Table of Contents
Sec. 36a-645. (Formerly Sec. 36-243a). Definitions.
Sec. 36a-646. (Formerly Sec. 36-243b). Prohibited acts.
Sec. 36a-647. (Formerly Sec. 36-243c). Enforcement powers of commissioner. Regulations.
Secs. 36a-648 to 36a-654.
Sec. 36a-655. (Formerly Sec. 36-364). Definitions.
Sec. 36a-656. (Formerly Sec. 36-365). Debt adjustment limited to nonprofit organizations.
License application and requirements.
Sec. 36a-657. (Formerly Sec. 36-369). Denial, revocation or suspension of license.
Sec. 36a-658. (Formerly Sec. 36-370). Posting of license. Nontransferable. Business of
licensee.
Sec. 36a-659. (Formerly Sec. 36-372). Separate bank account for benefit of debtors. Books
and records.
Sec. 36a-660. (Formerly Sec. 36-375). Licensee's duties.
Sec. 36a-661. (Formerly Sec. 36-376). Prohibited acts.
Sec. 36a-662. (Formerly Sec. 36-377). Regulations.
Sec. 36a-663. (Formerly Sec. 36-378). Exceptions.
Sec. 36a-664. (Formerly Sec. 36-380). Reference to bond or state approval prohibited.
Sec. 36a-665. (Formerly Sec. 36-381). Penalties.
Secs. 36a-666 to 36a-674.
Sec. 36a-675. (Formerly Sec. 36-416). Short title: Truth-in-Lending Act.
Sec. 36a-676. (Formerly Sec. 36-393). Definitions.
Sec. 36a-677. (Formerly Sec. 36-393a). State policy.
Sec. 36a-678. (Formerly Sec. 36-393b). Compliance with Consumer Credit Protection Act.
Exempt transactions.
Sec. 36a-679. (Formerly Sec. 36-395). Regulations.
Sec. 36a-680. (Formerly Sec. 36-398). Effect of inconsistent law.
Sec. 36a-681. (Formerly Sec. 36-399). Penalty.
Sec. 36a-682. (Formerly Sec. 36-400). Compliance of governmental instruments. Exemptions
from penalties.
Sec. 36a-683. (Formerly Sec. 36-407). Failure to disclose.
Sec. 36a-684. (Formerly Sec. 36-414). Enforcement. Disclosure errors and adjustments.
Sec. 36a-685. (Formerly Sec. 36-415). Unenforceable agreements.
Secs. 36a-686 to 36a-689.
Sec. 36a-690. (Formerly Sec. 36-417z). Calculation of interest or finance charge rebates.
Prohibited methods. Transactions affected.
Secs. 36a-691 to 36a-694.
Sec. 36a-695. (Formerly Sec. 36-431). Definitions.
Sec. 36a-696. (Formerly Sec. 36-432). Disclosure to consumer of information re credit
report.
Sec. 36a-697. (Formerly Sec. 36-433). Exceptions.
Sec. 36a-698. (Formerly Sec. 36-434). Regulations.
Sec. 36a-699. (Formerly Sec. 36-435). Penalty.
Sec. 36a-699a. Written summary of consumer's rights.
Sec. 36a-699b. Dispute by consumer re completeness or accuracy of information.
Sec. 36a-699c. Procedures by credit rating agency to assure accuracy.
Sec. 36a-699d. Credit report for use in credit transaction not initiated by consumer.
Sec. 36a-699e. Existing consent judgment or settlement with Attorney General.
Sec. 36a-700. (Formerly Sec. 36-435l). Credit clinics. Definitions. Contracts. Prohibited
acts. Penalties.
Secs. 36a-701 to 36a-704.
Sec. 36a-705. (Formerly Sec. 36-442). Definitions.
Sec. 36a-706. (Formerly Sec. 36-442a). Mortgage rate lock-in agreements.
Sec. 36a-707. (Formerly Sec. 36-442b). Applicant's remedies.
Secs. 36a-708 to 36a-714.
Sec. 36a-715. (Formerly Sec. 36-442m). Definitions.
Sec. 36a-716. (Formerly Sec. 36-442n). Escrow accounts.
Sec. 36a-717. (Formerly Sec. 36-442o). Penalties.
Sec. 36a-718. (Formerly Sec. 36-442p). Orders. Notice. Hearings.
Secs. 36a-719 to 36a-724.
Sec. 36a-725. (Formerly Sec. 36-442aa). Definitions.
Sec. 36a-726. (Formerly Sec. 36-442bb). Disclosure required.
Secs. 36a-727 to 36a-734.
Sec. 36a-735. (Formerly Sec. 36-443). Short title: Home Mortgage Disclosure Act.
Sec. 36a-736. (Formerly Sec. 36-444). Definitions.
Sec. 36a-737. (Formerly Sec. 36-445). Discrimination in making of home purchase, home improvement and mortgage loans.
Sec. 36a-738. (Formerly Sec. 36-446). Disclosure requirements for financial institutions.
Sec. 36a-739. (Formerly Sec. 36-448). Reports by financial institutions. Filing requirements.
Sec. 36a-740. (Formerly Sec. 36-449). Violations by financial institutions. Rights of
loan applicant.
Sec. 36a-741. (Formerly Sec. 36-451). Cease and desist order. Enforcement action.
Sec. 36a-742. (Formerly Sec. 36-452). Protection of confidentiality of an individual's
financial status.
Sec. 36a-743. (Formerly Sec. 36-454). Commissioner to analyze home financing.
Sec. 36a-744. (Formerly Sec. 36-455). Regulations.
Secs. 36a-745 to 36a-754.
Sec. 36a-755. (Formerly Sec. 36-9h). Mortgage appraisal practices. Definitions. Regulations.
Sec. 36a-756. (Formerly Sec. 36-9t). Title insurance as condition of mortgage on residential real estate prohibited.
Sec. 36a-757. (Formerly Sec. 36-9u). Mortgage insurance requirements limited.
Sec. 36a-758. (Formerly Sec. 36-9y). Payment of loan proceeds by certified, bank treasurer's or cashier's check or by wire transfer.
Sec. 36a-759. (Formerly Sec. 36-4). Minority of veterans, spouses and widows for purposes
of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act.
Secs. 36a-760 to 36a-769.
Sec. 36a-770. (Formerly Sec. 42-83). Applicability of commercial code. Filing and recording. Definitions.
Sec. 36a-771. (Formerly Sec. 42-84). General contract requirements.
Sec. 36a-772. (Formerly Sec. 42-85). Maximum finance charge on retail sales of motor vehicles and other goods.
Sec. 36a-773. (Formerly Sec. 42-86). Insurance.
Sec. 36a-774. (Formerly Sec. 42-87). Installment loan contract requirements.
Sec. 36a-775. (Formerly Sec. 42-88). Confession of judgment provision invalid.
Sec. 36a-776. (Formerly Sec. 42-89). Inclusion of other goods in contract void.
Sec. 36a-777. (Formerly Sec. 42-90). Acknowledgment of receipt of notice and statement.
Sec. 36a-778. (Formerly Sec. 42-91). Delinquency and collection charges.
Sec. 36a-779. (Formerly Sec. 42-92). Assignment of contract.
Sec. 36a-780. (Formerly Sec. 42-93). Payments after assignment.
Sec. 36a-781. (Formerly Sec. 42-94). Statement of payments made. Receipts.
Sec. 36a-782. (Formerly Sec. 42-95). Cancellation of contract on payment in full.
Sec. 36a-783. (Formerly Sec. 42-96). Rebate and refund upon prepayment of contract.
Sec. 36a-784. (Formerly Sec. 42-97). Renewals and extensions.
Sec. 36a-785. (Formerly Sec. 42-98). Foreclosure.
Sec. 36a-786. (Formerly Sec. 42-99). Recovery of charges barred by wilful violations.
Sec. 36a-787. (Formerly Sec. 42-100). Penalty.
Sec. 36a-788. (Formerly Sec. 42-100a). Enforcement action.
Secs. 36a-789 to 36a-799.
Sec. 36a-800. (Formerly Sec. 42-127). Consumer collection agency. Definitions.
Sec. 36a-801. (Formerly Sec. 42-127a). License required. Application, issuance, renewal.
Examination of records.
Sec. 36a-802. (Formerly Sec. 42-128a). Bond required.
Sec. 36a-803. (Formerly Sec. 42-129). Conviction of certain crimes disqualification to
engage in consumer collection business.
Sec. 36a-804. (Formerly Sec. 42-129a). Suspension or revocation of license of a consumer
collection agency.
Sec. 36a-805. (Formerly Sec. 42-131). Prohibited practices.
Sec. 36a-806. (Formerly Sec. 42-131a). Prohibited practices within and without state. Examination of affairs.
Sec. 36a-807. (Formerly Sec. 42-131b). Cease and desist order. Liability.
Sec. 36a-808. (Formerly Sec. 42-131c). Unfair or deceptive practices. Enforcement action.
Sec. 36a-809. (Formerly Sec. 42-131d). Commissioner's powers. Regulations.
Sec. 36a-810. (Formerly Sec. 42-133a). Penalty.
CREDITORS' COLLECTION PRACTICES
Sec. 36a-645. (Formerly Sec. 36-243a). Definitions. As used in sections 36a-645
to 36a-647, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires: Sec. 36a-646. (Formerly Sec. 36-243b). Prohibited acts. No creditor shall use
any abusive, harassing, fraudulent, deceptive or misleading representation, device or
practice to collect or attempt to collect any debt. Sec. 36a-647. (Formerly Sec. 36-243c). Enforcement powers of commissioner.
Regulations. (a) The commissioner may adopt such regulations in accordance with the
provisions of chapter 54 as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of sections 36a-
645 to 36a-647, inclusive, including, but not limited to, specifying those acts which are
deemed to be in violation of section 36a-646. Secs. 36a-648 to 36a-654. Reserved for future use. Sec. 36a-655. (Formerly Sec. 36-364). Definitions. As used in sections 36a-655 to
36a-665, inclusive, "bona fide nonprofit organization" means an individual, partnership,
corporation, limited liability company, association, organization or other person in the
operation of which no shareholder, member, director, officer, partner, employee, agent
or other affiliated person profits financially other than receiving reasonable salaries if
applicable, and which provides debt adjustment services for individuals at no cost or at
a cost not exceeding that required to defray necessary, reasonable and bona fide expenses
in order to provide such services; and "debt adjustment" means receiving, as agent of
a debtor, money or evidences thereof for the purpose of distributing such money or
evidences thereof among creditors in full or partial payment of obligations of the debtor. Sec. 36a-656. (Formerly Sec. 36-365). Debt adjustment limited to nonprofit
organizations. License application and requirements. No person, other than a bona
fide nonprofit organization, shall engage in the business of debt adjustment in this state.
No bona fide nonprofit organization shall engage in the business of debt adjustment in
this state without a license issued in accordance with the provisions of sections 36a-655
to 36a-665, inclusive. Any bona fide nonprofit organization desiring to obtain such a
license shall file with the commissioner an application in writing, under oath, setting
forth such information as the commissioner may require. Each applicant for a license and
each licensee shall notify the commissioner of any material changes in the applicant's
business from that stated in the application for a license including, but not limited to,
any changes in location or additional locations of the business. Except as provided in
section 36a-657, a license issued under sections 36a-655 to 36a-665, inclusive, shall be
effective as long as the licensee remains in the business of debt adjustment. Sec. 36a-657. (Formerly Sec. 36-369). Denial, revocation or suspension of license. The commissioner may deny any application for a license under sections 36a-
655 to 36a-665, inclusive. The commissioner may revoke or suspend any license under
said sections in accordance with section 36a-51 for the following causes: (1) Conviction
of a crime involving moral turpitude; (2) violation of any provision of sections 36a-655
to 36a-665, inclusive; (3) fraud or deceit or, if the licensee was not at the time of application and still is not entitled to obtain a license under said sections, material error in
procuring the issuance of a license under said sections; (4) the licensee no longer meets
the requirements necessary to obtain a license under said sections; (5) maintenance
of a continuous course of unfair conduct, or (6) insolvency, commencement of any
proceeding in bankruptcy, receivership, or assignment for the benefit of creditors by
any licensee or applicant for a license under said sections. Sec. 36a-658. (Formerly Sec. 36-370). Posting of license. Nontransferable.
