Three months away from opening, CFPB releases expenditures

The still forming Consumer Financial Protection Bureau listed $36 million in expenditures as of March 31, the agency said Friday. The Dodd-Frank Act stipulates the CFPB to be built and ready by July 21. The agency will become the de facto federal regulator for the entire mortgage market, from origination through servicing. While the agency continues to add to its staff, there is still no director or nomination for one from the White House. In the meantime, Elizabeth Warren is serving as the special adviser to the Treasury, and is in charge of organizing the agency. The CFPB has spent two quarters in development. According to the agency, the spending so far consists of $13 million in outlays and $23 million in gross obligations. Most of the spending was for building staff and administrative services provided by other federal agencies, including the Treasury. The largest expenditure during its second quarter of development was a $3 million contract for human resources support. According to Dodd-Frank, the Fed will supply 10% of its expenses to the formation of the CFPB through the first year. That goes up to 11% in the second year and 12% every year after, up to roughly $500 million. If that’s not enough, the Fed can go to Congress for an additional $200 million. The CFPB received three funding transfers totaling $60.7 million from the Fed so far. They stem from an initial request for $18 million in August 2010 and another $14.3 million in December. The agency requested another $27.9 million in March 2010. Write to Jon Prior. Follow him on Twitter @JonAPrior.