The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 (RESPA) (12 USC 2601 et seq.) (the act) became effective on June 20, 1975. The act requires lenders, mortgage brokers, or servicers of home loans to provide borrowers with pertinent and timely disclosures regarding the nature and costs of the real estate settlement process. The act also protects borrowers against certain abusive practices, such as kickbacks, and places limitations upon the use of escrow accounts.