UNITED STATES OF AMERICA In the Matter of FILE NO. 9323074 AGREEMENT CONTAINING CONSENT ORDER The Federal Trade Commission ("Commission") has conducted an investigation of certain acts and practices of Fleet Finance, Inc., incorporated in Delaware ("Fleet Finance"), and a predecessor corporation, Fleet Finance, Inc., which was incorporated in Rhode Island ("Fleet Finance (RI)") and is now succeeded by Home Equity U.S.A., Inc., incorporated in Rhode Island ("Home Equity U.S.A. (RI)"), and Home Equity U.S.A., Inc., incorporated in Delaware ("Home Equity U.S.A. (DE)"), corporations ("proposed respondents"). Proposed respondents, having been represented by counsel, are willing to enter into an agreement containing a consent order resolving the allegations contained in the attached draft complaint. Therefore, IT IS HEREBY AGREED by and between Fleet Finance, Home Equity U.S.A. (RI), and Home Equity U.S.A. (DE) by their duly authorized officers, and counsel for the Federal Trade Commission that: 1.a. Proposed respondent Fleet Finance is a Delaware corporation with its principal office or place of business at 6 Executive Park Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30329. 1.b. Proposed respondent Home Equity U.S.A. (RI) is a Rhode Island corporation with its principal office or place of business at 6 Executive Park Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30329. 1.c. Proposed respondent Home Equity U.S.A. (DE) is a Delaware corporation with its principal office or place of business at 6 Executive Park Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30329. 2. Proposed respondents admit all the jurisdictional facts set forth in the draft complaint. 3. Proposed respondents waive:
4. This agreement shall not become part of the public record of the proceeding unless and until it is accepted by the Commission. If this agreement is accepted by the Commission, it, together with the draft complaint, will be placed on the public record for a period of sixty (60) days and information about it publicly released. The Commission thereafter may either withdraw its acceptance of this agreement and so notify proposed respondents, in which event it will take such action as it may consider appropriate, or issue and serve its complaint (in such form as the circumstances may require) and decision in disposition of the proceeding. 5. This agreement is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by proposed respondents that the law has been violated as alleged in the draft complaint, or that the facts as alleged in the draft complaint, other than the jurisdictional facts, are true. 6. This agreement contemplates that, if it is accepted by the Commission, and if such acceptance is not subsequently withdrawn by the Commission pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.34 of the Commission's Rules, the Commission may, without further notice to proposed respondents, (1) issue its complaint corresponding in form and substance with the attached draft complaint and its decision containing the following order in disposition of the proceeding, and (2) make information about it public. When so entered, the order shall have the same force and effect and may be altered, modified, or set aside in the same manner and within the same time provided by statute for other orders. The order shall become final upon service. Delivery of the complaint and the decision and order to proposed respondents by any means specified in Section 4.4 of the Commission's Rules shall constitute service. Proposed respondents waive any right they may have to any other manner of service. The complaint may be used in construing the terms of the order. No agreement, understanding, representation, or interpretation not contained in the order or in the agreement may be used to vary or contradict the terms of the order. 7. Proposed respondents have read the draft complaint and consent order. They understand that they may be liable for civil penalties in the amount provided by law and other appropriate relief for each violation of the order after it becomes final. ORDER For purposes of this order, the following definitions shall apply: 1. "Address" or "addresses" means the full street address, including the: street number and, where applicable, apartment or condominium number; city or town; state; and zip code. 2. "Advertisement," "business day," "consumer," "consumer credit," "dwelling," and "security interest" are defined as provided in Regulation Z, 12 C.F.R. § 226.2(a), as amended, and the Federal Reserve Board Commentary to Regulation Z ("Regulation Z Commentary"), 12 C.F.R. § 226.2(a), Supp. 1, as amended. 3. "Applicable respondent," means the entity among the respondents who is the creditor for the particular consumer credit transaction. 4. "Date of foreclosure," means the date of foreclosure by Fleet Finance or Fleet Finance (RI) on the property involved in the eligible foreclosed consumer's transaction that was extended or purchased by Fleet Finance or Fleet Finance (RI) between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 1993. 5. "Foreclose" means that foreclosure proceedings were instituted with respect to the applicable consumer. In a state where judicial proceedings were not utilized, the term means an official notice was provided to the consumer, by Fleet Finance or Fleet Finance (RI) that foreclosure had, in fact, commenced. 6. "Mailing address" means the street or U. S. Post Office box, city, state, and zip code. 7. "Name" means: (a) the consumer's full name in respondents' primary listing of borrowers' names and addresses and shall include, where available, the consumer's first name, middle initial and last name; (b) a consumer's name provided to the independent agent by the Commission; or (c) the full name provided by the consumer to the independent agent, including, where available, the first name, middle initial and last name. 8. "Paid off by foreclosure by Fleet Finance or Fleet Finance (RI)" means that the consumer's obligation was paid off by foreclosure proceedings instituted by Fleet Finance or Fleet Finance (RI) and subsequent sale of the property to, or subsequent payment of the balance by, someone other than the respective consumer. 