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October 2021

Retail Lending

This publication is part of:

Collection: Comptroller's Handbook

Series: Safety and Soundness

Category: Asset Quality

Overview

Retail lending is defined as closed- and open-end credit extended to individuals for household, family, and other personal expenditures. This includes consumer loans, credit cards, auto loans, student loans, and loans to individuals secured by their personal residences, including first mortgage, home equity, and home improvement loans. This booklet discusses risks associated with retail lending and provides a framework for evaluating risk management activities. More information regarding specific retail lending products are described in other booklets of the Comptroller's Handbook, including "Residential Real Estate Lending," "Credit Card Lending," "Student Lending," and "Installment Lending."

Applicability

This booklet applies to the OCC's supervision of national banks and federal savings associations. References to national banks in this booklet also generally apply to federal branches and agencies of foreign banking organizations. Refer to 12 USC 3102(b) and the "Federal Branches and Agencies Supervision" booklet of the Comptroller's Handbook for more information.