The Office of General Counsel issued the following opinion on June 17, 2004, representing the position of the New York State Insurance Department.

Re: The making of debt cancellation contracts and debt suspension agreements by financial institutions

Question Presented

Is the making in New York of debt cancellation contracts or debt suspension agreements by a New York State or non-New York depository institution or a Federal or New York state chartered credit union, in connection with extensions of credit to customers of such entity, subject to regulation under the New York Insurance Law?

Conclusion

The making of debt cancellation contracts or debt suspension agreements by a New York State or a non-New York depository institution or a Federal or New York State chartered credit union, in connection with extensions of credit to customers of such entity, constitutes the doing of an insurance business in New York. However, the Department has determined that it will not regulate debt cancellation contracts or debt suspension agreements sold by such entities in accordance with this opinion.

Facts

The Department has received several inquiries of a general nature regarding the making of debt cancellation contracts and debt suspension agreements in New York by different types of financial institutions.

Analysis

Definition of DCC and DSA

A debt cancellation contract ("DCC") or a debt suspension agreement ("DSA") is an agreement between a lender and a borrower, usually for a fee, which is typically separate from and in addition to interest or other charges, under which the lender agrees to either cancel or suspend for a specified period of time the borrower's obligation incurred under the debt instrument upon the happening of a specified event.1  A specified event may include death, disability, or involuntary employment of the borrower or other event that may reasonably be expected to affect the ability of the borrower to repay the loan.

The question of DCCs and DSAs made by a financial institution is actually two-fold: 1. Does the financial institution have the authority to make DCCs and DSAs under its enabling legislation; and 2. Assuming that the financial institution has such authority, is it nonetheless subject to Insurance Law licensing and compliance requirements. The first question is most appropriate for the financial institution's chartering authority or primary regulator to answer. The second question is within the province of the insurance regulator. In this response, the Department does not endeavor to answer the first question but relies upon the determinations of the regulators of such financial institutions as to their authority to enter into these agreements.

Doing of an insurance business

As stated in an Office of General Counsel opinion dated April 2, 2002, it is the Department's position that a DCC or a DSA constitutes an insurance contract under N.Y. Ins. Law § 1101(a)(1) (McKinney 2000), which provides:

"Insurance contract" means any agreement or other transaction whereby one party, the "insurer" is obligated to confer benefit of pecuniary value upon another party, the "insured" or "beneficiary", dependent upon the happening of a fortuitous event in which the insured or beneficiary has, or is expected to have at the time of such happening, a material interest which will be adversely affected by the happening of such event.

In 1964, the Attorney General of New York opined that a DCC is an insurance contract. In considering the question of a national bank entering into a DCC with a borrower providing for the cancellation of the debt in the event of the borrower's death, the Attorney General wrote: "In my opinion a debt cancellation contract of the kind in question is an insurance contract and the bank's status thereunder is that of an insurer." The Attorney General concluded that a national bank entering into a DCC in New York must comply with the licensing and other relevant provisions of the Insurance Law. 1964 Op. Atty. Gen. 30. This opinion applies equally to a DSA, which differs materially from a DCC only in that the obligation is merely suspended not cancelled. This Department's opinions have been consistent with the Attorney General's ruling. A more extensive discussion of the Department’s position may be found in earlier opinions of this Office. Under the Insurance Law, the maker of the DCC or DSA would have to become licensed as an insurer pursuant to N.Y. Ins. Law § 1102 (McKinney 2000), unless it was otherwise exempted from licensing requirements.

Gramm Leach-Bliley and national banks

Enactment of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (Pub. No. 106-102, 113 Stat. 1338, 1999) ("GLBA") affirmed a national bank's ability to underwrite, as a principal, DCCs and DSAs. GLBA § 302 (15 U.S.C. § 6712 (2000)) delineates the limits on a national bank's ability to underwrite insurance. GLBA § 302(c)(1) (15 U.S.C. § 6712(c)(1) (2000)) defines insurance for the purposes of GLBA § 302 in part as "any product regulated as insurance as of January 1, 1999, in accordance with the relevant State insurance law, in the State in which the product is provided." Pursuant to GLBA § 302(a) (15 U.S.C. § 6712(a)(2000)), a national bank and its subsidiaries may not provide insurance in a State as a principal, unless it is an authorized product.

