New Mexico Register / Volume XXIX, Issue 16 / August 28, 2018

This is an amendment to 12.18.3 NMAC, Section 8, effective 09/15/2018.

12.18.3.8 MANDATORY BROCHURE FOR SMALL LOAN BUSINESS:

A. All small loan companies licensed by New Mexico must have an informational brochure readily available to all small loan consumers.

B. The brochure rack containing the brochure must be placed by the main door entrance. The brochure rack must always be stocked with the brochure.

C. Using lettering no smaller than 24-point font, the front of the brochure shall have in bold capital letters, the words, “IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION” followed by the words in bold 14-point font, “This brochure contains some common terms and definitions, which are intended to help you better understand your credit transaction. Credit costs money, so it is important that you fully understand the terms of your credit transaction. If you come across terms you do not understand, look up the terms, or ask our personnel to explain the terms to you. Ask questions. Make certain the questions that you ask are answered. Make certain you understand the terms and costs of your loan.”

D. Using lettering no smaller than [10-point] 12-point font, the brochure shall state:

(1) Common Terms and Definitions.

(2) Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). A federal regulation which requires lenders to promote the availability of credit to all creditworthy applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, or age (provided the applicant has the capacity to contract); to whether all or part of the applicant’s income derives from a public assistance program; or to whether the applicant has in good faith exercised any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. The regulation prohibits creditor practices that discriminate on the basis of any of these factors.

(3) Contract. A written binding document, describing terms of an agreement between two or more persons. (Keep all paperwork. Later, if there are any questions, you will have your agreement in writing.)

(4) Annual Percentage Rate (APR). The cost of your credit as a yearly rate. [This measures the cost of credit expressed as a yearly interest rate.] APR is a combination of the interest rate plus the fees charged on your loan. APR is higher than the interest rate because it includes both fees and interest as finance charges. It is intended to provide a single value for a consumer to compare the cost of credit between one lender and another. Under New Mexico law, the APR for a loan in an amount of $5,000 or less made pursuant to the Small Loan Act of 1955 or the Bank Installment Loan Act of 1959 cannot exceed one hundred seventy-five percent, effective January 1, 2018.

(5) Finance Charge. The dollar amount the credit will cost you. Finance charges include interest, and may also include transaction fees and service fees.

(6) Principal. The amount of money owed on a debt, on which interest is calculated.

(7) Interest. The cost of borrowing money, generally a percentage of the amount owed.

(8) Balance. The total amount of money owed to a lender.

(9) Default. Failure to pay a debt as agreed to on a contract. When a loan is in default, the lender may demand full payment of the remaining debt.

(10) Collateral. Security pledged by a borrower to protect the interests of the lender; in case of default, the lender may take ownership of the security, if any, pledged by the borrower.

(11) Credit Bureau. A private company that keeps a record of your credit history for distribution upon request by authorized parties. When you apply for credit, a lender may request a credit report to review when considering your application.

(12) Credit History. A record containing information about you, including your payment history on previous debts.

(13) Credit Report. A report of the credit history and other information about you that is kept by credit bureaus, which may include: your name, address, social security number, payment history (good and bad), current and previous debts, employers, income, etc. Accurate information on a credit report may not be legally removed. Incorrect information may be removed by disputing the information to the credit bureau involved.

E. The brochure shall have the following words, using lettering no smaller than [10-point] 12-point font: “This [business] lender is licensed and regulated by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Financial Institutions Division, P.O. Box 25101, 2550 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico [87505] 87504. To report any unresolved problems or complaints, contact the division by telephone at (505) 476-4885 or visit the website: www.rld.state.nm.us/financialinstitutions/.”

[12.18.3.8 NMAC - N, 10/1/2001; A, 08/13/2004; A, 09/15/2018]