TITLE 10. FINANCE AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The
State Corporation Commission is claiming an exemption from the Administrative
Process Act in accordance with § 2.2-4002 A 2 of the Code of Virginia,
which exempts courts, any agency of the Supreme Court, and any agency that by
the Constitution is expressly granted any of the powers of a court of record.
Title of Regulation: 10VAC5-210. Motor Vehicle Title
Lending (amending 10VAC5-210-10, 10VAC5-210-30, 10VAC5-210-50).
Statutory Authority: §§ 6.2-2214 and 12.1-13 of the Code
of Virginia.
Public Hearing Information: A public hearing will be
held upon request.
Public Comment Deadline: May 12, 2017.
Agency Contact: Susan Hancock, Deputy Commissioner,
Bureau of Financial Institutions, State Corporation Commission, P.O. Box 640,
Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 371-9701, FAX (804) 371-9416, or email
susan.hancock@scc.virginia.gov.
Summary:
The proposed amendments prohibit licensees from (i)
obtaining agreements from borrowers that give licensees or third parties the
authority to prepare checks that are drawn upon borrowers' accounts at
depository institutions; (ii) obtaining or receiving personal identification
numbers for borrowers' credit cards, prepaid cards, debit cards, or other
cards; and (iii) providing borrowers or prospective borrowers with false,
misleading, or deceptive information. The proposed amendments also expand the
definition of "good funds instrument," define the term "prepaid
card," address evasions of 10VAC5-210 and compliance with federal laws and
regulations, and conform the regulation to the text of the borrower rights and
responsibilities pamphlet.
AT RICHMOND, MARCH 27, 2017
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, ex rel.
STATE CORPORATION COMMISSION
CASE NO. BFI-2017-00013
Ex Parte: In re: amendments to motor
vehicle title lending regulations
ORDER TO TAKE NOTICE
Section 6.2-2214 of the Code of Virginia ("Code")
provides that the State Corporation Commission ("Commission") shall
adopt such regulations as it deems appropriate to effect the purposes of
Chapter 22 (§ 6.2-2200 et seq.) of Title 6.2 of the Code. The Commission's
regulations governing licensed motor vehicle title lenders
("licensees") are set forth in Chapter 210 of Title 10 of the
Virginia Administrative Code ("Chapter 210").
The Bureau of Financial Institutions ("Bureau") has
submitted to the Commission proposed amendments to Chapter 210. The proposal
expands the definition of "good funds instrument" and adds consumer
protections relating to personal identification numbers, the preparation of
checks drawn on borrowers' deposit accounts, and false, misleading or deceptive
information. Other changes to 10 VAC 5-210-50 address evasions of
Chapter 210 and compliance with federal laws and regulations. Amendments to the
text of the borrower rights and responsibilities pamphlet have also been
proposed.
NOW THE COMMISSION, based on the information supplied by the
Bureau, is of the opinion and finds that the proposed regulations should be
considered for adoption with a proposed effective date of July 1, 2017.
Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED THAT:
(1) The proposed regulations are appended hereto and made a
part of the record herein.
(2) Comments or requests for a hearing on the proposed
regulations must be submitted in writing to Joel H. Peck, Clerk, State
Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond,
Virginia 23218, on or before May 12, 2017. Requests for a hearing shall state
why a hearing is necessary and why the issues cannot be adequately addressed in
written comments. All correspondence shall contain a reference to Case No.
BFI-2017-00013. Interested persons desiring to submit comments or request a
hearing electronically may do so by following the instructions available at the
Commission's website: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case.
(3) This Order and the attached proposed regulations shall be
posted on the Commission's website at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case.
(4) The Commission's Division of Information Resources shall
provide a copy of this Order, including a copy of the attached proposed
regulations, to the Virginia Registrar of Regulations for publication in the
Virginia Register of Regulations.
AN ATTESTED COPY hereof, together with a copy of the proposed
regulations, shall be sent by the Clerk of the Commission to the Commission's
Office of General Counsel and the Commissioner of Financial Institutions, who
shall forthwith send by e-mail or U.S. mail a copy of this Order, together with
a copy of the proposed regulations, to all licensed motor vehicle title lenders
and such other interested parties as he may designate.
10VAC5-210-10. Definitions.
