The Bureau recognizes the employer’s contributions for the retirement plans administered by
the Federal Reserve. The Bureau is responsible for transferring to the Federal Reserve both the
employer’s contributions and the employee’s contributions that the Bureau has collected from
employees. Under section 1013(a)(3)(C) of the Dodd-Frank Act, CFPB is required to pay an
employer contribution to the FRSRP in an amount established by the employer contribution
under the Federal Employees Retirement System – currently 11.9 percent of salary. For fiscal
years 2014 and 2013 those amounts were $16.9 and $13.1 million, respectively.
Consistent with the disclosures in the financial statements of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, the FRSRP provides retirement benefits to employees of the Board, the
Reserve Banks and certain employees of the CFPB. The FRBNY, on behalf of the Federal
Reserve System, recognizes the net assets and costs associated with the System Plan in its
financial statements. Consistent with provisions of a single-employer plan, costs associated with
the System Plan are aggregated by the FRBNY on behalf of the Federal Reserve Systems and

91

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 were not redistributed to individual entities (e.g., CFPB). Accordingly, the CFPB cannot report
the full cost of the plan benefits applicable to CFPB employees. Please see the Federal Reserve
Banks Combined Financial Statements for the net assets and costs associated with the System
Plan (www.federalreserve.gov/publications/annual-report/files/2013-annual-report.pdf).

Q. Commitments and Contingencies
A commitment is a preliminary action that reserves available funds until an obligation is made
which will result in a legal liability of the U.S. government. Examples of a commitment include
purchase requisitions or unsigned contracts. All open commitments at year end are closed out
and new commitments (requisitions) need to be recorded in the next fiscal year. Accordingly,
no open commitments exist at year end to report in the either the financial statements or notes.
Liabilities are deemed contingent when the existence or amount of the liability cannot be
determined with certainty pending the outcome of future events. Contingencies are recognized
on the balance sheet and statement of net cost when the liability is probable and can be
reasonably estimated. Contingencies are disclosed in the notes to the financial statements when
there is a reasonable possibility of a loss from the outcome of future events or when there is a
probable loss that cannot be reasonably estimated. See Note 10 for additional information.

R. Fiduciary activities
The Dodd-Frank Act, section 1055 authorizes the court in a judicial action or the CFPB in an
administrative proceeding to grant any appropriate legal or equitable relief for a violation of
Federal consumer financial law. Such relief may include redress for victims of the violations,
including refunds, restitution, and damages. Relief that is intended to compensate victims is
treated as fiduciary funds and deposited into the “Legal or Equitable Relief Fund” established at
the Department of the Treasury. Fiduciary assets are not assets of the CFPB and are not
recognized on the balance sheet. See Note 19, Fiduciary Activities.

S. Custodial activities
Under section 1055 of the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB may obtain disgorgement for violations of
Federal consumer law. Disgorgement paid by the defendant is treated by CFPB as a custodial
activity. CFPB will report those disgorged deposits and any other miscellaneous funds collected
(i.e., FOIA fees) on the Statement of Custodial Activity.

92

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Note 2: Fund balance with Treasury
Fund Balance with Treasury account balances as of September 30, 2014 and September 30,
2013 were as follows:
2014

2013

Fund Balances:
Special Fund

$

39,658,210

$

26,764,046

Total

$

39,658,210

$

26,764,046

$

296,906,439

Status of Fund Balance with Treasury:
Unobligated Balance
A vailable
Obligated Balance Not Yet Disbursed

$ 169,931,592

334,795,052

282,450,772

Investments at Cost

(434,776,402)

(343,773,005)

Cash Held Outside of Treasury (See Note 4)

(157,266,879)

(81,845,313)

Total

$

39,658,210

$

26,764,046

Unobligated Balance Available represents the amount of budget authority that can be used to
enter into new obligations. This amount, or a portion thereof, may be administratively dedicated
for specific purposes that have not yet been obligated. The Obligated Balance Not Yet Disbursed
represents amounts designated for payment of goods and services ordered but not received or
goods and services received but for which payment has not yet been made.

