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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.
Washington amends and extends proclamations regarding state of emergency, garnishments, and accrual of interest
On June 18, the Washington governor issued Proclamation 20-49.5, which amends and extends proclamations 20-05 (declaring a state of emergency) 20-49 (regarding garnishments and accrual of interest), 20-49.1 (garnishments and accrual of interest), 20-49.2 (garnishments and accrual of interest), 20-49.3 (garnishments), and 20-49.4 (garnishments). These proclamations were previously covered here and here. The referenced proclamations are amended to (1) recognize the extension of statutory waivers and suspensions by the Washington Legislature until the termination of the Covid-19 State of Emergency or 11:59 p.m. on July 1, 2020, whichever is first, and (2) similarly extend the prohibitions therein until the termination of the Covid-19 state of emergency or 11:59 p.m. on July 1, 2020, whichever is first.
OFAC sanctions Nigerian nationals involved in business email compromise and romance fraud scheme
On June 16, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced a coordinated action with the DOJ against six Nigerian nationals who allegedly conducted a business email compromise (BEC) scheme and engaged in romance fraud to steal more than $6 million from U.S. businesses and individuals. The designated individuals’ actions included, among other things, allegedly impersonating businesses executives to request and receive wire transfers from legitimate business accounts, and using manipulative tactics to gain access to usernames, passwords, and bank accounts. OFAC designated the individuals pursuant to Executive Order 13694, which “targets malicious cyber-enabled activities, including those related to the significant misappropriation of funds or economic resources for private financial gain.” As a result, all property and interests in property belonging to the designated individuals subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and “U.S. persons generally are prohibited from dealing with them.”
OFAC also provided additional information regarding BEC scams and romance fraud and referred to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s July 2019 advisory, which addresses efforts designed to restrict and impede BEC scammers and other illicit actors who profit from email compromise fraud schemes (covered by InfoBytes here).
District court holds text system is not an autodialer under 7th Circuit definition
On June 15, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana granted a motion for summary judgment in favor of a collection agency and another company (collectively, “defendants”) with respect to the plaintiff’s TCPA allegations, holding that the system used to send text messages to class members’ cell phones is not an automatic telephone dialing system (autodialer). According to the opinion, the plaintiff filed the class action alleging, among other things, that the defendants violated the TCPA by sending unsolicited text messages using an autodialer to cell phones after the recipients replied with “stop.” The parties submitted cross-motions for summary judgment, which were stayed pending the outcome of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit decision in Gadelhak v. AT&T Servs., Inc. As previously covered by InfoBytes, the 7th Circuit held in February that to be an autodialer under the TCPA, the system must both store and produce phone numbers “using a random or sequential number generator.” After reviewing the cross-motions in light of the 7th Circuit decision, the court concluded that the system used by the defendants is not an autodialer under the controlling definition because the defendants’ system sends text messages to cell phone numbers from stored customer lists. Notwithstanding the fact that neither party disputes that the text messages sent to the class members post-“stop” message were without their consent, the court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants because the text messages were not sent using an autodialer.
NCUA releases additional guidance to credit unions serving hemp businesses
Recently, the NCUA released updated guidance to federally insured credit unions on serving hemp businesses. As previously covered by InfoBytes, in August 2019, NCUA released interim guidance allowing federally insured credit unions to service hemp businesses. The guidance explained that the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) removed hemp from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, but noted that hemp could not be produced lawfully under federal law, beyond a 2014 pilot program, until the USDA promulgated regulations and guidelines to implement the hemp production provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill. In October 2019, the USDA issued an interim final rule, which outlined provisions to approve plans submitted by state or Native American tribes that want to retain primary regulatory authority over the production of hemp and a federal licensing plan for producers in states and tribal territories that do not have their own USDA-approved plans.
The newly released guidance reminds credit unions to stay current with the federal, state, and Native American tribal laws and regulations that apply to any hemp-related businesses, as the interim final rule does not preempt or limit any law state or tribal law that that is more stringent than the 2018 Farm Bill. Among other things, the guidance notes that NCUA examiners will collect data concerning the types of services credit unions are providing to hemp-related businesses and states that the NCUA expects credit unions to employ sufficient customer due diligence procedures as part of their BSA/AML compliance program to ensure hemp growers possess a valid state or USDA license.
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.”
Washington regulator issues guidance on financial performance representations by franchisors
On June 17, the Securities Division of the Washington Department of Financial Institutions issued a notice to inform franchisors about their obligations regarding representations about historical financial performance. In Washington, franchisors are legally prohibited from selling a franchise using a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that contains an untrue statement of material fact or omits a statement of material fact. The notice indicated that if a franchisor submits FDDs that make historical financial performance representations based on data that predates the Covid-19 pandemic, the division will inquire as to whether this practice complies with federal and Washington requirements.
New York regulator issues guidance to state financial institutions regarding consumer relief
On June 17, the New York State Department of Financial Services issued guidance to state-regulated financial institutions, urging them to support consumers that have been negatively impacted by Covid-19. The department urged furnishers of credit information to, among other things, report accommodations reached under the CARES Act as “current,” unless the credit was delinquent prior to the accommodation; report certain Covid-19 related delinquencies as forborne, deferred, or affected by a natural or declared disaster consistent with the furnisher’s treatment of the account; and promptly conduct reasonable investigations of consumer-disputed credit information.
OFAC sanctions investors supporting Syrian government
On June 17, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against 24 individuals and entities for providing significant investment support to the Syrian government. According to OFAC, the designations include Treasury’s “first implementation of sanctions pursuant to the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019,” and involve actions taken against a holding company, a private sector investment venture, and luxury tourism developments. Concurrent with OFAC’s sanctions, the U.S. State Department also designated 15 persons, including President Bashar al-Assad and his wife, pursuant to Executive Order 13984, which focuses on persons identified as “obstructing, disrupting, or preventing a ceasefire or a political solution to the Syrian conflict.” As a result, all property and interests in property belonging to the designated persons and subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. OFAC further noted that its regulations “generally prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons or those within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated persons,” and warned non-U.S. persons that engage in transactions with the designated persons may expose themselves to designation. OFAC also referenced a previously published Fact Sheet (covered by InfoBytes here), which highlights the most pertinent exemptions, exceptions, and authorizations for humanitarian assistance and trade under the Iran, Venezuela, North Korea, Syria, Cuba, and Ukraine/Russia-related sanctions programs to ensure humanitarian-related trade and assistance reaches at-risk populations through legitimate and transparent channels during the global Covid-19 pandemic.