A. The following words and terms when used in this chapter
shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise:
"Act" means Chapter 22 (§ 6.2-2200 et seq.) of
Title 6.2 of the Code of Virginia.
"Advertisement" for purposes of the Act and this
chapter means a commercial message in any medium that promotes, directly or
indirectly, a motor vehicle title loan. The term includes a communication sent
to a consumer as part of a solicitation of business, but excludes messages on
promotional items such as pens, pencils, notepads, hats, calendars, etc.
"Bureau" means the Bureau of Financial
Institutions.
"Business day" for purposes of the Act and this
chapter means a day on which the licensee's office is open for business as
posted as required by subsection B of 10VAC5-210-50.
"Commission" means the State Corporation
Commission.
"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Financial
Institutions.
"Duplicate original" for purposes of the Act and
this chapter means an exact copy of a signed original, an exact copy with
signatures created by the same impression as the original, or an exact copy
bearing an original signature.
"Good funds instrument" for purposes of the Act and
this chapter means a certified check, cashier's check, money order or, if the
licensee is equipped to handle and willing to accept such payments, payment
effected by use of a credit card, prepaid card, or debit card.
"Liquid assets" for purposes of the Act and this
chapter means cash in depository institutions, money market funds, commercial
paper, and treasury bills.
"Prepaid card" means a card with a network logo
(e.g., Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover) that is used by a
cardholder to access money that has been loaded onto the card in advance.
B. Other terms used in this chapter shall have the meanings
set forth in § 6.2-2200 of the Act.
10VAC5-210-30. Notice and pamphlet.
A. Prior to furnishing a prospective borrower with a loan
application or receiving any information relating to loan qualification, a
licensee shall provide the prospective borrower with (i) a written notice that
complies with subsection B of this section; and (ii) a borrower rights and
responsibilities pamphlet that complies with subsections C and D of this
section.
B. 1. The required text of the written notice shall be as
follows: "WARNING: A motor vehicle title loan is not intended to meet your
long-term financial needs. The interest rate on a motor vehicle title loan is
high and you are pledging your motor vehicle as collateral for the loan. If you
fail to repay your loan in accordance with your loan agreement, we may
repossess and sell your motor vehicle. You should consider whether there are
other lower cost loans available to you. If you obtain a motor vehicle title
loan, you should request the minimum loan amount required to meet your
immediate needs." A licensee shall not modify or supplement the required
text of the written notice.
2. The written notice shall be printed on a single 8-1/2 x 11
sheet of paper and be separate from all other papers, documents, or notices
obtained or furnished by the licensee. The notice shall be printed in at least
24-point bold type and contain an acknowledgment that is signed and dated by
each prospective borrower. The acknowledgement acknowledgment
shall state the following: "I acknowledge that I have received a copy of
this notice and the pamphlet entitled "Motor Vehicle Title Lending in the
Commonwealth of Virginia - Borrower Rights and Responsibilities."
3. A duplicate original of the acknowledged notice shall be
kept by a licensee in the separate file maintained with respect to the loan for
the period specified in § 6.2-2209 of the Code of Virginia.
C. The borrower rights and responsibilities pamphlet shall be
printed in at least 12-point type and be separate from all other papers,
documents, or notices obtained or furnished by the licensee. The pamphlet shall
contain the exact language prescribed in subsection D of this section. A
licensee shall not modify or supplement the required text of the pamphlet. The
title of the pamphlet ("Motor Vehicle Title Lending in the Commonwealth of
Virginia - Borrower Rights and Responsibilities") and the headings for the
individual sections of the pamphlet (e.g., "In General," "Notice
from Lender," etc.) shall be printed in bold type.
D. The required text of the borrower rights and
responsibilities pamphlet shall be as follows:
MOTOR VEHICLE TITLE LENDING IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
BORROWER RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Please take the time to carefully review the information
contained in this pamphlet. It is designed to advise you of your rights and
responsibilities in connection with obtaining a motor vehicle title loan in
Virginia under Chapter 22 (§ 6.2-2200 et seq.) of Title 6.2 of the Code of
Virginia.
If you have any questions about motor vehicle title lending
or want additional information, you may contact the Virginia State Corporation
Commission's Bureau of Financial Institutions toll-free at (800) 552-7945 or on
the Internet at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/bfi.
