Virginia Law

A. As used in this section:

"Late charges" does not include charges imposed upon acceleration of the entire debt or costs of collection and attorney fees as otherwise permitted by law by reason of a default by the debtor.

"Timely payment" means a payment made by the date fixed for payment or within a period of seven calendar days after such due date.

B. Any lender or seller may impose a late charge for failure to make timely payment of any installment due on a debt, whether installment or single maturity, provided that such late charge does not exceed five percent of the amount of such installment payment and that the charge is specified in the contract between the lender or seller and the debtor.

C. If any federal governmental agency or organization shall adopt any rules or regulations dealing with the application of late penalties as to loans insured or guaranteed by such federal agency or organization, then such rules and regulations shall control as to such loans insured or guaranteed by them.

D. Any provision for late charges in excess of the amount permitted by this section shall be void as to such excess but shall not otherwise affect the validity of the obligation.

1987, c. 622, § 6.1-330.80; 2010, c. 794.

A. Any note or other contract evidencing an installment loan or other installment sales obligation with add-on interest may provide that the entire unpaid loan balance, at the option of the holder, shall become due and payable upon default in payment of any installment without impairing the negotiability of the note, if otherwise negotiable.

B. Upon such acceleration, the holder of the contract of indebtedness shall not be entitled to judgment for unearned interest, but the balance owing shall be computed as follows:

1. On loans payable in equal periodic installments with an initial maturity and corresponding amortization period not exceeding 61 months, the accelerated balance shall be calculated as if the borrower had made a voluntary prepayment and obtained as of the date of acceleration an interest credit based upon the Rule of 78 rebate method as defined in § 6.2-403; and

2. On other loans, the accelerated balance shall be calculated under a method at least as favorable to the borrower as the actuarial method.

C. The accelerated balance shall bear interest at the rate shown, or that should have been shown as the annual percentage rate under a truth in lending disclosure pursuant to federal law if the transaction was a consumer credit transaction.

1987, c. 622, § 6.1-330.89; 1990, c. 338; 1991, cc. 171, 365; 2010, c. 794.

Where any loan or sale on credit contains a provision that a rebate of unearned interest shall be calculated in accordance with the Rule of 78 rebate method as defined in § 6.2-403, the note or other instrument evidencing the loan or sale on credit shall contain a notice advising the borrower of the effect of the interest calculation. The notice shall be in all capital letters and in 10-point type, and shall be substantially as follows:

NOTICE: IF YOU PAY THIS LOAN OR SALE ON CREDIT PARTIALLY OR IN FULL BEFORE ITS DUE DATE, THE AMOUNT OF INTEREST YOU PAY WILL BE GREATER THAN THE AMOUNT OF INTEREST YOU WOULD PAY FOR A SIMPLE INTEREST LOAN OF THE SAME PRINCIPAL AMOUNT.

1990, c. 941, § 6.1-330.85:1; 2010, c. 794.

A. The Rule of 78 is so named because the integers one through 12 added together total 78.

B. The amount of the rebate of unearned interest to be credited upon the acceleration or anticipation of a loan on which such rebate is required to be calculated under the Rule of 78 shall be calculated as follows:

1. Determine the denominator of the fraction, to be used as provided in subdivision 3, by adding the integers corresponding to the number of months over which the loan is to be repaid according to its terms, which in the example of a four-year loan would be the sum obtained by adding all of the integers in the series one through 48.

2. Determine the numerator of the fraction, to be used as provided in subdivision 3, by adding in inverse sequence the integers corresponding to the number of months remaining on the loan after payment is anticipated, which in the example of a four-year loan anticipated after the third month, would be the sum obtained by adding all of the integers in the series 45 through one.

3. Multiply the original amount of interest that would have been paid over the life of the loan by a fraction that has as its denominator the number determined as in subdivision 1 and as its numerator the number determined as in subdivision 2. The product is the amount of unearned interest to be rebated under the Rule of 78.

C. Payment anticipated between scheduled payment dates shall not be considered but instead the succeeding scheduled payment date shall be used in determining the amount of unearned interest to be rebated under the Rule of 78 pursuant to this section.

1987, c. 622, § 6.1-330.86; 2010, c. 794.

