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Pennsylvania extends stay-at-home order, issues guidance for limited reopening in some counties
On May 1, the Bureau of Occupational and Professional Affairs issued a statement regarding phased reopening of Pennsylvania. For all “red’ counties, the March 19 stay-at-home order was extended until June 4, 2020. In counties designated as being in the yellow phase of reopening, most businesses, including non-essential businesses, are permitted to reopen so long as they comply with social distancing restrictions and other guidance issued by the governor’s office.
Tennessee authorizes remote shareholder meetings
On May 1, the governor of Tennessee issued Executive Order No. 32, which authorizes certain corporations to utilize remote communications for shareholder meetings. For corporations holding remote shareholder meetings, the order suspends requirements that corporations make a list of shareholders entitled to receive notice of the meeting available at the meeting, provided the list is made available on an electronic network to which shareholders are granted access.
Minnesota commissioner of commerce eases some filing and appraisal requirements
On May 1, Minnesota’s commissioner of commerce issued an order modifying certain regulatory deadlines as set forth in Regulatory Guidance 20-25 and 20-26 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Guidance 20-25 extends the deadline for certain insurers to file annual reports due on or before May 1, 2020 until June 1, 2020. Guidance 20-26 allows banks that acquire “other real estate” as defined by Minn. Stat. § 48.21 to defer the requirement to obtain an appraisal for up to 120 days.
Colorado extends suspension of 2020 property tax deadlines
On May 1, the Colorado governor issued an executive order extending the temporary suspension of calendar year 2020 statutory deadlines concerning taxpayer filing requirements for certain taxable property in light of the spread of Covid-19. The State Board of Equalization within the Department of Local Affairs is permitted to promulgate any necessary emergency rules regarding the extension of filing deadlines.
Massachusetts regulator urges premium finance companies to work with customers
On May 1, the Massachusetts Division of Banks issued guidance to insurance premium finance companies, stating that it “expects” them to provide relief and flexibility to customers during the Covid-19 pandemic. The division issued the guidance in light of a March 23 bulletin in which the Massachusetts Division of Insurance urged Massachusetts insurance carriers to take steps to preserve individual access to insurance coverage.
Massachusetts regulator updates foreclosure moratorium FAQs
On May 1, the Massachusetts Division of Banks issued updated FAQs regarding Chapter 65 of the Acts of 2020, an April 20 state law establishing a temporary moratorium on certain residential foreclosures. The updated FAQs restate that, until the end of the moratorium, which is currently set to expire on August 18, 2020, lenders cannot charge fees other than those contractually scheduled and calculated as if the borrower made all payments in full and on time. The updates also clarify that the foreclosure and forbearance provisions of Chapter 65 do not apply to residential investment properties, residential properties that are not owner-occupied, and residential properties taken in whole or in part as collateral for a commercial loan.
GSEs to cover servicer advances on mortgages in forbearance
On May 1, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac filed their first quarter 10-Qs, which included statements clarifying that in the coming months Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, not loan servicers, will assume responsibility for advances on loans in forbearance that meet certain criteria. Fannie Mae’s 10-Q states that effective August 2020 “after four months of missed borrower payments on a loan…we will make the missed scheduled principal and interest payments…so long as the loan remains in the MBS trust.” As previously covered by InfoBytes, FHFA announced on April 21 that servicers are only obligated to advance principal and interest payments for up to four months on single-family loans. Likewise, Freddie Mac’s 10-Q similarly stated, “we expect to advance significant amounts to cover principal and interest payments to security holders for loans in forbearance in the coming months.”
CFPB: Substantial decline in credit applications in March
On May 1, the CFPB released a report examining the early effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on credit applications in March, concluding there was a substantial decline compared to previous years. Specifically, the report compared “hard inquiry” volume from credit checks for auto loans, mortgages, and credit cards by lenders during the month of March with the same data from previous years. Among other things, the report notes that auto loan inquiries dropped by 52 percent, new mortgage inquiries dropped by 27 percent, and credit card inquiries declined by 40 percent, as compared to usual data patterns from previous years. The report noted variations based on credit score and geography. The drops in inquiries were more pronounced for consumers with higher credit scores, and in states in the Northeast and California. The report noted a strong correlation between states with a higher Covid-19 case rate and the significance of the drop in auto loan and new mortgage inquiries. A similar correlation was also found between states with a larger share of workers entering unemployment and a drop in the same credit inquires.
Waters urges exclusion of predatory lenders from PPP loans
On May 1, Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, Maxine Waters (D-CA), sent a letter to the Department of Treasury (Treasury) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) urging them to prohibit payday and car-title lenders from receiving Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, citing harm these types of lenders have caused to consumers. The Congresswoman stressed that “there is no reason why Congress, SBA, or Treasury should bail out these predatory lenders” and encouraged them to instead focus on “providing PPP loans to the millions of responsible small businesses who are pillars in communities across the country and warrant immediate support.”
Illinois issues executive order amending and reissuing remote notarization and witnessing guidelines
On April 30, the Illinois governor issued an executive order amending and reissuing guidelines relating to remote notarization and witnessing. The guidelines are extended through May 29, 2020.