InfoBytes Blog
Filter
Subscribe to our InfoBytes Blog weekly newsletter and other publications for news affecting the financial services industry.
Arizona Department of Financial Institutions issues guidance to financial institutions working with customers affected by Covid-19
On April 24, the Arizona Department of Financial Institution issued a statement to financial institutions working with customers affected by Covid-19. Financial institutions are encouraged to work with affected customers and communities including through, among other things, waiving certain fees, increasing ATM cash withdrawal limits, offering payment accommodations, and suspending actions to foreclose on homes and businesses. Prudent efforts to modify the terms on existing loans for affected customers will not be subject to department criticism. The statement also provides guidance on financial condition review, supervisory response and regulatory relief, regulatory reporting requirements, and alternative service options for customers.
Minnesota issues executive order allowing shareholders flexibility to hold remote meetings
On April 24, the Minnesota governor issued an executive order permitting Minnesota businesses and shareholders of corporations subject to the reporting requirements of sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to conduct remote shareholder meetings, provided that certain requirements are met. Additionally, if it is impracticable for a corporation to convene a currently noticed meeting of shareholders at a physical location due to Covid-19, the corporation may adjourn the meeting to another date or time, to be held by remote communication, provided certain requirements are met.
District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking issues bulletin regarding submission of filings
On April 24, the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking issued a Bulletin 0X-SB-00X 03/20 suspending the procedures established by Bulletin 03-SB-04-03/21 in light of the Covid-19 public health emergency. Required filings and fee payments that would have been submitted pursuant to the procedures outlined in Bulletin 03-SB-04-03/21 must now be submitted to the department via PDF to a specified email address. Further, instead of physical checks, the associated payments must be submitted in electronic form in accordance with the instructions in the bulletin.
SBA, Treasury issue guidance on calculating the maximum PPP loan amount
On April 24, the Small Business Administration along with the Department of Treasury issued guidance on payroll costs and determining the maximum Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan amount for which a small business can apply. The guidance—organized by business entity type—contains nine questions with answers that address the self-employed, partnerships, corporations, nonprofit organizations, nonprofit religious and veterans’ organizations, tribal businesses, and limited liability companies. Small businesses must also document that they were in business as of February 15, 2020. The guidance notes that “[t]he U.S. government will not challenge lender PPP actions that conform to this guidance.”
OCC reminds banks of its exclusive visitorial authority
On April 24, the OCC issued Bulletin 2020-43 to “remind[] banks that it has exclusive visitorial authority over them.” The bulletin states that it is important for banks to quickly provide the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program loans to small businesses. As such, state and local officials cannot examine banks’ books and records without prior authorization such that they attempt to exercise visitorial authority. Moreover, banks are not required to comply with such requests, and are further encouraged to contact their OCC examiner regarding any state and local requests. State and local officials are likewise encouraged to contact the OCC with any information or questions.
Special Alert: Regulators provide important guidance on next wave of PPP funding
President Trump on April 24 signed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, adding $310 billion in funding to the $350 billion initially appropriated to the program under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The Federal Reserve Board, Treasury Department, and the Small Business Administration have issued important guidance in recent days related to loan participations, additional Fed support, borrower eligibility, and loan forgiveness. The SBA and the Fed have also provided more information on electronic execution and collection of loan documents, as the importance of digital loans continues to loom large with signatories working remotely.
SEC announces formation of internal Covid-19 Market Monitoring Group
On April 24, the SEC announced the formation of an internal, cross-divisional Covid-19 Market Monitoring Group, which will assist the commission with (i) commission and staff actions and analysis related to the effects of Covid-19 on markets, issuers, and investors, and (ii) responding to requests for information, analysis and assistance from other regulators and public sector partners.
Federal Reserve provides updates on facilities in Section 13(3) report to Congress
On April 24, the Federal Reserve filed a report with Congress regarding various new credit facilities developed to combat liquidity issues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The report provides the initial update to Congress regarding the Primary Dealer Credit Facility, Commercial Paper Funding Facility, and Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility pursuant to Section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act as of April 14, 2020.
CFPB guidance provides clarity to mortgage servicing transfers
On April 24, the CFPB outlined new guidance to help facilitate compliance with mortgage servicing rules when transferring mortgage servicing rights to a servicer or a sub-servicer. According to the CFPB, after significant changes were made to Regulation X (RESPA) that took effect in 2014, the Bureau found weaknesses in the management of mortgage transfers. The new guidance provides “a roadmap for servicers that will prevent consumer harm,” and notes that when transferring a loan, “servicers should have policies and procedures reasonably designed to transfer all of the information and documents in their possession or control relating to a transferred mortgage loan, such as, a unique identifier for each loan, the terms of the loan, current unpaid principal balance as of a specific date, information concerning any escrow, and copies of any loss mitigation applications submitted by a borrower and of any loss mitigation agreements agreed to with a borrower.” According to the Bureau’s press release, servicers should also consider: (i) developing a servicing transfer plan, including an escalation plan for potential problems; (ii) engaging in quality control work to validate data; (iii) determining servicing responsibilities for legacy accounts; (iv) conducting post-transfer reviews to determine the effectiveness of a transfer plan; (v) monitoring consumer complaints and loss mitigation performance metrics; and (vi) identifying defaulted loans, active foreclosures, bankruptcies, or any forbearance agreements entered into with a borrower, and including loss mitigation activity for each loan where applicable.
The Bureau recognizes that entities may face particular challenges as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and states it intends to consider such challenges, including operational and time constraints related to the transfer, and will “be sensitive to good-faith efforts demonstrably designed to transfer the servicing without adverse impact to consumers.”
Massachusetts passes legislation providing for virtual notarization
On April 23, the Massachusetts legislature passed, and the governor signed, S. 2645, which authorizes virtual notarization. Specifically, S. 2645 allows a notary public to perform a notarial act utilizing electronic video conferencing in real time, and meets standards specified in the act for electronic notarizations.