A. The Rule of 78 shall not be used to determine the amount of unearned interest to be rebated if payment of the debt is anticipated on any (i) loan of money made after January 1, 1991, with an initial maturity of more than 61 months; or (ii) sales contract made after January 1, 1991, that necessitates a loan as described in clause (i).

B. On any loan of money made with an initial maturity and corresponding amortization period of 61 months or less and that is payable in equal periodic installments, the Rule of 78 may be used to determine the amount of unearned interest to be rebated if payment of the debt is anticipated on the loan or contract.

1990, c. 338, § 6.1-330.86:1; 1991, c. 171; 2010, c. 794.

A. This article does not affect the application of §§ 6.2-420 through 6.2-423 regarding the imposition of prepayment penalties or rebates of unearned interest on certain loans secured by a lien on real estate.

B. This article does not affect the application of § 6.2-1409 regarding the imposition of prepayment penalties or rebates of unearned interest on loans made by an industrial loan association.

2010, c. 794.

A. Any lender making, or broker arranging, loans secured by a first mortgage or first deed of trust on owner occupied residential real estate consisting of one- to four-family dwelling units shall provide, at the time an application for such a loan is submitted by a loan applicant, to the loan applicant a written statement that:

1. Describes when the interest, points, and fees quoted will be locked in; and

2. Provides a good faith estimate of the processing time required for the loan. The estimate shall take into account the time needed for the performance of any local government inspections or other functions necessary to close the loan.

B. The requirements of subsection A shall not apply to any lender making 10 or fewer loans secured by a first mortgage or first deed of trust on such owner occupied residential real estate in any 12-month period.

1988, c. 311, § 6.1-2.9:5; 2010, c. 794; 2016, c. 328.

Any lender that requires a borrower or prospective borrower to pay for an appraisal of residential real estate made in connection with a loan or application for a loan secured by the real estate shall, upon request by the borrower or prospective borrower, furnish free of charge the borrower or prospective borrower with a copy of the written appraisal or, if no written appraisal exists, with a statement of the appraised value within 10 business days of the receipt of such request.

1979, c. 101, § 6.1-2.9; 1988, c. 155; 1990, c. 7; 2010, c. 794.

Interest that is charged pursuant to a written agreement, whether or not recorded, shall be of equal priority with the principal debt secured by the mortgage or deed of trust and shall have priority as to third parties as provided in Title 55.1.

1987, c. 622, § 6.1-330.69; 2010, c. 794.

A. For the purpose of this section:

"First deed of trust" or "first mortgage" includes all deeds of trust and mortgages, and amendments thereto, that are made by the same grantor or mortgagor, secure notes held by the same holder, convey substantially the same real estate, and are superior to all other deeds of trust or mortgages on the real estate.

"Grantor" or "mortgagor" includes an owner of real estate, and spouse, who has assumed responsibility for the obligation secured by such deed of trust or mortgage encumbering the real estate.

"Real estate" includes a leasehold estate of not less than 25 years.

B. Notwithstanding any other statutory or case law relating to compounding of interest, if regularly scheduled periodic payments on an obligation secured by a first mortgage or first deed of trust on real estate are insufficient to pay currently accruing interest on the then principal balance, an agreement in the contract of indebtedness, or other agreement signed by the borrower, providing for the addition of such unpaid interest to the principal balance and the future accrual of interest on such balances, shall be enforceable as written.

C. Disclosure of charges in a disclosure given to the borrower pursuant to federal disclosure laws or regulations and acceptance of the loan proceeds by the borrower shall be deemed an agreement signed by the borrower within the meaning of this section.

1987, c. 622, § 6.1-330.69; 2010, c. 794.

In the case of loans secured by deeds of trust or mortgages on one- to four-family dwelling units, the lender may not require the borrower to use the services of a particular attorney, surveyor, or insurer. The lender shall have the right to approve any attorney, surveyor, or insurer selected by the borrower, provided such approval is not unreasonably withheld.

1987, c. 622, § 6.1-330.70; 1990, c. 3; 2010, c. 794.