Note 3: Investments
As discussed further in Note 4, at the direction of the CFPB, the FRBNY invests the portion of
the Bureau Fund that is not required to meet the current needs of the Bureau. When directed by
CFPB, the FRBNY will utilize the funds available to purchase investments on the open market.
At this time, CFPB only invests in three month U.S. Treasury bills. The market value is
determined by the secondary U.S. Treasury market and represents the value an individual
investor is willing to pay for these securities, as of September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013.

93

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Investments as of September 30, 2014 consist of the following:

Cost

Amortization
Method

Amortized
Discount

Investments
Net

Market Value
Disclosure

Intragovernmental Securities:
Marketable
Total

434, 776,402

Straight-Line

$434,776,402

17, 071

434, 793,473

434, 794,302

$17,071

$434,793,473

$434,794,302

Investments as of September 30, 2013 consist of the following:
Cost

Amortization
Method

Amortized
Discount

Investments
Net

Market Value
Disclosure

Intragovernmental Securities:
Marketable
Total

343, 773,005

Straight-Line

$343,773,005

24, 081

343, 797,086

343, 797,757

$24,081

$343,797,086

$343,797,757

Note 4: Cash and other monetary assets
CFPB has both cash and investments held outside of Treasury. When transfers are made from
the Board of Governors to CFPB, the funds are deposited into an account held within the FRBNY
referred to as the Bureau Fund. The account has a required minimum balance of $250,000 and
any funds in excess of this minimum are invested in Treasury securities in increments of
$100,000 by the FRBNY utilizing an automatic investment process based on direction from
CFPB. CFPB requests cash disbursement from the Bureau Fund to the CFPB’s Fund Balance
with Treasury based on projections of future cash outlays.
Funds obtained by, transferred to, or credited to the Bureau Fund are immediately available to
CFPB and under the control of the Director, and shall remain available until expended, to pay
for the expenses of the Bureau in carrying out its duties and responsibilities. Any civil penalty
obtained from any person in any judicial or administrative action under Federal consumer
financial laws is deposited into the Civil Penalty Fund. Amounts in the Civil Penalty Fund are
immediately available to CFPB and under the control of the Director, and shall remain available
until expended, for payments to victims of activities for which civil penalties have been imposed.
To the extent that such victims cannot be located or such payments are otherwise not
practicable, the Bureau may use funds in the Civil Penalty Fund for the purpose of consumer
education and financial literacy programs.

94

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 In enforcement actions and proceedings under Federal consumer financial laws, a court or the
CFPB may order any appropriate legal or equitable relief for a violation of Federal consumer
financial law. Relief provided may include certain types of monetary relief, including refunds,
restitution, disgorgement, and civil penalties. The CFPB deposits civil penalties it obtains in
these judicial and administrative actions into the Civil Penalty Fund. The CFPB makes biannual
allocations from the Civil Penalty Fund. As of September 30, 2014, the cash balance in the Civil
Penalty Fund was $157 million. During FY 2014 and FY 2013, the CFPB had allocated a total of
$31.3 million in compensable harm to victims, $13.4 million for consumer education and
financial literacy programs, and $1.6 million in administrative costs. Victim compensation0f
$30.3 million (net of $ 1 million of distributions in FY 2014) is reported as a liability and
displayed as “Civil Penalty Fund Allocation” on the balance sheet as of September 30, 2014. No
distributions were made from the Civil Penalty Fund in FY 2013.
Funds obtained by or transferred to the Bureau Fund shall not be construed to be Government
funds or appropriated monies. Funds in the Bureau Fund and the Civil Penalty Fund are not
subject to apportionment for purposes of chapter 15 Title 31, United States Code, or under any
other authority.
Account balances as of September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013:
2014

2013

Cash
Cash Held in the Bureau Fund at the Federal Reserve
Cash Held in the Civil Penalty Fund at the Federal Reserve
Total Cash and Other Monetary Assets

95

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

265, 163

325, 312

157, 001,716
$ 157, 266,879

81, 520,001
$

81, 845,313

 Note 5: Accounts receivable
Accounts receivable represents amounts owed to the CFPB by the Public. Account balances as of
September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013:
2014

