Us Code § 6827 - Definitions
Full text of Us Code United States Code § 6827 — Definitions, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 6827. Definitions
For purposes of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) Customer
The term "customer" means, with respect to a financial institution, any person (or authorized representative of a person) to whom the financial institution provides a product or service, including that of acting as a fiduciary.
(2) Customer information of a financial institution
The term "customer information of a financial institution" means any information maintained by or for a financial institution which is derived from the relationship between the financial institution and a customer of the financial institution and is identified with the customer.
(3) Document
The term "document" means any information in any form.
(4) Financial institution
(A) In general
The term "financial institution" means any institution engaged in the business of providing financial services to customers who maintain a credit, deposit, trust, or other financial account or relationship with the institution.
(B) Certain financial institutions specifically included
The term "financial institution" includes any depository institution (as defined in section 461(b)(1)(A) of title 12), any broker or dealer, any investment adviser or investment company, any insurance company, any loan or finance company, any credit card issuer or operator of a credit card system, and any consumer reporting agency that compiles and maintains files on consumers on a nationwide basis (as defined in section 1681a(p) of this title).
(C) Securities institutions
For purposes of subparagraph (B)—
(i) the terms "broker" and "dealer" have the same meanings as given in section 78c of this title;
(ii) the term "investment adviser" has the same meaning as given in section 80b–2(a)(11) of this title; and
(iii) the term "investment company" has the same meaning as given in section 80a–3 of this title.
(D) Certain persons and entities specifically excluded
The term "financial institution" does not include any person or entity with respect to any financial activity that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission under the Commodity Exchange Act [7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.] and does not include the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation or any entity chartered and operating under the Farm Credit Act of 1971 [12 U.S.C. 2001 et seq.].
(E) Further definition by regulation
The Federal Trade Commission, after consultation with Federal banking agencies and the Securities and Exchange Commission, may prescribe regulations clarifying or describing the types of institutions which shall be treated as financial institutions for purposes of this subchapter.
(Pub. L. 106–102, title V, §527, Nov. 12, 1999, 113 Stat. 1449.)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Commodity Exchange Act, referred to in par. (4)(D), is act Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, 42 Stat. 998, which is classified generally to chapter 1 (§1 et seq.) of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1 of Title 7 and Tables.
The Farm Credit Act of 1971, referred to in par. (4)(D), is Pub. L. 92–181, Dec. 10, 1971, 85 Stat. 583, which is classified generally to chapter 23 (§2001 et seq.) of Title 12, Banks and Banking. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2001 of Title 12 and Tables.
CHAPTER 94A—VISUAL DEPICTION PRIVACY
About This Section
15 U.S.C. § 6827 is part of Title 15 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.
This section may be cited in legal writing as 15 U.S.C. § 6827. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.
How to Read This Statute
Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.
Using This Page
This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.