WASHINGTON, D.C. -

This week, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau enhanced its consumer complaint database with the addition of a geospatial view.

The CFPB explained consumers now will be able to view complaints by state with a U.S. map visualization.

Previously, the regulator indicated consumers have been able to view complaints by using date, company name, key words and other filters. The bureau also has added new options, including the ability to:

— Select from set of pre-defined time frames (such as three years) to help users understand more recent marketplace conditions.

— Map complaints per 1,000 population or total complaints by state.

—View aggregate information about products and issues consumers submit complaints about.

— Apply word searches and filters to update the interactive map.

“The consumer complaint database is a powerful tool for the Bureau to hear directly from consumers about their concerns and experiences with financial products and services,” CFPB director Kathleen Kraninger said in a news release.

“The interactive map and other enhancements are part of our effort to provide the public with additional information and context regarding consumer complaints that are received.”

The interactive map features, as well as other enhancements, were first announced by the bureau in September. Those enhancements included integration of financial information and resources into the complaint process to help address questions and better inform consumers before they submit a complaint, as well as modification of disclaimers to provide better context to the published data.

Since 2011, the CFPB said it has handled more than 2.2 million consumer complaints. Officials pointed out more than 5,000 financial companies have responded through this process, providing timely responses to 97% of the more than 1.5 million complaints sent to them for response.

According to the bureau, complaints are published after the company responds, confirming a commercial relationship with the consumer, or after 15 days, whichever comes first.

The consumer complaint database is available at www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/consumer-complaints.