In General: You are responsible for evaluating whether
a motor vehicle title loan is right for you. Alternatives may include among
other things less expensive short-term financing from another financial
institution, family, or friends, a cash advance on a credit card, or an account
with overdraft protection.
Notice from Lender: A motor vehicle title lender is
required to provide you with a clear and conspicuous printed notice advising
you that a motor vehicle title loan is not intended to meet your long-term
financial needs; that the interest rate on a motor vehicle title loan is high;
and that if you fail to repay your loan in accordance with your loan agreement,
the motor vehicle title lender may repossess and sell your motor vehicle.
Information from Lender: Virginia law
prohibits a motor vehicle title lender from providing you with any false,
misleading, or deceptive information.
Prohibition on Obtaining Loan if Motor Vehicle has
Existing Lien / One Loan at a Time: Virginia law prohibits a motor vehicle
title lender from making a motor vehicle title loan to you if (i) your
certificate of title indicates that your motor vehicle is security for another
loan or has an existing lien; or (ii) you currently have another motor vehicle
title loan from either the same motor vehicle title lender or any other motor
vehicle title lender conducting a motor vehicle title lending business in
Virginia.
Prohibition on Obtaining Loan on Same Day Another Loan was
Repaid: Virginia law prohibits a motor vehicle title lender from making a
motor vehicle title loan to you on the same day that you repaid or satisfied in
full a motor vehicle title loan from either the same motor vehicle title lender
or any other motor vehicle title lender conducting a motor vehicle title
lending business in Virginia.
Prohibition on Loans to Covered Members of the Armed
Forces and their Dependents: Virginia law prohibits a motor vehicle title
lender from making motor vehicle title loans to covered members of the armed
forces and their dependents. If you are (i) on active duty under a call or
order that does not specify a period of 30 days or less; or (ii) on active
guard and reserve duty, then you are a covered member of the armed forces and a
motor vehicle title lender is prohibited from making a motor vehicle title loan
to you. A motor vehicle title lender is also prohibited from making a motor
vehicle title loan to you if (i) you are married to a covered member of the
armed forces; (ii) you are the child, as defined in 38 USC § 101(4), of a
covered member of the armed forces; or (iii) more than one-half of your support
during the past 180 days was provided by a covered member of the armed forces.
Certificate of Title / Other Security Interests: Prior
to obtaining a motor vehicle title loan, you will be required to give a motor
vehicle title lender the certificate of title for your motor vehicle. The motor
vehicle title lender is required to record its lien with the motor vehicle
department in the state where your motor vehicle is registered and hold the
certificate of title until your loan is repaid or satisfied in full. The motor
vehicle title lender cannot take an interest in more than one motor vehicle as
security for a motor vehicle title loan. Apart from your motor vehicle and any
accessories that are attached to it, the motor vehicle title lender cannot take
an interest in any other property you own as security for a motor vehicle title
loan.
Maximum Loan Amount: A motor vehicle title lender
cannot loan you more than 50% of the fair market value of your motor vehicle.
The fair market value is generally based on the loan value for your motor
vehicle according to a recognized pricing guide.
Minimum and Maximum Loan Term / Monthly Payments:
Under Virginia law, your loan term cannot be either less than 120 days or more
than 12 months. Your motor vehicle title loan will be repayable in
substantially equal monthly installments of principal and interest. However, if
you have a longer first payment period, your first monthly payment may be
larger than your remaining monthly payments.
Interest and Other Loan Costs: The following are the
maximum interest rates that a motor vehicle title lender is permitted to charge
you PER MONTH on the principal amount of your loan that remains outstanding:
(i) 22% per month on the portion of the outstanding balance up to and including
$700; (ii) 18% per month on the portion of the outstanding balance between $700.01
and $1,400; and (iii) 15% per month on the portion of the outstanding balance
of $1,400.01 and higher. As long as these maximum rates are not exceeded, a
motor vehicle title lender is allowed to accrue interest using a single blended
interest rate if the initial principal is higher than $700. In addition to
interest, a motor vehicle title lender may charge you for the actual cost of
recording its lien with the motor vehicle department in the state where your
motor vehicle is registered.
If you make a payment more than seven calendar days after its
due date, a motor vehicle title lender may impose a late charge of up to five
percent of the amount of the payment.
