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Rhode Island extends its work from home provisions for lenders
On December 22, 2020, the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation extended interim guidance permitting mortgage loan originators, lenders, loan brokers, and exempt company registrants to work from home, even if the home is not a “licensed branch” or located outside of Rhode Island (previously covered here, here, and here.) To take advantage of this exemption, the individual must maintain certain specified data security provisions. This extension is set to expire March 31, 2021.
New York eases eligibility requirements for rental assistance
On December 18, New York Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 83, which, among other things, eliminates the requirement for tenants to provide proof that they were contributing more than 30 percent of gross monthly income towards rent prior to March 2020 in order to receive rental assistance pursuant to the Covid-19 Rent Relief Act.
Maryland extends restrictions on repossessions and residential foreclosures
On December 17, 2020, the governor of Maryland issued an executive order that further prohibits certain repossessions, suspends foreclosures of occupied residential property absent adherence to specific procedural protections, including those provided by the federal CARES Act. The foreclosure suspension is in effect until the “re-start date,” which is either (1) January 31, 2021, or (2) such later date as established by the commissioner of financial regulation, not to be more than 30 days after the state of emergency is terminated.
Minnesota regulator issues telework guidance
On December 15, the Minnesota Commerce Department issued guidance regarding non-depository financial institution telework. The guidance provides that if the licensed location is still offering financial products or services, employees can work from home to perform tasks as long as the following are met: (i) transactions are tied to the licensed/registered location; (ii) consumers are not physically going to an unlicensed location (e.g., employee’s home); (iii) no physical records are maintained at the unlicensed location; and (iv) the employee is able to maintain the company’s data security policies and standards while working remotely.
Nevada governor issues an emergency directive regarding evictions
On December 14, the governor of Nevada issued Declaration of Emergency Directive 036, relating to the implementation of Senate Bill 1 (previously covered here). The directive provides that, effective December 15 through March 31, 2021, certain residential unlawful detainer or summary eviction actions against covered persons are stayed. Emergency Directives 008, 025, and 031 (covered here, here, and here) had previously prohibited such evictions through October 14.
Illinois reissues and extends several Covid-19 executive orders
On December 11, the governor of Illinois issued Executive Order 2020-74, which extends several executive orders through January 9, 2021 (previously covered here, here, here, and here). Among other things, the order extends: (i) Executive Order 2020-07 regarding in-person meeting requirements, (ii) Executive Order 2020-23 regarding actions by individuals licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation engaged in disaster response, (iii) Executive Order 2020-25 regarding garnishment and wage deductions (previously covered here), (iv) Executive Order 2020-30 regarding residential evictions (previously covered here and here), and (v) Executive Order 2020-72 regarding the residential eviction moratorium (previously covered here, here, here, and here).
California proposes modifying CCPA regs again
On December 10, the California Department of Justice (Department) released a fourth set of proposed modifications to the regulations implementing the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). As previously covered by InfoBytes, on October 12, the Department released a third set of proposed modifications to the regulations that went into effect on August 14. The Department noted that it received around 20 comments in response to the third set of proposed modifications and the fourth set of proposed modifications is to address those comments and/or to clarify and conform the proposed regulations to existing law. Highlights of the proposed modifications include:
- Amending Section 999.306, subd. (b)(3), to clarify that a business that sells (previously proposed as “collects”) personal information collected from consumers in the course of interacting with them offline shall inform consumers of their right to opt-out of the sale of their personal information by an offline method.
- The addition of Section 999.315, subd. (f), which identifies a uniform “opt-out button” to be used in addition to posting the notice of right to opt-out or used in conjunction with a “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” link.
Additionally, the Department provided notice that it added new documents and information to the rulemaking file, which was relied upon when adopting the proposed regulations.
Comments on the proposed modifications are due on December 28 by 5:00 p.m.
Virginia issues modified stay at home order identifying banks and financial institution as essential retail businesses
On December 10, the governor of Virginia issued a modified stay at home order limiting travel and gatherings for Virginia residents and operations for certain businesses. However, banks and other financial institutions with retail functions are considered essential retail businesses and may continue to remain open during normal business hours. All businesses, including essential retail businesses, are advised to adhere to the Guidelines for All Business Sectors.
New Jersey charges MCA provider with deceptive practices
On December 8, the New Jersey attorney general announced an action against a merchant cash advance provider, its parent company, and six other associated entities (collectively, “defendants”) alleging the defendants violated the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act (CFA) and the General Advertising Regulations through the marketing and transacting of their merchant cash advance (MCA) product. (The defendants are currently facing similar allegations from the FTC, covered by InfoBytes here.) According to the complaint, the defendants engaged in “unconscionable business practices, deceived consumers, and/or made false or misleading statements” by marketing and advertising an MCA product, which was allegedly structured as a short-term, high-cost loan. New Jersey argues that the MCA contracts contain terms that “eliminate the distinctions between loans (with fixed regular payments over a defined term) and legitimate MCAs (with variable payments tied to actual receivables and an undefined term).” New Jersey asserts that traditionally, MCA’s do not have a finite repayment term and thus, the fixed repayment period was the equivalent of a loan to its customers. Moreover, the agreements’ “fixed daily payments extracted from Consumers’ accounts have little to no relation to the businesses’ receivables.” Additionally, New Jersey asserts that the defendants allegedly engaged in unconscionable collection practices, including requiring consumers to sign, in their individual capacity and on behalf of their business, an Affidavit of Confessions of Judgment to obtain the MCA, which would allow judgment against both the Consumer’s business assets and personal assets in the event of a purported default. New Jersey is seeking a permanent injunction, civil penalties, restitution, and disgorgement.
Notably, the New Jersey complaint follows a recent enforcement action against a merchant cash advance provider in California (covered by InfoBytes here), where the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) found, in apparent contrast to the New Jersey action, that MCA agreements with an indefinite repayment period, among other things, operate as a loan equivalent by, placing the “risk of repayment on the merchant by leaving the repayment period open until fully repaid (with fees and interest).”
Georgia executive order requires telework, virtual conduct of business
On December 8, the governor of Georgia issued an executive order requiring businesses considered to be “Critical Infrastructure” to implement measures to mitigate the spread of Covid-19, including telework for all possible workers and delivering intangible services remotely. The order authorizes the Georgia Department of Economic Development to issue further guidance to persons considered to be Critical Infrastructure, which includes the financial services sector.