Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
A. All small loan companies licensed by the
state of 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 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. 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. The calculation of APR is mandated pursuant to Federal Law (
12 CFR Part 1026 - Truth in Lending Act ("TIL-APR")). 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, an additional type of annual percentage rate
("NM-APR") must be disclosed, which may include additional charges that are not
included in the TIL-APR. The NM-APR for a loan in an amount of more than $500
and up to $10,000 made pursuant to the Small Loan Act of 1955 or the Bank
Installment Loan Act of 1959 cannot exceed thirty-six percent. The NM-APR for a
loan in an amount of $500 or less made pursuant to the Small Loan Act of 1955
or the Bank Installment Loan Act of 1959 cannot exceed thirty-six percent plus
a fee that shall not exceed five percent of the total principal of the loan and
shall not be imposed on any borrower more than once per 12-month
period.
(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 12-point font:
"New Mexico Only: This 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 87504. To report any
unresolved problems or complaints, contact the division by telephone at (505)
476-4885 or visit the website:
www.rld.nm.gov/financial-institutions/."