2013

Accounts Receivable:
Bureau Fund

$

Civil Penalty Fund

155, 575

45, 692

15, 200,000

Custodial Funds
Total Accounts Receivable

$

-

7, 807
$

15, 363,382

9, 191
$

54, 883

Note 6: Property, equipment and software,
net
Schedule of Property, Equipment, and Software as of September 30, 2014 consist of the
following:
Acquisition
Cost
$15,432,387

Accumulated
Amortization/Depreciation
$
3,971,039

Net Book
Value
$11,461,348

17,226,280

4,823,716

12,402,564

Leashold (Capital) Improvement-in-Development

9,561,227

N/A

9,561,227

Software-in-Development

4,071,459

N/A

4,071,459

8,794,755

$37,496,598

Major Class
Furniture & Equipment
Internal Use Software

Total

$46,291,353

$

Schedule of Property, Equipment, and Software as of September 30, 2013 consist of the
following:
Major Class
Furniture & Equipment
Internal Use Software

Acquisition
Cost
$ 8,320,022

Accumulated
Amortization/Depreciation
$
2,485,208

Net Book
Value
$ 5,834,814

12,576,978

1,834,265

10,742,713

6,075,513

N/A

6,075,513

Leasehold (Capital) Improvement-in-Development
Software-in-Development
Total

96

5,031,437
$32,003,950

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

$

N/A

5,031,437

4,319,473

$27,684,477

 Note 7: Advances & prepayments
Advances and Prepayment balances as of September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 were as
follows:
2014

2013

Intragovernmental
A dvances and Prepayments
Total Intragovernmental Other Assets

$

2,900,006

$

4,993,642

$

2,900,006

$

4,993,642

With the Public
A dvances and Prepayments
Total Public Other Assets

$

2,706

$

749,699

$

2,706

$

749,699

The intragovernmental advance and prepayment balance is primarily comprised of $1.9 million
for FY 2014 represents prepayments made to the Board of Governors for the Office of Inspector
General services on a calendar year basis and represents funds needed for the period October 1
through December 31, 2014. The intragovernmental advance balance of $5 million for FY 2013
represents funds advanced and prepaid to the Department of the Treasury for services provided
by the working capital fund and funds advanced to FHFA for the development & maintenance of
a joint National Mortgage Database. Other advances and prepayments include subscriptions
and other miscellaneous items.

97

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Note 8: Other liabilities
Other liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 consist of the following:
2014

2013

Intragovernmental Liabilities
FECA Liability

$

Payroll Taxes Payable

162,816

46,110

271,377

215,510

7,807

9,191

Custodial Liability
Total Intragovernmental Liabilities

$

$

442,000

$

270,811

$

14,171

$

864

With the Public
Employee Withholdings
Other
Total Public Liabilities

1
$

14,172

$

864

All other liabilities are considered current liabilities.

Note 9: Liabilities not covered by budgetary
resources
Liabilities not covered by budgetary resources as of September 30, 2014 and September 30,
2013 consist of the following:
2014

2013

Intragovernmental
FECA

$

Benefits Payable

162,816

$

46,110

11,669,945

6,097,058

Unfunded Leave

16,400,954

11,939,809

Actuarial FECA

1,179,641

-

With the Public

Total Liabilities Not Covered by Budgetary Resources
Total Liabilities Covered by Budgetary Resources
Total Liabilities

98

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

$

29,413,356

$

120,007,024
$ 149,420,380

18,082,977
60,496,884

$

78,579,861

 As described in Note 1.O., other liabilities include costs for post-retirement benefits for CFPB
employees retiring under the Federal Reserve retirement plans.

Note 10: Commitments and contingencies
CFPB is responsible for reimbursing the Federal Reserve Retirement Plan for certain costs
related to employees, transferred to CFPB under Section 1064 of the Dodd Frank Act, that enroll
in the Plan. A memorandum of understanding between the Board of Governors and the Bureau
established that the Board of Governors would provide the Bureau a final cost estimate for this
payment by September 30, 2014. CFPB has not yet received that estimate as of November 10,
2014.
The Civil Penalty Fund Administrator made the third allocation from the Civil Penalty Fund on
May 30, 2014. At that time, the Fund Administrator determined that there were five cases with
classes of victims who are eligible for payment from the Civil Penalty Fund but whose
uncompensated harm cannot be estimated at this time. The Fund Administrator will make the
fourth allocation from the Civil Penalty Fund on November 29, 2014. At that time, there will be
18 cases considered for allocation and the total amount available for allocation is $112.8 million.
As of September 30, 2014, no amounts were accrued in the financial statements for these cases
as the future outflows of resources do not meet the definition of probable and estimable.