GLBA § 302(b) (15 U.S.C. § 6712(b) (2000)) defines a product as authorized if, as of January 1, 1999, the OCC had determined in writing that national banks may provide such a product as principal, or national banks were in fact lawfully providing such product as principal, and no court of relevant jurisdiction had, by final judgment, overturned a determination of the OCC that national banks may provide such a product as a principal and the product is not title insurance, or an annuity contract the income of which is subject to tax treatment under § 72 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

In 1963, the OCC, by interpretive letter, concluded that offering DCCs was properly incidental to the express authority of a national bank to make loans, and was therefore a permissible activity pursuant to 12 U. S. C. § 24 (Seventh) (2000). The substance of the 1963 interpretation was promulgated by the OCC as a regulation in 1971. In 1998, in response to an inquiry by a national bank concerning DSAs, the OCC affirmed its view that national banks may underwrite DSAs as part of the bank’s expressly authorized lending function. OCC Interpretive Letter # 827, April 3, 1998.

In 2002, the OCC adopted its current regulation 12 CFR Part 37. 12 CFR 37.1 provides:

(a) A national bank is authorized to enter into debt cancellation contracts and debt suspension agreements and charge a fee therefor, in connection with extensions of credit that it makes, pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 24.

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(c) Scope. This part applies to debt cancellation contracts and debt suspension agreements entered into by national banks in connection with extensions of credit they make. National banks" debt cancellation contracts and debt suspension agreements are governed by this part and applicable Federal law and regulations, and not by part 14 of this chapter or by State law.

Accordingly, national banks are permitted to underwrite both DCCs and DSAs because they are authorized products under Section 302 of the GLBA.

GLBA § 104(a) recognizes the role of the states as functional regulators of insurance. 15 U.S.C. § 6701(a) (2000). This role is also reaffirmed in the GLBA’s explicit recognition of the continuing role of the states as the primary regulator of insurers in the financial holding company. 12 U.S.C. § 1844(c)(4)(B) (2000). New York Insurance Law sets forth a comprehensive statutory and regulatory scheme governing the underwriting and sale of insurance in New York State. As insurance products under New York law, DCCs and DSAs are subject to this regulatory scheme.

GLBA §§ 104(d)(1) and (e)(3) (15 U.S.C. § 6701(d)(1) and (e)(3) (2000), however, set forth general limits that would affect the state regulation of insurance underwriting by a depository institution. A depository institution is defined in GLBA §§ 104(g)(3) (15 U.S.C. § 6701(g)(3)) to have the same meaning as that given in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and also includes a foreign bank that maintains a branch, agency or commercial lending company in the United States. Section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act definition is codified as 12 U.S.C. 1813(c)(1) to mean "any bank or savings association", which terms are further defined in subsections (a) and (b) respectively.2  Depository institution includes a national bank.

GLBA § 104(d)(1) provides in part:

"…no State may, by statute, regulation, order, interpretation, or other action, prevent or restrict a depository institution or an affiliate thereof from engaging directly or indirectly … in any activity authorized or permitted under this Act and the amendments made by this Act."

GLBA § 104(e)(3) provides in part:

"Except as provided in any restrictions described in subsection (d)(2)(B), no State may, by statute, regulation, order, interpretation, or other action regulate the insurance activities authorized or permitted under this act or any other provision of Federal law of a depository institution or an affiliate thereof, to the extent that such statute, regulation, order, interpretation, or other action –

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(3) effectively prevents a depository institution, or an affiliate thereof, from engaging in insurance activities authorized or permitted by this Act or another provision of Federal law;…"

As the Insurance Department stated in an April 2, 2002 opinion, the application of existing laws and regulations relating to the underwriting of insurance to a national bank underwriting DCCs or DSAs issued by the national bank would prevent or restrict a national bank from carrying out such activity. However, the Department further states that the application of existing laws and regulations, relating to the sale of insurance, to a national bank engaged in the sale of DCCs or DSAs issued by the national bank may or may not violate the proscription "prevent or significantly interfere" set forth in GLBA § 104(d)(2)(A). Accordingly, the Department stated that such a determination would need to be made on a case-by-case basis.

As noted, subsequent to issuance of the April 2, 2002 opinion, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued a final regulation, 12 C.F.R. Part 37; 67 Fed. Reg. 58976 et seq. (Sept. 19, 2002), governing the issuance of debt cancellation contracts and debt suspension agreements by national banks. Subpart 37.1(c) states that "National banks’ debt cancellation contracts and debt suspension agreements are governed by this part and applicable Federal law and regulations, and not by part 14 of this chapter or by State law."

In light of the OCC regulation, the Insurance Department determined in an April 4, 2003 opinion that it will not regulate the sale of debt cancellation contracts or debt suspension agreements sold by a national bank in connection with an extension of credit to a customer of the bank.