A motor vehicle title lender is prohibited from accruing or
charging you interest on or after (i) the date the motor vehicle title lender
repossesses your motor vehicle; or (ii) 60 days after you fail to make a
monthly payment on your loan, unless you are hiding your motor vehicle.
Other than interest and the costs specifically mentioned in
this section and the section below ("Costs of Repossession and
Sale"), no additional amounts may be directly or indirectly charged,
contracted for, collected, received, or recovered by a motor vehicle title
lender.
Costs of Repossession and Sale: A motor vehicle title
lender may charge you for any reasonable costs that it incurs in repossessing,
preparing for sale, and selling your motor vehicle if (i) you default on your
motor vehicle title loan; (ii) the motor vehicle title lender sends you a
written notice at least 10 days prior to repossession advising you that your
motor vehicle title loan is in default and that your motor vehicle may be
repossessed unless you pay the outstanding principal and interest; and (iii)
you fail to pay the amount owed prior to the date of repossession. A motor
vehicle title lender is prohibited from charging you for any storage costs if
the motor vehicle title lender takes possession of your motor vehicle.
Written Loan Agreement: A motor vehicle title lender
must provide you with a written loan agreement, which must be signed by both
you and an authorized representative of the motor vehicle title lender. Your
motor vehicle title loan agreement is a binding, legal document that requires
you to repay your loan. Make sure you read the entire loan agreement carefully
before signing and dating it. A motor vehicle title lender must provide you
with a duplicate original of your loan agreement at the time you sign it. If
any provision of your loan agreement violates Chapter 22 (§ 6.2-2200 et seq.)
of Title 6.2 of the Code of Virginia, the provision will not be enforceable
against you.
Property Insurance: A motor vehicle title lender may
require you to purchase or maintain property insurance for your motor vehicle.
However, a motor vehicle title lender cannot require you to purchase or
maintain property insurance from or through a particular provider or list of
providers.
Prohibition on Obtaining Funds Electronically /
Authority to Prepare Checks / Obtaining PINs: A motor vehicle title
lender is prohibited from electronically debiting your deposit account or
obtaining any of your funds by electronic means. The lender also cannot
obtain any agreement from you that gives the lender or a third party the
authority to prepare a check that is drawn upon your deposit account. If the
motor vehicle title lender is equipped to handle and willing to accept such
payments, you may make a payment on your loan by using a credit card, prepaid
card, or debit card. However, the lender is prohibited from obtaining or
receiving a personal identification number (PIN) for a credit card, prepaid
card, debit card, or any other type of card in connection with your loan.
Loan Proceeds: You will receive your loan proceeds in
the form of (i) cash; (ii) a check from the motor vehicle title lender; or
(iii) a debit card. If you receive a check, the motor vehicle title lender is
prohibited from charging you a fee for cashing the check. Similarly, a check
casher located in the same office as the motor vehicle title lender is prohibited
from charging you a fee for cashing the motor vehicle title lender's check. If
you receive a debit card, the motor vehicle title lender is prohibited from
charging you an additional fee when you withdraw or use the loan proceeds.
Other Businesses: A motor vehicle title lender is
prohibited from engaging in any other businesses in its motor vehicle title
loan offices unless permitted by order of the State Corporation Commission. A
motor vehicle title lender is also prohibited by statute from selling you any
type of insurance coverage.
Using Motor Vehicle Title Loan to Purchase Products or
Services or Repay Other Loans: A motor vehicle title lender is prohibited
from making you a motor vehicle title loan so that you can purchase another
product or service sold at the motor vehicle title lender's business location.
A motor vehicle title lender is also prohibited from making you a motor vehicle
title loan so that you can repay another loan you may have from either the
motor vehicle title lender or an affiliate of the motor vehicle title lender.
Right to Cancel: You have the right to cancel your
motor vehicle title loan at any time prior to the close of business on the next
day the motor vehicle title lender is open following the date your loan is made
by either returning the original loan proceeds check or paying the motor
vehicle title lender the amount advanced to you in cash or by certified check,
cashier's check, money order or, if the motor vehicle title lender is equipped
to handle and willing to accept such payments, by using a credit card,
prepaid card, or debit card. If you cancel your motor vehicle title loan,
the motor vehicle title lender must mark your original loan agreement with the
word "canceled" and return it to you along with your certificate of
title.
Cash Payments / Partial Payments / Prepayments: You
have the right to receive a signed, dated receipt for each cash payment made in
person, which will show the balance remaining on your motor vehicle title loan.