Note 11: Intragovernmental costs and
exchange revenue
Intragovernmental costs represent goods and services provided between two reporting entities
within the Federal government, and are in contrast to those with non-federal entities (the
public). Earned exchanged revenue with the public results from transactions between the
Federal government and a non-Federal entity.
Such costs and earned revenues for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 are summarized as follows:

99

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Prevent Financial Harm to Consumers While Promoting Good Practices
That Benefit Them
Intragovernmental Costs
Public Costs
Total Program Costs
Net Prevent Financial Harm to Consumers While Promoting Good
Practices That Benefit Them Cost

2014

2013

$ 55,377,866

$ 35,736,563

173,000,661

130,384,278

228,378,527

166,120,841

$ 228,378,527

$ 166,120,841

$ 24,422,060

$ 15,256,926

76,294,606

55,664,649

100,716,666

70,921,575

$ 100,716,666

$ 70,921,575

$ 11,096,950

$

Empower Consumers to Live Better Financial Lives
Intragovernmental Costs
Public Costs
Total Program Costs
Net Empower Consumers to Live Better Financial Lives Cost
Inform The Public, Policy Makers, and the CFPB's own Policy-Making
with Data-Driven Analysis of Consumer Finance Markets and Consumer
Behavior
Intragovernmental Costs
Public Costs
Total Program Costs
Less: Public Earned Revenue
Net Inform The Public, Policy Makers, and the CFPB's own PolicyMaking with Data-Driven Analysis of Consumer Finance Markets
and Consumer Behavior Cost
Advance the CFPB's Performance by Maximizing Resource Productivity
& Enhancing Impact
Intragovernmental Costs
Public Costs
Total Program Costs
Net Advance the CFPB's Performance by Maximizing Resource
Productivity & Enhancing Impact Cost
Total Intragovernmental Costs
Total Public Costs
Total Program Costs
Less: Total Public Earned Revenue
Total Program Net Cost

100

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

9,281,517

34,666,914

33,863,466

45,763,864

43,144,983

(80,000)

-

$ 45,683,864

$ 43,144,983

$ 25,861,445

$ 23,908,320

96,913,246

87,229,123

122,774,691

111,137,443

$ 122,774,691

$ 111,137,443

$ 116,758,321

$ 84,183,326

380,875,427

307,141,516

497,633,748

391,324,842

(80,000)
$ 497,553,748

$ 391,324,842

 Note 12: Apportionment categories of
obligations incurred
All obligations incurred are characterized as Category E, Exempt from apportionment (i.e., not
apportioned), on the Statement of Budgetary Resources. Obligations incurred and reported in
the Statement of Budgetary Resources in fiscal years 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:

Direct Obligations, Category E
Reimbursable Obligations, Category E
Total Obligations Incurred

2014

2013

$ 499,732,046

$ 538,759,116

80,000

-

$ 499,812,046

$ 538,759,116

Note 13: Undelivered orders at the end of
the period
SFFAS 7, Accounting for Revenue and Other Financing Sources and Concepts for Reconciling
Budgetary and Financial Accounting, states that the amount of budgetary resources obligated
for undelivered orders at the end of the period should be disclosed. CFPB's Undelivered Orders
represent obligated amounts designated for future payment of goods and services ordered but
not received.
Undelivered Orders as of September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 were as follows:

Total Undelivered Orders at the End of the Period

2014

2013

$ 245,130,881

$ 235,009,127

Note 14: Reconciliation of net cost to
budget
CFPB has reconciled its budgetary obligations and non-budgetary resources available to its net
cost of operations for the periods ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013.

