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North Carolina Department of Insurance issues guidance on debt collection
On March 27, the North Carolina Department of Insurance issued guidance clarifying certain debt collection obligations for insurance companies and related entities. Entities involved in collections must provide customers specific relief for payments, submission of claims, and other responsibilities. They must allow consumers, whose requests may have been impacted by the Covid-19 disaster, additional time for their requests to be received and reviewed. Additionally, the timeframes to submit additional information for previously pending requests will also be extended. The guidance is in effect for 60 days.
Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services issues FAQs for Consumer Finance Licensees and Registrants
On March 27, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (Department) issued FAQs for Consumer Finance Licensees and Registrants. The FAQs provide responses to questions regarding examinations, the Department’s reduction of services, scams, and working with consumers such as waiving or reducing late fees, offering payment accommodations, and adjusting or modifying terms on existing loans where possible.
Nevada regulator asks mortgage servicers to assist troubled borrowers
On March 27, the Nevada Department of Business and Industry, Division of Mortgage Lending issued guidance to state-regulated mortgage servicers and mortgage companies encouraging them to assist borrowers adversely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The division requested these entities provide 60 days mortgage payment forbearance, waive late payment and transactional fees for 60 days, ensure security of consumer data, and refrain from foreclosures for 60 days, among other things.
Florida State Department extends annual filing deadlines to June 30
On March 27, Florida’s secretary of state issued an emergency order postponing the annual report filing deadlines for businesses. The order extends reporting deadlines to June 30, unless an additional extension is granted through a subsequent order.
Texas Office of Consumer Creditor Commissioner issues annual report deadline information
On March 27, the Texas Office of Consumer Creditor Commissioner updated a previous property tax lender advisory bulletin to include annual report deadline information. Recognizing that property tax lenders may need additional time to file annual reports, in light of disruptions caused by Covid-19, the March 31 deadline has been extended to April 30.
Washington governor issues real estate and mortgage guidance
On March 27, Governor Jay Inslee issued guidance on conducting real estate and mortgage transactions. The guidance declares that in-person meetings with customers, except when necessary for a customer to view a property or sign necessary documents, are prohibited, as are open-houses. Property viewings, inspections, appraisals, and final walk-throughs shall be arranged by appointment and limited to no more than two people on site at any one time. Except for the limited exceptions authorized above, all new real estate listings shall be facilitated remotely.
Wisconsin issues temporary ban on evictions and foreclosures
On March 27, Wisconsin issued a temporary ban on foreclosures on real estate, on mortgagees requesting or scheduling a foreclosure sale, and on evictions for failure to pay rent. The order will remain in effect for 60 days.
Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Financial Institutions issues guidance regarding branch closures
The Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Financial Institutions issued guidance to assist financial institutions when making the decision to limit branch operations or to close a branch. The Division advised that temporary closures of banking office locations for 48 hours or less must be reported to the Division and closures lasting longer than 48 hours must receive advance permission.
New York governor issues executive order to continue temporary suspension and modification of laws relating to Covid-19
On March 27, the New York governor issued Executive Order 202.11 continuing the temporary suspension and modification of certain laws, including the expiration date of certain licensing laws, through April 26.
Colorado regulator issues appraisal guidance for banks and credit unions
On March 27, Colorado’s Division of Banks and Division of Financial Services distributed a document consolidating Covid-19 related guidance regarding inspections and appraisals from the Appraisal Standards Board, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the FDIC. Taken together, the agencies have issued guidance indicating that they will accept external-only or desktop inspections and appraisals in light of risks of conducting interior inspections during the Covid-19 outbreak.