Wondering if anyone knows if there is a minimum typesize for "fine print" in ads and in collateral material -- I seem to remember being cited for an ad I did where the typesize of the "fine print" needed to be bigger.

Gracias for any help or any references to compliance regs!

Reg. Z 226.16 for open end credit advertising. 226.24 for closed end advertising.

The "general rule" goes like this: can a normal person with normal vision reasonably read your disclosure at the size it will be when printed. For instance, your proof sheet may be fine, but if the ad will be reduced to two column-widths when printed... maybe not so much.

Actually, if the print is less than a font size of 8, it will no longer be considered a disclosure and you will be in violation.

SarMar - Can you provide a reference for the size 8 requirement?

I do not have a direct reference. I just asked our auditors and that is the size that they consider to be "fair" for consumer to be expected to read the information.

We just created all new brochures and that is the same thing we were told...font size 8

Supplement I to Part 226—Official Staff Interpretations

5a(a)(2) Form of Disclosures

1. Clear and conspicuous standard. For purposes of §226.5a disclosures, clear and conspicuous means in a reasonably
understandable form and readily noticeable to the consumer. As to type size, disclosures in 12-point type are deemed to be readily noticeable for purposes of §226.5a. Disclosures printed in less than 12-point type do not automatically violate the standard; however, disclosures in less than 8-point type would likely be too small to satisfy the standard.

Some of the type size may be regulated by state statute. Legislature here wants to regulate the size to font 10, like local insurance disclosures.

I can see it now: "Legislature mandates bigger type -- All disclosures must be in a point size of the greater of 8 points or the consumer's age divided by 5."

You could always hand out reading glasses, valued at less than $10, with each new account.