Additionally, you have the right to make a partial payment on
your motor vehicle title loan at any time prior to its specified due date
without penalty. However, a motor vehicle title lender may apply a partial
payment first to any amounts that are due and unpaid at the time of such
payment. If your motor vehicle title loan is current, a partial payment will
reduce your outstanding balance as well as the total amount of interest that
you will be required to pay.
You also have the right to prepay your motor vehicle title
loan in full before its specified maturity date without penalty by paying the
motor vehicle title lender the total outstanding balance on your loan,
including any accrued and unpaid interest and other charges that you may owe on
your motor vehicle title loan.
Lender to Return Original Loan Agreement and Certificate
of Title: Within 10 days after the date that you repay your motor vehicle
title loan in full, the motor vehicle title lender must (i) mark your original
loan agreement with the word "paid" or "canceled" and return
it to you; (ii) take any action necessary to reflect the termination of its
lien on your motor vehicle's certificate of title; and (iii) return the
certificate of title to you. If you have any questions or concerns regarding
your certificate of title, you should contact the motor vehicle department in
the state where your motor vehicle is registered.
No Rollovers, Extensions, Etc.: A motor vehicle title
lender cannot refinance, renew, extend, or rollover your motor vehicle title
loan.
Failure to Repay: Pay back your motor vehicle title
loan! Know when your payments are due and be sure to repay your motor vehicle
title loan on time and in full. IF YOU DO NOT REPAY YOUR MOTOR VEHICLE TITLE
LOAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR LOAN AGREEMENT, THE MOTOR VEHICLE TITLE LENDER MAY
REPOSSESS AND SELL YOUR MOTOR VEHICLE (see section below on "Repossession
and Sale of your Motor Vehicle").
In general, a motor vehicle title lender cannot seek a
personal money judgment against you if you fail to pay any amount owed in accordance
with your loan agreement. However, a motor vehicle title lender may seek a
personal money judgment against you if you impair the motor vehicle title
lender's security interest by (i) intentionally damaging or destroying your
motor vehicle; (ii) intentionally hiding your motor vehicle; (iii) giving the
motor vehicle title lender a lien on a motor vehicle that has an undisclosed
prior lien; (iv) selling your motor vehicle without the motor vehicle title
lender's written consent; or (v) securing another loan or obligation with a
security interest in your motor vehicle without the motor vehicle title
lender's written consent.
In collecting or attempting to collect a motor vehicle title
loan, a motor vehicle title lender is required to comply with the restrictions
and prohibitions applicable to debt collectors contained in the Fair Debt
Collection Practices Act, 15 USC § 1692 et seq., regarding harassment or
abuse; false, misleading or deceptive statements or representations; and unfair
practices in collections. A motor vehicle title lender is also prohibited from
threatening or beginning criminal proceedings against you if you fail to pay
any amount owed in accordance with your loan agreement.
Repossession and Sale of your Motor Vehicle: If you do
not repay your motor vehicle title loan in accordance with your loan agreement,
the motor vehicle title lender may repossess and sell your motor vehicle in
order to recover any outstanding amounts that you owe.
If a motor vehicle title lender repossesses your motor
vehicle, the motor vehicle title lender must send you a written notice at least
15 days prior to the sale of your motor vehicle. The notice will contain (i)
the date and time after which your motor vehicle may be sold; and (ii) a
written accounting of the outstanding balance on your motor vehicle title loan,
the amount of interest accrued through the date the motor vehicle title lender
took possession of your motor vehicle, and any reasonable costs incurred to
date by the motor vehicle title lender in connection with repossessing,
preparing for sale, and selling your motor vehicle. At any time prior to the
sale of your motor vehicle, you may obtain your motor vehicle by paying the
motor vehicle title lender the total amount specified in the notice. Payment must
be made in cash or by certified check, cashier's check, money order or, if the
motor vehicle title lender is equipped to handle and willing to accept such
payments, by using a credit card, prepaid card, or debit card.
Within 30 days of a motor vehicle title lender receiving
funds from the sale of your motor vehicle, you are entitled to receive any
surplus from the sale in excess of the sum of the following: (i) the
outstanding balance on your motor vehicle title loan; (ii) the amount of
interest accrued on your motor vehicle title loan through the date the motor
vehicle title lender repossessed your motor vehicle; and (iii) any reasonable
costs incurred by the motor vehicle title lender in repossessing, preparing for
sale, and selling your motor vehicle.
