On October 8, the governor of New York signed Bill No. AO-2260A to assist borrowers who need accommodation for visual impairments. Bill No. AO-2260A is “an act to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring debt collectors to inform debtors that written communications are available in large print format” (or other different formats).
New York DFS Proposes Regulation to Implement TILA-Like Requirements on Small Business Loans
On September 21, 2021, New York’s Department of Financial Services (DFS) announced proposed regulations that clarify the small business Truth in Lending disclosure requirements that go into effect on January 1, 2022. The proposed regulations come just in time as non-banks and fintechs are attempting to prepare to comply with the commercial financing law with
South Carolina Ruling Gives Lenders Flexibility on When to Foreclose in Face of Borrower Litigation
In a ruling that will provide guidance on when lenders must raise a foreclosure counterclaim in a borrower lawsuit, the South Carolina Court of Appeals in Deutsche Bank National Trust Company v. Estate of Patricia Ann Owens Houck has held that foreclosure was not a compulsory counterclaim in a borrower’s suit alleging errors in origination.
What the Proposed North Carolina Regulatory Sandbox Could Mean for Fintech and the Financial Services Community
Technology is booming and financial technology (“fintech”) is advancing society in new and innovative ways. In 2021 alone, North Carolina has been the target for some very high-profile technology announcements, including Google’s plans to open a cloud engineering hub in Durham and Apple’s new campus in Research Triangle Park. Given the upward trajectory of this
Mississippi Joins the Anti-Preemption Parade
The Mississippi Supreme Court recently rejected federal preemption arguments relating to federally owned student loans. This follows other preemption rulings, as we’ve discussed here and here.
Mississippi’s attorney general filed the action on behalf of the state against Navient Corporation, bringing claims under the Mississippi Consumer Protections Act and for unjust enrichment for Navient’s
Florida Homestead Exemption Applies Only to U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
A bankruptcy judge in the Middle District of Florida recently sustained a Chapter 7 trustee’s objection to a non-Florida resident debtor’s attempted claim of the Florida homestead exemption. Although the debtor had lived in her Florida home for more than 20 years, she was not a United States citizen or a permanent resident with a
New Amendments to the WVCCPA to Provide Additional Certainty for Businesses
In a development that provides some measure of relief to businesses operating in West Virginia, particularly within the financial services industry, Gov. Jim Justice signed into law on March 29, 2021, amendments to the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act (WVCCPA). These amendments appear to provide clarity on certain attorneys’ fees provisions in the
New York Clarifies Mortgage Loan Acceleration and De-Acceleration: Starting and Stopping the Limitations Clock
On February 18, 2021, the New York Court of Appeals’ consolidated resolution of four cases that answered two critical questions concerning the application of the statute of limitations in New York mortgage foreclosure actions: What constitutes a valid acceleration such that the six-year “clock” is started and what actions constitute a valid “de-acceleration” of a
Illinois Caps Consumer Loans at 36% Rate, Limiting Consumers’ Access to Credit
Last week, Illinois enacted the “Predatory Loan Prevention Act” (SB 1792), which would place a 36% rate cap on nearly all non-bank consumer loans. This act will essentially outlaw small-dollar loans in Illinois and may make ancillary products on auto loans, such as GAP insurance, unavailable for a large number of consumers. The act
Bill to Overhaul SC Tax Sale Procedure Would Expand Notice to Mortgagees
A bill pending before the South Carolina General Assembly, SB 102, would rewrite the procedure most commonly used to collect unpaid property taxes through the sale of real estate and mobile homes. Among other important changes, if enacted, the law would significantly expand the opportunities for mortgagees to receive notice of pending and completed