9. "Eligible consumer" means every consumer who meets the following three requirements: (a) the consumer had a consumer credit transaction that was secured by the consumer's principal dwelling, and the transaction was either extended or purchased by Fleet Finance or Fleet Finance (RI) at any time from January 1, 1990 through December 31, 1993; (b) the consumer is one for whom respondents have a computer or other readily available record or whose name is provided to the independent agent by the Commission; and (c) the consumer's transaction described in this subparagraph was, at any time prior to the date of this order, paid off to or written off by Fleet Finance or Fleet Finance (RI) or any other Fleet Financial Group, Inc. entity, either prior to, at, or after maturity of the obligation, in any manner excluding paid off by foreclosure by Fleet Finance, Fleet Finance (RI) or any other Fleet Financial Group, Inc. entity. Respondents shall make good faith efforts to locate their computer or other readily identifiable records with the names of eligible consumers. 10. "Eligible foreclosed consumer" means every consumer who meets the following three requirements: (a) the consumer had a consumer credit transaction that was secured by the consumer's principal dwelling and was either extended or purchased by Fleet Finance or Fleet Finance (RI) at any time from at any time from January 1, 1990 through December 31, 1993; (b) the consumer is one for whom respondents have a computer or other readily available record or whose name is provided to the independent agent by the Commission; and (c) the consumer's transaction described in this subparagraph was, at any time prior to the date of this order, paid off by foreclosure by Fleet Finance, Fleet Finance (RI) or any other Fleet Financial Group, Inc. entity, either prior to, at, or after maturity of the obligation. Respondents shall make good faith efforts to locate their computer or other readily identifiable records with the names of eligible foreclosed consumers. 11. "Independent agent" means the independent agent designated by the Commission to oversee redress for this matter. 12. Unless otherwise specified, "respondents" means Fleet Finance, Home Equity U.S.A. (RI), and Home Equity U.S.A. (DE), corporations, their successors and assigns and their officers; and each of the above's agents, representatives, and employees. 13. "Commerce" means as defined in Section 4 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. § 44. I. IT IS ORDERED that respondents, directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, or other device, in connection with any extension of consumer credit or advertisement to promote directly or indirectly any extension of consumer credit in or affecting commerce, shall not, in any manner, expressly or by implication:
II. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents, directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, or other device, shall not, in any manner, purchase, by any means, any promissory note or other consumer credit transaction in which the disclosures required by Sections 121, 122, 125, and 128 of the TILA, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1631, 1632, 1635, and 1638, as amended, violate, on their face, any provision of the TILA, 15 U.S.C. § 1601 et seq., as amended, Regulation Z, 12 C.F.R. § 226, as amended, and the Regulation Z Commentary, 12 C.F.R. § 226, Supp. 1, as amended, by, for example, inaccuracies or incompleteness or absence of disclosures required by the TILA, Regulation Z and the Regulation Z Commentary. III. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents shall pay to the Commission as consumer redress and attendant costs of administration the sum of one million three hundred thousand dollars ($1,300,000). Respondent shall make the payment by electronic transfer on or before the tenth day following the date of service of this order. The payment shall be deposited into a suspense account established by the Commission. In the event of any default in the payment, respondents shall also pay interest as computed under 28 U.S.C. § 1961(a), which shall accrue on the unpaid balance from the date of default until the date the balance is fully paid. The payment made by respondents shall, in the discretion of the Commission, be used by the Commission to provide direct redress to consumers as specified in this order in connection with the acts or practices alleged in the complaint, and to pay any attendant costs of administration. If the Commission determines, in its sole discretion, that redress to consumers is wholly or partially impracticable or is otherwise unwarranted, any funds not so used shall be paid to the United States Treasury. The independent agent shall establish an escrow account for the payment. The independent agent shall deposit the payment into the escrow account upon transfer of the payment from the Commission to the independent agent. At any time after this order becomes final, the Commission or the independent agent may direct that the payment be distributed as provided in this order. Respondents relinquish all dominion, control and title to the payment made to the Commission. Respondents shall make no claim to or demand for return of the payment, directly or indirectly, through counsel or otherwise; and in the event of bankruptcy of respondents, respondents acknowledge that the payment is not part of the debtor's estate, nor does the estate have any claim or interest therein. IV. