A. Each licensee shall maintain at all times the minimum assets prescribed by this chapter for each license, either (i) in liquid form available for the operation of the business at the location specified in each license or (ii) actually used, whether pledged or not, in the conduct of the business at the location specified in each license.

B. A licensee or other person subject to this chapter shall not advertise, display, distribute or broadcast, or cause or permit to be advertised, displayed, distributed or broadcast, in any manner whatsoever, any false, misleading, or deceptive statement or representation with regard to the rates, terms, or conditions for loans made under this chapter. The Commission may require that charges or rates of charge, if stated by a licensee, be stated fully and clearly in such manner as it deems necessary to prevent misunderstanding by prospective borrowers. The Commission may permit or require licensees to refer in their advertising to the fact that their business is under state supervision, subject to conditions imposed by it to prevent false, misleading, or deceptive impression as to the scope or degree of protection provided by this chapter.

C. A licensee shall not take a lien upon real estate as security for any loan made under the provisions of this chapter, except a lien arising upon rendition of a judgment. Any lien taken in violation of this subsection shall be void.

D. A licensee shall, at the time any loan is made, deliver to the borrower, or if there are two or more borrowers to one of them, a statement disclosing (i) the names and addresses of the licensee and of the principal debtor on the loan contract, and (ii) a statement in compliance with Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Regulation Z (12 C.F.R. Part 1026).

E. A licensee shall give the borrower a receipt for all cash payments. The Commission may specify the form and content of such receipts in keeping with the intent and purpose of this chapter.

F. A licensee shall permit payment to be made in advance in whole, or in part equal to one or more full installments. The licensee may apply the payment first to any amounts that are due and unpaid at the time of such payment.

G. A licensee shall, upon repayment of the loan in full, (i) mark plainly every obligation and security other than a security agreement executed by the borrower with the word “Paid” or “Canceled,” (ii) mark satisfied any judgment, (iii) restore any pledge, (iv) cancel and return any note and any assignment given by the borrower to the licensee, and (v) release any security agreement or other form of security instrument that no longer secures an outstanding loan between the borrower and the licensee.

H. In the event of collection by foreclosure sale or otherwise, a licensee shall pay and return to the borrower, or to another person entitled thereto, any surplus arising after the payment of the expenses of collection, sale or foreclosure and satisfaction of the debt.

I. A licensee shall not take any confession of judgment or any power of attorney running to himself or to any third person to confess judgment or to appear for the borrower in a judicial proceeding. Any such confession of judgment or power of attorney to confess judgment shall be void.

J. A licensee shall not take any note, promise to pay, or instrument of security in which blanks are left to be filled in after execution, or that does not give the amount of the loan, a clear description of the installment payments required, and the rate of interest charged. A licensee may also include the disclosures required by Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Regulation Z (12 C.F.R. Part 1026) in the note, promise to pay, or instrument of security.

K. Every loan contract shall be in writing, be signed by the borrower, and provide for repayment of the amount loaned in substantially equal monthly installments of principal and interest. Nothing contained in this chapter shall prevent (i) a loan being considered a new loan because the proceeds of the loan are used to pay an existing loan contract or (ii) a licensee from entering into a loan contract providing for an odd first payment period of up to 45 days and an odd first payment greater than other monthly payments because of such odd first payment period.

History

Code 1950, §§ 6-309, 6-310, 6-311, 6-312, 6-313, 6-315; 1956, c. 71; 1966, c. 584, §§ 6.1-279, 6.1-280, 6.1-281, 6.1-282, 6.1-283, 6.1-284.1, 6.1-285; 1968, c. 489; 1974, c. 371; 1983, c. 500; 1987, c. 683, § 6.1-284.1; 1995, c. 2; 1997, c. 113; 2001, c. 308; 2010, c. 794; 2016, c. 501.