Texas agencies issue revised emergency guidance for home equity lenders

State Issues Covid-19 Texas Home Equity Loans Consumer Credit Mortgages

On November 30, the Texas joint financial regulatory agencies (Department of Banking, Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending, Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner, and Credit Union Department) issued guidance to replace its April 22, 2020 guidance (previously discussed here) regarding emergency measures for home equity lenders to consider in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The agencies encouraged lenders to work with borrowers to help borrowers recover and provide an opportunity to repay their debt. However, lenders must ensure that they comply with Texas law to have a valid home equity lien. The agencies reiterated guidance regarding authorized closing locations and noted that lenders should consider ways to close loans in accordance with social distancing recommendations.