A. Any lender making a loan secured by a subordinate mortgage or deed of trust, as defined in § 6.2-300, may require the borrower to provide:

1. Evidence of flood insurance if the security property is located in a special flood hazard area;

2. Evidence of fire and extended coverage insurance; and

3. Decreasing term life insurance, in an amount not exceeding the amount of the loan and for a period not exceeding the term of the loan.

B. At the option of the borrower, accident and health insurance and involuntary unemployment insurance may be provided by the lender.

C. Proof of all insurance issued in connection with loans subject to this chapter shall be furnished to the borrower within 10 days from the date the loan is closed.

1987, c. 622, § 6.1-330.72; 1993, c. 774; 1995, c. 75; 1996, c. 243; 1998, cc. 69, 89; 2010, c. 794.

A. As used in this section:

"Flood insurance coverage" means insurance against loss or damage to any property caused by flooding or the rising of the waters of the ocean or its tributaries.

"Property insurance coverage" means insurance against losses or damages caused by perils that commonly are covered in insurance policies described with terms similar to "standard fire" or "standard fire with extended coverage."

B. No lender shall require a borrower, as a condition to receiving or maintaining a loan secured by any mortgage or deed of trust, to provide or purchase property insurance coverage or flood insurance coverage against risks to any improvements on any real property in an amount exceeding the replacement value of the improvements on the real property.

C. In determining the replacement value of the improvements on any real property, the lender may:

1. Accept the value placed on the improvements by the insurer; or

2. Use the value placed on the improvements that is determined by the lender's appraisal of the real property.

D. A violation of this section shall not affect the validity of the mortgage or deed of trust securing the loan.

1989, c. 230, § 6.1-2.6:1; 2010, c. 794; 2014, c. 247.

Any lender that requires, as a prerequisite to its lending money for the purchase of real property, that private mortgage insurance be secured to insure a certain amount of the lender's interest in the property shall return to the person who paid the premium, or other person entitled thereto, any portion of the premium for such insurance that is not used to secure insurance for the lender's interest in the property.

1980, c. 748, § 6.1-2.9:1; 1990, c. 7; 2010, c. 794.

Any lender or other person maintaining escrow accounts for the payment of taxes or insurance, who on receipt of notice thereof, fails to make timely payment therefor, and incurs a penalty or late charge thereon or a cancellation for nonpayment if there are sufficient funds in such escrow account at least five days before such due date to make such payment, shall be liable for the penalty or late charge assessed for late payment and for any loss as a result of the property being uninsured for nonpayment. The lender or other person shall give written notice to any obligor of the payment of such penalty or late charge within five days after such payment is made.

1978, c. 685, § 6.1-2.8; 2010, c. 794.

A. No lender shall require a borrower or debtor, for the protection of property securing the credit or lien, to cancel an existing insurance policy on such property at the time of a refinancing solely to change the effective dates of coverage under the policy, unless the expiration date of such policy is within four months of the date of the closing.

B. The provision of subsection A shall not prevent a lender from requesting a new policy when the coverage under the existing policy is inadequate or there is reasonable concern over the soundness or services of the insurer.

1995, c. 175, § 6.1-2.9:6; 2010, c. 794.

Where any loan is secured by a mortgage or deed of trust on real property comprised of one- to four-family residential dwelling units, the note, or mortgage or deed of trust evidencing such loan shall in no way prohibit the further encumbrance of the real property.

1975, c. 398, § 6.1-2.5; 2010, c. 794.

Where any loan is secured by a mortgage or deed of trust on real property comprised of one- to four-family residential dwelling units, and the note or mortgage or deed of trust evidencing or securing the loan contains a provision that the holder of the note secured by such mortgage or deed of trust may accelerate payment of or renegotiate the terms of such loan upon sale or conveyance of the security property or part thereof, then the mortgage or deed of trust shall contain in the body a statement, either in capital letters or underlined, that advises the borrower as follows: "Notice -- The debt secured hereby is subject to call in full or the terms thereof being modified in the event of sale or conveyance of the property conveyed."

1987, c. 622, § 6.1-330.88; 2010, c. 794; 2014, c. 330.

A. If an obligation is secured by the lien of a deed of trust or mortgage on real estate, and the owner of the real estate is entitled to prepay the obligation secured by the deed of trust or mortgage, the owner shall be entitled to receive from the holder of the obligation a written statement setting forth the total amount to be paid as of a particular date in order to obtain a release of the deed of trust or mortgage.

