---
kind: "section"
citation: "12 U.S.C. § 5492"
title: "12"
title_heading: "Banks and Banking"
number: "5492"
heading: "Executive and administrative powers"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/12/5492"
units:
  - "Chapter 53 — Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection"
  - "Subchapter V — Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection"
  - "Part A — Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection"
---

# §5492. Executive and administrative powers

- (a) **Powers of the Bureau—** The [Bureau](/usc/12/5301.md?p=4) is authorized to establish the general policies of the [Bureau](/usc/12/5301.md?p=4) with respect to all executive and administrative functions, [including](/usc/12/5301.md?p=18-A)—
  - (1) the establishment of rules for conducting the general business of the [Bureau](/usc/12/5301.md?p=4), in a manner not inconsistent with this title;[^1]
  - (2) to bind the [Bureau](/usc/12/5301.md?p=4) and enter into contracts;
  - (3) directing the establishment and maintenance of divisions or other [offices](/usc/12/5341.md?p=1) within the [Bureau](/usc/12/5301.md?p=4), in order to carry out the responsibilities under the [Federal consumer financial laws](/usc/12/5481.md?p=14), and to satisfy the requirements of other applicable law;
  - (4) to coordinate and oversee the operation of all administrative, enforcement, and research activities of the [Bureau](/usc/12/5301.md?p=4);
  - (5) to adopt and use a seal;
  - (6) to determine the character of and the necessity for the obligations and expenditures of the [Bureau](/usc/12/5301.md?p=4);
  - (7) the appointment and supervision of personnel employed by the [Bureau](/usc/12/5301.md?p=4);
  - (8) the distribution of business among personnel appointed and supervised by the [Director](/usc/12/5341.md?p=1) and among administrative units of the [Bureau](/usc/12/5301.md?p=4);
  - (9) the use and expenditure of [funds](/usc/12/5381.md?p=a-12);
  - (10) implementing the [Federal consumer financial laws](/usc/12/5481.md?p=14) through rules, orders, guidance, interpretations, statements of policy, examinations, and enforcement actions; and
  - (11) performing such other functions as may be authorized or required by law.
- (b) **Delegation of authority—** The [Director](/usc/12/5341.md?p=1) of the [Bureau](/usc/12/5301.md?p=4) may delegate to any duly authorized employee, representative, or agent any power vested in the [Bureau](/usc/12/5301.md?p=4) by law.
- (c) **Autonomy of the Bureau—**
  - (1) **Coordination with the Board of Governors—** Notwithstanding any other provision of law applicable to the supervision or examination of [persons](/usc/12/5481.md?p=19) with respect to [Federal consumer financial laws](/usc/12/5481.md?p=14), the [Board of Governors](/usc/12/5301.md?p=3) may delegate to the [Bureau](/usc/12/5301.md?p=4) the authorities to examine [persons](/usc/12/5481.md?p=19) subject to the jurisdiction of the [Board of Governors](/usc/12/5301.md?p=3) for compliance with the [Federal consumer financial laws](/usc/12/5481.md?p=14).
  - (2) **Autonomy—** Notwithstanding the authorities granted to the [Board of Governors](/usc/12/5301.md?p=3) under the Federal Reserve Act [[12 U.S.C. 221](/usc/12/221.md) et seq.], the [Board of Governors](/usc/12/5301.md?p=3) may not—
    - (A) intervene in any matter or proceeding before the [Director](/usc/12/5341.md?p=1), [including](/usc/12/5301.md?p=18-A) examinations or enforcement actions, unless otherwise specifically provided by law;
    - (B) appoint, direct, or remove any officer or employee of the [Bureau](/usc/12/5301.md?p=4); or
    - (C) merge or consolidate the [Bureau](/usc/12/5301.md?p=4), or any of the functions or responsibilities of the [Bureau](/usc/12/5301.md?p=4), with any division or [office](/usc/12/5341.md?p=1) of the [Board of Governors](/usc/12/5301.md?p=3) or the Federal reserve [banks](/usc/12/5301.md?p=18-A).
  - (3) **Rules and orders—** No rule or order of the [Bureau](/usc/12/5301.md?p=4) shall be subject to approval or review by the [Board of Governors](/usc/12/5301.md?p=3). The [Board of Governors](/usc/12/5301.md?p=3) may not delay or prevent the issuance of any rule or order of the [Bureau](/usc/12/5301.md?p=4).
  - (4) **Recommendations and testimony—** No officer or agency of the United States shall have any authority to require the [Director](/usc/12/5341.md?p=1) or any other officer of the [Bureau](/usc/12/5301.md?p=4) to submit legislative recommendations, or testimony or comments on legislation, to any officer or agency of the United States for approval, comments, or review prior to the submission of such recommendations, testimony, or comments to the Congress, if such recommendations, testimony, or comments to the Congress include a statement indicating that the views expressed therein are those of the [Director](/usc/12/5341.md?p=1) or such officer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the [Board of Governors](/usc/12/5301.md?p=3) or the President.
  - (5) **Clarification of autonomy of the Bureau in legal proceedings—** The [Bureau](/usc/12/5301.md?p=4) shall not be liable under any provision of law for any action or inaction of the [Board of Governors](/usc/12/5301.md?p=3), and the [Board of Governors](/usc/12/5301.md?p=3) shall not be liable under any provision of law for any action or inaction of the [Bureau](/usc/12/5301.md?p=4).

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 111–203, title X, § 1012, July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1965.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This title, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is title X of Pub. L. 111–203, July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1955, known as the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010, which enacted this subchapter and enacted, amended, and repealed numerous other sections and notes in the Code. For complete classification of title X to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5301 of this title and Tables.

The Federal Reserve Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), is act Dec. 23, 1913, ch. 6, 38 Stat. 251, which is classified principally to chapter 3 (§ 221 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see References in Text note set out under section 226 of this title and Tables.