Business of licensee. Each license or a copy thereof shall be posted conspicuously in
each office of the licensee. No license shall be transferable or assignable. The licensee
shall be limited solely to the business of debt adjustment and any other business which
does not conflict with the interests of persons for whom the licensee is adjusting debts
or with the business of debt adjustment. Sec. 36a-659. (Formerly Sec. 36-372). Separate bank account for benefit of
debtors. Books and records. Each licensee shall maintain a separate bank account for
the benefit of debtors in which all payments received from debtors for the benefit of
creditors shall be deposited and in which all payments shall remain until a remittance
is made to either a debtor or a creditor. Every licensee shall keep, and use in the licensee's
business, books, accounts and records which will enable the commissioner to determine
whether such licensee is complying with the provisions of sections 36a-655 to 36a-665,
inclusive, and with the regulations of the commissioner. Every licensee shall preserve
such books, accounts and records for at least seven years after making the final entry
on any transaction recorded therein. Sec. 36a-660. (Formerly Sec. 36-375). Licensee's duties. Each licensee shall: (1)
Keep complete and adequate records during the term of the contract and for a period of
seven years from the date of cancellation or completion of the contract with each debtor,
which records shall contain complete information regarding the contract, extensions
thereof, payments, disbursements and charges, and shall be open to inspection by the
commissioner during normal business hours; (2) make remittances to creditors within
a reasonable time after receipt of any funds, less prorated fees and costs, unless the
reasonable payment of one or more of the debtor's obligations requires that such funds
be held for a longer period so as to accumulate a sum certain; and (3) furnish the debtor
a written statement of the debtor's account within a reasonable time after the debtor
may request it and within ninety days after the completion of the adjustment of the
debtor's debts, and shall furnish the debtor a verbal accounting at any time the debtor
may request it during normal business hours. Sec. 36a-661. (Formerly Sec. 36-376). Prohibited acts. No licensee shall: (1)
Purchase from a creditor any obligation of a debtor; (2) operate as a collection agent
and as a licensee as to the same debtor's account; (3) execute any contract or agreement
to be signed by the debtor unless the contract or agreement is fully and completely filled
in and finished; (4) pay any bonus or other consideration to any person for the referral
of a debtor to the licensee's business or accept or receive any bonus, commission or
other consideration for referring any debtor to any person for any reason, or (5) advertise,
display, distribute, broadcast or televise or permit to be displayed, advertised, distributed, broadcast or televised the licensee's services, rates or terms in any manner whatsoever wherein any false, misleading or deceptive statement or representation is made
with regard to the services to be performed by the licensee or the charges to be made
therefor. Sec. 36a-662. (Formerly Sec. 36-377). Regulations. The commissioner may
adopt such regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, as the commissioner deems necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of sections 36a-655 to 36a-665, inclusive. Sec. 36a-663. (Formerly Sec. 36-378). Exceptions. The provisions of sections
36a-655 to 36a-665, inclusive, shall not apply to the following: (1) Any attorney admitted
to the practice of law in this state, when engaged in such practice; (2) any bank, fiduciary
or financing or lending institution authorized to transact business in this state or any other
state, which performs debt adjustment in the regular course of its principal business; (3)
any title insurance or abstract company authorized to transact business in this state or
any other state, while doing an escrow business; and (4) any person acting pursuant to
any law of this state or of the United States or acting under the order of a court. Sec. 36a-664. (Formerly Sec. 36-380). Reference to bond or state approval prohibited. No licensee shall use, attempt to use or make reference to, either directly or
indirectly, any word or phrase which states or implies that the licensee is bonded, approved, bonded by the state or approved by the state. Sec. 36a-665. (Formerly Sec. 36-381). Penalties. (a) Any person who engages in
debt adjustment without a license as required by sections 36a-655 to 36a-665, inclusive,
shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned more than one year, or
both, for each violation. Each day on which a person engages in debt adjustment without
a license as required by said sections shall be construed as a separate violation. Secs. 36a-666 to 36a-674. Reserved for future use. Sec. 36a-675. (Formerly Sec. 36-416). Short title: Truth-in-Lending Act. Sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, shall be known and may be cited as the "Truth-in-
Lending Act". Sec. 36a-676. (Formerly Sec. 36-393). Definitions. (a) As used in part II of chapter 668, sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, 36a-770 to 36a-788, inclusive, 42-100b
and 42-100c, unless the context otherwise requires: Sec. 36a-677. (Formerly Sec. 36-393a). State policy. (a) It is the policy of this
state to promote increased competition among the various businesses engaged in the
extension of consumer credit or in the leasing of consumer goods and to serve the interests of consumers of credit and leased goods by requiring meaningful disclosure of credit
and lease terms so that prospective debtors and lessees have the opportunity to compare
more readily the various credit and lease terms available to them and the opportunity
to avoid the uninformed use of credit and leases. Sec. 36a-678. (Formerly Sec. 36-393b). Compliance with Consumer Credit
Protection Act. Exempt transactions. (a) Except as otherwise provided in sections
36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, or regulations adopted by the commissioner, each person
shall comply with all provisions of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1601
et seq.) which apply to such person. Sec. 36a-679. (Formerly Sec. 36-395). Regulations. (a) The commissioner may
adopt substantive regulations when authorized by sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, and may adopt procedural regulations to carry out the provisions of said sections.
Such regulations shall be consistent with the policy of this state as provided in section
36a-677. The commissioner may adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of sections
36a-567 and 36a-568, subdivision (13) of subsection (c) of section 36a-770, and sections
36a-771, 36a-774 and 36a-777. Such regulations shall be adopted in accordance with
chapter 54 and shall not be inconsistent with the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15
USC 1601 et seq.). Sec. 36a-680. (Formerly Sec. 36-398). Effect of inconsistent law. (a) If the commissioner finds that the requirements of any other law of this state relating to the disclosure of information in connection with consumer credit transactions are inconsistent
with the provisions of sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, or regulations adopted
thereunder, the commissioner shall by regulation exempt creditors who comply with said
sections from compliance with such inconsistent law. For purposes of this subsection,
disclosure statutes are inconsistent if both require disclosure of the same information
even though the prescribed definition, method of calculation or manner of expression
is different and, in case of such conflict or inconsistency, the provisions of sections 36a-
675 to 36a-685, inclusive, shall control. Sec. 36a-681. (Formerly Sec. 36-399). Penalty. Any person who wilfully and
knowingly (1) gives false or inaccurate information or fails to provide information which
such person is required to disclose under the provisions of sections 36a-567, 36a-568
and 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, subdivision (13) of subsection (c) of section 36a-
770, and sections 36a-771, 36a-774, 36a-777 and 36a-786, or any regulation adopted
thereunder, (2) uses any chart or table authorized by the Federal Reserve Board under
Section 107 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1606) in such manner as
to consistently understate the annual percentage rate determined under said sections or
(3) otherwise fails to comply with any requirement imposed under said sections shall
be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year
or both. Sec. 36a-682. (Formerly Sec. 36-400). Compliance of governmental instruments. Exemptions from penalties. (a) Any department or agency of the state or any
political subdivision thereof which administers a credit program in which it extends,
insures or guarantees consumer credit and in which it provides instruments to a creditor
which contain any disclosures required by sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, shall,
prior to the issuance or continued use of such instruments, consult with the commissioner
to assure that such instruments comply with said sections. Sec. 36a-683. (Formerly Sec. 36-407). Failure to disclose. (a) Liability of creditor. Except as otherwise provided in this section, any creditor who fails to comply with
any requirement of sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, including Section 125 of the
Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1635), or of section 36a-771 or 36a-774, with
respect to any person is liable to that person in an amount equal to the sum of (1) any
actual damage sustained by such person as a result of the failure; (2) (A) (i) in the case
of an individual action other than as provided in this subparagraph (A) (ii) and (iii) twice
the amount of any finance charge in connection with the transaction, (ii) in the case of
an individual action relating to a consumer lease under Chapter 5 of the Consumer Credit
Protection Act (15 USC Sections 1667 to 1667E, inclusive) twenty-five per cent of the
total amount of monthly payments under the lease, except that the liability under this
subparagraph (A) (i) or (ii) shall not be less than one hundred dollars nor greater than
one thousand dollars, or (iii) in the case of an individual action related to a credit transaction not under an open end credit plan that is secured by real property or a dwelling, not
less than two hundred dollars nor more than two thousand dollars; (B) in the case of a
class action, such amount as the court may allow, except that as to each member of
the class no minimum recovery shall be applicable, and the total recovery under this
subparagraph in any class action or series of class actions arising out of the same failure
to comply by the same creditor shall not be more than the lesser of five hundred thousand
dollars or one per cent of the net worth of the creditor; and (3) in the case of any successful
action to enforce the foregoing liability, or in any action in which a person is determined
to have a right of rescission under Section 125 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act
(15 USC 1635), the costs of the action, together with a reasonable attorney's fee as
determined by the court. In determining the amount of award in any class action, the
court shall consider, among other relevant factors, the amount of any actual damages
awarded, the frequency and persistence of failures of compliance by the creditor, the
resources of the creditor, the number of persons adversely affected, and the extent to
which the creditor's failure of compliance was intentional. In connection with the disclosures referred to in Section 127 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1637)
a creditor shall have a liability determined under subdivision (2) of this subsection only
for failing to comply with the requirements of Section 125 or 127(a) of said act (15 USC
1635) or (15 USC 1637(a)) or of paragraph (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9) or (10) of Section
127(b) of said act (15 USC 1637(b)). In connection with the disclosures referred to in
Section 128 of said act (15 USC 1638) a creditor shall have a liability determined under
subdivision (2) of this subsection only for failing to comply with the requirements of
Section 125 of said act (15 USC 1635) or of paragraph (2), insofar as it requires a
disclosure of the "amount financed", or paragraph (3), (4), (5), (6) or (9) of Section 128
(a) of said act (15 USC 1638(a)). With respect to any failure to make disclosures required
under Chapter 2, 4 or 5 of said act, liability shall be imposed only upon the creditor
required to make disclosure, except as provided in Section 131 of said act (15 USC
1641). Sec. 36a-684. (Formerly Sec. 36-414). Enforcement. Disclosure errors and adjustments. (a) Compliance with the requirements of sections 36a-567, 36a-568 and 36a-
675 to 36a-685, inclusive, subdivision (13) of subsection (c) of section 36a-770, and
sections 36a-771, 36a-774 and 36a-777 shall be enforced by the commissioner and the
commissioner shall, in addition to other powers granted by said sections or by other
provisions of law, receive and act on complaints, take action designed to obtain voluntary
compliance with said sections or commence proceedings on the commissioner's own
initiative. Sec. 36a-685. (Formerly Sec. 36-415). Unenforceable agreements. (a) If it is the
understanding of the creditor and the debtor at the time an extension of credit is made
that delay in making repayment or failure to make repayment could result in the use of
violence or other criminal means to cause harm to the person, reputation or property of
any person, the repayment of the extension of credit is unenforceable through civil
judicial processes against the debtor. Secs. 36a-686 to 36a-689. Reserved for future use. Sec. 36a-690. (Formerly Sec. 36-417z). Calculation of interest or finance
charge rebates. Prohibited methods. Transactions affected. (a) As used in this
section: Secs. 36a-691 to 36a-694. Reserved for future use. Sec. 36a-695. (Formerly Sec. 36-431). Definitions. As used in sections 36a-695
to 36a-699e, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires: Sec. 36a-696. (Formerly Sec. 36-432). Disclosure to consumer of information
re credit report. (a) No creditor shall take adverse action based wholly or in part on a
credit report on any consumer applying to such creditor for credit for personal, family
or household purposes without first disclosing to the consumer the name and address
of the credit rating agency which issued the report. Sec. 36a-697. (Formerly Sec. 36-433). Exceptions. The provisions of sections
36a-691 to 36a-699, inclusive, shall not apply to any disclosure made at the request of
a law enforcement or investigative officer in his capacity as such, who is employed on
a full-time basis in that capacity, by the United States, or by any state or political subdivision thereof, or upon the order of any court. Sec. 36a-698. (Formerly Sec. 36-434). Regulations. The commissioner shall
adopt such regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, as may be necessary to carry out
the provisions of sections 36a-695 to 36a-699, inclusive. Sec. 36a-699. (Formerly Sec. 36-435). Penalty. Any person who wilfully violates
any provision of sections 36a-695 to 36a-699, inclusive, shall be fined not more than
one hundred dollars for a first offense and not more than five hundred dollars for a
second offense, and shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or be imprisoned
for not more than six months, or both, for each subsequent offense. Sec. 36a-699a. Written summary of consumer's rights. Each written summary
of a consumer's rights under state and federal consumer credit reporting statutes shall
be in a form substantially similar to the following: Sec. 36a-699b. Dispute by consumer re completeness or accuracy of information. (a) If the completeness or accuracy of any item of information contained in any
credit file of a credit rating agency is disputed by the consumer, the consumer may
notify, in writing, the credit rating agency of the disputed information. The credit rating
agency shall, no later than after a written dispute has been submitted by the consumer
to the credit rating agency, provide the credit rating agency's toll-free telephone number
to the consumer for use in resolving the dispute. The credit rating agency shall reinvestigate the disputed information without fee to the consumer. Within five business days
of receipt of the notice from the consumer, the credit rating agency shall provide notice
of the dispute to all persons who provided any item of the information in dispute. Within
thirty business days of receipt of the notice of dispute from the consumer, the credit
rating agency shall complete its reinvestigation and provide notice to the consumer of
the results of the reinvestigation provided the time period for completing the reinvestigation may be extended for a period not exceeding fifteen business days if the credit
rating agency receives additional information from the consumer which the credit rating
agency determines is necessary to the accuracy of the reinvestigation and provides written notice to the consumer of such extension. The notice of the results of the reinvestigation shall contain a statement that the reinvestigation is completed, a copy of the credit
file indicating the results of the reinvestigation, a notice of the consumer's right to file
a statement with the credit rating agency disputing the accuracy or completeness of the
information, a notice that the consumer may request, in writing or by a toll-free telephone
call at the consumer's option, that the credit rating agency disclose the company name,
address and telephone number of each information source contacted during the reinvestigation and a notice of the consumer's right to request a revised credit report be sent to
any recipient of information in the consumer's file who requested such information
within twelve months preceding the consumer's filing of the notice of disputed information. If the credit rating agency fails to complete the reinvestigation and provide notice
of the results of the reinvestigation (1) within thirty business days of receipt of the notice
of dispute, or (2) if an extension was noticed, within forty-five business days of such
receipt, such information shall be deleted. Sec. 36a-699c. Procedures by credit rating agency to assure accuracy. Each
credit rating agency shall maintain reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible
accuracy of the information concerning the consumer and to avoid the reinsertion of
previously deleted information without verification. Sec. 36a-699d. Credit report for use in credit transaction not initiated by consumer. (a) A credit rating agency shall not provide a credit report for use in a credit
transaction which is not initiated by the consumer if the consumer notifies, in writing,
the credit rating agency that the consumer does not consent to that use. Sec. 36a-699e. Existing consent judgment or settlement with Attorney General. Nothing in sections 36a-696 or 36a-699a to 36a-699d, inclusive, shall prohibit a
credit rating agency from complying with any requirement contained in any existing
consent judgment or settlement with the Attorney General. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you the right to know what your credit
file contains and the credit rating agency must provide someone to help you interpret
the data. Sections 36a-695 to 36a-699, inclusive, of the Connecticut general statutes
gives you the right to receive an actual copy of your credit report. You will be required
to identify yourself to the credit rating agency and you may be charged a small fee.
