SINGAPORE, Aug 12 — Singapore’s central bank today said it is seeking public feedback on a draft bill aimed at policing the way credit bureaus handle consumers’ financial history data.
Credit bureaus compile data such as a person’s borrowing history which banks and other financial institutions use to decide whether and how much to lend.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore is proposing to license credit bureaus and subject them to regulatory requirements.
“A key focus of these requirements will be for credit bureaus and their members to ensure data confidentiality, security and integrity,” it said in a statement.
The draft bill includes regulation on how bureaus store their data and obligations to promptly correct any mistakes in their records
The United States similarly regulated credit bureaus in 2012 after the financial crisis prompted banks to become increasingly reliant on their data when making lending decisions.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore’s bill also proposes giving consumers the right to obtain free copies of their credit reports from banks or credit card companies after having a credit application approved or rejected.
Consultation on the bill will run until September 12. It will need to be approved by parliament before it can be signed into law. — Reuters
