CFPB Proposed Rule to Revise Provisions of Section 1071 Small Business Lending Rule

What: On November 13, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a proposed rule to revise certain provisions of Regulation B, subpart B, implementing changes to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act made by section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. 

Why: The CFPB is reconsidering:

  • Coverage of certain credit transactions (i.e. merchant cash advances) and financial institutions (i.e. agricultural lending institutions);
  • The small business definition;
  • Inclusion of certain data points and how others are collected; and
  • The compliance date.

The CFPB believes these proposed changes would streamline the rule, reduce complexity for lenders, and improve data quality, advancing the purposes of section 1071 and complying with recent executive directives. The CFPB seeks comments on all the proposed revisions.

Action: CFPB’s proposed rule is published in the Federal Register. Comments are due to the CFPB by December 15, 2025.


Is your small business or entity being impacted by a proposed rule? If yes, write a comment letter to the proposing agency.