(a) Misleading or inaccurate advertisements. An advertisement must not:
(1) Be misleading or inaccurate or misrepresent a credit union's account agreement; or
(2) Refer to or describe an account as “free” or “no cost” or contain a similar term if any maintenance or activity fee may be imposed on the account. The word “profit” must not be used in referring to dividends or interest paid on an account.
(b) Permissible rates. If an advertisement states a rate of return, it shall state the rate as an “annual percentage yield,” using that term. (The abbreviation “APY” may be used provided the term “annual percentage yield” is stated at least once in the advertisement.) The advertisement shall not state any other rate, except that the “dividend rate,” using that term, may be stated in conjunction with, but not more conspicuously than, the annual percentage yield to which it relates.
(c) When additional disclosures are required. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, if the annual percentage yield is stated in an advertisement, the advertisement shall state the following information, to the extent applicable, clearly and conspicuously:
(1) Variable rates. For variable-rate accounts, a statement that the rate may change after the account is opened.
(2) Time annual percentage yield is offered. For interest-bearing accounts and dividend-bearing term share accounts, the period of time the annual percentage yield will be offered, or a statement that the annual percentage yield is accurate as of a specified date. For dividend-bearing accounts other than term share accounts, a statement that the annual percentage yield is accurate as of the last dividend declaration date. In the event that disclosure of an annual percentage yield as of the last dividend declaration date might be inaccurate because of known or contemplated dividend rate changes, the credit union may disclose the prospective annual percentage yield. Such prospective annual percentage yield may be disclosed either in lieu of, or in addition to, the dividend rate and annual percentage yield as of the last dividend declaration date.
(3) Minimum balance. The minimum balance required to earn the advertised annual percentage yield. For tiered-rate accounts, the minimum balance required for each tier shall be stated in close proximity and with equal prominence to the applicable annual percentage yield.
(4) Minimum opening deposit. The minimum deposit required to open the account, if it is greater than the minimum balance necessary to earn the advertised annual percentage yield.
(5) Effect of fees. A statement that fees could reduce the earnings on the account.
(6) Features of term share accounts. For term share accounts:
(i) Time requirements. The term of the account.
(ii) Early withdrawal penalties. A statement that a penalty will or may be imposed for early withdrawal.
(iii) Required dividend payouts. For noncompounding term share accounts with a stated maturity greater than one year that do not compound dividends on an annual or more frequent basis, that require dividend payouts at least annually, and that disclose an APY determined in accordance with section E of appendix A of this part, a statement that dividends cannot remain on account and that payout of dividends is mandatory.
(d) Bonuses. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, if a bonus is stated in an advertisement, the advertisement shall state the following information, to the extent applicable, clearly and conspicuously:
(1) The “annual percentage yield,” using that term;
(2) The time requirements to obtain the bonus;
(3) The minimum balance required to obtain the bonus;
(4) The minimum balance required to open the account, if it is greater than the minimum balance necessary to obtain the bonus; and
(5) When the bonus will be provided.
(e) Exemption for certain advertisements -
(1) Certain media. If an advertisement is made through one of the following media, it need not contain the information in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(4), (c)(5), (c)(6)(ii), (d)(4) and (d)(5) of this section:
(i) Broadcast or electronic media, such as television or radio;
(ii) Outdoor media, such as billboards; or
(iii) Telephone response machines.
(2) Indoors signs.
(i) Signs inside the premises of a credit union (or the premises of a share or deposit broker) are not subject to paragraphs (b), (c), (d) or (e)(1) of this section.
(ii) If a sign exempted by paragraph (e)(2) of this section states a rate of return, it shall:
(A) State the rate as an “annual percentage yield,” using that term or the term “APY.” The sign shall not state any other rate, except that the dividend rate may be stated in conjunction with the annual percentage yield to which it relates.
(B) Contain a statement advising members to contact an employee for further information about applicable fees and terms.
(3) Newsletters.
(i) Newsletters sent by a credit union to existing members only are not subject to paragraphs (b), (c), (d) or (e)(1) of this section.
(ii) If a newsletter exempted by paragraph (e)(3) of this section states a rate of return, it shall:
(A) State the rate as an “annual percentage yield,” using that term or the term “APY.” The newsletter shall not state any other rate, except that the dividend rate may be stated in conjunction with the annual percentage yield to which it relates.
(B) Contain a statement advising members to contact an employee for further information about applicable fees and terms.
(f) Additional disclosures in connection with the payment of overdrafts. Credit unions that promote the payment of overdrafts in an advertisement must include in the advertisement the disclosures required by § 707.11(b) of this part.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 3133-0134)
[58 FR 50445, Sept. 27, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 13436, Mar. 22, 1994; 61 FR 114, Jan. 3, 1996; 63 FR 71575, Dec. 29, 1998; 70 FR 72898, Dec. 8, 2005; 73 FR 30477, May 28, 2008]