There is no fee, however, if you have been turned down for credit, employment or
insurance because of information contained in a report within the preceding thirty days. If you notify the credit rating agency that you dispute the accuracy of information,
the agency must reinvestigate and modify or remove inaccurate data. The credit rating
agency may not charge any fee for this investigation or for modifying or removing
inaccurate data. If reinvestigation does not resolve the dispute, you may enter a statement
of one hundred words or less in your file, explaining why you dispute the accuracy of
your record or file. This statement or a coded version of it must be included with all
reports which the credit rating agency issues on you. If the error is corrected, the credit
rating agency must notify any person who requested a report on you during the previous
two years for employment purposes and the previous six months for any other purpose. Most kinds of information in your file may be reported for a period of seven years.
If you have declared personal bankruptcy, however, that fact may be reported for ten
years. After seven or ten years, the information cannot be disclosed by a credit rating
agency unless you are being investigated for a credit application of fifty thousand dollars
or more, for an application to purchase life insurance of fifty thousand dollars or more,
or for employment at an annual salary of twenty thousand dollars or more. Secs. 36a-701 to 36a-704. Reserved for future use. Sec. 36a-705. (Formerly Sec. 36-442). Definitions. As used in this section and
sections 36a-706 and 36a-707, unless the context otherwise requires: Sec. 36a-706. (Formerly Sec. 36-442a). Mortgage rate lock-in agreements.
(a) Duration. (1) No mortgage lender shall enter into a mortgage rate lock-in
agreement unless such agreement is in writing and the period for which the terms are
locked in is at least as long as the mortgage lender's good faith estimate of the anticipated
time from when the mortgage loan application is submitted to the lender to the time
when such lender will be ready to close such loan, taking into consideration current
market conditions and the processing requirements for the type of first mortgage loan
in question. (2) In the event a mortgage rate lock-in agreement is executed after the
mortgage loan application is submitted to the lender, the minimum period for which the
terms may be locked in shall be the period determined in accordance with subdivision (1)
of this subsection, less the number of days elapsed since the application was submitted to
the lender. Sec. 36a-707. (Formerly Sec. 36-442b). Applicant's remedies. (a) Any mortgage
lender who violates any provision of sections 36a-705 to 36a-707, inclusive, with respect
to any applicant shall be liable to such applicant for all fees and charges paid by the
applicant in connection with the application for a first mortgage loan. Secs. 36a-708 to 36a-714. Reserved for future use. Sec. 36a-715. (Formerly Sec. 36-442m). Definitions. As used in sections 36a-
715 to 36a-718, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires: Sec. 36a-716. (Formerly Sec. 36-442n). Escrow accounts. (a) Any mortgage servicing company which receives funds from a mortgagor to be held in escrow for payment
of taxes and insurance premiums shall pay the taxes and insurance premiums of the
mortgagor to the appropriate taxing authority and insurance company in the amount
required and at the time such taxes and insurance premiums are due provided (1) the
mortgage servicing company has been provided with the tax or insurance bills at least
fifteen days prior to the date such taxes and insurance premiums are due, and (2) the
mortgagor has paid to the mortgage servicing company the amounts required to be paid
into the escrow account, as determined by the mortgage servicing company, for all
amounts scheduled to be paid to the mortgage servicing company prior to the date such
taxes and insurance premiums are due. Sec. 36a-717. (Formerly Sec. 36-442o). Penalties. Any mortgage servicing company which violates any provision of section 36a-716 shall be liable to the mortgagor
for: (1) Any penalties, interest or other charges levied by the taxing authority or insurance
company as a result of such violation; (2) any actual damages suffered by the mortgagor
as a result of such violation, including, but not limited to, any amount which would have
been paid by an insurer for a casualty or liability claim had the insurance policy not
been cancelled for nonpayment by the mortgage servicing company; and (3) in the case
of any successful action to enforce the foregoing liability, the costs of the action together
with reasonable attorney's fees as determined by the court. Sec. 36a-718. (Formerly Sec. 36-442p). Orders. Notice. Hearings. If the commissioner determines that any mortgage servicing company has violated any provision
of section 36a-716, the commissioner may, in accordance with section 36a-52, order
the mortgage servicing company to cease and desist from such violation. The commissioner may also order the mortgage servicing company to make restitution to the mortgagor upon fourteen days notice in writing. Such notice shall be sent by certified mail,
return receipt requested, to the principal place of business of the mortgage servicing
company and shall state the grounds for the contemplated action. Within fourteen days
of receipt of the notice, the mortgage servicing company may file a written request for
a hearing. If a hearing is requested, the commissioner shall not issue an order to make
restitution until after such hearing is held. Such hearing shall be conducted in accordance
with the provisions of chapter 54. Secs. 36a-719 to 36a-724. Reserved for future use. Sec. 36a-725. (Formerly Sec. 36-442aa). Definitions. As used in this section and
section 36a-726, unless the context otherwise requires: Sec. 36a-726. (Formerly Sec. 36-442bb). Disclosure required. (a) Any mortgage
lender who requires a borrower to pay for mortgage insurance as a condition of obtaining
a first mortgage loan shall disclose to the applicant in writing at the time the first mortgage loan application is filed: Secs. 36a-727 to 36a-734. Reserved for future use. Sec. 36a-735. (Formerly Sec. 36-443). Short title: Home Mortgage Disclosure
Act. Sections 36a-735 to 36a-744, inclusive, shall be known and may be cited as the
"Home Mortgage Disclosure Act". Sec. 36a-736. (Formerly Sec. 36-444). Definitions. As used in sections 36a-735
to 36a-744, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires: Sec. 36a-737. (Formerly Sec. 36-445). Discrimination in making of home purchase, home improvement and mortgage loans. No financial institution and no federal
bank shall discriminate, on a basis that is arbitrary or unsupported by a reasonable analysis of the lending risks associated with the applicant for a given loan or the condition
of the property to secure it, in the granting, withholding, extending, modifying, renewing
or in the fixing of the rates, terms, conditions or provisions of any home purchase loan,
home improvement loan or other mortgage loan on one-to-four-family owner-occupied
residential real property, solely because such property is located in a low-income or
moderate-income neighborhood or geographical area, provided it shall not be a violation
of this section if the home purchase loan, home improvement loan or other mortgage
loan is made pursuant to a specific public or private program, the purpose of which is
to increase the availability of home purchase loans, home improvement loans or other
mortgage loans within a low-income or moderate-income neighborhood or geographical
area in which such investment capital has generally been denied. Sec. 36a-738. (Formerly Sec. 36-446). Disclosure requirements for financial
institutions. A financial institution shall comply with all applicable provisions of the
federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, and, in addition, shall report on the federal
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act loan application register the reason for denial in connection with each loan application subject to federal reporting that is denied by the financial
institution. Each financial institution shall provide the commissioner with any information required to be disclosed to a federal agency pursuant to the federal Home Mortgage
Disclosure Act as the commissioner may require. Sec. 36a-739. (Formerly Sec. 36-448). Reports by financial institutions. Filing
requirements. A financial institution which is required to provide the commissioner
with information pursuant to section 36a-738 and which fails to submit such information
on the date required shall be fined one hundred dollars for each day on which such
information has not been filed after the required date.
(1) "Consumer debtor" means any natural person residing in this state who owes a
debt to a creditor.
(2) "Creditor" means any person to whom a debt is owed by a consumer debtor and
such debt results from a transaction occurring in the ordinary course of such person's
business. "Creditor" shall not include a consumer collection agency, as defined in section
36a-800, or any department or agency of the United States, this state, any other state,
or any political subdivision thereof.
(3) "Debt" means an obligation or alleged obligation arising out of a transaction in
which the money, property, goods or services which are the subject of the transaction
are for personal, family or household purposes, whether or not such obligation has been
reduced to judgment.
(P.A. 77-418, S. 1; 77-614, S. 161, 587, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 85, 136; P.A. 80-482, S. 252, 345, 348; P.A. 87-9, S. 2,
3; P.A. 91-357, S. 53, 78; P.A. 92-12, S. 70; P.A. 94-122, S. 293, 340; P.A. 97-207, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 77-614 and P.A. 78-303 replaced bank commissioner with banking commissioner and made banking
department a division within the department of business regulation, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-482 restored banking
division as independent department with commissioner as its head and abolished the department of business regulation,
thereby allowing revision of commissioner's title to omit reference to that department; (Revisor's note: Pursuant to P.A.
87-9 "banking commissioner" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "commissioner of banking"); P.A. 91-357 made
a technical change in Subsec. (c); P.A. 92-12 redesignated Subdivs.; P.A. 94-122 deleted the definitions of "person" and
"commissioner" and alphabetized the remaining definitions, effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-243a transferred to Sec.
36a-645 in 1995; P.A. 97-207 redefined "consumer debtor", "creditor" and "debt", and deleted definition of "credit".
Annotations to former section 36-243a:
Cited. 231 C. 707, 727.
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(P.A. 77-418, S. 2.)
History: Sec. 36-243b transferred to Sec. 36a-646 in 1995.
Annotations to former section 36-243b:
Cited. 216 C. 458, 482. Cited. 231 C. 707, 713.
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(b) The commissioner may receive and investigate complaints and may receive
assurances of voluntary compliance with the provisions of sections 36a-645 to 36a-647,
inclusive, or forward such complaints to the appropriate prosecuting officials at the
commissioner's discretion. No action taken by the commissioner against a creditor in
accordance with section 36a-50 relieves the creditor from civil liability.
(c) Whenever the commissioner has reason to believe that any person has violated,
is violating or is about to violate any provision of sections 36a-645 to 36a-647, inclusive,
or any regulation adopted under this section, the commissioner may take action against
such person in accordance with section 36a-50.
(d) Nothing contained in sections 36a-645 to 36a-647, inclusive, shall be construed
as a limitation upon the power or authority of the state, the Attorney General or the
commissioner to seek administrative, legal or equitable relief as provided by other statutes or at common law.
(P.A. 77-418, S. 3; P.A. 82-174, S. 3, 14; P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 94-
122, S. 294, 340.)
History: P.A. 82-174 amended Subsec. (b) by authorizing the commissioner to issue, after notice, cease and desist
orders, unless a hearing is requested, and authorizing him to bring an action to enforce any such order; P.A. 88-230 replaced
"judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" with "judicial district of Hartford", effective September 1, 1991; P.A. 90-98
changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1993; P.A. 93-142 changed the effective
date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 94-122 made technical
changes, effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-243c transferred to Sec. 36a-647 in 1995.
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DEBT ADJUSTERS
(1967, P.A. 882, S. 1; P.A. 77-614, S. 161, 610; P.A. 79-160, S. 1; P.A. 80-482, S. 258, 345, 348; P.A. 87-9, S. 2, 3;
P.A. 94-122, S. 295, 340; P.A. 95-79, S. 135, 189.)
History: P.A. 77-614 replaced bank commissioner with banking commissioner within the department of business regulation and made banking department a division within that department, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 79-160 defined "bona
fide nonprofit organization" and deleted reference to receipt of fee or compensation in definition of "debt adjustment";
P.A. 80-482 restored banking division as independent department and abolished the department of business regulation,
allowing revision of commissioner's name to omit reference to abolished department; (Revisor's note: Pursuant to P.A.
87-9 "banking commissioner" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "commissioner of banking"); P.A. 94-122 deleted
the definition of "commissioner", effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-364 transferred to Sec. 36a-655 in 1995; P.A. 95-79
redefined "bona fide nonprofit organization" to include a limited liability company, effective May 31, 1995.
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(1967, P.A. 882, S. 2; P.A. 79-160, S. 2; P.A. 94-122, S. 296, 340.)
History: P.A. 79-160 made provisions applicable to bona fide nonprofit organizations rather than to persons, firms or
corporations generally, replaced detailed provisions re contents of application with statement re information required by
commissioner, added provisions re notification of changes in business, location, number of offices, etc. and specified that
license continues in effect as long as licensee continues in debt adjustment business, deleting former Subsecs. (b) to (e)
which had required informing commissioner of contract intended to be used and any changes thereto, which had set June
thirtieth as annual expiration date, which had required appointment of commissioner as applicant's agent for service of
process and which had required that application contain names of persons, firms and corporations with financial interest
in the business; P.A. 94-122 made technical changes, effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-365 transferred to Sec. 36a-656
in 1995.
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(1967, P.A. 882, S. 6; P.A. 79-160, S. 3; P.A. 82-174, S. 11, 14; P.A. 94-122, S. 297, 340.)
History: P.A. 79-160 rephrased provisions, added in Subdiv. (3) ground of material error if licensee was not at time of
application entitled to obtain license and remains unentitled to do so, inserted new Subdiv. (4) and renumbered former
Subdivs. (4) and (5) accordingly; P.A. 82-174 replaced the provision that the commissioner may revoke or suspend a license
after notice and hearing with provisions concerning the form and manner of the notice and authorizing the commissioner to
revoke or suspend a license "after allowing the licensee a reasonable opportunity to be heard"; P.A. 94-122 made technical
changes, effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-369 transferred to Sec. 36a-657 in 1995.
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(1967, P.A. 882, S. 7; P.A. 79-160, S. 4.)
History: P.A. 79-160 rephrased prior provisions, authorized conduct of business which does not conflict with interests
of clients or business of debt adjustment and deleted provision prohibiting change in office location unless authorized by
commissioner, but see Sec. 36-365 for similar prohibition; Sec. 36-370 transferred to Sec. 36a-658 in 1995.
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(1967, P.A. 882, S. 9; P.A. 94-122, S. 298, 340.)
History: P.A. 94-122 changed "his" to "the licensee's", effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-372 transferred to Sec. 36a-
659 in 1995.
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(1967, P.A. 882, S. 12; P.A. 79-160, S. 6; P.A. 94-122, S. 299, 340.)
