CFPB Reports on Fair Lending Accomplishments, Outlines Relationship with DOJ

``Both the CFPB and the Justice Department have authority to protect against discriminatory lending under the ECOA which makes it illegal for creditors to discriminate against applicants in credit transactions because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, income coming from a public assistance program, or an applicant's exercise of certain consumer protection rights. The MOU, released by DOJ details the way the two agencies will manage their respective responsibilities in three areas, sharing information and preserving its confidentiality; collaboration in investigations and coordination of joint investigations; and referrals and notifications between the agencies. In the latter area, CFPB agrees to refer matters of apparent lending discrimination to DOJ while retaining its own authority to pursue supervisory or enforcement actions.''