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Financial Services Law Insights and Observations

Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner issues bulletins regarding Covid-19 to regulated lenders, credit access businesses, tax lenders, and motor vehicle sales finance licensees

State Issues Covid-19 Texas Licensing Consumer Credit Mortgages Auto Finance

State Issues

On March 26, the Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC) issued four bulletins directed at regulated lenders, credit access businesses, property tax lenders, and motor vehicle sales finance licensees in light of Covid-19. The bulletins urge these entities to work with borrowers during the crisis, including through taking the following measures:

  • Increasing communication with borrowers regarding Covid-19.
  • Working out modifications with borrowers to help ensure successful repayment, including deferred or partial payments, which would avoid delinquencies and negative credit reporting.
  • Waiving certain fees or charges (e.g., late charges, additional finance charges, deferment charges, nonsufficient fund fees) during the disaster declaration.
  • Suspending charging off accounts.
  • Suspending repossession of vehicles, repossessions of collateral, foreclosure of real property, as applicable

The bulletins also provide guidance on the use of electronic signatures, which the bulletins note are generally allowed under Texas and federal law. The bulletins also provide that the OCCC will not take enforcement actions against regulated lenders, credit access businesses, property tax lenders, or motor vehicle sales finance licensees that conduct business activities from unlicensed locations, if conducted in accordance with certain data security, safe record keeping, and protection of personal information requirements set forth in the bulletins.