History: P.A. 79-160 required that remittances to creditors be made "within a reasonable time" rather than within ten
days, required that statement of account be likewise made within reasonable time after debtor requests it and in all cases
within ninety days after adjustment completed rather than made each ninety days and deleted former Subsecs. (b) and (c)
which required that budget analysis indicate debtor can meet requirements and that debtors have full benefit of any compromise of debt arranged by a licensee with any one or more creditors; P.A. 94-122 deleted "and his duly appointed agents"
from Subdiv. (1) and changed "his" to "the debtor's" in Subdiv. (2), effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-375 transferred to
Sec. 36a-660 in 1995.
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(1967, P.A. 882, S. 13; P.A. 79-160, S. 7; P.A. 94-122, S. 300, 340.)
History: P.A. 79-160 deleted former Subdiv. (4) prohibiting receipt or charge of fee in form of promissory note or other
promise to pay or receipt or acceptance of wage assignment, mortgage or other security for any fee, renumbering remaining
Subsecs. accordingly; P.A. 94-122 changed "his" to "the licensee's", effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-376 transferred
to Sec. 36a-661 in 1995.
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(1967, P.A. 882, S. 14; P.A. 94-122, S. 301, 340.)
History: P.A. 94-122 made technical changes, effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-377 transferred to Sec. 36a-662 in 1995.
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(1967, P.A. 882, S. 15; P.A. 73-357; P.A. 79-160, S. 8; P.A. 92-67, S. 8, 9.)
History: P.A. 73-357 added Subsec. (b) exempting bona fide nonprofit cooperative organizations offering debt adjustment services exclusively for members from chapter provisions except Secs. 36-364, 36-371, 36-372, 36-374, 36-375, 36-
376, 36-377, 36-379 and 36-381; P.A. 79-160 deleted exemption from bona fide nonprofit, religious, fraternal or cooperative
organization (Subsec. (a)(5) and Subsec. (b)) and exemption for employees of licensees when acting in the regular course
of employment; P.A. 92-67 added exception for banks, fiduciaries or financing or lending institutions authorized to transact
business in any other state; Sec. 36-378 transferred to Sec. 36a-663 in 1995.
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(1967, P.A. 882, S. 17; P.A. 94-122, S. 302, 340.)
History: P.A. 94-122 changed "he" to "the licensee", effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-380 transferred to Sec. 36a-
664 in 1995.
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(b) Any person who violates any other provision of sections 36a-655 to 36a-665,
inclusive, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars for the first offense, and
for each subsequent offense shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars and imprisoned not less than thirty days nor more than one year.
(1967, P.A. 882, S. 18; P.A. 79-160, S. 9.)
History: P.A. 79-160 made no change; Sec. 36-381 transferred to Sec. 36a-665 in 1995.
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TRUTH-IN-LENDING ACT
Sec. 36-393 et seq., Conn. truth-in-lending act, cited. 205 C. 319, 320, 322. Cited. 223 C. 80, 103.
Secs. 36-393−36-417, Conn. truth-in-lending laws, cited. 12 CA 670, 671−673. Secs. 36-393−36-417, Connecticut
Truth in lending act, cited. 18 CA 16, 18. Truth-in-lending act Sec. 36-393 et seq. cited. 27 CA 628, 629, 631, 632.
Cited. 34 CS 154, 155. Cited. 35 CS 508, 509. Sections 36-393 through 36-417 cited. 36 CS 506, 508, 509, 511, 512.
Federally chartered banking institution subject to Federal Truth-in-Lending Act. Id., 512. Since extension of credit was to
other than a natural person, transaction was not a consumer credit transaction and disclosure provisions of chapter did not
apply. 36 CS 158, 159. Cited. Id., 183, 193. Cited. Id., 629, 630. Cited. 37 CS 606, 607.
(1969, P.A. 454, S. 24.)
History: Sec. 36-416 transferred to Sec. 36a-675 in 1995; (Revisor's note: In 1997 the Revisors editorially reinstated
the word "shall" before the words "be known and may be cited" to correct a clerical error in the preparation of the 1995
revision).
(1) "Consumer" means "consumer" as defined in Section 103 of the Consumer
Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1602);
(2) "Consumer Credit Protection Act" means Title I of Public Law 90-321 (82 Stat.
146), as from time to time amended, and includes regulations adopted by the Federal
Reserve Board pursuant to that act;
(3) "Credit" means "credit" as defined in Section 103 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1602);
(4) "Credit card", "cardholder" and "card issuer" mean "credit card", "cardholder"
and "card issuer" as defined in Section 103 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15
USC 1602);
(5) "Creditor" means "creditor" as defined in Section 103 of the Consumer Credit
Protection Act (15 USC 1602), but does not include any department or agency of the
United States;
(6) "Credit sale" means "credit sale" as defined in Section 103 of the Consumer
Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1602);
(7) "Lessor" means "lessor" as defined in Section 181 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1667), but does not include any department or agency of the United
States; and
(8) "Open-end credit plan" means "open-end credit plan" as defined in Section 103
of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1602).
(b) Any word or phrase in sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, which is not
defined in said sections but which is defined in the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15
USC 1601 et seq.) shall have the meaning set forth in the Consumer Credit Protection
Act.
(1969, P.A. 454, S. 1; P.A. 76-169, S. 1; P.A. 77-614, S. 161, 610; P.A. 80-482, S. 260, 345, 348; P.A. 81-158, S. 1,
17; P.A. 82-18, S. 2, 4; P.A. 83-136, S. 1, 2; P.A. 85-613, S. 104, 154; P.A. 87-9, S. 2, 3; P.A. 88-65, S. 40; P.A. 90-230,
S. 55, 101; P.A. 92-12, S. 81; P.A. 94-122, S. 303, 340.)
History: P.A. 76-169 redefined "creditor" to include credit card issuers and to specify credit "payable by agreement in
more than four instalments"; P.A. 77-614 replaced bank commissioner with banking commissioner within the department
of business regulation, reflecting incorporation of banking department as division within that department, effective January
1, 1979; P.A. 80-482 abolished department of business regulation and restored banking division to prior status as independent department, thus allowing omission of reference to business regulation department in commissioner's title; P.A. 81-
158 redefined the terms to make them conform to the definitions in the Consumer Credit Protection Act, effective March
31, 1982; P.A. 82-18 changed effective date of P.A. 81-158 from March 31, 1982, to "the effective date of Title VI of
Public Law 96-221, as contained in Sec. 625(a) of Public Law 96-221, as amended", i.e. October 1, 1982; P.A. 83-136
corrected reference to public law in Subsec. (i), substituting "97-320" for "96-221"; P.A. 85-613 made technical changes;
(Revisor's note: Pursuant to P.A. 87-9 "banking commissioner" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "commissioner
of banking"); P.A. 88-65 made a technical change by adding U.S. code citations; P.A. 90-230 made technical changes;
P.A. 92-12 redesignated Subsecs. and Subdivs.; P.A. 94-122 deleted the definitions of "commissioner", "organization",
and "person" and alphabetized the remainder, effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-393 transferred to Sec. 36a-676 in 1995.
Annotations to former section 36-393:
Cited. 33 CS 203. Sections 36-393 through 36-417 cited. 36 CS 506, 508, 512.
Subsec. (b):
Nonstock corporation falls within definition of organization. 36 CS 158, 160.
Subsec. (c):
Cited. 36 CS 158, 160.
Subsec. (f):
Cited. 158 C. 543.
Subsec. (g):
Since party to whom credit was offered was a nonstock corporation and not a "natural person," transaction was not a
consumer credit transaction subject to provisions of chapter. 36 CS 158, 159.
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(b) It is also the policy of this state to provide that this state administer and enforce
the requirements for such disclosures of credit and lease terms for transactions in this
state.
(c) It is also the policy of this state to avoid duplication between the federal government and the government of this state in the administration and enforcement of statutes
which are designed to accomplish an identical purpose, and therefore to obtain an exemption from the Consumer Credit Protection Act by subjecting various classes of credit
and lease transactions in this state to requirements which are substantially similar to
those imposed under said federal act.
(P.A. 81-158, S. 2, 17; P.A. 82-18, S. 2, 4; 82-472, S. 114, 183.)
History: P.A. 82-18 changed effective date of P.A. 81-158 from March 31, 1982, to "the effective date of Title VI of
Public Law 96-221, as contained in Section 625(a) of Public Law 96-221, as amended", i.e. October 1, 1982; P.A. 82-472
made technical changes and corrections; Sec. 36-393a transferred to Sec. 36a-677 in 1995.
Annotations to former section 36-393a:
Subsec. (a):
Cited. 27 CA 628, 631.
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(b) Any transaction which is exempt from the provisions of the Consumer Credit
Protection Act, as provided in Section 104 of said act, (15 USC 1603) is exempt from
the provisions of sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive.
(P.A. 81-158, S. 3, 17; P.A. 82-18, S. 2, 4; 82-174, S. 12, 14; P.A. 88-65, S. 41; P.A. 94-122, S. 304, 340.)
History: P.A. 82-18 changed effective date of P.A. 81-158 from March 31, 1982, to "the effective date of Title VI of
Public Law 96-221, as contained in Section 625(a) of Public Law 96-221, as amended", i.e. October 1, 1982; P.A. 82-174
amended Subsec. (a) by deleting the provision that a person "who is a creditor or lessor" shall comply with all applicable
provisions; P.A. 88-65 made a technical change by adding U.S. code citations; P.A. 94-122 made technical changes,
effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-393b transferred to Sec. 36a-678 in 1995.
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(b) No liability shall be imposed under sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, for
an act done or omitted in conformity with any provision of said sections, the Consumer
Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1601 et seq.) or a regulation of the commissioner notwithstanding that after the act or omission the provision may be amended, repealed or determined to be invalid for any reason.
(1969, P.A. 454, S. 3; P.A. 81-158, S. 4, 17; P.A. 82-18, S. 2, 4; P.A. 88-65, S. 43; P.A. 94-122, S. 305, 340; P.A. 96-
109, S. 11.)
History: P.A. 81-158 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing "prescribe" with "adopt" and by providing that the regulations
be consistent with the policy of the state, deleted the language concerning the mandatory and optional provisions of the
regulations, and redesignated Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (b) and added "any provision of this chapter, the Consumer Credit
Protection Act or", effective March 31, 1982; P.A. 82-18 changed effective date of P.A. 81-158 from March 31, 1982, to
"the effective date of Title VI of Public Law 96-221, as contained in Section 625(a) of Public Law 96-221, as amended",
i.e. October 1, 1982; P.A. 88-65 made technical changes by adding U.S. code citations; the incorrect internal reference to
section "42-83(2)(d)" was corrected editorially to "42-83(3)(d)" in 1991; P.A. 94-122 made technical changes, effective
January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-395 transferred to Sec. 36a-679 in 1995; P.A. 96-109 made technical changes in Subsec. (a),
deleting reference to Subsec. (c) of Sec. 36a-535 and substituting reference to Subdiv. (13) for Subdiv. (12) of Sec.
36a-770(c).
Annotations to former section 36-395:
Cited. 34 CS 154, 155.
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(b) In any action or proceeding in any court involving a consumer credit sale, the
disclosure of an annual percentage rate required by sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, may not be received as evidence that the sale was a loan or any type of transaction
other than a credit sale, and in any consumer credit transaction, the disclosure of an
annual percentage rate required by said sections shall not in itself indicate that a transaction is usurious or that the rate of charge exceeds a statutory ceiling.
(1969, P.A. 454, S. 6; P.A. 81-158, S. 5, 17; P.A. 82-18, S. 2, 4; 82-472, S. 115, 183; P.A. 94-122, S. 306, 340.)
History: P.A. 81-158 deleted references to Secs. 36-97a, 36-235, 36-236, 36-254(c), 42-83(2)(d), 42-84, 42-87, 42-90
and 42-99, effective March 31, 1982; P.A. 82-18 changed effective date of P.A. 81-158 from March 31, 1982, to "the
effective date of Title VI of Public Law 96-221, as contained in Section 625(a) of Public Law 96-221, as amended", i.e.
October 1, 1982; P.A. 82-472 made technical grammatical change in Subsec. (a); P.A. 94-122 made technical changes,
effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-398 transferred to Sec. 36a-680 in 1995.
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(1949 Rev., S. 6699, (a) 6; 1957, P.A. 361, S. 1 (a) 6; P.A. 94-122, S. 307, 340; P.A. 96-109, S. 12.)
History: P.A. 94-122 made technical changes, effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 42-94 transferred to Sec. 36a-681 in
1995; P.A. 96-109 made technical changes, deleting reference to Subsec. (c) of Sec. 36a-535 and substituting reference
to Subdiv. (13) for Subdiv. (12) of Sec. 36a-770(c).
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(b) No civil or criminal penalty provided under sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, for any violation thereof may be imposed upon this state or any other state, or any
political subdivision thereof, or any department or agency of any such state or political
subdivision.
(c) A creditor shall not be held liable for a civil or criminal penalty under sections
36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, in any case in which the violation results from the use
of an instrument required by any department or agency of: (1) The United States, with
regard to any transaction which is part of a credit program administered, insured or
guaranteed by such department or agency; or (2) this state or of any political subdivision
of this state, with regard to any transaction which is part of a credit program administered,
insured or guaranteed by such department or agency, provided that such department or
agency has consulted with the commissioner to assure that such instrument complies
with said sections as provided in subsection (a) of this section.
(d) A creditor shall not be held liable for a civil or criminal penalty under the laws
of this state for any technical or procedural failure, such as a failure to use a specific
form, to make information available at a specific place on an instrument, or to use a
specific typeface, as required by the laws of this state, which is caused by the use of an
instrument required to be used by any department or agency of: (1) The United States
with regard to any transaction which is part of a credit program administered, insured
or guaranteed by such department or agency; or (2) this state or any political subdivision
of this state, with regard to any transaction which is part of a credit program administered,
insured or guaranteed by such department or agency, provided that such department or
agency has consulted with the commissioner to assure that such instrument complies
with sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, as provided in subsection (a) of this section.