B. The holder of the obligation secured by the deed of trust or mortgage shall mail or deliver such written statement of the payoff amount to the property owner or his designee within 10 business days of the receipt of a written request for such payoff information from the property owner or his designee if the request contains the loan number and the address or other description of the location of the subject premises.

C. Upon payment in full of the obligation, the holder shall promptly cause the cancelled loan documents to be forwarded to the owner or his designee.

D. An inadvertent error made in the calculation of the payoff amount shall neither release the obligor from the requirement to pay the full amount due under the contract of indebtedness, nor release the holder of the contract of indebtedness from the requirement to return any overpayment to the obligor or his designee.

E. A request for payoff information under this section may be made one time within a 12-month period without charge, and a fee not exceeding $15 may be charged for each additional request made within such period.

1987, c. 622, § 6.1-330.82; 2010, c. 794.

A. An owner of residential real estate that is improved by the construction thereon of housing consisting of four or fewer dwelling units and encumbered by a mortgage or deed of trust shall have the right, upon written request to any holder of the obligation secured by the mortgage or deed of trust, to receive a written disclosure of whether the holder will permit a qualified purchaser to assume the mortgage or deed of trust. If the answer is in the affirmative, the holder shall disclose the following information regarding the terms of such assumption:

1. The rate of interest to be assumed, which may vary with an exterior standard;

2. The balance of the escrow account, if any;

3. Any fees and charges to be assessed by the holder against the seller and buyer in connection with the assumption;

4. Usual limitations or requirements placed on the assumption; and

5. Other terms and conditions of the assumption deemed pertinent by the holder.

B. The holder shall state the time period during which the terms disclosed pursuant to subsection A shall be valid, together with any limitations thereon.

C. Any holder receiving such a written request from an owner shall respond in writing within 10 business days of the receipt of the request.

D. Any holder receiving a second or subsequent written request with respect to the same mortgage or deed of trust within any 12-month period may charge a fee, not to exceed $15, for each additional request. The fee shall be paid in advance.

1982, c. 233, § 6.1-2.9:3; 1990, c. 7; 2010, c. 794.

No lender shall collect or receive any prepayment penalty on loans secured by real property comprised of one- to four-family residential dwelling units if the prepayment results from the enforcement of the right to call the loan upon the sale of the real property that secures the loan. If the loan is prepaid because of sale to a person who the lender has refused to approve for purposes of assuming the loan or failed to approve within 15 days after receipt by it of written request for approval, the prepayment shall be presumed to result from enforcement of the right to call the loan.

1987, c. 622, § 6.1-330.87; 2010, c. 794.

A. For the purpose of this section:

1. "First deed of trust" or "first mortgage" includes all deeds of trust and mortgages, and amendments thereto, that are made by the same grantor or mortgagor, secure notes held by the same holder, convey substantially the same real estate, and are superior to all other deeds of trust or mortgages on the real estate; and

2. "Real estate" includes a leasehold estate of not less than 25 years.

B. Every loan contract, except as provided in subsection D, that is secured by a first deed of trust or first mortgage on real estate if the principal amount of the loan is less than $75,000, shall:

1. Permit the prepayment of the unpaid principal at any time; and

2. Not provide for a prepayment penalty in excess of one percent of the unpaid principal balance.

C. Any prepayment penalty provision in violation of subdivision B 2 shall be unenforceable as to the amount in excess of one percent of such balance.

D. The provisions of:

1. Subsections B and C shall not apply to secured or unsecured notes evidencing installment sales contracts; and

2. Subdivision B 2 and subsection C shall not apply to any loan contract that is (i) subject to § 6.2-422 or 6.2-1409 or (ii) governmentally regulated as to prepayment privilege.

1987, c. 622, §§ 6.1-330.69, 6.1-330.81; 2010, c. 794.

The prepayment penalty in the case of a loan secured by a mortgage or deed of trust on a home that is occupied or to be occupied in whole or in part by a borrower shall not exceed two percent of the amount of such prepayment.

1987, c. 622, § 6.1-330.83; 2010, c. 794.

