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Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit issues amended interim guidance regarding remote work for employees of licensees
On April 23, the Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit issued amended interim guidance to licensees regarding temporary operations from home and alternate locations. Mortgage loan originators and employees of other regulated entities who are typically required to work only from licensed locations may work from home, and sets forth data security requirements that must be met to conduct activities from home. Companies may also use an alternate site for conducting business if a licensed location is compromised or undergoing decontamination procedures. In such an event, the department is prepared to expedite address changes and waive associated fees. The department also states that it will work with affected licensees to schedule examinations or inspections to minimize disruption. The interim guidance is effective through May 31, 2020, unless otherwise changed, extended, or withdrawn.
District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking issues bulletin to certain insurance companies
On April 23, the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking issued a bulletin to insurers, captives, and risk retention groups regarding modified regulatory filing requirements during the public health emergency. While companies are still required to make all required electronic filings with the NAIC based on modified filing deadlines, if applicable, the department will allow insurers an additional 30 to 60 days, depending on the filing, to complete filings upon a request to the department on or before the normal deadline. The bulletin sets forth the filings eligible for 30- or 60-day extensions. The bulletin also provides guidance regarding electronic filings and signatures. Further, while the department will not conduct any on-site examination work during the stay-at-home order, the department may still request certain electronic records to track trends arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.
North Carolina extends stay at home order
On April 23, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued an executive order extending his prior stay at home order (previously discussed here) until May 8. Neither order specifically addresses financial institutions.
New Jersey regulator extends license application deadlines
On April 23, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance extended the deadline for license and registration applications under New Jersey’s Mortgage Servicers Licensing Act to June 12, 2020. Persons required to seek licensure under the act include entities that are in the business of servicing residential mortgage loans, and which are not already licensed as residential mortgage lenders and entities licensed as residential mortgage lenders or correspondent residential mortgage lenders conducting business in New Jersey.
California executive order exempts Covid-19 assistance payments from garnishment
On April 23, Governor Newsom issued an executive order which provides that, with certain exceptions, CARES Act financial assistance payments and any other federal, state or local government assistance provided to individuals in response to the Covid-19 outbreak are exempt from garnishment, attachment, levy, or execution. The exemption extends to assistance funds placed into any account. The executive order also prohibits financial institutions from executing any lien or exercising any right of setoff against these funds.
States offer relief to student loan borrowers not covered by CARES Act
On April 23 and 21, nine states announced a multi-state initiative to provide student loan relief options for borrowers with privately held student loans not covered by the CARES Act. California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, and Washington outlined within their announcements specific measures for borrowers with commercially-owned Federal Family Education Loan Program loans and borrowers with private student loans who are struggling to make payments due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The announcements also noted that Virginia is participating in the initiative as well. These relief options, offered in conjunction with the listed private student loan servicers, include (i) a minimum 90-days of forbearance relief; (ii) a waiver of late fees; (iii) no negative credit reporting; (iv) a 90-day moratorium on collection lawsuits; and (v) enrollment in applicable borrower assistance programs, such as income-based repayment. The states cautioned that enrollment in these relief options is not automatic, and recommended borrowers contact their student loan servicer to see what options best suit their needs.
In addition, California, Colorado, Connecticut, New Jersey, Vermont, and Washington recommended that regulated student loan servicers with limited ability to take these actions due to investor restrictions or contractual obligations “should instead proactively work with loan holders whenever possible to relax those restrictions or obligations.”
Minnesota Commerce Department issues guidance to state banks and state credit unions regarding fraud with paper stimulus checks
On April 22, the Minnesota Commerce Department issued letters to officers of state banks and state credit unions alerting them of potential fraud that may arise in connection with the receipt of paper stimulus checks ordered under the CARES Act. The letters link to the Treasury and Secret Service guidance that highlights Treasury check security features and includes a link to a check verification application.
Virginia legislature approves foreclosure relief for residential homeowners and renters
On April 22, the Virginia state legislature reenrolled HB 340, which provides foreclosure relief to residents affected by the Covid-19 crisis. The reenrolled bill expands protections previously extended to federal workers furloughed by a government shutdown to all residents during the pandemic, including a 30-day stay on foreclosure proceedings for owners of residential housing and a 60-day stay on detainers for nonpayment of rent.
Iowa Division of Banking issues statement to bank presidents and CEOs
On April 22, the Iowa Division of Banking issued a statement to bank presidents and CEOs. The statement encourages banks to consider the Paycheck Protection Program Lending Facility created by the Federal Reserve as a liquidity option for Paycheck Protection Program loan activity. The announcement also addresses off-site examinations of financial institutions; the interagency statement on appraisals and evaluations for real estate affected by Covid-19; tracking payment extensions, deferrals, and modifications when working with customers; and loan loss reserve analysis, among other topics.
Texas regulator relaxes certain appraisal requirements for credit unions
On April 22, the Texas Credit Union Department announced the temporary waiver of certain appraisal requirements. The waivers allow credit unions to defer certain appraisals and evaluations for up to 120 days after closing and raise the threshold level when an appraisal is not required for residential real-estate transactions from $250,000 to $400,000.