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Michigan Office of Credit Unions issues letter to CEOs and board leaders
On March 13, the Michigan Office of Credit Unions Director Denice Schultheiss issued a letter to credit union CEOs and chairpersons providing guidance for annual meetings and closure notifications during the Covid-19 crisis. The guidance allows credit unions to cancel or postpone annual meetings without being penalized, and encourages remote meetings via video conferencing, if possible. Credit unions were also instructed to inform the office in the event of location closures, providing as much detail on the closure as possible and how the closure could impact services to members. In addition to addressing annual meetings and closures, the letter encouraged credit unions to be vigilant of heightened cyber risk during the crisis.
Alabama releases Covid-19 guidance for credit unions
On March 13, the Alabama Credit Union Administration issued guidance for credit unions on pandemic planning. The guidance encourages credit unions to review their business continuity plans and to notify the agency of issues arising from Covid-19, including staffing issues, difficulties obtaining cash, and temporary branch or office closures. The agency also agrees to consider requests from credit unions to postpone their annual meetings and to conduct regulatory, supervision and examination work offsite as much as possible.
West Virginia regulator permits financial institution employees to work remotely
On March 13, the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions issued temporary guidance permitting employees of regulated entities to work from home or another remote location approved by the financial institution. Temporary assignments under the guidance are permitted from March 13 through May 1. The Division emphasized that regulated institutions should ensure that privacy and security issues are adequately addressed. The Division reminded depository entities of the prior notice requirements for branch closures or limited service, and requested that they review and implement pandemic preparedness plans. The guidance also addressed requirements specific to mortgage loan originators, indicating that they must, among other things, maintain records identifying the dates and locations where each licensed originator worked remotely and have current and approved policies for access to secure origination systems. In addition, MLOs and other employees working remotely may not meet with borrowers at an unlicensed branch location.
Minnesota banking regulator issues guidance for collection agencies and debt collectors
On March 13, the Minnesota Commerce Department released guidance to licensed collection agencies granting permission for individual debt collectors to work from home, even where the residence is not a licensed branch location. The collection agencies should ensure that no activity will be conducted in person with members of the public from the home location, the licensee must “at all times exercise supervision of the activity being performed” at the home office, and ensure there are the appropriate safeguards to protect consumer data and information. The guidance is effective through April 30.
Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance encourages institutions to work with customers during pandemic
On March 13, Mississippi’s Department of Banking and Consumer Finance announced regulatory guidance encouraging financial institutions to work with customers and communities affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Specifically, financial institutions are encouraged to engage in various efforts, including: (i) waiving fees such as ATM, overdraft, and late fees; (ii) increasing ATM daily cash withdrawal limits; (iii) easing restrictions on cashing checks; (iv) increasing credit card limits for creditworthy borrowers; and (v) offering payment accommodations including forbearance. The Department also addressed financial condition review, supervisory responses, and regulatory relief, as well as reporting requirements, and making alternative service options available to customers.
New Hampshire regulator provides guidance on branch closures, annual meetings, and examinations
On March 13, the New Hampshire Banking Department (NHBD) issued a memorandum to state-chartered banks, credit unions, and trust companies encouraging them to work constructively with customers experiencing difficulty due to Covid-19 and offering guidance on branch closures, annual meetings, examinations, and liquidity. Banks and credit unions do not need prior authorization to use only the drive-through portion of a branch or adjust normal business hours but must submit applications to the NHBD for branch closures in excess of 48 hours. If necessary, credit unions may conduct annual meetings via video or teleconference and both banks and credit unions may request adjustments to examination schedules or additional time to respond to consumer complaints. Finally, institutions are asked to closely monitor liquidity levels in the event of higher than normal consumer cash withdrawals and ensure sources of liquidity are readily available.
Texas regulator: credit unions are free to react to Covid-19 pandemic
On March 13, the Texas Credit Union Department clarified its supervisory stance regarding how credit unions react to swiftly changing conditions resulting from Covid-19. The regulator indicated that while credit unions and their management teams should consult with appropriate legal and medical professionals when making Covid-19 related decisions, they are free to react as the Covid-19 scenario plays out so long as their decisions are reasonable and documented.
Wisconsin endorses FFIEC guidance for credit unions
On March 13, the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institution sent a letter to credit unions to support and reinforce the guidelines issued by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council on March 6, which recommended steps for credit unions to proactively prevent disruptions of operation and minimize contact with customers. The letter also encouraged credit unions to consider postponing annual meetings or conducting such meetings remotely.
Mortgage sellers, servicers reminded of relief options for borrowers impacted by Covid-19
On March 10, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mark Calabria released a statement reminding mortgage servicers that borrowers impacted by Covid-19 and experiencing payment hardship would be eligible for hardship forbearance options set forth in the relevant Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac servicing guidelines. Calabria directed sellers and servicers to guidance issued the same day by Freddie Mac, which also reminds sellers and servicers that business continuity plans must be in place in order to conduct business operations in the event of an interruption. Fannie Mae has provided similar guidance to its seller/servicers.
Separately, on March 9, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) issued a notice to all FHA-approved mortgagees and servicers reminding entities of loss mitigation program options that should be offered to distressed borrowers, including those impacted by Covid-19, to prevent foreclosures. These options, FHA noted, are available in the Single Family Housing Policy Handbook, 4000.1 Section III.A.2.
Regulatory agencies issue pandemic planning statement
On March 6, the Federal Reserve, FDIC, OCC, NCUA, Conference of State Bank Supervisors, and the CFPB—through the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council—issued an Interagency Statement on Pandemic Planning, which, among other things, updates 2006 and 2007 guidance on the need for business continuity plans (BCPs) that address the effects of pandemics. The interagency statement encourages banks to develop plans that, among other things, limit disruption of operations, minimize staff contact by utilizing remote access, and plan for staffing challenges by cross-training bank staff. The statement recommends that the BCPs of financial institutions should include: (i) a preventive program; (ii) a documented strategy that applies to the stages of the pandemic; (iii) a “comprehensive framework of facilities, systems, or procedures to ensure that the institution’s critical operations will continue” (iv) a testing program; and (v) an oversight program to ensure ongoing review and updates to the plan.” The statement also lists websites that offer information on pandemic planning activities. The FDIC and the OCC also published advisories, FIL-14-2020, and OCC 2020-13, respectively.
On March 9, the agencies issued a joint press release encouraging the financial institutions to “meet the financial needs of customers and members affected by” COVID-19. Also, the U.S. Senate sent a letter to trade associations encouraging them to provide job security for employees who self-quarantine or must miss work to take care of sick family members, and to ensure staff will not be required to use all sick leave/vacation leave or “report for work when such leave is exhausted.” The letter urges the entities to work with their customers by waiving late fees and overdraft fees among other measures. The Connecticut Department of Banking issued its own guidance as well regarding temporary remote work, and on March 5, the Washington Department of Financial Institutions issued similar guidance.