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California DBO Seeks Information Regarding Marketplace Lending Industry
On December 11, the California Department of Business Oversight (DBO) announced an inquiry into the marketplace lending industry, requesting that 14 lenders complete an online survey to provide five-year trend data on their loan and investor funding programs. In addition, the survey requests that participating firms provide information on their business models and online platforms. Marketplace lenders market themselves as a faster, more accessible source of financing for consumers and small businesses. Due March 9, 2016, the survey responses are intended to assist the DBO assess the state’s licensing and regulatory regime of the industry by: (i) assessing the industry’s size in California and the number of consumers and businesses it affects; and (ii) understanding the various loan and investor funding programs used by marketplace lenders. In four years, the national online lending market reportedly grew from $1 billion in loans to $12 billion; analysts anticipate that by 2020, the total volume will be $122 billion.
California DBO Orders California-based Lender to Pay Restitution to California Borrowers
On November 18, the California DBO announced that a California-based lender fulfilled its obligation to pay nearly $1 million of restitution to more than 7,000 California consumers and $1 million to the DBO in penalties to resolve allegations that the company used deceptive marketing practices to steer consumers into personal loans exceeding $2,500. California state law limits interest rates at about 30% for loans less than $2,500, but there is no such limit above that amount. According to the DBO, the lender advertised that it provided personal loans of “up to” $2,600, $5,000, or $10,000; in reality, the lender did not offer loans less than $2,600. The lender allegedly told consumers that they could “give back the amount they did not want in the form of a prepayment,” without disclosing that it could then charge borrowers unlimited interest rates since the loan was greater than $2,500. Per the February 5 settlement, in addition to the restitution and penalty fees, the lender must, among other things, ensure that its non-mortgage and non-auto loan ads disclose, in a “clear and conspicuous manner,” that the minimum loan amount is $2,600, that there is a state law interest rate cap on loans of less than $2,500, and that it is lower than the rate charged by the lender.
Maryland Court of Special Appeals Holds MCSBA Applies to Loan Broker Working with Federally Insured Out-of-State Banks
On October 27, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals held that a loan broker who originates loans in Maryland for a federally insured out-of-state bank and then repurchases those loans days later qualifies as a “credit service business” under the Maryland Credit Services Business Act (MCSBA) and must be licensed accordingly. Md. Comm’r of Financial Reg. v. CashCall, No. 1477, 2015 WL 6472270 (Md. Ct. Spec. App. Oct. 27, 2015). The loan broker argued, citing Gomez v. Jackson Hewitt, Inc., 427 MD. 128 (2012), that it was not a “credit service business” within the meaning of the MCSBA because the MCSBA did not apply to the out-of-state federally insured bank that made the loans and because the loan broker did not receive a direct payment from the consumer. The Commissioner and the court disagreed. In affirming the Commissioner’s decision and in overturning the decision of the Circuit Court for Baltimore, the Court of Special Appeals reasoned that the MCSBA applied because (i) the loan broker was engaged in the very business the MCSBA was intended to apply to (i.e. it was exclusively engaged in assisting Maryland consumers to obtain small loans); and (ii) after repurchasing the loan, the loan broker had the right to receive direct payment from consumers. The Court of Special Appeals remanded the case to the Circuit Court for Baltimore.
OCC Comptroller Talks Future of Financial Services, Eyes FinTech Industry
On August 7, OCC Comptroller Thomas Curry delivered remarks at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, which was hosting a conference highlighting the future of financial services. Specifically, Curry discussed innovation in the emerging financial technology industry, or “fintech,” noting the risks and benefits associated with mobile payments, virtual currency, and peer-to-peer lending products within the U.S. banking system. With respect to virtual currency, Curry stressed how important it is for financial institutions to implement adequate procedures to deter money laundering and terrorist financing. Curry also recognized that the OCC is “still early in the process” of evaluating a regulatory framework to examine some new and innovative products and services. Rounding out his remarks, Curry expressed his growing concerns with so called “neobanks,” which operate primarily online but provide similar services to brick and mortar retail branch banks, including the heightened privacy risks that neobanks present in light of recent cybersecurity attacks.
CFPB Issues Guidance to Help Lenders Avoid Fair Lending Risk
On November 19, the CFPB issued a press release highlighting the publication of its compliance bulletin, “Social Security Disability Income Verification.” The compliance bulletin reminds lenders that requiring consumers receiving social security disability income to provide burdensome or unnecessary documentation may raise fair lending issues. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) prohibits lenders from discrimination against “an applicant because some or all of the applicant’s income is from a public assistance program, which includes Social Security disability income,” and the Bureau’s bulletin highlights standards and guidelines intended to help lenders comply with the requirements of ECOA and its implementing regulation, Regulation B.
NYDFS to Investigate Potential Predatory Practices by Hard Money Lenders
On September 16, the NYDFS announced that they have issued subpoenas to nine “hard money” lenders, groups that originate short-term, high interest loans secured by a borrower’s home or other real estate, as part of a probe into whether such lenders are intentionally structuring loans with the expectation of foreclosing on the property. NYDFS noted that “[w]hile many hard money lenders may be engaged in legitimate financial activities, certain unscrupulous companies appear to be taking advantage of borrowers in tough financial straits by making loans that are designed to fail.” The NYDFS’s investigation is focused on whether the nine lenders are intentionally structuring hard money loans with onerous terms, such as high interest rates, numerous upfront fees, and enormous balloon payments, so that borrowers are driven into to default.
