Michigan Credit Union League Home » Information Services » Publications » News Articles

The Federal Reserve published an amendment Friday in the Federal Register that would provide a Jan. 31 effective date for rules that will require new disclosures on gift certificates, store gift cards and general-use prepaid cards that were issued before April 1, according to CUNA.

These new disclosures are mandated by the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009. The previous effective date was Aug. 22.

The disclosures must be provided via toll-free telephone numbers, websites, in-store signage and other methods of general advertising. The disclosures must specifically inform consumers that there will be no dormancy, inactivity, or service fees and that these cards, specifically the underlying funds, will not expire, regardless of what is printed on the card. This information must be made available until Jan. 31, 2013.

CUNA in a comment letter sent last month commended the Fed for providing "the additional flexibility in the interim final rule that will facilitate compliance with these extended effective date provisions."

For the rule, as published in the Federal Register, click here.