On January 29, the federal financial regulatory agencies (the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency), in partnership with the State Liaison Committee (SLC) of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, issued guidance for financial institutions on private student loans with graduated repayment terms at origination.

This guidance provides principles that financial institutions should consider in their policies and procedures for originating private student loans with graduated repayment terms which are structured to provide for lower initial monthly payments that gradually increase.  The Agencies issued this guidance because they recognize that the competitive job market, traditionally low entry-level salaries, and higher student debt loads can contribute to some borrowers preferring greater flexibility with their payments as they transition into the labor market.  Press Release.  Published Guidance.