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HR 3974 108th Congress House

Prohibit Predatory Lending Act

Official title: To amend the Truth in Lending Act to impose restrictions and limitations on high-cost mortgages, to revise the permissible fees and charges on certain loans ma… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To amend the Truth in Lending Act to impose restrictions and limitations on high-cost mortgages, to revise the permissible fees and charges on certain loans made, to prohibit unfair or deceptive practices by mortgage brokers and creditors, and to provide for public education and counseling about predatory lenders, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 16, 2004 See on congress.gov
Finance and Financial Sector Administrative procedureCivil actions and liabilityCollection of accountsCommerce
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Commercial arbitrationConsumer creditConsumer educationConsumer protectionCounselingCredit insuranceDebtDebtor and creditorEvidence (Law)Federal Reserve SystemFeesFines (Penalties)ForeclosureGovernment Operations and PoliticsHousing and Community Development
This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 29, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity.
Mar 29, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit.
Mar 16, 2004
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Mar 16, 2004
Introduced in House
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 Latest action March 29, 2004

Referred to the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Prohibit Predatory Lending Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act in connection with consumer credit cost disclosure to redefine: (1) the formula used to adjust certain percentage points in connection with a consumer credit transaction secured by the consumer's principal dwelling; and (2) related points and fees.

Sets forth a formula to calculate: (1) points and fees for open-end loans; and (2) bona fide discount points and prepayment penalties.

Revises requirements for: (1) prepayment penalties; (2) balloon payments; and (3) extension of credit without regard to consumer's payment ability.

Prohibits in connection with high-cost mortgages: (1) a creditor from recommending a default on an existing debt prior to and in connection with the closing of a high-cost mortgage that refinances all or any portion of such existing loan or debt; (2) specified late fees; (3) certain accelerations of debt; (4) certain evasions, structuring of transactions, and reciprocal arrangements; (5) certain modification and deferral fees; and (6) mandatory arbitration or other nonjudicial procedures.

Mandates pre-loan counseling as a prerequisite for a high-loan mortgage.

Revises guidelines governing creditor liability for correction of errors. Doubles civil money penalties for certain violations.

Extends to three years the statute of limitations for violation of certain statutory disclosure requirements.

Prohibits a creditor from knowingly or intentionally engaging in the unfair act or practice of flipping (the making of a loan or extension of credit to a consumer which refinances an existing mortgage when the new loan or credit extension does not have reasonable, tangible net benefit to the consumer, considering all of the circumstances, including the terms of both the new and the refinanced loans or credit, the cost of the new loan or credit, and the consumer's circumstances).

Prohibits single premium credit insurance.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3974: Prohibit Predatory Lending Act. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-3974/
MLA
"H.R. 3974: Prohibit Predatory Lending Act." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-3974/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3974, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-3974/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3974: Prohibit Predatory Lending Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-3974/)
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