source:
  type: regulation
  id: reg-b-1002.12
  authority: 12 CFR §1002.12 — Record retention
  description: 'Regulation B §1002.12 sets the ECOA 25-month / 12-month

    record-retention regime with extended retention during enforcement

    proceedings.

    '
obligations:
- id: reg-b-1002.12-a
  canonical_id: reg-b-1002.12-a
  section: 12 CFR §1002.12(a)
  description: '(a): (a) Retention of prohibited information. A creditor may retain in its files information
    that is prohibited by the Act or this part for use in evaluating applications, without violating the
    Act or this part, if the information was obtained: (1) From any source prior to March 23, 1977; (2)
    From consum…'
  type: dont
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - section-complete
  - cfpb-regulation
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: 12 CFR §1002.12(b)(1)
    source_class: cfpb-regulation
    source_url: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/12/1002.12
    snapshot_id: 849172a6cde434ec
    fetched_at: '2026-05-22T18:23:02Z'
    content_hash: sha256:4801565894d0811c01b08c936f5993e5fda041eca9e7bf171c145d4b31a393de
    paragraph_quote: '(a) Retention of prohibited information. A creditor may retain in its files information
      that is prohibited by the Act or this part for use in evaluating applications, without violating
      the Act or this part, if the information was obtained: (1) From any source prior to March 23, 1977;
      (2) From consumer reporting agencies, an applicant , or others without the specific request of the
      creditor ; or (3) As required to monitor compliance with the Act and this part or other Federal
      or state statutes or regulations.'
    drafter_attestation: Verbatim subsection of 12 CFR §1002.12 from Cornell LII snapshot 849172a6cde434ec;
      body isolated between nav and notes; substring-verified.
  judgment: false
- id: reg-b-1002.12-b
  canonical_id: reg-b-1002.12-b
  section: 12 CFR §1002.12(b)
  description: '(b): (b) Preservation of records — (1) Applications. For 25 months (12 months for business
    credit , except as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of this section or otherwise provided for in subpart
    B of this part) after the date that a creditor notifies an applicant of action taken on an application
    or of inco…'
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - section-complete
  - cfpb-regulation
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: 12 CFR §1002.12(b)(1)
    source_class: cfpb-regulation
    source_url: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/12/1002.12
    snapshot_id: 849172a6cde434ec
    fetched_at: '2026-05-22T18:23:02Z'
    content_hash: sha256:4801565894d0811c01b08c936f5993e5fda041eca9e7bf171c145d4b31a393de
    paragraph_quote: '(b) Preservation of records — (1) Applications. For 25 months (12 months for business
      credit , except as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of this section or otherwise provided for in subpart
      B of this part) after the date that a creditor notifies an applicant of action taken on an application
      or of incompleteness, the creditor shall retain in original form or a copy thereof:'
    drafter_attestation: Verbatim subsection of 12 CFR §1002.12 from Cornell LII snapshot 849172a6cde434ec;
      body isolated between nav and notes; substring-verified.
  judgment: false
- id: reg-b-1002.12-i
  canonical_id: reg-b-1002.12-i
  section: 12 CFR §1002.12(i)
  description: '(i): (i) Any application that it receives, any information required to be obtained concerning
    characteristics of the applicant to monitor compliance with the Act and this part or other similar
    law, any information obtained pursuant to § 1002.5(a)(4) , and any other written or recorded information
    used in…'
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - section-complete
  - cfpb-regulation
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: 12 CFR §1002.12(b)(1)
    source_class: cfpb-regulation
    source_url: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/12/1002.12
    snapshot_id: 849172a6cde434ec
    fetched_at: '2026-05-22T18:23:02Z'
    content_hash: sha256:4801565894d0811c01b08c936f5993e5fda041eca9e7bf171c145d4b31a393de
    paragraph_quote: '(i) Any application that it receives, any information required to be obtained concerning
      characteristics of the applicant to monitor compliance with the Act and this part or other similar
      law, any information obtained pursuant to § 1002.5(a)(4) , and any other written or recorded information
      used in evaluating the application and not returned to the applicant at the applicant ''s request.
      (ii) A copy of the following documents if furnished to the applicant in written form (or, if furnished
      orally, any notation or memorandum made by the creditor): (A) The notification of action taken;
      and (B) The statement of specific reasons for adverse action ; and (iii) Any written statement submitted
      by the applicant alleging a violation of the Act or this part. (2) Existing accounts. For 25 months
      (12 months for business credit , except as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of this section or otherwise
      provided for in subpart B of this part) after the date that a creditor notifies an applicant of
      adverse action regarding an existing account , the creditor shall retain as to that account , in
      original form or a copy thereof:'
    drafter_attestation: Verbatim subsection of 12 CFR §1002.12 from Cornell LII snapshot 849172a6cde434ec;
      body isolated between nav and notes; substring-verified.
  judgment: false
- id: reg-b-1002.12-i
  canonical_id: reg-b-1002.12-i
  section: 12 CFR §1002.12(i)