101

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU
RECONCILIATION OF NET COST OF OPERATIONS TO BUDGET
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
(In Dollars)

2014

2013

Resources Used to Finance Activities:
Budgetary Resources Obligated
Obligations Incurred

$ 499,812,046 $ 538,759,116

Less: Spending Authority From Offsetting Collections and Recoveries

(15,192,045)

Net Obligations

484,620,001

(8,834,619)
529,924,497

Other Resources
Imputed Financing From Costs Absorbed By Others
Total Resources Used to Finance Activities

1,517,498

1,848,849

486,137,499

531,773,346

Resources Used to Finance Items Not Part of the Net Cost of Operations:
Change In Budgetary Resources Obligated For Goods,
Services and Benefits Ordered But Not Yet Provided

(7,281,125)

(139,842,104)

Resources That Finance the Acquisition of Assets

(13,536,261)

(24,335,242)

Total Resources Used to Finance Items Not Part of Net Cost of Operations

(20,817,386)

(164,177,346)

465,320,113

367,596,000

4,461,145

4,172,585

17,288,556

13,046,046

Increase In Post Retirement Health Benefits

5,572,887

4,020,389

Other

1,296,347

45,690

28,618,935

21,284,710

4,475,283

2,470,726

Total Resources Used to Finance the Net Cost of Operations
Components of the Net Cost of Operations That Will Not Require or
Generate Resources in the Current Period:
Components Requiring or Generating Resources in Future Periods
Increase In Annual Leave Liability
Civil Penalty Fund Allocation

Total Components of Net Cost of Operations That Will Require or
Generate Resources In Future Periods
Components Not Requiring or Generating Resources
Depreciation and Amortization
Revaluation of Assets or Liabilities

(751,143)

Other

(109,440)

(26,594)

Total Components of Net Cost of Operations That Will Not Require or
Generate Resources

3,614,700

2,444,132

32,233,635

23,728,842

Total Components of Net Cost of Operations That Will Not Require or
Generate Resources In The Current Period
Net Cost of Operations

102

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

$ 497,553,748 $ 391,324,842

 Note 15: President’s Budget
Statement of Federal Financial Accounting Standards 7, Accounting for Revenue and Other
Financing Sources and Concepts for Reconciling Budgetary and Financial Accounting,
requires explanations of material differences between amounts reported in the Statement of
Budgetary Resources and the actual balances published in the Budget of the United States
Government (President’s Budget). However, the President’s Budget that will include fiscal year
2014 actual budgetary execution information has not yet been published. The President’s Budget
is scheduled for publication in February 2015 and can be found at the OMB Web site:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/. The 2015 Budget of the United States Government, with
the “Actual” column completed for 2013, has been reconciled to the 2013 Statement of
Budgetary Resources and there were no material differences.

Combined Statement of Budgetary Resources

Budgetary
Resources

Obligations
Incurred

Net Outlays

$ 708,690,708

$ 538,759,116

$ 356,506,853

309,292

240,884

493,147

709,000,000

539,000,000

357,000,000

Rounding
Budget of U.S. Government
Total Unreconciled Difference

$

- $

- $

-

Note 16: Rental payments for space
For all Interagency Agreements the CFPB enters into with another Federal Agency, the CFPB
records the rental payments based on the stated monthly amount due in the occupancy
agreement.
DESCRIPTION OF AGREEMENT

A. Interagency agreement with the Department of the Treasury’s Office of the Comptroller of
the Currency (OCC) for space to accommodate the CFPB staff assigned to its headquarters in
Washington, DC. The occupancy agreement with OCC covers use of the premises for a period of
20 years expiring on February 17, 2032 with two optional five (5) year renewal periods expiring
February 17, 2037 and 2042 respectively. The annual rent shall escalate two percent each year.

103

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Future Payments Due:
Fiscal Year

Buildings

2015

$ 11, 822,235

2016

12, 061,452

2017

12, 305,453

2018

12, 554,334

2019

12, 808,193

2020 through February 17, 2032
Total Future Payments

181, 758,396
$243,310,063

DESCRIPTION OF AGREEMENT

B. Occupancy Agreement (OA) between the CFPB and the General Services Administration for
supplies, services and the use of space at 1275 First Street, N.E., Washington D.C. The OA is for
a period of 18 months expiring October 31, 2015. The rent is to be adjusted annually for
operating cost and real estate taxes. The CFPB entered into this OA in order to secure
temporary swing space while the CFPB undergoes a full-building renovation of its primary
headquarters located at 1700 G Street, NW, Washington DC. The space assigned in this OA will
permit the CFPB to conduct a single-phase renovation. Upon completion of the renovation, the
CFPB plans to vacate the space governed by this OA and return to its primary headquarters.
Future Payments Due:
Fiscal Year