(1969, P.A. 454, S. 8; P.A. 81-158, S. 7, 17; P.A. 82-18, S. 2, 4; P.A. 96-109, S. 13; 96-180, S. 118, 166.)
History: P.A. 81-158 added Subsec. (a) to provide that any department, agency or political subdivision of the state
consult with the commissioner to assure that the instruments it provides to a creditor comply with this chapter, clarified
the governmental exemptions from penalties in Subsec. (b), and added Subsecs. (c) and (d) to provide that a creditor is not
liable in certain cases where the violation results from the use of an instrument required by a federal department or agency
or the state or a political subdivision of the state, effective March 31, 1982; P.A. 82-18 changed effective date of P.A. 81-
158 from March 31, 1982, to "the effective date of Title VI of Public Law 96-221, as contained in Section 625(a) of Public
Law 96-221, as amended", i.e. October 1, 1982; Sec. 36-400 transferred to Sec. 36a-682 in 1995; P.A. 96-109 and 96-180
both substituted "36a-675 to 36a-685" for "36a-665 to 36a-675", where appearing, effective June 3, 1996; (Revisor's note:
In 1997 the word "as" was reinstated editorially by the Revisors at the end of Subsec. (d) before the phrase "... provided
in subsection (a) of this section." thereby correcting an omission which occurred in the preparation of the 1995 revision).
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(b) Adjustment of error. A creditor or assignee has no liability under this section
or section 36a-681 or 36a-684 for any failure to comply with any requirement imposed
under sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, if within sixty days after discovering an
error, whether pursuant to a final written examination report or notice issued under
subsection (d) of section 36a-684, or through the creditor's or assignee's own procedures, and prior to the institution of an action under this section or the receipt of written
notice of the error from the obligor, the creditor or assignee notifies the person concerned
of the error and makes whatever adjustments in the appropriate account are necessary
to insure that the person will not be required to pay an amount in excess of the charge
actually disclosed, or the dollar equivalent of the annual percentage rate actually disclosed, whichever is lower.
(c) Bona fide errors. A creditor or assignee may not be held liable in any action
brought under this section for a violation of sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, if
the creditor or assignee shows by a preponderance of evidence that the violation was
not intentional and resulted from a bona fide error notwithstanding the maintenance of
procedures reasonably adapted to avoid any such error. Examples of a bona fide error
include, but are not limited to, clerical, calculation, computer malfunction and programming, and printing errors, except that an error of legal judgment with respect to a person's
obligations under said sections is not a bona fide error.
(d) Multiple obligors. When there are multiple obligors in a consumer credit transaction or consumer lease, there shall be no more than one recovery of damages under
subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section for a violation of sections 36a-675 to
36a-685, inclusive.
(e) Time limit for bringing action. Any action under this section shall be brought
in any court of competent jurisdiction within one year from the date of the occurrence
of the violation. This subsection does not bar a person from asserting a violation of
sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, in an action to collect the debt which was brought
more than one year from the date of the occurrence of the violation as a matter of defense
by recoupment or set-off in such action.
(f) Good faith conformance. No provision of this section, subsection (d) of section
36a-684 or section 36a-681 imposing any liability shall apply to any act done or omitted
in good faith in conformity with any provision of sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive,
or with any rule, regulation, approval or formal interpretation thereof by the commissioner, or in conformity with the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1601 et seq.),
including any rule or regulation adopted by the Federal Reserve Board pursuant to said
act, or in conformity with any interpretation of said act by the Federal Reserve Board
or in conformity with any interpretation or approval by an official or employee of the
Federal Reserve System duly authorized by the Federal Reserve Board to issue such
interpretations or approvals under such procedures as said board may prescribe therefor,
notwithstanding that after such act or omission has occurred, such statute, rule, regulation, approval or interpretation is amended, rescinded or determined by judicial or other
authority to be invalid for any reason.
(g) Multiple failure to disclose. The multiple failure to disclose to any person any
information required under sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, to be disclosed in
connection with a single account under an open-end consumer credit plan, other single
consumer credit sale, consumer loan, other extension of consumer credit or consumer
lease, shall entitle the person to a single recovery under this section but continued failure
to disclose after a recovery has been granted shall give rise to rights to additional recoveries. This subsection does not bar any remedy permitted by subsection (j) of this section.
(h) Offsets. A person may not take any action to offset any amount for which a
creditor or assignee is potentially liable to such person under subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section against any amount owed by such person, unless the amount of
the creditor's or assignee's liability under sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, has
been determined by judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction in an action to which
such person was a party. This subsection does not bar a consumer then in default on the
obligation from asserting a violation of said sections as an original action, or as a defense
or counterclaim to an action to collect amounts owed by the consumer brought by a
person liable under said sections.
(i) Duplicate recovery prohibited. Notwithstanding any other provision of sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, (1) no person shall be entitled in any action to a
recovery under this section for the failure to disclose any information required under
said sections if a recovery is awarded in the same action under Section 130 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1640) for the failure to disclose any information
required under said sections; and (2) no person shall be entitled in any action brought
under this section to a recovery if, prior to an award in any such action, a recovery has
been awarded to such person in any action brought under Section 130 of the Consumer
Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1640) in which the same act or omission was the basis
of that action.
(j) Rescission. (1) When an obligor exercises his right to rescind under Section
125 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1635), he is not liable for any
finance or other charge, and any security interest given by the obligor, including any
such interest arising by operation of law, becomes void upon such a rescission. Within
twenty days after receipt of a notice of rescission, the creditor shall return to the obligor
any money or property given as earnest money, downpayment or otherwise, and shall
take any action necessary or appropriate to reflect the termination of any security interest
created under the transaction. If the creditor has delivered any property to the obligor,
the obligor may retain possession of it. Upon the performance of the creditor's obligations under this subsection and Section 125 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15
USC 1635), the obligor shall tender the property to the creditor, except that if return of
the property in kind would be impracticable or inequitable, the obligor shall tender its
reasonable value. Tender shall be made at the location of the property or at the residence
of the obligor, at the option of the obligor. If the creditor does not take possession of
the property within twenty days after tender by the obligor, ownership of the property
vests in the obligor without obligation on his part to pay for it. The procedures described
by this subdivision shall apply except when otherwise ordered by a court.
(2) Notwithstanding any rule of evidence, written acknowledgment of receipt of
any disclosures required under sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, by a person to
whom information, forms and a statement is required to be given pursuant to this subsection and Section 125 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1635), does no
more than create a rebuttable presumption of delivery thereof.
(3) An obligor's right of rescission shall expire three years after the date of consummation of the transaction or upon the sale of the property, whichever occurs earlier,
notwithstanding the fact that the information and forms required under this section and
Section 125 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1635), or any other disclosures required under sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, have not been delivered to
the obligor, except that if (A) the commissioner institutes a proceeding to enforce the
provisions of this section, or Section 125 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15
USC 1635), made a part of said sections as provided in section 36a-678, within three
years after the date of consummation of the transaction, (B) the commissioner finds a
violation of this subsection or Section 125 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15
USC 1635), and (C) the obligor's right to rescind is based in whole or in part on any
matter involved in such proceeding, then the obligor's right of rescission shall expire
three years after the date of consummation of the transaction or upon the earlier sale of the
property, or upon the expiration of one year following the conclusion of the proceeding or
any judicial review or period for judicial review thereof, whichever is later.
(4) (A) In any credit transaction in which an obligor has the right to rescind under
Section 125 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1635), and the obligor
does not exercise that right, a finance charge may not begin to accrue in connection with
such transaction until after midnight of the third business day following the consummation of the transaction. (B) Any obligor required to pay a finance charge, in violation
of the provisions of this subdivision, may recover from the creditor twice the amount
of such finance charge, costs and reasonable attorney's fees.
(5) In any action in which it is determined that a creditor has violated subdivision
(1), (2) or (3) of this subsection, in addition to rescission the court may award relief
under other subsections of this section for violations of sections 36a-675 to 36a-685,
inclusive, not relating to the right to rescind.
(6) An obligor shall have no rescission rights arising solely from the form of written
notice used by the creditor to inform the obligor of the rights of the obligor under this
subsection and Section 125 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1635), if
the creditor provided the obligor the appropriate form of written notice published and
adopted by the Federal Reserve Board, or a comparable written notice of the rights of
the obligor, that was properly completed by the creditor, and otherwise complied with
all other requirements of this subsection and Section 125 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1635) regarding notice.
(7) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (n) of this section, and subject to
the time period provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, an obligor shall have the
rescission rights in foreclosure set forth in Subsection (i) of Section 125 of the Consumer
Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1635(i)). This subdivision shall apply to all consumer
credit transactions in existence or consummated on or after September 30, 1995.
(k) Action against assignee. (1) Except as otherwise specifically provided in sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, any civil action for a violation of said sections or
proceeding by the commissioner which may be brought against a creditor, other than
with respect to a consumer credit transaction secured by real property, may be maintained against any assignee of that creditor only if the violation for which such action
or proceeding is brought is apparent on the face of the disclosure statement, except
where the assignment was involuntary. For the purpose of this subdivision, a violation
apparent on the face of the disclosure statement includes, but is not limited to, (A) a
disclosure which can be determined to be incomplete or inaccurate from the face of the
disclosure statement or other documents assigned, or (B) a disclosure not made in the
terms required to be used by said sections.
(2) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of subsection (j) of this section, in any
action or proceeding by or against any subsequent assignee of the original creditor
without knowledge to the contrary by the assignee when he acquires the obligation,
written acknowledgment of receipt by a person to whom a statement is required to be
given pursuant to sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, shall be conclusive proof of
the delivery thereof and, except as provided in subdivision (1) of this subsection, of
compliance with Chapter 2 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act. This subsection does
not affect the rights of the obligor in any action against the original creditor.
(3) Any consumer who has the right to rescind a transaction under subsection (j)
of this section or Section 125 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1635)
may rescind the transaction as against any assignee of the obligation.
(4) (A) Except as otherwise specifically provided in sections 36a-675 to 36a-685,
inclusive, any civil action against a creditor for a violation of said sections and any
proceeding brought by the commissioner against a creditor, with respect to a consumer
credit transaction secured by real property, may be maintained against any assignee of
such creditor only if (i) the violation for which such action or proceeding was brought
is apparent on the face of the disclosure statement provided in connection with such
transaction pursuant to sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, and the Consumer Credit
Protection Act (15 USC 1601 et seq.), and (ii) the assignment to the assignee was voluntary. (B) For purposes of this subdivision, a violation is "apparent on the face of the
disclosure statement" if (i) the disclosure can be determined to be incomplete or inaccurate by a comparison among the disclosure statement, any itemization of the amount
financed, the note, or any other disclosure of disbursement, or (ii) the disclosure statement does not use the terms or format required to be used by sections 36a-675 to 36a-
685, inclusive, and the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1601 et seq.).
(5) A servicer of a consumer obligation arising from a consumer credit transaction
shall be treated as an assignee of such obligation to the extent provided in Subsection
(f) of Section 131 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1641 (f)). This subdivision applies to all consumer credit transactions in existence or consummated on or
after September 30, 1995.
(l) Liability of credit card issuer. (1) Subject to the limitation contained in subdivision (2) of this subsection, a card issuer who has issued a credit card to a cardholder
pursuant to an open-end consumer credit plan shall be subject to all claims, other than
tort claims, and defenses arising out of any transaction in which the credit card is used
as a method of payment or extension of credit if (A) the obligor has made a good faith
attempt to obtain satisfactory resolution of a disagreement or problem relative to the
transaction from the person honoring the credit card; (B) the amount of the transaction
exceeds fifty dollars; and (C) the transaction took place wholly within this state, provided
the mailing address previously provided by the cardholder was within this state and
provided the state of billing of the transaction shall not be considered in determining
where the transaction took place, or the transaction took place within one hundred miles
from the mailing address within this state previously provided by the cardholder, except
that the limitations set forth in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of this subdivision with respect
to an obligor's right to assert claims and defenses against a card issuer shall not be
applicable to any transaction in which the person honoring the credit card (i) is the same
person as the card issuer, (ii) is controlled by the card issuer, (iii) is under direct or
indirect common control with the card issuer, (iv) is a franchised dealer in the card
issuer's products or services, or (v) has obtained the order for such transaction through
a mail solicitation made by or participated in by the card issuer in which the cardholder
is solicited to enter into such transaction by using the credit card issued by the card
issuer.
(2) The amount of claims or defenses asserted by the cardholder may not exceed
the amount of credit outstanding with respect to such transaction at the time the cardholder first notifies the card issuer or the person honoring the credit card of such claim
or defense. For the purpose of determining the amount of credit outstanding in this
subdivision, payments and credits to the cardholder's account are deemed to have been
applied, in the order indicated, to the payment of: (A) Late charges in the order of their
entry to the account; (B) finance charges in order of their entry to the account; and (C)
debits to the account other than those set forth in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this
subdivision, in the order in which each debit entry to the account was made.
(m) Liability of lessor. (1) For the purpose of this subsection, the term "creditor"
in this section shall include a lessor.
(2) Any lessor who fails to comply with any requirement imposed under Section
182 or 183 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1667a or 1667b) with respect
to any person is liable to such person as provided in this section.
(3) Any lessor who fails to comply with any requirement imposed under Section
184 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1667c) with respect to any person
who suffers actual damage from the violation is liable to such person as provided in this
section.
(n) Limitations on rights of creditors, assignees and consumers. In the case of
any consumer credit transaction subject to the provisions of sections 36a-675 to 36a-
685, inclusive, that is consummated before September 30, 1995, the civil, administrative
and criminal liability of a creditor or any assignee of a creditor under sections 36a-675
to 36a-685, inclusive, and a consumer's extended rescission rights under subdivision
(3) of subsection (j) of this section, shall be limited to the extent provided in and subject
to the exceptions contained in Section 139 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15
USC 1649).