Louisiana Amends Consumer Lending Provisions
On June 12, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal signed HB 766, which requires all creditors seeking to conduct any consumer credit transaction or deferred presentment transaction to obtain a license in the state, regardless of whether they maintain an office in the state. Under current law only creditors with an office in the state are required to register. Any credit or deferred presentment transaction conducted by an unlicesened creditor will be deemed null and void. The bill retains an existing requirement that a creditor be licensed in the state before taking assignments of and undertaking direct collection of payments from or enforcing rights against consumers arising from consumer loans, but removes the requirement that such creditors maintain an office in the state. The bill makes corresponding changes to licensee recordkeeping requirements to allow licensed creditors to maintain records outside of the state. In addition, the bill (i) authorizes certain finance charges and fees in conjunction with a deferred presentment transaction or small loan; (ii) removes existing authority that allows a licensee to charge a one-time delinquency charge; (iii) allows a borrower who is unable to repay either a deferred presentment transaction or small loan when due to elect once in any 12-month period to repay the licensee the amount due by means of installments, referred to as an extended payment plan; and (iv) provides procedures, terms, and requirements for such extended payment plans. The changes take effect January 1, 2015.
West Virginia Supreme Court Upholds $14 Million Award In Finance Company "True Lender" Case
On May 30, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals affirmed a series of trial court orders requiring a nonbank consumer finance company to pay $14 million in penalties and restitution for allegedly violating the state’s usury and debt collection laws. CashCall, Inc. v. Morrisey, No. 12-1274, 2014 WL 2404300 (W. Va. May 30, 2014). On appeal, the finance company contended, among other things, that the trial court erred in applying the “predominant economic interest” test to determine whether the finance company or the bank that funded the loans was the “true lender.” The trial court held that the finance company was the de facto lender and was therefore liable for violating the state’s usury and other laws because: (i) the agreement placed the entire monetary burden and risk of the loan program the finance company; (ii) the company paid the bank more for each loan than the amount actually financed by the bank; (iii) the finance company’s owner personally guaranteed the company’s obligations to the bank; (iv) the company had to indemnify the bank; (v) the finance company was contractually obligated to purchase the loans originated and funded by the bank only if the finance company’s underwriting guidelines were employed; and (vi) for financial reporting, the finance company treated such loans as if they were funded by the company. The court affirmed the trial court holding and rejected the finance company’s argument that the trial court should have applied the “federal law test” established by the Fourth Circuit in Discover Bank v. Vaden, 489 F3d 594 (4th Cir. 2007). In Discover Bank the Fourth Circuit held that the true lender is (i) the entity in charge of setting the terms and conditions of a loan and (ii) the entity who actually extended the credit. In support of the trial court ruling, the court explained that the “federal law test” addresses “only the superficial appearance” of the finance company’s business model. Further, the court stated that the Fourth Circuit test was established in a case where the non-bank entity was a corporate affiliate of the bank, which was not the case here, and added that if the court were to apply the federal law test, it would “always find that a rent-a-bank was the true lender of loans” like those at issue in this case.
Louisiana Expands Collection Of Data From Licensed Consumer Lenders
On May 28, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal signed SB 241, which expands the information and data the Commissioner of Financial Institutions can collect from licensed non-mortgage consumer lenders. Effective August 1, 2014, the Commissioner is authorized to collect from all such licensees information concerning the operation, function, and extent of all consumer loan activities, including: (i) the total number and dollar amount of consumer loans originated; (ii) the total number and dollar amount of consumer loans outstanding; (iii) the aggregate amount of fees earned including interest, service charges, late fees, origination fees, documentation fees, and insufficient funds fees; (iv) the total number of consumer loans in default or collection status and the balance of those loans as of the reporting date; and (v) the total number of consumer loans reduced to judgment and the principal amount of those judgments. Licensed companies will be required to report this information by March 1 of each year for the prior calendar year.
Arizona Adjusts Allowable Loan Fees, Finance Charge Structure
On April 17, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed HB 2526, which amends certain permissible practices and limitations governing consumer lenders, which include lenders who make closed end or revolving consumer loans under $10,000. The bill (i) increases the maximum allowable loan origination fee on closed end or revolving consumer loans from $75 to $150; (ii) permits a consumer lender to give a borrower a prize, good, merchandise, or tangible property with an aggregate value of up to $25; and (iii) modifies the framework governing permissible finance charges for consumer loans by increasing the applicable original principal amount, credit limit, or outstanding balance thresholds from either $500 or $1,000 to $3,000. The bill also prohibits consumer lenders from (i) increasing the established rate on a loan that was issued prior to the effective date of the bill when modifying or restructuring smaller loans; and (ii) holding a person responsible for a loan that was extended under fraudulent pretenses. Finally, the bill requires a consumer lender to correct any derogatory credit information reported to a consumer reporting agency within 30 days after knowledge that the loan was a result of such theft or fraud. The changes take effect July 24, 2014.