Federal Reserve Announces Final Rules to Restrict Fees and Expiration Dates on Gift Cards - Circulars

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Circular

Federal Reserve Announces Final Rules to Restrict Fees and Expiration Dates on Gift Cards

March 23, 2010

Circular No. 12196

The Federal Reserve Board has announced final rules to restrict the fees and expiration dates that may apply to gift cards. The rules protect consumers from certain unexpected costs and require that gift card terms and conditions be clearly stated.

The final rules prohibit dormancy, inactivity and service fees on gift cards unless:

the consumer has not used the certificate or card for at least one year,
no more than one such fee is charged per month, and
the consumer is given clear and conspicuous disclosures about the fees. Expiration dates for funds underlying gift cards must be at least five years after the date of issuance, or five years after the date when funds were last loaded.

The Board's rules generally cover retail gift cards, which can be used to buy goods or services at a single merchant or affiliated group of merchants, and network-branded gift cards, which are redeemable at any merchant that accepts the card brand.

See press release for full details.

Press release offsite

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