Buildings

2015

10, 700,287

2016 through October 31, 2015
Total Future Payments

2, 413,492
$ 13, 113,779

DESCRIPTION OF AGREEMENT

C. Interagency agreement with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) for supplies,
services and the use of space at 1625 I Street, N.W., Washington D.C. The interagency
agreement is for 3 years and 3 months expiring on June 30, 2015. The annual rent shall escalate
four percent each year.
Future Payments Due:
Fiscal Year

Buildings

2015 through June 30, 2015
Total Future Payments

104

2, 318,608
$

2, 318,608

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 DESCRIPTION OF AGREEMENT

D. Occupancy Agreement (OA) between the CFPB and the General Services Administration for
supplies, services and the use of space at 140 East 45th Street, New York, NY. The OA is for a
period of 120 months expiring September 28, 2023. The rent is to be adjusted annually for
operating cost and real estate taxes.
Future Payments Due:
Fiscal Year

Buildings

2015

1, 120,401

2016

1, 129,645

2017

1, 139,166

2018

1, 148,974

2019

1, 261,041

2020 to September 28, 2023

5, 151,376

Total Future Payments

$ 10, 950,603

DESCRIPTION OF AGREEMENT

E. Occupancy Agreement (OA) between the CFPB and the General Services Administration for
supplies, services and the use of space at 301 Howard Street, San Francisco, California. The OA
is for a period of 54 months expiring December 16, 2017. The rent is to be adjusted annually for
operating cost and real estate taxes.
Future Payments Due:
Fiscal Year

Buildings

2015

934, 515

2016

1, 003,488

2017

1, 026,498

2018

257, 577

Total Future Payments

$

3, 222,078

DESCRIPTION OF AGREEMENT

F. Occupancy Agreement (OA) between the CFPB and the General Services Administration for
supplies, services and the use of space at 230 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL. The OA is for a
period of 60 months expiring June 30, 2019. The rent is to be adjusted annually for operating
cost.

105

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Future Payments Due:
Fiscal Year
2015

Buildings
$

486, 207

2016

488, 293

2017

490, 423

2018

492, 598

2019 through June 30, 2019

370, 740

Total Future Payments

$

2, 328,261

DESCRIPTION OF AGREEMENT

G. Occupancy Agreement (OA) between the CFPB and the General Services Administration for
supplies, services and the use of space at 1800 F Street N.W., Washington D.C. The OA is for a
period of 34 months expiring August 15, 2017. The rent is to be adjusted annually for operating
cost. The CFPB entered into this OA in order to secure temporary swing space while the CFPB
undergoes a full-building renovation of its primary headquarters located at 1700 G Street, NW,
Washington DC. The space assigned in this OA will permit the CFPB to continue to provide
space for the Small Savers Childcare Development Center.
Future Payments Due:
Future Payments Due:
Fiscal Year

Buildings

2015

$

325,839

2016

$

357,102

2017 through August 15, 2017

$

328,988

Total Future Payments

$

1,011,929

Note 17: Funds from dedicated collections
Provided below is summary consolidated component entity information for CFPB's two primary
funds from dedicated collections -- the Bureau Fund and the Civil Penalty Fund. Custodial
collections (disgorgement paid and FOIA fees collected) reside in non-budgetary FBWT
accounts and are excluded from this presentation.

