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SEC extends permission for virtual fund board meetings
On June 19, the Securities and Exchange Commission extended conditional relief from its requirements for in-person voting boards of directors of registered management investment companies and business development companies (previously covered here). Instead, votes may be cast using any communication that permits all participating directors to hear each other simultaneously during the meeting. The commission extended the relief through December 31, 2020.
SBA’s Lender Match connects small businesses to small asset lenders
On June 19, the Small Business Administration (SBA) released a dedicated online tool that will match small businesses and non-profits impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic with Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions, Certified Development Companies, Farm Credit System lenders, Microlenders, and traditional smaller-asset size lenders participating in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Lender Match, which was paused due to CARES Act implementation priorities and loan volume, is being reinstated as an additional resource for small businesses that have not applied for or received approval for a PPP loan. Leads will only be forwarded to CDFIs and lenders with less than $10 billion in assets until the PPP program ends on June 30, 2020, at which point Lender Match will open to all participating SBA lenders. Applicants that are matched with lenders through the tool will receive an email within in two business days, which will allow them to immediately begin the application process for PPP loans and other SBA lending products. SBA notes, however, that Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications will not be accepted through Lender Match. Qualified small businesses and agricultural businesses must apply for EIDLs through a recently reopened portal (covered by InfoBytes here).
Kraninger emphasizes need for FCRA and CARES Act compliance
On June 19, CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger spoke during a Consumer Data Industry Association webinar, warning information furnishers and consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) that the Bureau has dedicated significant resources toward enforcement of certain provisions of the CARES Act and the FCRA. Specifically, Kraninger emphasized the Bureau’s reliance on consumer complaint data to inform its supervisory and enforcement activity and noted that April and May had the highest monthly complaint volumes in the Bureau’s history, with approximately 7,200 complaints mentioning Covid-19 related terms during that time. Kraninger referenced the Bureau’s April policy statement, which stated the Bureau would take a “flexible supervisory and enforcement approach during this pandemic regarding compliance with the [FCRA] and Regulation V” (covered by InfoBytes here). However, Kraninger warned that furnishers are still required to comply with the CARES Act, and that the “Bureau expects CRAs and furnishers to make good faith efforts to investigate disputes as quickly as possible.” According to Kraninger, due to the unique challenges the Covid-19 pandemic has created, the Bureau will evaluate each CRA and furnisher’s respective efforts and circumstances on an individual basis to determine whether it made the good faith effort to investigate as quickly as possible.
Fed vice chairman discusses stress testing adaptability due to Covid-19 pandemic
On June 19, Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Randal K. Quarles spoke at a meeting of the Women in Housing and Finance regarding adjustments to the Fed’s periodic stress testing of large banks in the wake of Covid-19. Quarles explained that because the Fed lacked the time and comprehensive data to run a complete and updated Covid-19 event stress test this year, the Fed made the decision to continue with the “severely adverse scenario” begun in February 2020, while also performing a new “sensitivity analysis.” The sensitivity analysis considers three distinct downside risk paths for the economy—a rapid recovery, a slower recovery, and a W-shaped double-dip recession.
As in past years, the Fed intends to disclose annual stress test results using the February 2020 scenario (run against bank exposures as of December 2019), which will include both firm-specific and aggregate results. Quarles also indicated the Fed would be disclosing some results from the new sensitivity analysis. According to Quarles, these results will not be firm-specific, but will be “aggregated across banks comparing how the banking system as a whole would fare under the three distinct views of the future.” The Fed also plans to “move ahead and provide all banks subject to stress testing with a stress capital buffer requirement based on the February 2020 scenario, under [the Fed’s] new approach integrating stress testing with capital requirements.” Once banks determine their final plans, the Fed will publicly release the final capital requirements for each individual bank later this year before they take effect in the fourth quarter as planned. Quarles also noted that additional policy actions, if warranted, may be taken in the coming months as the Fed continues to monitor the economic conditions.
FHFA adds new translated Covid-19 resources on LEP site
On June 16, FHFA added new translated versions of its Covid-19 resources to its Mortgage Translations website. The website now includes English, Spanish, traditional Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Tagalog translations of scripts that servicers may use when discussing Covid-19 forbearance with borrowers. The revised Mortgage Assistance Application also is available in the same six languages.
FDIC Quarterly Banking Profile reports strong loan growth but declining income
On June 16, the FDIC released the first quarter 2020 Quarterly Banking Profile for FDIC-insured institutions, reporting that the aggregate net income for FDIC-insured institutions totaled $18.5 billion in the first quarter of 2020, a decline of $42.2 billion (69.6 percent) from a year ago, reflecting deteriorating economic activity as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The FDIC emphasized, however, that total loan and lease balances rose 4.2 percent from the previous quarter, as “[a]lmost all major loan categories reported quarterly increases.” Over the past year, total loan and lease balances increased 8 percent—the highest annual growth rate since the first quarter of 2008, the FDIC reported. According to remarks provided by FDIC Chairman Jelena McWilliams, while several industry sectors and financial markets were adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, “banks effectively supported individuals and businesses during this downturn through lending and other critical financial services.”
OCC bulletin discusses preemption and Covid-19
On June 17, the OCC issued Bulletin 2020-62 discussing Covid-19-related relief programs and preemption, reminding stakeholders that banks are governed primarily by federal standards and generally are not subject to state law limitations. While the OCC recognizes the “well-intended” efforts by state and local governments to respond to the economic disruptions caused by the spread of Covid-19, the Bulletin states the agency is “concerned that the proliferation of a multitude of competing requirements will conflict with banks’ ability to operate effectively and efficiently,” which could harm consumers by risking the banks’ safety and soundness. The Bulletin cites to the 1996 Supreme Court decision in Barnett Bank of Marion County v. Nelson to remind stakeholders that federal law preempts state and local laws that prevent or largely interfere with a national bank’s ability to exercise its powers. The Bulletin provides specific examples of the types of state laws that do not apply to banks’ lending and deposit activities, including limitations on (i) terms of credit; (ii) disbursement and repayments; and (iii) processing, originating, and servicing mortgages. Additionally, the Bulletin notes that any state action that limits banks’ foreclosure activities beyond what is required by the CARES Act is preempted by OCC regulations. Lastly, the OCC reminds stakeholders of Bulletin 2020-43, which details its exclusive visitorial authority of banks (covered by InfoBytes here) and encourages banks to “consult with counsel to determine the applicability of any particular state or local law.”
VA extends moratorium on foreclosures due to continued impact of Covid-19
On June 17, the Department of Veterans Affairs extended its moratorium on foreclosures until August 31, 2020, due to the continued negative impact of Covid-19 on veterans (see here for previous coverage). The moratorium prohibits loan servicers from initiating or completing any foreclosure on properties secured by VA-guaranteed loans.
FHA extends foreclosure and eviction moratorium for two more months
On June 17, FHA announced that it will extend its foreclosure and eviction moratorium through August 31, 2020, which applies to homeowners with FHA-insured Title II Single Family forward and Home Equity Conversion (reverse) mortgages, excluding legally vacant or abandoned properties (previously discussed here and here). The announcement also reminds servicers of their obligations under the CARES Act.
FHFA: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will extend foreclosure and eviction moratorium
On June 17, FHFA announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will extend their single-family moratorium on foreclosures and evictions until at least August 31, which is currently set to expire on June 30 (previously discussed here). The foreclosure moratorium applies to homeowners with an Enterprise-backed, single-family mortgage.