(1969, P.A. 454, S. 15; P.A. 75-55; 75-436, S. 6, 7; P.A. 77-315, S. 1; P.A. 81-158, S. 8, 17; P.A. 82-18, S. 2, 4; P.A.
87-65; P.A. 88-65, S. 45; P.A. 96-40, S. 1, 2; 96-109, S. 14; 96-180, S. 119, 166.)
History: P.A. 75-55 required that action be brought within three years, rather than one year, in Subsec. (e); P.A. 75-
436 rewrote Subsec. (a) to distinguish between class actions and individual actions, returned time for bringing action to
one year in Subsec. (e) and added Subsecs. (f) to (j); P.A. 77-315 specified applicability in Subsec. (a) to failure to comply
with requirements of chapter 657a, this chapter and previously listed sections rather than to failure to disclose information
required under this chapter and listed sections; P.A. 81-158 inserted new Subsecs. (i) to (m) and made extensive changes
to the existing Subsecs. to make the provisions of the section conform to federal law, effective March 31, 1982; P.A. 82-
18 changed effective date of P.A. 81-158 from March 31, 1982, to "the effective date of Title VI of Public Law 96-221,
as contained in Section 625(a) of Public Law 96-221, as amended", i.e. October 1, 1982; P.A. 87-65 amended Subsec. (j)
by adding Subdiv. (4) re the accrual of finance charges during the rescission period; P.A. 88-65 made technical changes
by adding U.S. code citations; Sec. 36-407 transferred to Sec. 36a-683 in 1995; P.A. 96-40 made technical changes, and
made specific changes to conform with the federal Truth in Lending Act by amending Subsecs. (a) and (k) re consumer
credit secured by real property, adding Subdivs. (j)(6) and (7) re obligor rescission rights, adding Subdivs. (k)(4) and (5)
re assignments, and adding Subsec. (n) re consumer rescission rights and re liability of creditors and assignees for transactions before September 30, 1995, effective May 2, 1996; P.A. 96-109 and 96-180 both substituted "36a-675 to 36a-685"
for "36a-665 to 36a-675" where appearing and substituted references to Subsec. (d) for Subsec. (g) of Sec. 36a-684,
effective June 3, 1996.
Annotations to former section 36-407:
Cited. 183 C. 85, 91.
Cited. 3 CA 201, 210.
One-year limitation for bringing action under state truth-in-lending act is not bar to common law defense of recoupment.
33 CS 201−204.
Subsec. (a):
Subdiv. (2)(A) cited. 35 CS 508, 509; 36 CS 629, 630; 37 CS 606, 608.
Subsec. (e):
Statute of limitations does not bar defendant's counterclaim by way of recoupment. 35 CS 508−510.
Subsec. (f):
Cited. 37 CS 606, 617.
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(b) In order to accomplish the purposes of sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive,
and the provisions of the general statutes referred to in subsection (a) of this section,
the commissioner may (1) counsel persons and groups on their rights and duties under
said sections and provisions, (2) establish programs for the education of consumers with
respect to credit and leasing practices and problems and (3) make studies appropriate
to effectuate the purposes and policies of said sections and provisions and make the
results available to the public.
(c) The commissioner may by regulation require the maintenance of records related
to consumer credit sales, loans and leases sufficient to evidence the adoption of policies
calculated to produce compliance with sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive, and the
provisions of the general statutes referred to in subsection (a) of this section which shall
be in addition to the record retention requirements imposed under the Consumer Credit
Protection Act (15 USC 1601 et seq.).
(d) (1) In carrying out enforcement activities under this section, the commissioner,
in cases where an annual percentage rate or finance charge was inaccurately disclosed,
shall notify the creditor of such disclosure error and may require the creditor to make
an adjustment to the account of the person to whom credit was extended, to assure that
such person will not be required to pay a finance charge in excess of the finance charge
actually disclosed or the dollar equivalent of the annual percentage rate actually disclosed, whichever is lower. For the purposes of this subsection, except where such
disclosure error resulted from a wilful violation which was intended to mislead the
person to whom credit was extended, in determining whether a disclosure error has
occurred and in calculating any adjustment, (A) the commissioner shall apply (i) with
respect to the annual percentage rate, a tolerance of one-quarter of one per cent more
or less than the actual rate, determined without regard to Section 107(c) of the Consumer
Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1606(c)), and (ii) with respect to the finance charge, a
corresponding numerical tolerance as generated by the tolerance provided under this
subsection for the annual percentage rate; except that (B) with respect to transactions
consummated after March 31, 1982, the commissioner shall apply (i) for transactions
that have a scheduled amortization of ten years or less, with respect to the annual percentage rate, a tolerance not to exceed one-quarter of one per cent more or less than the actual
rate, determined without regard to Section 107(c) of the Consumer Credit Protection Act
(15 USC 1606(c)), but in no event a tolerance of less than the tolerances allowed under
Section 107(c) (15 USC 1606(c)), (ii) for transactions that have a scheduled amortization
of more than ten years, with respect to the annual percentage rate, only such tolerances
as are allowed under Section 107(c) of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC
1606(c)), and (iii) for all transactions, with respect to the finance charge, a corresponding
numerical tolerance as generated by the tolerances provided under this subsection for
the annual percentage rate.
(2) The commissioner shall require such an adjustment when the commissioner
determines that such disclosure error resulted from a clear and consistent pattern or
practice of violations, from gross negligence, or from a wilful violation which was
intended to mislead the person to whom the credit was extended. Notwithstanding the
preceding sentence, except where such disclosure error resulted from a wilful violation
which was intended to mislead the person to whom credit was extended, the commissioner need not require such an adjustment if the commissioner determines that such
disclosure error: (A) Resulted from an error involving the disclosure of a fee or charge
that would otherwise be excludable in computing the finance charge, including but not
limited to, violations involving the disclosures described in Sections 106(b), (c) and (d)
of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1605(b), (c) and (d)), in which event
the commissioner may require such remedial action as the commissioner determines to
be equitable, except that for transactions consummated after March 31, 1982, such an
adjustment shall be ordered for violations of Section 106(b) (15 USC 1605(b)); (B)
involved a disclosed amount which was ten per cent or less of the amount that should
have been disclosed and (i) in cases where the error involved a disclosed finance charge,
the annual percentage rate was disclosed correctly, and (ii) in cases where the error
involved a disclosed annual percentage rate, the finance charge was disclosed correctly;
in which event the commissioner may require such adjustment as the commissioner
determines to be equitable; (C) involved a total failure to disclose either the annual
percentage rate or the finance charge, in which event the commissioner may require
such adjustment as the commissioner determines to be equitable; or (D) resulted from
any other unique circumstance involving clearly technical and nonsubstantive disclosure
violations that do not adversely affect information provided to the consumer and that
have not misled or otherwise deceived the consumer. In the case of other such disclosure
errors, the commissioner may require such an adjustment.
(3) Notwithstanding subdivision (2) of this subsection, no adjustment shall be ordered: (A) If it would have a significantly adverse impact upon the safety or soundness
of the creditor, but in any such case, the commissioner may require a partial adjustment in
an amount which does not have such an impact except that with respect to any transaction
consummated after May 18, 1981, the commissioner shall require the full adjustment,
but permit the creditor to make the required adjustment in partial payments over an
extended period of time which the commissioner considers to be reasonable, (B) if the
amount of the adjustment would be less than one dollar, except that if more than one
year has elapsed since the date of the violation, the commissioner may require that such
amount be paid to the commissioner, (C) except where such disclosure error resulted
from a wilful violation which was intended to mislead the person to whom credit was
extended, in the case of an open-end credit plan, more than two years after the violation,
or in the case of any other extension of credit, as follows: (i) With respect to creditors
that have been examined by the commissioner, except in connection with violations
arising from practices identified in the current examination and only in connection with
transactions that are consummated after the date of the immediately preceding examination, except that where practices giving rise to violations identified in earlier examinations have not been corrected, adjustments for those violations shall be required in connection with transactions consummated after the date of the examination in which such
practices were first identified; (ii) with respect to creditors that have not been examined
by the commissioner, except in connection with transactions that are consummated after
May 10, 1978; and (iii) in no event after the later of (I) the expiration of the life of the
credit extension, or (II) two years after the agreement to extend credit was consummated.
(4) In addition to the enforcement powers authorized by the provisions of this section and section 36a-50, the commissioner may order any creditor to make an adjustment
as provided in subdivision (1) of this subsection. After such an order is issued, the
persons named therein may, within fourteen days after receipt of the order, file a written
request for a hearing. The hearing shall be held in accordance with the provisions of
chapter 54.
(5) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this subsection and notwithstanding
any other provision of law, the commissioner may not require a creditor to make dollar
adjustments for errors in any requirements under the Consumer Credit Protection Act
(15 USC 1601 et seq.), except with regard to the requirements of Section 165 of the
Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1666d).
(6) A creditor shall not be subject to an order to make an adjustment, if within sixty
days after discovering a disclosure error, whether pursuant to a final written examination
report or through the creditor's own procedures, the creditor notifies the person concerned of the error and adjusts the account so as to assure that such person will not be
required to pay a finance charge in excess of the finance charge actually disclosed or
the dollar equivalent of the annual percentage rate actually disclosed, whichever is lower.
(7) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commissioner shall require an
adjustment for an annual percentage rate disclosure error that exceeds a tolerance of
one-quarter of one per cent less than the actual rate, determined without regard to Section
107(c) of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC 1606(c)), with respect to any
transaction consummated between January 1, 1977, and May 18, 1981.
(1969, P.A. 454, S. 22; P.A. 74-254, S. 7; P.A. 78-280, S. 6, 127; P.A. 81-158, S. 9, 10, 17; P.A. 82-18, S. 2, 4; 82-
174, S. 7, 14; P.A. 88-65, S. 46; 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 94-122, S. 308, 340;
P.A. 96-109, S. 15.)
History: P.A. 74-254 substituted reference to chapter 54 for reference to chapter 637 in Subsec. (f); P.A. 78-280 substituted "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" for "Hartford county" in Subsec. (d); P.A. 81-158 amended Subsec. (b)
to include leasing practices and problems in the education programs of the commissioner, amended Subsec. (c) to require
the intention of records related to consumer leases, provide that the record retention requirements are in addition to those
imposed by federal law and provide that examination of records related to required disclosures may take place on the
premises of a lessor or an assignee of a creditor or lessor, amended Subsec. (d) to provide that the commissioner is not
required to post a bond, amended Subsec. (e) to delete provisions concerning the specific topics to be covered by the report,
amended Subsec. (f) to add "or lessor or assignee thereof", effective March 31, 1982, and added Subsec. (g) concerning
disclosure errors and required adjustments by a creditor to conform to federal law; P.A. 82-18 changed effective date of
P.A. 81-158 from March 31, 1982, to "the effective date of Title VI of Public Law 96-221, as contained in Section
625(a) of Public Law 96-221, as amended", i.e. October 1, 1982; P.A. 82-174 amended Subsec. (f) by deleting provisions
authorizing the commissioner, after a hearing, to order a creditor, lessor or assignee to cease and desist from violating the
chapter and authorizing an aggrieved person to appeal in the manner provided in chapter 54, and by adding provisions
authorizing the commissioner to issue, after notice, cease and desist orders unless a hearing is requested and authorizing
him to bring an action to enforce any such order; P.A. 88-65 made technical changes by adding U.S. code citations; P.A.
88-230 replaced "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" with "judicial district of Hartford", effective September 1,
1991; P.A. 90-98 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1993; the incorrect
internal reference in Subsec. (a) to section "42-83(2)(d)" was corrected editorially to "42-83(3)(d)" in 1991; P.A. 93-142
changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; P.A.
94-122 deleted a provision authorizing the commissioner or his representative to examine records on a creditor's or lessor's
premises in Subsec. (c), deleted Subsecs. (d) re court injunctions, (e) re annual reports to the governor and (f) re cease and
desist orders, relettered former Subsec. (g) as Subsec. (d) and made technical changes, effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-
414 transferred to Sec. 36a-684 in 1995; P.A. 96-109 made technical change in Subsec. (a), deleting reference to Subsec.
(c) of Sec. 36a-535 and substituting reference to Subdiv. (13) for reference to Subdiv. (12) of Sec. 36a-770(c).
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(b) Proof that an extension of credit was made at an annual rate exceeding forty-
five per cent calculated according to the actuarial method, and that the creditor then had
a reputation for the use or threat of use of violence or other criminal means to cause
harm to the person, reputation or property of any person to collect extensions of credit
or to punish the nonrepayment thereof, is prima facie evidence that the extension of
credit was unenforceable under subsection (a).
(1969, P.A. 454, S. 23.)
History: Sec. 36-415 transferred to Sec. 36a-685 in 1995.
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INTEREST AND FINANCE CHARGE REBATES
(1) "Amount financed" means the amount of credit a borrower will actually be able
to use as determined in accordance with sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive.
(2) "Annual percentage rate" means the annual percentage rate of finance charge
determined in accordance with sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive.
(3) "Finance charge" means the cost of credit determined in accordance with sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive.
(b) Except as provided in this section, no creditor shall use any method of calculating
interest rebates or finance charge rebates in any transaction described in subsection (c)
of this section which originated on or after December 1, 1980, if such method would
cause the actual interest or finance charge earned for the period during which the indebtedness is outstanding after deduction of an acquisition charge of twenty-five dollars to
exceed the finance charge which would be earned if the annual percentage rate were
calculated by the actuarial method on the amount financed in accordance with the disclosed schedule of payments. When such rebate is less than one dollar, no rebate need
be made.
