15 USC § 1691a - Definitions; rules of construction

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t15/s1691a"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "15 USC § 1691a - Definitions; rules of construction"
title_number: 15
title_name: "COMMERCE AND TRADE"
section_number: "1691a"
section_name: "Definitions; rules of construction"
chapter_number: 41
chapter_name: "CONSUMER CREDIT PROTECTION"
subchapter_number: "IV"
subchapter_name: "EQUAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITY"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 90–321, title VII, § 702, as added Pub. L. 93–495, title V, § 503, Oct. 28, 1974, 88 Stat. 1522; amended Pub. L. 111–203, title X, § 1085(1), (2), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 2083.)"
---


# § 1691a. Definitions; rules of construction

**(a)** The definitions and rules of construction set forth in this section are applicable for the purposes of this subchapter.

**(b)** The term “applicant” means any person who applies to a creditor directly for an extension, renewal, or continuation of credit, or applies to a creditor indirectly by use of an existing credit plan for an amount exceeding a previously established credit limit.

**(c)** The term “Bureau” means the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

**(d)** The term “credit” means the right granted by a creditor to a debtor to defer payment of debt or to incur debts and defer its payment or to purchase property or services and defer payment therefor.

**(e)** The term “creditor” means any person who regularly extends, renews, or continues credit; any person who regularly arranges for the extension, renewal, or continuation of credit; or any assignee of an original creditor who participates in the decision to extend, renew, or continue credit.

**(f)** The term “person” means a natural person, a corporation, government or governmental subdivision or agency, trust, estate, partnership, cooperative, or association.

**(g)** Any reference to any requirement imposed under this subchapter or any provision thereof includes reference to the regulations of the Bureau under this subchapter or the provision thereof in question.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 90–321, title VII, § 702, as added Pub. L. 93–495, title V, § 503, Oct. 28, 1974, 88 Stat. 1522; amended Pub. L. 111–203, title X, § 1085(1), (2), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 2083.)

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2010—Subsec. (c). , added subsec. (c) and struck out former subsec. (c) which read as follows: “The term ‘Board’ refers to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.”

Subsec. (g). , substituted “Bureau” for “Board”.

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

Amendment by  effective on the designated transfer date, see , set out as a note under , Government Organization and Employees.