106

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Bureau Fund

Civil Penalty Fund

FY 2014

A. Fund Balances & Status of Funds:
Fund Balances:
Special Fund

$

38,961,246

$

696,964

$

39,658,210

Total

$

38,961,246

$

696,964

$

39,658,210

Status of Fund Balance with Treasury:
Unobligated Balance
A vailable

$ 139,827,331

$ 157,079,108

$ 296,906,439

334,175,480

619,572

$ 334,795,052

Obligated Balance Not Yet Disbursed
Investments at Cost

(434,776,402)

Cash Held Outside of Treasury
Total

-

(265,163)
$

(434,776,402)

(157,001,716)

(157,266,879)

38,961,246

$

696,964

$

39,658,210

$ 476,654,725

$

696,964

$ 477,351,689

265,163

157,001,716

157,266,879

37,662,686

15,200,000

52,862,686

$ 514,582,574

$ 172,898,680

$ 687,481,254

$ 119,058,422

$ 30,361,958

149,420,380

B. Summary Assets, Liabilities, and Net Position:
Assets:
Total Intragovernmental
Cash and Other Monetary Assets
Other
Total Summary Assets
Liabilities and Net Position:
Total Liabilities
Cumulative Results of Operations

395,524,152

142,536,722

538,060,874

Total Liabilities & Net Position

$ 514,582,574

$ 172,898,680

$ 687,481,254

$ 478,994,514

$ 18,639,234

497,633,748

C. Summary Statement of Net Cost:
Total Gross Program Costs
Less: Total Earned Revenues
Net Cost of Operations

(80,000)
$ 478,914,514

(80,000)
$ 18,639,234

$ 497,553,748

$ 68,473,955

$ 407,309,285

D. Summary Statement of Changes in Net Position:
Net Position Beginning of Period
Total Financing Sources

$ 338,835,330
535,603,336

92,702,001

628,305,337

Net Cost of Operations

(478,914,514)

(18,639,234)

(497,553,748)

Change in Net Position

56,688,822

74,062,767

130,751,589

$ 395,524,152

$ 142,536,722

$ 538,060,874

Net Position End of Period

107

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Bureau Fund

Civil Penalty Fund

FY 2013

A. Fund Balances & Status of Funds:
Fund Balances:
Special Fund

$

26,764,046

$

-

$

26,764,046

Total

$

26,764,046

$

-

$

26,764,046

$

88,437,750

$ 81,493,842

$ 169,931,592

282,424,613

26,159

282,450,772

Status of Fund Balance with Treasury:
Unobligated Balance
A vailable
Obligated Balance Not Yet Disbursed
Investments at Cost

(343,773,005)

Cash Held Outside of Treasury
Total

-

(325,312)
$

(343,773,005)

(81,520,001)

(81,845,313)

26,764,046

$

-

$

26,764,046

$ 375,554,774

$

-

$ 375,554,774

325,312

81,520,001

81,845,313

28,489,059

-

28,489,059

$ 404,369,145

$ 81,520,001

$ 485,889,146

$

$ 13,046,046

$

B. Summary Assets, Liabilities, and Net Position:
Assets:
Total Intragovernmental
Cash and Other Monetary Assets
Other
Total Summary Assets
Liabilities and Net Position:
Total Liabilities

65,533,815

78,579,861

Cumulative Results of Operations

338,835,330

68,473,955

407,309,285

Total Liabilities & Net Position

$ 404,369,145

$ 81,520,001

$ 485,889,146

Total Gross Program Costs

$ 378,278,796

$ 13,046,046

$ 391,324,842

Net Cost of Operations

$ 378,278,796

$ 13,046,046

$ 391,324,842

$ 196,503,943

$ 32,000,000

$ 228,503,943

520,610,183

49,520,001

570,130,184

Net Cost of Operations

(378,278,796)

(13,046,046)

(391,324,842)

Change in Net Position

142,331,387

36,473,955

178,805,342

$ 338,835,330

$ 68,473,955

$ 407,309,285

C. Summary Statement of Net Cost:

D. Summary Statement of Changes in Net Position:
Net Position Beginning of Period
Total Financing Sources

Net Position End of Period

108

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 Note 18: Subsequent events
Since October 2014, the CFPB has entered into one Consent Order with an entity for violations
of Federal consumer financial law. The Order required the entity to pay in $200,000 in civil
monetary penalties to the CFPB’s Civil Penalty Fund. The Order was agreed to, and the amount
ordered was paid in fiscal year 2015. Further, CFPB collected accounts receivable from fiscal
year 2014 imposed penalties of $15.2 million and Bureau Administer Redress of $27.5 million.
In October 2014, the Bureau and an entity which violated Federal consumer financial law
entered into an agreement requiring the entity to disgorge funds to Treasury. That agreement
will result in the disgorgement of $6.8 million in fiscal year 2015.
A Civil Penalty Fund distribution also occurred in fiscal year 2015. In the National Legal Help
Center case $1.2 million was distributed to harmed consumers.

