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Auto financing company settles multistate subprime lending action for $550 million
On May 19, the California attorney general, along with 33 other attorneys general, announced a multistate $550 million settlement with an auto sales financing company for allegedly placing subprime borrowers in auto loans that carried a high risk of default, in violation of state consumer protection laws. Specifically, California’s complaint alleges that the company violated the state’s Unfair Competition Law by, among other things, (i) extending auto loan credit to borrowers the company knew or should have known were likely to result in default and repossession; (ii) failing to disclose to borrowers the high risk of failure associated with the loans; (iii) requiring borrowers to make payments through methods that resulted in third-party fees; and (iv) misrepresenting borrowers’ ability to acquire repossessed vehicles already sent to auction. Additionally, the attorney general alleges that the company “turned a blind eye” to dealer abuse, resulting in higher origination prices for borrowers.
According to the press release, the company will pay approximately $433 million in forgiveness of loans still owned by the company across the U.S. and will waive deficiency balances for borrower loans that the company no longer owns. Notably, certain borrowers who had defaulted as of December 31, 2019 but were still in possession of their vehicle will be allowed to keep the vehicle and have the deficiency balance on the loan waived. California’s settlement also requires injunctive measures such as (i) requiring the company to consider the borrower’s ability to repay the loan; (ii) barring the company from purchasing loans where the borrower’s residual income is zero or negative; (iii) setting reasonable debt to income ratios; and (iv) no longer requiring dealers to sell ancillary products.
In addition to California, the multistate settlement includes: Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington, who together with Attorney General Becerra comprise the executive committee; as well as the attorneys general of Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia.
Arizona regulator implements adjusted renewal process
The Arizona Department of Financial Institutions announced the implementation of a new license renewal process that will enable licensees to renew licenses of the parent licensee and its branches at the same time. Previously, licensees were required to complete renewal at the parent level, and then repeat the process for each branch. The department is currently in the first phase of the project, which will cover renewals for advance fee loan brokers, debt management companies, and sales finance companies, which have licenses expiring in June 2020.
State attorneys general send letter to auto manufacturers regarding Covid-19 practices
On May 20, a coalition of state attorneys general sent a letter to ten major auto manufacturers relating to reports that dealerships have been engaging in predatory and harmful practices in connection with the return of leased vehicles during the Covid-19 pandemic. The coalition calls upon auto manufacturers to ensure that their financing arms and affiliated dealerships have appropriate controls to timely accept the return of leased vehicles during the pandemic. Further, car dealerships are urged to take certain steps, such as reviewing their lease-return policies for compliance with applicable law, assisting consumers with convenient lease returns, and refunding harmed consumers for certain costs arising from refused lease returns.
Connecticut Department of Banking issues an extension guidance on working from home
On May 20, the Connecticut Department of Banking issued a memorandum extending its no-action position (previously discussed, here) with respect to licensees temporarily working from home during Covid-19 through June 30, 2020, provided that certain criteria set forth in the memorandum are met.
Rhode Island courts to recommence eviction proceedings on June 2, 2020
On May 20, State of Rhode Island District Court issued Administrative Order 2020-02, announcing that it would recommence adjudicating eviction matters on June 2, and detailing a set of temporary practices and protocols for eviction matters. Similarly, on May 19, the State of Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation issued Certified Constables Bulletin 2020-1.2, noting that certified constables should conduct service of process and executions regarding eviction at a time and in a manner specified by the court.
Washington state issues Phase 2 guidance for real estate industry
On May 19, Washington issued guidelines for the real estate industry during Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan. Among other things, the guidelines prohibit in-person meetings with customers except when necessary to view a property or sign documents and limit attendance at on-site activities—such as such as appraisals, viewings, or walkthroughs — to three people.
Pennsylvania authorizes real estate businesses to commence in-person operations
On May 19, the Pennsylvania governor issued a revised executive order permitting all businesses in the real estate industry to commence in-person operations, and the Department of Health made corresponding revisions to previous orders to implement the change. Concurrently, the Pennsylvania Department of State issued guidance to the real estate industry, which contains requirements for conducting in-person operations in a manner that protects the health of customers and employees.
Texas regulator urges motor vehicle sales finance licensees to work with borrowers
The Texas Office of the Consumer Credit Commissioner revised an advisory bulletin urging motor vehicle sales finance licenses to work with consumers during the Covid-19 crisis (previously covered here). Among other measures, the regulator urged licensees to increase consumer communication, work out modifications, waive certain charges, and suspend repossessions.
34 state AGs urge inclusion of cannabis banking legislation in Covid-19 relief
On May 19, a group of 34 state attorneys general wrote to congressional leaders urging the inclusion of the SAFE Banking Act in any future Covid-19 relief package. As previously covered by InfoBytes, the SAFE Banking Act was passed by the House in September 2019 and would provide a safe harbor for depository institutions that provide a financial product or service to a covered business in a state that has implemented laws and regulations that ensure accountability in the marijuana industry. In the letter, the attorneys general outline three reasons legislative action for cannabis banking is needed based on the Covid-19 pandemic: (i) cash-intensive business models could be a target of increased criminal activity; (ii) large cash transactions place the public and government officials at heightened risk of virus exposure; and (iii) tax revenue from over $15 billion in sales in 2019 could provide critical relief for state and local governments. The letter reminds congressional leaders that support for the SAFE Banking Act, or similar legislation, “is not a call for the legalization of medical or retail marijuana in [] jurisdictions that choose not to pursue such an approach,” instead it would be a reflection that “our federalist system of government that is flexible enough to accommodate divergent state approaches.”
Louisiana Securities Division extends operations guidance
On May 18, the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions, Securities Division, updated guidance (previously discussed here) regarding its operations to extend the guidance to June 5, 2020, in light of the Louisiana governor’s extension of the state of emergency until that date. The guidance addresses, among other things, submission of registration and fees, conduct of remote examinations, and processing of licensing and registration applications.