See section above on "Costs of Repossession and
Sale" for additional information regarding the conditions that must be met
in order for a motor vehicle title lender to collect the reasonable costs of
repossessing, preparing for sale, and selling your motor vehicle.
Violation of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act:
Losses suffered as the result of a motor vehicle title lender's violation of
Chapter 22 (§ 6.2-2200 et seq.) of Title 6.2 of the Code of Virginia may
be pursued under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (§ 59.1-196 et seq.
of the Code of Virginia), which in some cases permits consumers to recover
actual and punitive damages.
Complaints and Contacting the Bureau of Financial
Institutions: For assistance with any complaints you may have against a
motor vehicle title lender, please contact the Bureau of Financial Institutions
toll-free at (800) 552-7945 or on the Internet at
http://www.scc.virginia.gov/bfi. Complaints must be filed in writing with the
Bureau of Financial Institutions. Complaints should be mailed to the Bureau of
Financial Institutions, Attn: Complaints, P.O. Box 640, Richmond, Virginia
23218-0640, or faxed to the Bureau of Financial Institutions, Attn: Complaints,
at (804) 371-9416.
10VAC5-210-50. Additional business requirements and
restrictions.
A. Each original license shall be prominently posted in each
place of business of the licensee.
B. A licensee shall post in or on its licensed locations the
days and hours during which it is open for business so that the posting is
legible from outside.
C. A licensee shall endeavor to provide the loan documents,
printed notice, and pamphlet required by 10VAC5-210-30, in a language other
than English when a prospective borrower is unable to read the materials
printed in English.
D. A licensee shall not knowingly make a motor vehicle title
loan to (i) a person who has an outstanding motor vehicle title loan from the
same licensee or another licensee; (ii) a covered member of the armed forces;
or (iii) a dependent of a covered member of the armed forces. To enable a
licensee to make these determinations and the determination in subsection F of
this section, a licensee shall clearly and conspicuously include the following
questions in its written loan application, which the licensee shall require each
applicant to answer before obtaining a motor vehicle title loan. A licensee
shall not make a motor vehicle title loan to an applicant unless the applicant
answers "no" to all of these questions:
1. Do you currently have a motor vehicle title loan from any
motor vehicle title lender?
2. At any time today, did you repay or satisfy in full a motor
vehicle title loan from any motor vehicle title lender?
3. Are you (i) on active duty in the armed forces under a call
or order that does not specify a period of 30 days or less, or (ii) on active
guard and reserve duty?
4. Are you married to an individual who is either (i) on
active duty in the armed forces under a call or order that does not specify a
period of 30 days or less, or (ii) on active guard and reserve duty?
5. Are you the child, as defined in 38 USC § 101(4), of
an individual who is either (i) on active duty in the armed forces under a call
or order that does not specify a period of 30 days or less, or (ii) on active
guard and reserve duty?
6. Was more than one-half of your support during the past 180
days provided by an individual who is either (i) on active duty in the armed
forces under a call or order that does not specify a period of 30 days or less,
or (ii) on active guard and reserve duty?
E. A licensee shall not require a borrower to purchase or
maintain property insurance for a motor vehicle from or through a particular
provider or list of providers.
F. A licensee shall not knowingly make a motor vehicle title
loan to a borrower on the same day that the borrower repaid or satisfied in
full a motor vehicle title loan from the same licensee or another licensee. Any
motor vehicle title loan made in violation of this subsection shall for
purposes of subdivision 17 of § 6.2-2215 of the Code of Virginia be deemed
an evasion of the prohibition on refinancing a motor vehicle title loan
agreement set forth in § 6.2-2216 F of the Code of Virginia.
G. The maturity date of a motor vehicle title loan shall not
be earlier than 120 days from the date a motor vehicle title loan agreement is
executed by a borrower or later than 12 months from the date a motor vehicle
title loan agreement is executed by a borrower.