Federal credit unions

A Federal credit union (FCU) issues share drafts; it does not take deposits and is not a depository institution within the meaning of GLBA. Thus, the above analysis regarding GLBA does not apply to a FCU.

FCUs are regulated by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). On Sept. 12, 1997, the NCUA issued Legal Opinion Letter No. 97-0632. In the letter, the NCUA relied on First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas v. Taylor, 907 F.2d 775, 780 (8th Cir. 1990), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 972 (1990), for the proposition that, since national banks are permitted to offer debt cancellation contracts under their incidental powers, debt cancellation contracts should not be considered to be the "business of insurance." The NCUA concluded that a debt cancellation contract or gap waiver is not insurance and that a FCU may issue such agreements so long as the FCU does not act as a "self-insurer", by retaining the risk. If the FCU instead purchased insurance (for example, gap insurance) to cover the entire risk of loss, the NCUA opined, the FCU may enter into a debt cancellation contract or gap waiver under its own incidental powers.

Subsequently, the NCUA promulgated regulations, effective September 5, 2001. (Credit Union Incidental Powers, 66 Fed. Reg. 40,845 (Aug. 6, 2001), codified at 12 CFR Part 721). Section 721.3 lists the categories of activities that are preapproved as incidental powers necessary or requisite to enable the FCU to carry on its business. As specified in § 721.3(g), one of those categories includes:

(g) loan related products. Loan-related products are the products, activities or services you [the FCU] provide to your members in a lending transaction that protect you against credit-related risks or are otherwise incidental to your lending authority. These products or activities may include debt cancellation agreements, debt suspension agreements, letters of credit and leases.

The FCUA has primary regulatory authority over FCUs, including supervising financial solvency. When adopting 12 CFR Part 721, the FCUA stated in its comments regarding loan-related products, "…that FCUs must ensure that members receive all of the necessary consumer protections provided in applicable laws and regulations, such as the Truth in Lending Act, 15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq., and Regulation Z, 12 C.F.R. Part 226, so that members make informed choices about whether to purchase these ancillary products or services." 66 Fed Reg. 40852-40853 (August 6, 2001).

Accordingly, in consideration of the FCUA’s authorization of FCU’s making DCCs and DSAs, and existing regulatory and consumer protections, the New York State Insurance Department will not regulate DCCs or DSAs made by an FCU in connection with an extension of credit to a customer of the FCU.

New York State banks and savings institutions

On April 2, 2004, the New York Banking Department issued a guidance letter clarifying the Banking Department’s position on DCCs and DSAs with respect to New York charted "Banking Organizations". These include New York chartered banks and trusts companies, savings banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions.

The Banking Department concluded that DCCs and DSAs:

…represent products that are incidental to the standard loan transaction agreements that Banking Organizations have traditionally offered. As such, DCCs and DSAs are financial instruments that may be offered together with established banking products. In the Department’s view, the underwriting and marketing of such products by Banking Organizations in connection with the extension of credit are, therefore, clearly incidental to the business of banking. Accordingly, Banking Organizations may underwrite and sell DCCs and DSAs in connection with the extension of credit subject to the Banking Law and any restrictions imposed under the Banking Law.

The Banking Department also concluded that the authority of foreign banking corporations licensed by the Banking Department was co-extensive with those of banks and trust companies. Therefore, the Banking Department concluded that branches and agencies of foreign banking corporations licensed by the Banking Department could also "engage in underwriting and selling DCCs and DSAs under the Banking Law in connection with the extension of credit."

The Banking Department stated that Banking Organizations and branches and agencies of foreign banking corporations licensed by the Banking Department must offer DCCs and DSAs with adequate and appropriate consumer protections. The guidance letter states:

Consequently, the Department is of the view that the guidelines attached to this letter provide the standards needed to ensure that consumers understand the nature of, and costs and risks associated with, the purchase of these products. These guidelines, which are mirrored after regulations adopted earlier by the Comptroller of the Currency, address prohibited practices, refunds, fee payment methods and required disclosures. Banking Organizations and licensed branches and agencies engaged in the underwriting and sale to their customers of DCCs and DSAs must follow these guidelines.

In the April 2, 2004 guidance letter, the Banking Department did not expressly address the question of whether Banking Organizations and branches and agencies of foreign banking corporations licensed by the Banking Department were exempt from Insurance Law requirements. However, it noted that "…any such entities offering these products [DCCs and DSAs] should also ensure that they comply with the applicable provisions, if any, of the New York State Insurance Law and any other law or regulation."

