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Colorado governor amends and extends executive order limiting evictions and foreclosures and provides unemployment relief for those impacted
On April 30, Colorado Governor Jared Polis amended and extended a previous executive order that limited foreclosures, evictions, and cancellations of utility services as a result of nonpayment and provided an expedited lane for unemployment insurance claims for workers impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. The amendments to Polis’ initial order primarily deal with various aspects of foreclosure, eviction, tenant payment plans, and energy initiatives to assist low income Coloradans. Among other things, the amendments prohibit landlords and lenders from evicting tenants or from charging late fees or penalties for any breach of a lease or rental agreement due to nonpayment. The extension is valid for 30 days, unless extended further by subsequent executive order.
Rhode Island regulator extends guidance for lenders
On April 28, the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Banking Division, amended previous guidance (previously covered here) issued to mortgage loan originators, lenders, loan brokers and exempt company registrants. The previous guidance permitted working at home, even if the home is located outside of Rhode Island or is not a licensed branch. The department extended this guidance until June 30, 2020.
New York guidance excludes debt collection from essential businesses or entities
On April 28, New York updated its guidance on Executive Order 202.6 relating to determining whether a business enterprise is subject to a workforce reduction under recent executive orders addressing Covid-19. The updated guidance provides that essential financial institutions include banks or lending institutions, insurance, payroll, accounting, and services related to financial markets, with the exception of debt collection services.
Maine governor relaxes certain lending requirements for Covid-19 loan guarantee program
On April 21, Maine’s governor issued an executive order concerning the Covid-19 Loan Guarantee Program recently established by Maine’s legislature. The order suspends the enforcement of certain statutory lending requirements law to allow financial institutions to consider a consumer’s creditworthiness and extent the amortization period of loans issued pursuant to the program. The order also extends certain grace periods, repayment periods, and claims provisions.
Georgia Department of Banking and Finance issues bulletin regarding lending, liquidity, business continuity, and regulatory reporting
The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance has issued its monthly bulletin for financial institutions in which it provides guidance on lending, liquidity, business continuity planning, and regulatory reporting. Among other things, the department reiterates the importance of liquidity risk management during Covid-19 and urges financial institutions to consider the impact of certain scenarios on their liquidity. The department also provides questions that financial institutions should consider as part of their pandemic planning. The bulletin also notes that, for banks and credit unions, the department is implementing electronic document and payment submission for correspondence, applications, and requests, including any applicable fees.
Nebraska regulator clarifies eligibility of lender affiliates for PPP loans
The Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance re-posted FAQs from the Department of the Treasury and Small Business Administration regarding the Paycheck Protection Program. The FAQs clarify that lenders are permitted to make PPP loans to companies owned in whole or in part by an outside director or a less than 30 percent equity holder of the lender, provided no favoritism or prioritization of the director’s or equity holder’s company is involved. This does not apply to companies owned in whole or in part by directors or owners that are key employees of the lender.
Massachusetts regulator suspends lending limits for PPP loans
On April 6, the Massachusetts Division of Banks issued guidance to state-chartered banks and credit unions indicating that it will not make adverse regulatory findings or take enforcement action if a loan made under the Small Business Administration’s Payment Protection Program (PPP) causes the institution to violate legal limits on loans to one borrower or the institution’s internal policy. The division also encouraged institutions to work collaboratively to meet demand for PPP loans, such as instituting referral systems.
New Hampshire bank regulator exempts PPP loans from legal lending limits
On April 3, the New Hampshire Banking Department issued guidance to state-chartered banks indicating that loans made under the Small Business Administration’s Payment Protection Program are exempt from applicable legal lending limits because the loans are guaranteed by the Small Business Administration.
Special Alert: CARES Act “Paycheck Protection Program” offers relief and opportunities for small businesses and lenders
On March 27, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act or the Act). The legislation’s first title, the “Keeping American Workers Paid and Employed Act,” provides a host of relief measures for small businesses, including $349 billion for Small Business Administration (SBA) loan forgiveness, guarantees, and subsidies. This Special Alert summarizes pertinent SBA-related provisions of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and potential opportunities for both (i) small businesses, and (ii) existing and new SBA lenders to grow their small business lending portfolios. We will provide an update on the relief measures following the Treasury Department’s (Treasury) release of additional program details, which is expected imminently.
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Click here to read the full special alert
We will provide timely updates regarding any guidance published on this topic on our dedicated SBA page, which includes additional SBA resources you may find helpful. If you have any questions regarding the matters discussed in this Alert, please contact a Buckley attorney with whom you have worked in the past.
Minnesota Department of Commerce warns consumers about unlicensed predatory lenders
On March 25, Minnesota’s Department of Commerce issued a warning to consumers not to borrow from unlicensed online lenders that advertise and offer short-term, payday, or installment loans during the Covid-19 pandemic. The announcement offered tips to consumers, including verifying the lender is licensed, reading the fine print, considering alternative loan products, and consulting with credit counseling services.