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New York regulator updates Covid-19 resource page for consumers and small businesses
The New York Department of Financial Services has updated its resource page providing information for consumers and small businesses relating to Covid-19. The resource page provides information on, among other things, deferrals of insurance premium payments, the federal CARES Act legislation, and essential businesses guidance and FAQs.
Idaho establishes Idaho Rebound cash grants for small businesses
On May 5, the Idaho governor issued an executive order establishing Idaho Rebound cash grants for Idaho-domiciled small businesses. Among other things, businesses eligible for the grants must have had between 1 and 50 employees as of February 15, 2020; have suffered a qualified business interruption; and not have received a Paycheck Protection Program loan or an Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance, or received less than $10,000 in such funds.
SEC releases agenda for Small Business Capital Formation Committee meeting
On April 28, the SEC released the agenda for the May 8, 2020, meeting of its Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, which will be hosted via video conference. The committee will discuss the capital formation proposal and how small businesses are coping with Covid-19, among other topics.
Ohio governor calls for moratorium on small business evictions
On April 1, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed an executive order calling for a moratorium on small business evictions and foreclosures as part of the state’s Covid-19 emergency measures. The order requests that landlords suspend rent payments and evictions for financially distressed small businesses for a period of at least 90 days. DeWine also requested forbearance for commercial real estate borrowers in the state for the same duration. The order also notes that the Supreme Court of Ohio provided guidance to local courts to temporarily continue the execution of foreclosure judgments, eviction filings, eviction proceedings, and scheduled move-outs.
SEC to host to virtual discussion on raising capital for small businesses
On March 31, the SEC announced that the Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation will begin hosting a series of virtual discussions, each on “a particular area of the market, incorporating feedback from entrepreneurs, investors, and other market participants.” The first “Online Investment Capital Raising Virtual Coffee Break” will focus on the impact Covid-19 is having on raising capital, and will be held on April 3 at 11 am EDT. Additional information about the event can be found here, and participants can join the event by clicking here.
California governor extends tax, licensing deadlines
On March 25, the governor of California issued an executive order intended to provide relief to small businesses. The order provides businesses filing a return of less than $1 million in taxes with a 90-day extension to file first quarter returns and make tax payments. The order also extends by 60 days deadlines for submitting applications, paying fees, and submitting audited financial reports for a number of business licensees, including card rooms and online payer services. The order also suspends the requirements to request and receive the consent of shareholders for shareholder meetings to be held by electronic transmission or by electronic video screen communication.
Minnesota issues executive order providing relief to small businesses during Covid-19
On March 23, the Minnesota governor issued an executive order providing relief to small businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. The order directs the Department of Employment and Economic Development to develop a forgivable loan program to award grants to nonprofit corporations to fund forgivable loans to small businesses. For a business to participate, it must demonstrate to the lender that it was “directly and adversely affected” by Covid-19. The order provides additional information on the administration and parameters of the loan program, such as reporting requirements for participating lenders and loan forgiveness.
Agencies release 2018 CRA data
On December 16, the three federal banking agency members of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) with Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) responsibility—the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC, and the OCC—announced the release of the 2018 small business, small farm, and community development CRA data. The analysis contains information from 700 lenders about originations and purchases of small loans (loans with original amounts of $1 million or less) in 2018, a 2.2 percent decrease from the 718 lenders that reported data in 2017. According to the analysis, the total number of originated loans increased by approximately 8 percent from 2017, with the dollar amount of originations increasing by roughly 5 percent; however, the analysis notes that the majority of this growth is attributable to one bank’s increase in originations. The analysis further notes that 615 banks reported community development lending activity totaling nearly $103 billion in 2018, an increase from $96 billion in 2017.
CFPB announces regulatory review plan; seeks comment on Overdraft Rule impact on small businesses
On May 13, the CFPB announced a plan to review its regulations under Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), which specifies that agencies should review certain rules within 10 years of their publication, consider the rules’ effect on small businesses, and invite public comment on each rule undergoing the review. The announcement notes that RFA requires an agency to consider multiple factors when reviewing a rule, including (i) whether there is a continued need for the rule; (ii) the complexity of the rule; (iii) whether the rule overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with federal, state, or other rules; and (iv) the degree to which factors, such as technology and economic conditions, have changed the relevant market since the rule was evaluated. Comments will be due within 60 days of the plan’s publication in the Federal Register.
The CFPB also announced that its first RFA review will be of the 2009 Overdraft Rule (Rule), which was originally issued by the Federal Reserve Board and limits the ability of financial institutions to assess overdraft fees for ATM and one-time debit card transactions that overdraw consumers’ accounts. The Bureau is seeking public comment on the economic impact of the Rule on small entities, including requesting feedback on topics such as (i) the impacts of the reporting, recordkeeping, and other compliance requirements of the Rule; and (ii) how the Bureau could reduce the costs associated with the Rule for small entities. Comments on the economic impact of the Rule will be due within 45 days of publication in the Federal Register.
Congressman releases report on small business fintech lending
On August 17, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released a report detailing his findings from an investigation into the small business lending practices of fintech companies, concluding that the algorithms used in the application process may not reduce the risk of discrimination. The report notes that one company disclosed utilized a third-party fair lending consulting firm to assist in preventing discrimination, but that some survey responses “lacked key information or were willfully vague” about how the algorithms help avoid income-based and racial bias. The report cites to other criticisms of small business lending in the fintech industry, including (i) the use of forced arbitration clauses; and (ii) utilizing personal credit scores to establish a business’ credit worthiness. In contrast, the report emphasizes that fintech lending “can be potentially advantageous for small businesses looking to get a leg up in a competitive market” and that fintech companies often serve markets traditionally ignored by banks. The report concludes with a list of best practices and principles for fintech companies that will lend to small businesses, such as (i) registering with the CFPB’s complaint database; (ii) replicating TILA disclosures required for consumers; and (iii) securing third party fair-lending audits.