Earlier this year the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) expanded its definition of “rural” to include “census blocks that are not in an urban area as defined by the Census Bureau”. However, there was some concern that this provision would limit access in rural areas. Congress provided a fix as part of the Highway Reauthorization bill. The NAR- supported provision, sponsored by Representative Barr (R-KY) and Senator McConnell (R-KY) allows communities to petition to be defined as “rural”. Such a designation will expand lending opportunities in rural communities.
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