A. Any borrower under any loan secured by a subordinate mortgage or deed of trust on residential real estate, which loan is subject to the provisions of § 6.2-327, shall have the right to anticipate payment of his debt in whole or in part at any time. If agreed to by the borrower, a lender may contract for a penalty for prepayment of the full amount of the loan if the prepayment penalty shall not exceed two percent of the principal amount prepaid, but no prepayment penalty shall be imposed if:

1. The loan is refinanced or consolidated with the same lender or a subsequent noteholder;

2. The loan is accelerated due to default;

3. A partial prepayment is made; or

4. In the case of an open-end credit plan, as defined in § 6.2-300, where there is a payment of the outstanding balance without a demand to release the subordinate deed of trust or mortgage.

B. If interest has been added to the face amount of a note payable in installments, the borrower shall have the right to a rebate of any unearned interest. On loans with an initial maturity and corresponding amortization period of 61 or fewer months that are payable in equal periodic installments, the rebate shall be computed in accordance with the Rule of 78 as illustrated in § 6.2-403. On loans with an initial maturity of more than 61 months, the rebate shall be computed under a method at least as favorable to the borrower as the actuarial method.

C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any loan made by (i) a bank, savings institution, industrial loan association, or credit union or (ii) a seller in a real estate sales transaction who takes a subordinate mortgage or deed of trust on such real estate.

1987, c. 622, § 6.1-330.85; 1990, c. 338; 1991, c. 171; 1998, c. 89; 2010, c. 794.

As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:

"Cardholder" means the person or organization named on the face of a credit card to whom or for whose benefit the credit card was issued by an issuer.

"Credit card" means any instrument or device, whether known as a credit card, credit plate, or by any other name, issued with or without fee by an issuer for the use of the cardholder in obtaining money, goods, services, or any other thing of value.

"Issuer" means the business organization or financial institution or its duly authorized agent that issues a credit card.

"Payment device" means any credit card, any "accepted card or other means of access" as defined in 15 U.S.C. § 1693a(1), or any card that enables a person to pay for transactions through the use of value stored on the card itself.

1970, c. 324, § 11-30; 2010, c. 794.

A. A cardholder who receives a credit card from an issuer, which card the cardholder has not requested nor consented to the issuance of in writing, nor used, shall not be liable for any amount owing because of a use of the credit card.

B. The failure to destroy or return an unsolicited credit card shall neither:

1. Be evidence of a cardholder's request for or consent to the issuance of the credit card, nor

2. Constitute negligence on the part of the cardholder.

C. Use by an authorized agent of the cardholder shall be the equivalent of use by the cardholder. The burden of proving the authority of an agent shall be upon the issuer.

1970, c. 324, § 11-31; 2010, c. 794.

The request, consent, or use required in § 6.2-425 as a condition precedent to liability shall not be necessary in any instance:

1. Of a credit card that is a renewal of a credit card previously held and used by the cardholder or his authorized agent within 12 months of the renewal date; or

2. Where the card is issued to a customer who has previously established credit with the issuer and has used such credit within 12 months prior to the issuance of the card.

1970, c. 324, § 11-32; 2010, c. 794.

A. In any suit arising out of the use of a credit card, where the request, consent, or use as required by § 6.2-425 is denied and is not proved, and judgment shall be for the defendant, the court shall assess against the issuer all court costs and shall award the defendant a reasonable attorney fee.

B. For purposes of subsection A, a certified copy of the request or consent shall be admissible as evidence that such request or consent was obtained.

1970, c. 324, § 11-33; 2010, c. 794.

A. Except as otherwise provided in subsection D, no person shall, as a means of identification or for any other purpose:

1. Require that a person produce a credit card number for recordation; or

2. Record a credit card number in connection with (i) a sale of goods or services in which a purchaser pays by check or (ii) the acceptance of a check.

B. A person aggrieved by a violation of this section shall be entitled to institute an action to recover his actual damages or $100, whichever is greater, and to injunctive relief against any person who has engaged, is engaged, or is about to engage in any act in violation of this section. Such action shall be brought in the general district or circuit court, whichever is appropriate, of any county or city wherein the defendant resides or has a place of business. In the event the aggrieved party prevails, he may be awarded reasonable attorney fees and court costs in addition to any damages awarded.