The definition of "depository institution", as used in GLBA, encompasses all of the banking entities addressed by the Banking Department in its guidance letter except for state credit unions, which will be addressed separately below. For the purposes of the remainder of this discussion, Banking Organizations (other than credit unions) and branches and agencies of foreign banking corporations licensed by the Banking Department will be referred to as "state depository institutions".

Since the Banking Department has concluded that state depository institutions have the power to make DCCs and DSAs, the Department's conclusion in our April 2, 2002 opinion, that the application of existing laws and regulations relating to the underwriting of insurance to a national bank underwriting DCCs or DSAs issued by a national bank would prevent or restrict a national bank from carrying out such activity, is equally applicable to state depository institutions.

In light of the Banking Department's guidance letter, and in consideration of the existing regulatory and consumer protections, the New York Insurance Department will not regulate the sale of DCCs or DSAs sold by a state depository institution in connection with an extension of credit to a customer of the institution.

State credit unions

Prior to issuing its April 2, 2004 guidance letter, the Banking Department had determined that state credit unions may engage in various incidental activities permissible for Federally chartered credit unions, provided that the exercise of such powers, among other restrictions, were also subject to any restriction imposed under Section 721 of the NCUA’s regulations. (See May 13, 2002 letter from Sara A. Kelsey, Deputy Superintendent and Counsel). In its guidance letter, the Banking Department stated that those prior restrictions would apply to state credit unions in addition to the restrictions provided in the guidance letter that were applicable to Banking Organizations.

As is the case for Federally charted credit unions, GLBA does not apply to state chartered credit unions. Recognizing the New York Banking Department’s authorization of the making of DCCs and DSAs by state credit unions, and in consideration of the existing regulatory and consumer protections, the New York Insurance Department will not regulate DCCs or DSAs made by a state credit union in connection with an extension of credit to a customer of the state credit union.

Non-New York state depository institutions

The New York Banking Department's April 2, 2004 guidance letter addressed only banking entities that are chartered or licensed under New York law. However, branches of non-New York depository institutions may operate in New York as well.

Whether such an entity has the power to issue DCCs or DSAs is for that entity's primary regulator to determine. Assuming that the primary regulator has determined that the entity has such power, and that there are adequate regulatory and consumer protections similar to those discussed above, the New York Insurance Department will not regulate DCCs or DSAs made by a non-New York state depository institution in connection with an extension of credit to a customer of that depository institution.

Gap waivers

A gap waiver is a type of a DCA. Relevant provisions are located in N.Y. Ins. Law § 1101(b)(3).

For further information one may contact Deputy Superintendent and General Counsel Audrey M. Samers at the New York City Office.


1  12 CFR 37.2, the regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency, which are applicable to national banks, defines a DCC and a DSC as:

(f) Debt cancellation contract means a loan term or contractual arrangement modifying loan terms under which a bank agrees to cancel all or part of a customer's obligation to repay an extension repay an extension of credit from that bank upon the occurrence of a specified event. The agreement may be separate from or a part of other loan documents.

(g) Debt suspension agreement means a loan term or contractual arrangement modifying loan terms under which a bank agrees to suspend all or part of a customer's obligation to repay an extension of credit from that bank upon the occurrence of a specified event. The agreement may be separate from or a part of other loan documents. The term debt suspension agreement does not include loan payment deferral arrangements in which the triggering event is the borrower's unilateral election to defer repayment, or the bank's unilateral decision to allow a deferral of repayment.

2  12 U.S.C. 1813 provides, in pertinent part:

a) Definitions of bank and related terms.
(1) Bank. The term "bank"—
(A) means any national bank, State bank, and District bank, and any Federal branch and insured branch;…
(2) State bank. The term "State bank" means any bank, banking association, trust company, savings bank, industrial bank (or similar depository institution which the Board of Directors finds to be operating substantially in the same manner as an industrial bank), or other banking institution which—
(A) is engaged in the business of receiving deposits, other than trust funds (as defined in this section); and
(B) is incorporated under the laws of any State or which is operating under the Code of Law for the District of Columbia (except a national bank…
(b) Definition of savings associations and related terms.
(1) Savings association. The term "savings association" means—
(A) any Federal savings association;
(B) any State savings association; and
(C) any corporation (other than a bank) that the Board of Directors and the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision jointly determine to be operating in substantially the same manner as a savings association….
(c) Definitions relating to depository institutions.
(1) Depository institution. The term "depository institution" means any bank or savings association…
(4) Federal depository institution. The term "Federal depository institution" means any national bank, any Federal savings association, and any Federal branch.
(5) State depository institution. The term "State depository institution" means any State bank, any State savings association, and any insured branch which is not a Federal branch.