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FDIC, Fed extend comment period on proposed living will guidance
On April 27, the FDIC and the Federal Reserve Board announced a 30-day extension to the comment period for the agencies’ proposal to update resolution plan guidance for certain large foreign banking organizations (FBOs). As previously covered by InfoBytes, FBOs are required to submit resolution plans—also known as “living wills”—which detail the strategic plans for their U.S. operations and subsidiaries for rapid and orderly resolution in bankruptcy in the event that the banks fail or fall under material financial distress. The proposed guidance, issued in March, focuses on the FBOs’ derivatives and trading activities and payment, clearing, and settlement activities, and provides additional resolution plan expectations. Comments will now be accepted through June 4. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the agencies also state that other upcoming deadlines associated with the resolution planning process may be adjusted.
FTC releases 2019 Annual Highlights
On April 23, the FTC released its 2019 Annual Highlights, which outlines the Commission’s efforts over the past year to protect consumers and promote competition. The report discusses various enforcement actions, policy and advocacy initiatives, and education and outreach programs, and notes that FTC actions in 2019 have led to more than $232 million in refunds to consumers. The report covers a range of consumer protection enforcement actions related to, among other things, unfair and deceptive marketing as well as privacy and data security issues. The report also discusses joint consumer protection enforcement-related efforts with foreign agencies and multilateral organizations, as well as information-sharing and enforcement cooperation measures intended to streamline and facilitate joint law enforcement investigations. In addition, the report highlights recent policy actions, such as advocacy comments, amicus briefs, and Congressional testimony, and discusses education efforts undertaken in 2019 including: (i) a series of public hearings on Competition and Consumer Protection in the 21st Century; (ii) workshops with state regulators and law enforcers; (iii) workshops on consumer protection issues such as small business financing, consumer reporting accuracy, and privacy matters; and (iv) education outreach programs. According to the stats and data section of the report, the FTC received more than 3.2 million consumer reports in 2019, in which identity theft and imposter scam complaints represented over 40 percent of the total reports received.
SEC’s Investor Advisory Committee to hold remote meeting
The Investor Advisory Committee of the Securities and Exchange Commission will hold a remote public meeting on May 4 via a live webcast. The meeting will focus on public company disclosures in light of the Covid-19 outbreak and on public company shareholder engagement and meetings by virtual means.
Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance issues a notice updating its examination activity
On April 27, the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance issued another notice providing updates to its March 25th notice (previously discussed here), which temporarily ceased all regular examinations until April 24. The notice extends the department’s posture to May 15, 2020. The department will continue certain critical examinations related to safety and soundness, consumer protections, or when there is an urgent or immediate need. The department will resume offsite examinations on June 1, predominately using remote access resources.
Texas regulator discusses emergency measures for credit access businesses
On April 27, the Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner issued an advisory bulletin encouraging credit access businesses to consider certain emergency measures in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The bulletin encouraged credit access businesses to work with consumers by increasing communications, working out loan modifications that avoid delinquencies and negative credit reporting, waiving certain charges and fees, and suspending vehicle repossession and charge offs. The office also extended the deadline for required first quarter reporting from April 30 until May 31, 2020, and permitted credit access business activity to occur from otherwise unlicensed locations, so long as certain requirements are met.
CFPB eases filing deadlines for certain ILSA and Regulation J reports
On April 27, the CFPB released guidance in order to provide “flexibility and reduce administrative burden” for land developers that are subject to the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act (ILSA). The Bureau explains that in light of the impacts of Covid-19, it will not take supervisory or enforcement action against land developers for delays in filing financial statements and annual reports of activity, as long as the developers make good faith efforts to submit filings “within a reasonable time.” The guidance notes that all other ILSA and Regulation J requirements must be timely met.
CFPB asks FCC to allow financial institutions to make certain Covid-19-related calls
On April 27, the CFPB sent a letter to the FCC in support of a petition filed at the end of March by several financial trade associations, which seeks an expedited ruling to allow financial institutions to make certain automated calls concerning Covid-19 relief options without violating the TCPA. The CFPB specifically encouraged the FCC to allow a limited number of automated Covid-19-related calls from financial institutions that would alert customers of offers of forbearance, payment deferrals, fee waivers, extensions or relaxations of repayment terms, loan modifications, and other resources related to loans secured by homes or vehicles. “Allowing financial institutions to make automated calls is one more way to maximize the outreach to ensure consumers receive important and timely information,” CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger noted, cautioning, however, that financial institutions must still comply with other legal requirements with respect to their communications with customers, including the Bureau’s mortgage servicing rules and Dodd-Frank’s prohibition on unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices.
Washington insurance commissioner issues order regarding reporting requirements for collecting withheld depreciation payments
On April 27, the Washington insurance commissioner issued Executive Order 20-05 to insurers authorized to transact property and casualty insurance business and all entities regulated by the insurance commissioner. The order extends the deadline for policyholders of property and casualty insurance to report completed repairs in order to claim withheld depreciation payments until at least 60 days after June 26 or the expiration of the governor’s stay at home order, whichever is first.
OCC issues guidance to banks on tracking PPP loan data
On April 27, the OCC issued guidance for banks on receiving credit under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) for the loans the banks made to small businesses through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The guidance suggests that lenders should track the PPP loan data, particularly for loans to businesses with $1 million or less in annual revenues that are located in underserved, distressed or low to moderate-income (LMI) areas. The OCC states that tracking this data along with lending decisions and loan volume data “is a prudent banking practice consistent with the principles of safety and soundness and fair access and fair treatment of borrowers.” The SBA’s PPP frequently asked questions can be found here.
Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation issues guidance on reverse mortgages
On April 27, the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, Division of Banks, issued guidance relating to compliance with the reverse mortgage counseling requirements under An Act Providing for a Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures During the Covid-19 Emergency, which was signed into law and effective on April 20, 2020. The act provides that the in-person counseling requirement under specific provisions of Massachusetts law can alternatively be met by synchronous, real-time video conference or by telephone. The division also provides guidance for counseling options for reverse mortgage counseling, HUD Certificate of HECM counseling, and other reverse mortgage programs.