C. This section shall not be construed to (i) impose liability on any employee or agent of a person, where that employee or agent has acted in accordance with the directions of his employer, (ii) prohibit a person from requesting a purchaser to display a credit card as an indication of creditworthiness or financial responsibility or as identification, and in these instances the type, the issuer, and the expiration date of the credit card may be recorded, or (iii) require acceptance of a check, whether or not a credit card is presented.

D. A person may require production of and may record a credit card number as a condition for cashing a check only where (i) the person requesting the card number has agreed with the issuer to cash checks as a service to the issuer's cardholders, (ii) the issuer has agreed to guarantee cardholder checks cashed by that person, and (iii) the cardholder has given actual, apparent, or implied authority for use of his card number in this manner and for this purpose.

1990, c. 587, § 11-33.1; 2010, c. 794.

A. No person that accepts payment devices for any purpose shall print on any receipt provided to the holder of the payment device (i) more than the last four digits of the payment device number or (ii) the expiration date.

B. For transactions in which the sole means of recording the person's payment device number is by handwriting or by an imprint or copy of the payment device, no receipt, other than the one original, shall display the information prohibited in subsection A. Returning all copies, including carbons, that do not comply with this section, to the payment device holder or authorized user or destroying such copies and carbons in front of the payment device holder or authorized user shall constitute compliance with this section.

C. The provisions of this section shall apply to all cash registers or other machines or devices that electronically print receipts for payment device transactions that are placed in service on or after July 1, 2003.

D. For all cash registers or other machines or devices that electronically print receipts for payment device transactions in service prior to July 1, 2003, the provisions of this subsection shall not apply until July 1, 2005.

E. Any person violating this section (i) shall be liable to the payment device holder and the issuer for any damages or expenses, or both, including attorney fees, that the payment device holder incurs due to the use of the payment device without the permission of the payment device holder and (ii) may be compelled, in a proceeding instituted in any appropriate court by the attorney for the Commonwealth, to comply with this section by injunction, mandamus, or other appropriate remedy. Without limiting the remedies authorized by this section in a proceeding instituted by the attorney for the Commonwealth, any person failing, neglecting, or refusing to obey any injunction, mandamus, or other remedy obtained pursuant to this section, shall be subject, in the discretion of the court, to a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 for each violation.

2002, c. 744, § 11-33.2; 2004, c. 793; 2009, c. 373; 2010, c. 794.

Solely for the purpose of a buyer asserting claims and defenses pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1666i, a transaction shall be presumed to have occurred at the mailing address most recently provided by the cardholder to the card issuer, without regard to the location where the last act necessary for the formation of the contract between the cardholder and the party honoring the card took place.

2004, c. 373, § 11-33.3; 2010, c. 794.

Except as set forth in § 6.2-428, the provisions of §§ 6.2-424 through 6.2-430 shall not apply to any credit card issued by any telephone company that is subject to supervision or regulation by the Commission.

1970, c. 324, § 11-34; 1990, c. 587; 2010, c. 794.

Any application form or preapproved written solicitation for an open-end credit card account to be used for personal, family, or household purposes that is mailed to a consumer residing in the Commonwealth by or on behalf of a creditor, whether or not the creditor is located in the Commonwealth, other than an application form or solicitation included in a magazine, newspaper, or other publication distributed by someone other than the creditor, shall contain or be accompanied by a disclosure that satisfies the initial disclosure requirements of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Regulation Z (12 C.F.R. Part 1026).

1987, cc. 622, 639, 714, §§ 6.1-330.63, 6.1-330.78; 1992, Sp. Sess., c. 4; 1997, c. 112; 2005, c. 670; 2009, cc. 784, 860; 2010, c. 794; 2016, c. 501.

A. Any open-end credit plan, as defined in § 6.2-300, by a bank or savings institution may be amended in any respect by the bank or savings institution at any time and from time to time to modify or delete terms, or to add new terms, which new or modified terms and amendment need not be of a kind previously included in or contemplated by such contract or plan, or of a kind integral to the relationship of the parties, by following the procedures, if any, set forth in the contract or plan for effecting changes in the terms thereof, subject to the bank's or savings institution's complying with any applicable notice requirements under the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. § 1601 et seq.) and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time.