Note 19: Fiduciary activities
Section 1055 of the Dodd-Frank Act authorizes the court in a judicial action, or the CFPB in an
administrative proceeding, to grant any appropriate legal or equitable relief for a violation of
Federal consumer financial law. Such relief may include redress for victims of the violations,
including refunds, restitution, and damages. Funds paid as relief that is intended to compensate
victims of violations are treated as fiduciary funds and deposited into the “Legal or Equitable
Relief Fund” established at the Department of the Treasury. Fiduciary assets are not assets of
the CFPB. The victims have an ownership interest in the cash or other assets held by the CFPB
under provision of law, regulation, or other fiduciary arrangement
During fiscal years 2014 and 2013, the CFPB had the following fiduciary activity:

109

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU
SCHEDULE OF FIDUCIARY ACTIVITY
For the Year Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
(In Dollars)

Fiduciary Net Assets, Beginning of Year

2014
Consumer
Financial Legal or
Equitable Relief
Fund
$
122,804 $

2013

-

Fiduciary Revenues Collected

28,231,130

122,804

Fiduciary Revenues Receivables

29,599,000

-

Administrative Expenses

(23,146)

Disbursements to and on behal f of beneficiaries

(9,311,987)

Increase/(Decrease) in Fiduciary Net Assets

48,494,997

Fiduciary Net Assets, End of Year

$

48,617,801

122,804
$

122,804

CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU
SCHEDULE OF FIDUCIARY ACTIVITY
As of September 30, 2014 and 2013
(In Dollars)
2014
Consumer
Financial Legal or
Equitable Relief
Fund

2013

Fiduciary Assets:
Cash

$

Accounts Receivable

19,019,186 $

122,804

29,599,000

-

385

-

Fiduciary Liabilities:
Less: Liabilities
Total Fiduciary Net Assets

110

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

$

48,617,801

$

122,804

 2.3

Other information

The following Schedule of Spending presents an overview of the funds available for the CFPB to
spend and how the CFPB spent these funds as of and for the fiscal year ended September 30,
2014. The financial data used to populate this schedule is the same underlying data used to
populate the CFPB’s Statement of Budgetary Resources. Similar data can be found on
www.USAspending.gov for goods and services purchased via contracts with non-Federal
vendors.
CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU
OTHER ACCOMPANING INFORMATION
SCHEDULE OF SPENDING
For The Periods Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
(In Dollars)
2014

2013

$ 796,718,485

$ 708,690,708

What Money is Available to Spend?
Total Resources
Less Amount Not Agreed to be Spent
Total Amounts Agreed to be Spent

(296,906,439)

(169,931,592)

$ 499,812,046

$ 538,759,116

$ 171,702,260

$ 143,341,164

65,271,703

48,998,214

39,246

70,856

17,232,663

14,484,205

114,159

154,148

11,049,627

5,611,501

2,424,626

2,227,636

201,948,343

136,816,460

4,552,106

4,659,969

How was the Money Spent?
Personnel Compensation
Personnel Benefits
Benefits for Former Personnel
Travel and transportation of persons
Transportation of things
Rent, Communications, and utilities
Printing and reproduction
Other contractual services
Supplies and materials
Equipment
Land and structures
Interest and dividends
Other
Total Spending
Total Amounts Agreed to be Spent

21,452,780

31,586,601

4,023,950

150,805,839

211
372

2,523
-

499,812,046

538,759,116

$ 499,812,046

$ 538,759,116

$ 131,721,047

$ 237,635,415

Who did the Money go to?
Federal
Non-Federal
Total Amounts Agreed to be Spent

111

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

368,090,999

301,123,701

$ 499,812,046

$ 538,759,116

 The presentation for the fiscal year 2013 column was reclassified and now reflects the amounts
consistent with the required reporting for fiscal year 2014 column, per OMB Circular A-136
issued in September 2014. The difference in reporting is spending by categories on an
obligation incurred basis rather than a disbursement basis.

112

CFPB FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR 2014

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