  description: '(i): (i) Any written or recorded information concerning the adverse action ; and (ii)
    Any written statement submitted by the applicant alleging a violation of the Act or this part. (3)
    Other applications. For 25 months (12 months for business credit , except as provided in paragraph
    (b)(5) of this sectio…'
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - section-complete
  - cfpb-regulation
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: 12 CFR §1002.12(b)(1)
    source_class: cfpb-regulation
    source_url: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/12/1002.12
    snapshot_id: 849172a6cde434ec
    fetched_at: '2026-05-22T18:23:02Z'
    content_hash: sha256:4801565894d0811c01b08c936f5993e5fda041eca9e7bf171c145d4b31a393de
    paragraph_quote: '(i) Any written or recorded information concerning the adverse action ; and (ii)
      Any written statement submitted by the applicant alleging a violation of the Act or this part. (3)
      Other applications. For 25 months (12 months for business credit , except as provided in paragraph
      (b)(5) of this section or otherwise provided for in subpart B of this part) after the date that
      a creditor receives an application for which the creditor is not required to comply with the notification
      requirements of § 1002.9, the creditor shall retain all written or recorded information in its possession
      concerning the applicant , including any notation of action taken. (4) Enforcement proceedings and
      investigations. A creditor shall retain the information beyond 25 months (12 months for business
      credit , except as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of this section or otherwise provided for in subpart
      B) if the creditor has actual notice that it is under investigation or is subject to an enforcement
      proceeding for an alleged violation of the Act or this part, by the Attorney General of the United
      States or by an enforcement agency charged with monitoring that creditor ''s compliance with the
      Act and this part, or if it has been served with notice of an action filed pursuant to section 706
      of the Act and § 1002.16 of this part. The creditor shall retain the information until final disposition
      of the matter, unless an earlier time is allowed by order of the agency or court. (5) Special rule
      for certain business credit applications. With regard to a business that had gross revenues in excess
      of $1 million in its preceding fiscal year, or an extension of trade credit , credit incident to
      a factoring agreement, or other similar types of business credit , the creditor shall retain records
      for at least 60 days, except as otherwise provided for in subpart B, after notifying the applicant
      of the action taken. If within that time period the applicant requests in writing the reasons for
      adverse action or that records be retained, the creditor shall retain records for 12 months. (6)
      Self-tests. For 25 months after a self-test (as defined in § 1002.15 ) has been completed, the creditor
      shall retain all written or recorded information about the self-test. A creditor shall retain information
      beyond 25 months if it has actual notice that it is under investigation or is subject to an enforcement
      proceeding for an alleged violation , or if it has been served with notice of a civil action. In
      such cases, the creditor shall retain the information until final disposition of the matter, unless
      an earlier time is allowed by the appropriate agency or court order. (7) Prescreened solicitations.
      For 25 months after the date on which an offer of credit is made to potential customers (12 months
      for business credit , except as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of this section or otherwise provided
      for in subpart B), the creditor shall retain in original form or a copy thereof:'
    drafter_attestation: Verbatim subsection of 12 CFR §1002.12 from Cornell LII snapshot 849172a6cde434ec;
      body isolated between nav and notes; substring-verified.
  judgment: false
- id: reg-b-1002.12-i
  canonical_id: reg-b-1002.12-i
  section: 12 CFR §1002.12(i)
  description: '(i): (i) The text of any prescreened solicitation; (ii) The list of criteria the creditor
    used to select potential recipients of the solicitation; and (iii) Any correspondence related to complaints
    (formal or informal) about the solicitation. [ 76 FR 79445 , Dec. 21, 2011, as amended at 82 FR 45694
    , Oct…'
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - section-complete
  - cfpb-regulation
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: 12 CFR §1002.12(b)(1)
    source_class: cfpb-regulation
    source_url: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/12/1002.12
    snapshot_id: 849172a6cde434ec
    fetched_at: '2026-05-22T18:23:02Z'
    content_hash: sha256:4801565894d0811c01b08c936f5993e5fda041eca9e7bf171c145d4b31a393de
    paragraph_quote: (i) The text of any prescreened solicitation; (ii) The list of criteria the creditor
      used to select potential recipients of the solicitation; and (iii) Any correspondence related to
      complaints (formal or informal) about the solicitation. [ 76 FR 79445 , Dec. 21, 2011, as amended
      at 82 FR 45694 , Oct. 2, 2017; 88 FR 35528 , May 31, 2023] CFR Toolbox Law about... Articles from
      Wex Table of Popular Names Parallel Table of Authorities Accessibility About LII Contact us Advertise
      here Help Terms of use Privacy
    drafter_attestation: Verbatim subsection of 12 CFR §1002.12 from Cornell LII snapshot 849172a6cde434ec;
      body isolated between nav and notes; substring-verified.
  judgment: false