B. Unless the contract or plan referred to in subsection A otherwise expressly provides, a bank or savings institution may amend such contract or plan in any respect at any time and from time to time, whether or not the amendment or the subject of the amendment was originally contemplated or addressed by the parties or is integral to the relationship between the parties. Without limiting the foregoing, such amendment may change terms by the addition of new terms or by the deletion or modification of existing terms, whether relating to plan benefits or features, the periodic rate or rates used to calculate finance charges, the manner of calculating periodic rate finance charges or outstanding unpaid indebtedness, variable schedules or formulas, finance charges other than periodic rate finance charges, other charges or fees, collateral requirements, methods for obtaining or repaying extensions of credit, attorney fees, plan termination, the manner for amending the terms of the contract or plan, arbitration or other alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, or other matters of any kind whatsoever. Unless the contract or plan otherwise expressly provides, any amendment may, on and after the date upon which it becomes effective as to a particular borrower, apply to all then outstanding unpaid indebtedness in the borrower's account under the contract or plan, including any such indebtedness that arose prior to the effective date of the amendment. A contract or plan may be amended pursuant to this subsection regardless of whether the contract or plan is active or inactive or whether additional borrowings are available thereunder. Any such amendment may become effective as determined by the bank or savings institution, subject to compliance by the bank or savings institution with any applicable provisions under the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. § 1601 et seq.) and the regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time. Any notice of an amendment sent by the bank or savings institution may be included in the same envelope with a periodic statement or as part of the periodic statement or in other materials sent to the borrower.

1987, cc. 622, 639, 714, § 6.1-330.63; 1992, Sp. Sess., c. 4; 1997, c. 112; 2005, c. 670; 2010, c. 794.

An open-end credit plan, as defined in § 6.2-300, between a bank or savings institution and an obligor, or any plan which permits an obligor to avail himself of the credit so established, shall be governed solely by federal law, and by the laws of the Commonwealth, unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing by the parties.

1987, cc. 622, 639, 714, § 6.1-330.63; 1992, Sp. Sess., c. 4; 1997, c. 112; 2005, c. 670; 2010, c. 794.

An open-end credit plan as defined in § 6.2-300, between a seller or lender and an obligor shall be governed solely by federal law and by the laws of the Commonwealth.

1987, cc. 622, 639, 714, § 6.1-330.78; 1992, Sp. Sess., c. 4; 1997, c. 112; 2009, cc. 784, 860; 2010, c. 794; 2020, cc. 1215, 1258.

Every person subject to the provisions of 15 U.S.C. § 1601 et seq. and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Regulation Z (12 C.F.R. Part 1026) shall comply with such statutes and regulations when offering or extending consumer credit as defined therein. A lender who fails to comply with this section shall not be subject to any liability or penalty beyond those imposed by such federal statutes and regulations.

1987, c. 622, § 6.1-330.79; 2010, c. 794; 2016, c. 501.

A. In any sales transaction, except one pursuant to an open-end account, involving exclusively consumer goods as defined in subdivision (a) (23) of § 8.9A-102 in which credit is extended and a security interest in consumer goods is taken, any installment payment, other than a down payment made prior to or contemporaneously with the execution of an agreement evidencing the transaction, that is more than 10 percent greater than the regular or recurring installment payments, shall be subject to the buyer's right to refinance such a payment on the basis of an extended period of time. Such additional payments shall be in amounts that shall allow the unpaid balance to be paid in as few periodic payments, not more than 10 percent greater than the regularly scheduled installment payments, as are required to pay such balance. Such additional payments shall be considered and treated as part of the original transaction.

B. The parties may agree in a separate writing that one or more payments or the intervals between one or more payments shall be reduced or expanded in accordance with the desires or needs of the buyer, if such fluctuations in the schedule of payments are expressly arranged to coincide with the anticipated fluctuations in the buyer's capability to make such payments.

C. No seller who has refused to refinance in compliance with the provisions of this section shall be entitled (i) to the return or repossession of the goods involved in the transaction or (ii) to a judgment for the unpaid balance involved in the transaction at the time of his failure to do so.

1987, c. 622, § 6.1-330.90; 2010, c. 794.