H. A licensee shall not (i) electronically debit a
borrower's deposit account or otherwise obtain any funds from a borrower by
electronic means, including the use of the Automated Clearing House network,
electronic funds transfers, electronic check conversions, or re-presented check
entries; or (ii) obtain any agreement from a borrower that gives the licensee
or a third party the authority to create or otherwise prepare a check that is
drawn upon the borrower's account at a depository institution. This subsection
shall not be construed to prohibit a licensee from accepting a payment made by
good funds instrument.
I. If a licensee disburses loan proceeds by means of a check,
the licensee shall not (i) charge the borrower a fee for cashing the check or
(ii) permit either a check casher located in the same office as the licensee or
any affiliated check casher to charge the borrower a fee for cashing the check.
J. A borrower shall have the right to cancel a motor vehicle
title loan agreement at any time before the close of business on the next
business day following the date that the loan agreement is executed by the
borrower by returning the original loan proceeds check or paying to the
licensee, in the form of cash or good funds instrument, the principal amount
advanced to the borrower. If a borrower cancels a loan agreement in accordance
with this subsection, the licensee shall upon receipt of the loan proceeds
check, cash, or good funds instrument (i) mark the original loan agreement with
the word "canceled," return it to the borrower, and retain a copy in
its records; and (ii) return the certificate of title to the borrower.
Furthermore, the licensee shall not be entitled to charge, contract for,
collect, receive, recover, or require a borrower to pay any interest, fees, or
other amounts otherwise permitted by § 6.2-2216 of the Code of Virginia.
K. A licensee shall give a borrower a signed, dated receipt
for each cash payment made in person, which shall state the balance due on the
loan.
L. A borrower shall be permitted to prepay a motor vehicle
title loan either in whole or in part without charge. Partial prepayments shall
reduce the outstanding loan balance upon which interest is calculated. A
licensee may apply a payment first to any amounts that are due and unpaid at
the time of such payment.
M. A licensee shall release its security interest and perform
the following acts within 10 days after the date that a borrower's obligations
under a motor vehicle title loan agreement are satisfied in full: (i) mark the
original loan agreement with the word "paid" or "canceled,"
return it to the borrower, and retain a copy in its records; (ii) take any
action necessary to reflect the termination of its lien on the motor vehicle's
certificate of title; and (iii) return the certificate of title to the
borrower.
N. When sending the written notices and accounting specified by
§ 6.2-2217 of the Code of Virginia, a licensee shall obtain proof of
mailing from the United States Postal Service or other common carrier.
O. A licensee may impose a late charge for failure to make
timely payment of any amount due under a motor vehicle title loan agreement
provided that (i) the late charge is specified in the loan agreement and (ii)
the amount of the late charge does not exceed 5.0% of the amount of the
payment. A payment shall be considered to be timely if it is made no later than
seven calendar days after the due date specified in the loan agreement.
P. Nothing in the Act or this chapter shall be construed to
prohibit a licensee from (i) voluntarily accepting a payment on an outstanding
motor vehicle title loan from a borrower after the date that such payment was
due to the licensee or (ii) considering a payment to be timely if it is made
more than seven calendar days after its due date. However, except as otherwise
permitted by the Act and this chapter, the licensee shall not charge, contract
for, collect, receive, recover, or require a borrower to pay any additional
interest, fees, or other amounts.
Q. Pursuant to subdivision 2 of § 6.2-2201 of the Code
of Virginia and subdivision 17 of § 6.2-2215 of the Code of Virginia, a
licensee shall not make a motor vehicle title loan that has been arranged or
brokered by another person. This provision shall not be construed to prohibit a
licensee from originating motor vehicle title loans through its own employees.
R. A licensee shall not obtain or receive a personal
identification number (PIN) for a credit card, prepaid card, debit card, or any
other type of card in connection with a motor vehicle title loan transaction.
S. A licensee shall comply with all federal laws and
regulations applicable to the conduct of its business, including the Truth in
Lending Act (15 USC § 1601 et seq.), Regulation Z (12 CFR Part 1026), the Equal
Credit Opportunity Act (15 USC §1691 et seq.), Regulation B (12 CFR Part 1002),
and the Standards for Safeguarding Customer Information (16 CFR Part 314).
T. A licensee shall not provide any information to a
borrower or prospective borrower that is false, misleading, or deceptive.
U. A licensee shall not engage in any business or activity
that directly or indirectly results in an evasion of the provisions of this
chapter.
VA.R. Doc. No. R17-5062; Filed March 27, 2017, 2:00 p.m.