(c) Notwithstanding any section of the general statutes to the contrary, this section
shall apply to any transaction which is subject to sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive,
and which originated on or after December 1, 1980, but before October 1, 1987, if in
such transaction: (1) The finance charge is precomputed; (2) the annual percentage rate
is greater than fourteen per cent; and (3) the original term of the contract exceeds forty-
eight months and fifteen days; and to any such transaction which originated on or after
October 1, 1987, if in such transaction: (A) The finance charge is precomputed; and (B)
the original term of the contract exceeds forty-eight months and fifteen days.
(P.A. 79-135, S. 1−4; P.A. 81-472, S. 70, 159; P.A. 87-13.)
History: P.A. 81-472 made technical changes; P.A. 87-13 amended Subsec. (c) to expand the application of the section
after October 1, 1987, by deleting the requirement that the interest rate of the loan exceeds fourteen per cent; Sec. 36-417z
transferred to Sec. 36a-690 in 1995; (Revisor's note: In 1997 an obsolete reference in Subsec. (c) to "chapter 657" was
changed editorially by the Revisors to "sections 36a-675 to 36a-685, inclusive," to reflect the renumbering in 1995 of the
sections contained in former chapter 657).
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CONSUMER CREDIT REPORTS
(1) "Consumer" means an individual seeking credit for personal, family or household purposes;
(2) "Creditor" means any person who extends credit in the ordinary course of
business;
(3) "Credit report" means any written or oral report, recommendation or representation of a credit rating agency as to the credit worthiness, credit standing, or credit capacity
of any consumer, and includes any information which is sought or given for the purpose
of serving as the basis for determining eligibility for credit to be used primarily for
personal, family or household purposes;
(4) "Credit rating agency" means any person whose business is the assembling and
evaluating of information as to the credit standing and credit worthiness of a consumer,
for the purposes of furnishing credit reports, for monetary fees and dues to third parties.
(1971, P.A. 868, S. 1; P.A. 86-403, S. 100, 132; P.A. 92-12, S. 85; P.A. 94-122, S. 309, 340; P.A. 98-177, S. 5.)
History: P.A. 86-403 made technical change in Subdiv. (c); P.A. 92-12 redesignated Subdivs. and made technical
changes; P.A. 94-122 added "unless the context otherwise requires" and deleted "firm, company, partnership, corporation,
bureau or agency" from the definition of "credit rating agency" in Subdiv. (4), effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-431
transferred to Sec. 36a-695 in 1995; P.A. 98-177 made a technical change.
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(b) Upon written request and proper identification of any consumer, a credit rating
agency shall disclose to the consumer, within five business days of receipt of the consumer's request, the nature and substance of all information in its files, including (1) any
credit score or predictor relating to the consumer, as required by and in a form and manner
that complies with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and commentary adopted and
enforced by the Federal Trade Commission; (2) a record of all inquiries, by recipient,
including the recipient's name which resulted in providing a credit report concerning
the consumer during the preceding twelve-month period; (3) a clear and concise explanation of the information; and (4) a written summary of the consumer's rights under state
and federal consumer credit reporting statutes in a form substantially similar to the
summary in section 36a-699a. The credit rating agency may charge no more than five
dollars for the first request for such information within the preceding twelve months
and no more than seven dollars and fifty cents for any additional request within the
same twelve-month period for such information, provided such disclosure shall be made
without charge to the consumer if the request for disclosure is made not more than sixty
days after notification to the consumer of an adverse action by a creditor.
(1971, P.A. 868, S. 2; P.A. 87-146, S. 2; P.A. 92-12, S. 86; P.A. 95-104, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 87-146 amended Subsec. (b) by requiring disclosure to be made without charge to the consumer if the
request for disclosure is made not more than thirty days after notification to the consumer of an adverse action by a creditor;
P.A. 92-12 made technical changes; Sec. 36-432 transferred to Sec. 36a-696 in 1995; P.A. 95-104 divided section into
Subsecs. and amended Subsec. (b) by adding a five-day disclosure deadline, adding Subdiv. (1) providing for disclosure
of any credit score or predictor relating to the customer, Subdiv. (2) requiring a record of all inquiries by recipient, Subdiv.
(3) requiring a clear and concise explanation of the information and Subdiv. (4) requiring a written summary of the
consumer's rights, and adding the maximum charge by the credit rating agency and changing the request period from thirty
to sixty days for disclosures without charge.
See Sec. 36a-699a re written summary of consumer's rights.
See Sec. 36a-699b re dispute by consumer re completeness or accuracy of information.
See Sec. 36a-699c re procedures by credit rating agency to assure accuracy.
See Sec. 36a-699d re credit report for use in credit transaction not initiated by consumer.
See Sec. 36a-699e re existing consent judgment or settlement with Attorney General.
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(1971, P.A. 868, S. 3.)
History: Sec. 36-433 transferred to Sec. 36a-697 in 1995.
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(1971, P.A. 868, S. 4; P.A. 77-614, S. 161, 610; P.A. 87-9, S. 2, 3; P.A. 94-122, S. 310, 340.)
History: P.A. 77-614 replaced bank commissioner with banking commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; (Revisor's
note: Pursuant to P.A. 87-9 "banking commissioner" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "commissioner of banking"); P.A. 94-122 made technical changes, effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-434 transferred to Sec. 36a-698 in 1995.
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(1971, P.A. 868, S. 5.)
History: Sec. 36-435 transferred to Sec. 36a-699 in 1995.
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"You have a right to obtain a copy of your credit file from a credit rating agency. You
may be charged a reasonable fee not exceeding five dollars for your first request in
twelve months or seven dollars and fifty cents for any subsequent request in that same
twelve-month period. There is no fee, however, if you have been turned down for credit,
employment, insurance or a rental dwelling because of information in your credit report
within the preceding sixty days. The credit rating agency must provide someone to help
you interpret the information in your credit file.
You have a right to dispute inaccurate information by contacting the credit rating
agency directly. However, neither you nor any credit repair company or credit service
organization has the right to have accurate, current and verifiable information removed
from your credit report. Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, the credit rating
agency must remove accurate, negative information from your report only if it is over
seven years old. Bankruptcy information can be reported for ten years.
If you have notified a credit rating agency in writing that you dispute the accuracy
of information in your file, the credit rating agency must then, within thirty business days,
reinvestigate and modify or remove inaccurate information. If you provide additional
information to the credit rating agency, the agency may extend this time period by fifteen
business days. The credit rating agency shall provide you with a toll-free telephone
number to use in resolving the dispute.
The credit rating agency may not charge a fee for this service. Any pertinent information and copies of all documents you have concerning an error should be given to the
credit rating agency.
If reinvestigation does not resolve the dispute to your satisfaction, you may send a
brief statement to the credit rating agency to keep in your file, explaining why you think
the record is inaccurate. The credit rating agency must include your statement about
disputed information in a report it issues about you.
You have a right to receive a record of all inquiries relating to a credit transaction
initiated in twelve months preceding your request which resulted in the provision of a
credit report.
You may request in writing that the information contained in your file not be provided
to a third party for marketing purposes.
If you have reviewed your credit report with the credit rating agency and are dissatisfied, you may contact the Connecticut Department of Banking. You have a right to bring
civil action against anyone who knowingly or wilfully misuses file data or improperly
obtains access to your file."
(P.A. 95-104, S. 2.)
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(b) If the credit rating agency determines, upon reinvestigation, that an item of
information is inaccurate or cannot be verified, the credit rating agency shall promptly
delete that item. At the request of the consumer, the credit rating agency shall promptly
notify, without charge, those recipients specifically designated by the consumer who
received a credit report within twelve months of completion of the reinvestigation that
such information was deleted. Such information may be reinserted only upon verification of the completeness and accuracy of the information by the furnisher of the information. The credit rating agency shall notify the consumer within five business days of
reinsertion of such information.
(c) If the credit rating agency determines, upon reinvestigation, that an item of information is accurate and complete or that the consumer has not provided sufficient information, the credit rating agency may retain such information.
(d) If the credit rating agency determines, upon reinvestigation, that an item of
information is inaccurate or incomplete, but can be modified so as to make such information accurate and complete, the credit rating agency shall promptly modify such information.
(P.A. 95-104, S. 3.)
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(P.A. 95-104, S. 4.)
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(b) Each credit rating agency shall annually publish in a publication of general
circulation in the state a notice that information in its credit files may be used in connection with a credit transaction which is not initiated by the consumer. A consumer may
notify the credit rating agency of his election to be excluded from credit transactions
which are not initiated by the consumer by writing to the address provided in the notice
for such election. Compliance with the requirements of this section by any credit rating
agency constitutes compliance by the agency's affiliates.
(c) As used in this section, "credit transaction which is not initiated by the consumer"
does not include a request for a consumer report by a person with which the consumer
has an account for purposes of reviewing the account or collecting on the account or a
request for a consumer report by an employer in accordance with 15 USC 1681b.
(P.A. 95-104, S. 5.)
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(P.A. 95-104, S. 6.)
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(c) In addition to statements required in subsection (b) of this section, each contract
shall contain a complete, detailed list of services to be performed by the credit clinic
and the results to be achieved by the credit clinic. A copy of the consumer's current
credit report shall be attached to the contract with the adverse entries to be modified
clearly marked.
(d) Any contract which does not comply with the provisions of subsections (b) and
(c) of this section shall be void and the credit clinic shall return to the consumer any
payments made by the consumer to the credit clinic under the voided contract.
(e) No credit clinic may charge a fee or receive any money or other valuable consideration for the performance of any service the credit clinic has agreed to perform for
any consumer until the credit clinic has fully performed such service.
(f) A violation of any provision of this section shall be deemed an unfair or deceptive
trade practice pursuant to section 42-110b.
(P.A. 87-146, S. 1; P.A. 91-357, S. 57, 78; P.A. 97-22, S. 2; P.A. 99-40.)
History: P.A. 91-357 made a technical change in Subsec. (a); Sec. 36-435l transferred to Sec. 36a-700 in 1995; P.A.
97-22 made technical changes in Subsec. (a); P.A. 99-40 added new Subsec. (e) prohibiting credit clinics from charging
consumers prior to fully performing services and relettered former Subsec. (e) accordingly.
Annotations to former section 36-435l:
Cited. 228 C. 375, 382. Cited. 231 C. 707, 727.
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MORTGAGE PROCESSING
(1) "First mortgage loan" means any loan made to an individual, the proceeds of
which are to be used primarily for personal, family or household purposes, which loan
is secured by a mortgage upon any interest in one-to-four-family residential, owner-
occupied real property located in this state which is not subject to any prior mortgages.
The term includes the renewal or refinancing of an existing first mortgage loan;
(2) "Mortgage lender" means any person engaged in the business of making first
mortgage loans, including, but not limited to, banks, out-of-state banks, Connecticut
credit unions, federal credit unions, out-of-state credit unions and first mortgage lenders
required to be licensed under sections 36a-485 to 36a-498, inclusive; and
(3) "Mortgage rate lock-in" means any written agreement with a mortgage applicant
made by a mortgage lender or its representative, prior to the issuance of a first mortgage
loan commitment, in which the mortgage lender agrees that a particular rate, number
of points or variable rate terms will be the rate, number of points, or variable rate terms
at which it will lend, provided the first mortgage loan is closed within a specified period,
and the applicant qualifies for the loan in accordance with the lender's standards of
credit worthiness.
(P.A. 87-73, S. 1; P.A. 92-12, S. 89; P.A. 94-122, S. 311, 340.)
History: P.A. 92-12 redesignated Subdivs; P.A. 94-122 deleted the definition of "person", reordered definitions and
made technical changes, effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-442 transferred to Sec. 36a-705 in 1995.
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(b) Closing required in accordance with lock-in agreement. Exceptions. Any
first mortgage loan application for which a mortgage rate lock-in agreement has been
issued shall, unless it is denied in accordance with the mortgage lender's standards of
credit worthiness, be closed at the terms specified in the mortgage rate lock-in agreement
regardless of whether the specified lock-in period has expired, unless the failure to close
the first mortgage loan is the result of the following: (1) The applicant has failed to
provide information or documentation required by the lender in a timely manner; (2)
the applicant or the applicant's attorney has failed to close the first mortgage loan on
or before the date specified by the mortgage lender; (3) the applicant has failed to produce, at or before the closing, all of the documentation specified by the mortgage loan
commitment as being required for closing; or (4) the applicant has provided or omitted
any information, in the application or subsequently, which upon verification proves to
be significantly inaccurate causing the need for review or further investigation by the
lender. Information is significantly inaccurate if the information as verified would cause
the applicant to be disqualified for the type of first mortgage loan for which the applicant
has applied or would cause the secondary market source for which the first mortgage
loan is being originated to refuse to purchase the loan.
(c) Refund of fees. In any case where a first mortgage loan has not been closed,
and the application has not been rejected in accordance with the mortgage lender's
standards of credit worthiness, ninety days after the filing of an application for a first
mortgage loan with an initial loan to value ratio of eighty per cent or less or one hundred
twenty days after filing an application for a first mortgage loan with an initial loan to
value ratio of more than eighty per cent, or a first mortgage loan to be insured or guaranteed by any agency of the federal government, or any state or municipal government,
or any quasi-governmental agency, whether or not there has been a mortgage rate lock-
in, the applicant shall be entitled upon written request, which must be made within thirty
days of the expiration of the ninety or one hundred twenty day period, as applicable, to
a full refund of all funds paid to the mortgage lender unless the failure to close was caused
by the applicant for one of the reasons set forth in subdivisions (1) to (4), inclusive, of
subsection (b) of this section or the applicant has requested a closing date which is later
than ninety days after application for a first mortgage loan with an initial loan to value
ratio of eighty per cent or less or one hundred twenty days for a first mortgage loan with
an initial loan to value ratio of more than eighty per cent or which is to be insured or
guaranteed by any agency of the federal government, or any state or municipal government, or any quasi-governmental agency.
(d) Lock-in agreements generally. Information requested by lender. For the
purposes of subsections (b) and (c) of this section:
(1) An applicant shall be deemed to have provided information or documentation
in a timely manner if such information or documentation is delivered to the mortgage
lender or a representative thereof within seven calendar days after it is requested.
