OCCC Examinations in Full Swing

by admin on May 11, 2012

Good afternoon Credit Access Business World!  For those of you who are out and about on the internet today doing a little research on OCCC CAB Compliance, OCCC Audits, Credit Access Business licensing, etc, you most likely will happen upon this blog post.  I have been working with Credit Access Businesses on their compliance, the OCCC quarterly reports, and examination preparation.  Over the last few weeks there has been a definite up-tick in word on the street about the “Audit.”  The OCCC is calling them “Examinations” and they began in mid-April.

I have been getting a look at the reports of clients across Texas who have gone through the process.  If you have feedback to provide it would definitely be welcomed and passed on to other CAB’s so they can be prepared.

In December 2011, I met with the OCCC and was given some hi-lights of what an examination would be focused on.  From what I am hearing, the OCCC is going further in the examinations than what I assumed after that meeting.   My recommendation is that you focus on Chapter 393 of the Texas Finance Code, HB 2592, and HB 2594.   Make sure your loan contracts include all recommended and required disclosures, and be ready to have files reviewed.  Some CAB’s are being asked to refund some or all fees collected in 2012, so the price is high for non-compliance and sloppy documentation.

If you have doubts, there are many options out there, contact CAB Consulting and Brokerage, get with attorneys who are experienced, or reach out to friendly competitors.  The small to mid-size operators might be in harm’s way as they are not traditionally the ones with consultants, on staff attorneys, etc.  So if you are one who fits that profile – now is the time to invest in your business, take the time to do your research, or hire someone to review it.

If you are licensed you will be examined, and it is typical for the OCCC to simply show up at your store with no prior notice.   Call Michael Brown at CAB Consulting and Brokerage, we can discuss options and get going on a plan.  Michael can be reached at 214-293-8676, or via email at cabconbrokerage@gmail.com.

 

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Wanted to get some dialogue going on the Dallas Payday Loan Ordinance, I have one client with stores in Dallas proper who I am looking at it with.  Talked with some other folks who have a position within city limits and also talked to City of Dallas, have a call into some council members as well.

Here’s what I know:

Last year the City of Dallas passed an ordinance that attempts to regulate Payday Loan businesses.  This was passed within a week of the Texas laws related to Credit Access Businesses, and at that time a trade group named CSAT which is comprised of several of the larger players in the market filed an injunction.  I have not been updated on the injunction since last July.   Dallas is moving forward and has licensed 20 businesses, another 18 are pending.

Some basics of the ordinance that supposedly went into effect on January 1:
-Get a permit, pay $50
-Cannot loan more than 20% of gross monthly income on Payday Loans
-Auto Title Loans cannot exceed 3% of gross annual income
-Installment programs no more than four payments, must paydown 25% of principle with each payment
-Refinances are limited to 3
-Loans made less than 7 days after a payoff are considered a refinance
-Max of $500 for violations

My opinion  along with many others is that the Dallas City Council / City of Dallas is exceeding their jurisdiction when citing restrictions on the ways in which a business can offer its products or services.  The OCCC has done an excellent job with implementing the new CAB program and they are well equipped to do so.   Dallas, ahem, not so much.

 

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Can CSO-CAB’s Offer Multi-Payment Auto Title Loans for more than 180 days?

April 12, 2012

A client of mine and I are seeking opinions on the 180 day limit on CAB multi-payment auto title loans Per Texas Finance Code Chapter 393.201 (Form and Terms of Contract) and Chapter 393.001 (3). Chapter 393.201 states that a credit service contract is between a CSO-CAB and a consumer, and that the services to [...]

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Website Design to Ensure Compliance with the O.C.C.C.

April 3, 2012

C.A.B. Consulting and Brokerage works with Texas Credit Access Businesses on their licensing, compliance, operations, and third party lender needs. Recently they partnered with Orangebook Website Design to offer Texas CAB’s dynamic websites at a discounted price. Per its Rules for Credit Access Businesses, the O.C.C.C. asks that certain documentation (Consumer Disclosures, Licenses, Fee Schedules, [...]

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Auto Title Loan Business Acquisition Opportunities on the Rise

March 15, 2012

Auto title and payday loan business acquisitions are on the up, and demand is mounting as interest to expand business through existing locations continues to grow. C.A.B Consulting and Brokerage is seeing this first hand and is further extending its brokerage efforts  to fulfill demand with the sale of three Texas auto title loan locations: [...]

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Getting Dynamic in the Payday and Auto Title Loan Industry

February 20, 2012

I know of many Credit Access Businesses in the payday loan and auto title loan industry who are getting “dynamic” with the way they are thinking. It seems like wherever I go it is the buzzword. New ideas are in play, and it is a pivotal time in our industry life cycle. Legislative and regulatory [...]

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OCCC looking for engagement with Texas Payday Loan and Title Loan CAB’s

February 13, 2012

Attended last week’s OCCC meeting in Austin and saw stakeholders from a multitude of industries speak up with opinions, questions, etc.  The OCCC had arranged the meeting with the goals of getting feedback from stakeholders in several regulatory areas on where they see their industries now, where they are headed in the future, and how [...]

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What is the CFPB? Have you heard about it?

January 24, 2012

CFPB Basics If you have not already, many of you may begin to hear about the “CFPB.”  The “CPFB” stands for Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.  This is a federal agency that was created in the aftermath of the US Economic Meltdown in 2008-2009.  The government felt that it was necessary to create this new bureau [...]

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Notices and Disclosures for use in Credit Access Business Operations

December 20, 2011

In addition to the provisional license, last Friday the OCCC worked to get rules for the Notices and Disclosures approved.  The rules, referred to as “7 TAC 83.6001-7 TAC 83.6008,” define the many ways in which a Credit Access Business is required to disclose particular information to consumers regarding the potential loan they are about [...]

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Act now to get your Credit Access Business License!

December 20, 2011

Spent last week traveling all over Texas visiting with new and existing clients, also went to the OCCC offices for two meetings.  Still trying to get caught up as of today, it is important for blog readers and site visitors to know a variety of things as January 1, 2012 is just 11 days from [...]

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