(2) If a written commitment issued by a mortgage lender contains any conditions
to be satisfied by the applicant, the mortgage lender shall specify a closing date no sooner
than seven calendar days after the issuance of a written commitment unless an earlier
date is requested by the applicant.
(3) Any new information or documentation requested by the mortgage lender within
seven calendar days before the expiration of any rate lock-in period shall serve to extend
the rate lock-in period by seven calendar days from the date of such request. Information
or documentation is not new if the request is made necessary by inaccuracies in or
omissions from previously provided information, by changes in the information previously provided by the applicant, or questions raised as the result of appraisals, pest
inspections, water or sewer tests, engineering reports or reports of a similar nature.
(4) If an applicant chooses to change the type or amount of a first mortgage loan
for which application is made, or does not qualify for a particular type or amount of
first mortgage loan and chooses to apply for another, any rate lock-in agreement shall
be void and any subsequent rate lock-in shall be evidenced by a new written agreement
and shall for the purposes of sections 36a-705 to 36a-707, inclusive, be considered a
new application.
(5) A mortgage rate lock-in agreement shall not be binding on the mortgage lender
in connection with the application for any first mortgage loan which is to be insured or
guaranteed by any agency of the federal government or any state or municipal government or quasi-governmental agency in the event the loan program for which the applicant
has applied becomes unavailable subsequent to filing an application because of actions
taken by that governmental agency. In such cases the applicant shall be entitled to a
refund of all funds paid by the applicant which have not actually been expended by the
mortgage lender.
(6) If the mortgage lender requires that the closing of the first mortgage loan be
conducted by a particular attorney or law firm, and that attorney or law firm is not
available to conduct the closing before a commitment period or rate lock-in period
expires, the mortgage lender shall extend the commitment or rate lock-in period until
the designated attorney is available to conduct the closing.
(P.A. 87-73, S. 2; P.A. 88-364, S. 54, 123.)
History: P.A. 88-364 made a technical change; Sec. 36-442a transferred to Sec. 36a-706 in 1995.
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(b) No provision of sections 36a-705 to 36a-707, inclusive, shall be construed or
implied to impose an obligation on any party by implication unless expressly stated in
said sections.
(c) No provision of sections 36a-705 to 36a-707, inclusive, shall be considered as
a limitation of the applicant's ability to seek such equitable relief as may be provided
by any other statute or at common law.
(P.A. 87-73, S. 3.)
History: Sec. 36-442b transferred to Sec. 36a-707 in 1995.
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MORTGAGE SERVICING
(1) "First mortgage loan" has the same meaning as provided in subsection (1) of
section 36a-485.
(2) "Mortgage servicing company" means any person, wherever located, who, for
such person or on behalf of the holder of a first mortgage loan, receives payments of
principal and interest in connection with a first mortgage loan, records such payments
on such person's books and records and performs such other administrative functions
as may be necessary to properly carry out the mortgage holder's obligations under the
mortgage agreement including, when applicable, the receipt of funds from the mortgagor
to be held in escrow for payment of real estate taxes and insurance premiums and the
distribution of such funds to the taxing authority and insurance company.
(3) "Mortgagor" means any person obligated to repay a first mortgage loan.
(P.A. 89-347, S. 3; P.A. 92-12, S. 90; P.A. 94-122, S. 312, 340.)
History: P.A. 92-12 made technical changes; P.A. 94-122 made technical changes, effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-
442m transferred to Sec. 36a-715 in 1995.
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(b) Each mortgage servicing company shall, through its own effort and expense,
determine and notify the mortgagor of the amounts necessary to be paid into the escrow
account to assure that sufficient funds will be available for the payment of such taxes
and insurance premiums as of the date such payment is due.
(c) If the amount held in the escrow account as of the date such taxes and insurance
premiums are due is insufficient to pay the taxes and insurance premiums despite compliance by the mortgagor with subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section, the mortgage
servicing company shall pay such taxes and insurance premiums from its own funds.
The mortgage servicing company shall then give the mortgagor the option of paying
the shortage over a period of not less than one year. The mortgage servicing company
shall not charge or collect interest on such shortage during the one-year period.
(P.A. 89-347, S. 4.)
History: Sec. 36-442n transferred to Sec. 36a-716 in 1995.
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(P.A. 89-347, S. 5.)
History: Sec. 36-442o transferred to Sec. 36a-717 in 1995.
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(P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 89-347, S. 6; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 94-122, S. 313, 340.)
History: P.A. 88-230 authorized substitution of "judicial district of Hartford" for "judicial district of Hartford-New
Britain" in the public and special acts of 1989, effective September 1, 1991; P.A. 90-98 changed the effective date of P.A.
88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1993; P.A. 93-142 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from
September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 94-122 deleted provisions allowing the commissioner to bring an enforcement action in superior court and to fine violators up to two thousand five hundred dollars and
made technical changes, effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-442p transferred to Sec. 36a-718 in 1995.
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MORTGAGE INSURANCE
(1) "First mortgage loan" means any loan made to an individual, the proceeds of
which are to be used primarily for personal, family or household purposes, which loan
is secured by a mortgage upon any interest in one-to-four-family residential, owner-
occupied real property located in this state which is not subject to any prior mortgages.
The term includes the renewal or refinancing of an existing first mortgage loan;
(2) "Mortgage insurance" means insurance written by an independent mortgage
insurance company to protect the mortgage lender against loss incurred in the event of
a default by a borrower under the mortgage loan;
(3) "Mortgage lender" means any person engaged in the business of making first
mortgage loans, including, but not limited to, banks, out-of-state banks, Connecticut
credit unions, federal credit unions, out-of-state credit unions, and first mortgage lenders
required to be licensed under sections 36a-485 to 36a-498, inclusive.
(P.A. 89-95, S. 1; P.A. 92-12, S. 91; P.A. 94-122, S. 314, 340.)
History: P.A. 92-12 redesignated Subdivs. and made technical changes; P.A. 94-122 deleted the definition of "person",
reordered definitions and made other technical changes, effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-442aa transferred to Sec. 36a-
725 in 1995.
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(1) That the purpose of mortgage insurance is to protect the mortgage lender against
a loss which may be incurred in the event of a default by the borrower under the mortgage loan;
(2) That mortgage insurance is required as a condition of obtaining the mortgage
loan, and under what, if any, conditions the lender may release the borrower from this
obligation;
(3) A good faith estimate of the initial cost, if any, and the monthly cost, if any, of
the required mortgage insurance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the first mortgage
loan transaction is subject to the requirements of the federal Real Estate Settlement
Procedures Act, the mortgage lender may, in place of the disclosure required under this
subdivision, disclose that the cost of mortgage insurance will be disclosed on the good
faith estimate of closing costs required to be furnished to the applicant in accordance
with the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.
(b) Any mortgage lender who does not require mortgage insurance but does charge
a higher interest rate for first mortgage loans in excess of an eighty per cent loan-to-
value ratio shall disclose this fact to the applicant in writing at the time the first mortgage
loan application is filed.
(c) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to any first mortgage loan which is to be insured or guaranteed by any agency of the federal government
or any state or municipal government or quasi-governmental agency where such agency
requires that mortgage insurance be obtained in connection with the loan.
(P.A. 89-95, S. 2.)
History: Sec. 36-442bb transferred to Sec. 36a-726 in 1995.
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HOME MORTGAGE DISCLOSURE
(P.A. 77-153, S. 1; P.A. 94-122, S. 315, 340.)
History: P.A. 94-122 made a technical change, effective January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-443 transferred to Sec. 36a-735 in 1995.
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(1) "Applicant" means any person who applies for a home purchase loan, home
improvement loan or other mortgage loan as defined in sections 36a-735 to 36a-744,
inclusive, whether or not the loan is granted;
(2) "Federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act" means the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975 (12 USC section 2801 et seq.), as from time to time amended, and any
regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board pursuant to that act, except, for
purposes of sections 36a-735 to 36a-744, inclusive, the supervisory agency shall be the
commissioner;
(3) "Financial institution" means any Connecticut bank or Connecticut credit union
which makes home purchase loans or home improvement loans or any for profit mortgage lending institution other than a Connecticut bank or Connecticut credit union,
whose home purchase loan originations equaled or exceeded ten per cent of its loan
origination volume, measured in dollars, in the preceding calendar year, if such mortgage
lending institution is licensed under sections 36a-485 to 36a-498, inclusive, or 36a-510
to 36a-524, inclusive;
(4) "Home improvement loan" has the same meaning as provided in the federal
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act;
(5) "Home purchase loan" has the same meaning as provided in the federal Home
Mortgage Disclosure Act; and
(6) "Mortgage loan" means a loan which is secured by residential real property.
(P.A. 77-153, S. 2; 77-614, S. 161, 587, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 85, 136; P.A. 80-482, S. 262, 345, 348; P.A. 87-9, S. 2,
3; P.A. 90-34, S. 1, 5; P.A. 93-186, S. 1, 9; P.A. 94-122, S. 316, 340; 94-161, S. 1; May 25 Sp. Sess. 94-1, S. 107, 130;
P.A. 96-109, S. 16; 96-180, S. 120, 166.)
History: P.A. 77-614 and P.A. 78-303 replaced bank commissioner with banking commissioner within the department
of business regulation, reflecting incorporation of banking department as a division within that department, effective
January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-482 restored banking division as an independent department and abolished the department of
business regulation, allowing omission of reference to abolished department in commissioner's title; (Revisor's note:
Pursuant to P.A. 87-9 "banking commissioner" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "commissioner of banking");
P.A. 90-34 amended the definitions of "financial institution" and "home improvement loan", deleted the definition of
"census tract", added a definition of "federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act" and renumbered each Subsec., effective
May 2, 1990, and applicable to all reports and disclosures required under chapter 661 concerning loans originated or
purchased, and loan applications received on and after January 1, 1990; P.A. 93-186 amended the definitions of "financial
institution", "federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act" and "applicant", deleted the definition of "mortgage loan" and
added definition of "home purchase loan" and renumbered Subdivs. accordingly, effective June 23, 1993; P.A. 94-122
deleted the definition of "commissioner" and reordered the definitions, effective January 1, 1995; P.A. 94-161 inserted
new Subdiv. (2) defining "mortgage loan", renumbered the remaining Subdivs., included "or other mortgage loan" in the
definition of "applicant" and made technical changes; May 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1 made technical changes, effective January
1, 1994 and applicable January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-444 transferred to Sec. 36a-736 in 1995; P.A. 96-109 and 96-180 both
made technical change in definition of "financial institution", substituting "or" for "and" in reference to licensure under
specified sections.
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(P.A. 77-153, S. 3; P.A. 93-186, S. 2, 9; P.A. 94-161, S. 2; P.A. 95-155, S. 28, 29.)
History: P.A. 93-186 deleted references to "mortgage loans" in favor of "home purchase loan" and made technical
corrections for clarity and accuracy, effective June 23, 1993; P.A. 94-161 included "other mortgage loans" within the
antidiscrimination provision and changed "specific neighborhood" to "low-income or moderate-income neighborhood";
Sec. 36-445 transferred to Sec. 36a-737 in 1995; P.A. 95-155 applied section to federal banks, effective June 27, 1995.
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(P.A. 77-153, S. 4; P.A. 81-128, S. 7, 17; P.A. 84-546, S. 159, 173; P.A. 90-34, S. 2, 5; P.A. 92-2; P.A. 93-186, S. 3,
9; P.A. 94-122, S. 317, 340; 94-161, S. 3; May 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1, S. 108, 130.)
History: P.A. 81-128 amended Subsec. (a) by substituting "United States Department of Commerce" for "Federal Office
of Management and Budget" and changed the reporting requirement from fiscal to calendar years, amended Subsec. (b)
to indicate when data is disclosed by census tracts or by county, and added Subsec. (e) concerning disclosure to federal
authorities; P.A. 84-546 made technical change in Subsec. (a), replacing reference to U.S. Department of Commerce with
reference to U.S. Office of Management and Budget; P.A. 90-34 deleted former Subsecs. (a) to (d), relettered Subsec. (e)
as Subsec. (b) and added new Subsec. (a) re compliance with the federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, effective May
2, 1990, and applicable to all reports and disclosures required under chapter 661 concerning loans originated or purchased,
and loan applications received on and after January 1, 1990; P.A. 92-2 added Subsec. (c) re disclosure of reason for denial
of mortgage loan application; P.A. 93-186 added a reporting requirement for mortgage loans denied and the basis of denial
to both the commissioner and any federal agencies which require such a report and deleted the reporting requirements
required by the federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and
the federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, effective June 23, 1993; P.A. 94-122 changed "he" to "the commissioner",
effective January 1, 1995; P.A. 94-161 changed "each home purchase loan or home improvement loan application" to
"each loan application subject to federal reporting"; May 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1 made technical changes, effective January
1, 1994, and applicable January 1, 1995; Sec. 36-446 transferred to Sec. 36a-738 in 1995.
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(P.A. 77-153, S. 6; 77-614, S. 161, 587, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 85, 136; P.A. 80-482, S. 263, 345, 348; P.A. 87-9, S. 2,
3; P.A. 93-186, S. 4, 9.)
History: P.A. 77-614 and P.A. 78-303 made banking department a division within the department of business regulation,
effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-482 restored banking division as independent department and abolished the department
of business regulation; (Revisor's note: Pursuant to P.A. 87-9 "banking department" was changed editorially by the Revisors
to "department of banking"); P.A. 93-186 deleted former Subsec. (a) which had required that reports be filed with banking
department and maintained for five years, amended Subsec. (b) re reporting requirements of the commissioner and increased
the fine for noncompliance from ten to one hundred dollars per day, effective June 23, 1993; Sec. 36-448 transferred to
Sec. 36a-739 in 1995.
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