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents, directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, or other device, shall comply with Paragraphs I, III, and IV of Appendix A to this order and shall also provide reasonable cooperation to the Commission and the independent agent in connection with administration of the Consumer Redress Program and Other Consumer Redress Requirements as described in Appendices A, B, C, D, and E to this order, hereby incorporated into this order. V. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents, directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, or other device, shall not communicate directly with eligible consumers or eligible foreclosed consumers, orally or in writing, concerning the Consumer Redress Program and Other Consumer Redress Requirements as described in Appendices A, B, C, D, and E to this order prior to being notified by Commission staff that the Consumer Redress Program and Other Consumer Redress Requirements have been completed, except to refer consumers to the 800-number provided by the independent agent. VI. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents shall, for five (5) years from the date of this order, maintain and upon request promptly and within a reasonable period of time make available to the Federal Trade Commission for inspection and copying all documents that will demonstrate compliance with this order, provided, however, that nothing in this Part shall limit respondents' continuing obligation to retain evidence of compliance with Regulation Z, pursuant to Section 226.25(a) of Regulation Z, 12 C.F.R. § 226.25(a). VII. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents are required, in accordance with 31 U.S.C. § 7701, to furnish to the Commission the respective taxpayer identifying numbers (employer identification number), which shall be used for purposes of collecting and reporting on any delinquent amount arising out of such person's relationship with the Commission. VIII. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents shall deliver a copy of this order to all current and future principals, officers, directors, and managers, and to all current and future employees, agents, and representatives having responsibilities with respect to the subject matter of this order, and shall obtain from each such person a signed and dated statement acknowledging receipt of the order. Respondents shall deliver this order and obtain the signed receipt to such currently employed personnel within thirty (30) days after the date of service of this order, and to such future employed personnel within thirty (30) days after the person assumes such position or responsibilities. IX. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents shall notify the Federal Trade Commission at least thirty (30) days prior to any change in the corporation(s) that may affect compliance obligations arising under this order, including but not limited to a dissolution, assignment, sale, merger, or other action that would result in the emergence of a successor corporation; the creation or dissolution of a subsidiary, parent, or affiliate that engages in any acts or practices subject to this order; the proposed filing of a bankruptcy petition; or a change in the corporate name or address. Provided, however, that, with respect to any proposed change in the corporation about which respondents learn less than thirty (30) days prior to the date such action is to take place, respondents shall notify the Commission as soon as is practicable after obtaining such knowledge. All notices required by this Part shall be sent by certified mail to the Associate Director, Division of Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580. X. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents shall, within sixty (60) days after the date of service of this order, and at such other times as the Federal Trade Commission may require, file with the Commission a report, in writing, setting forth in detail the manner and form in which they have complied with all aspects of this order and the appendices to this order. XI. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents shall not be liable for any acts or omissions of the independent agent that do not involve the acts or omissions of respondents. XII. This order will terminate twenty (20) years from the date of its issuance, or twenty (20) years from the most recent date that the United States or the Federal Trade Commission files a complaint (with or without an accompanying consent decree) in federal court alleging any violation of the order, whichever comes later; provided, however, that the filing of such a complaint will not affect the duration of:
Provided, further, that if such complaint is dismissed or a federal court rules that the respondent did not violate any provision of the order, and the dismissal or ruling is either not appealed or upheld on appeal, then the order will terminate according to this Part as though the complaint had never been filed, except that the order will not terminate between the date such complaint is filed and the later of the deadline for appealing such dismissal or ruling and the date such dismissal or ruling is upheld on appeal. Signed this day of 1999. FLEET FINANCE, INC. By: By: By: WILLIAM BLUMENTHAL HAROLD M. SHAW CAROLE L. REYNOLDS THOMAS E. KANE APPROVED: JOAN Z. BERNSTEIN APPENDIX A I. Not later than ten (10) business days after the date of service of this order, respondents shall deliver to the independent agent on magnetic tape or other electronic medium, and deliver to the Associate Director, Division of Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission ("Division of Enforcement"), a paper copy and a computerized copy of: (a) a list entitled "Eligible Consumers" containing the names, mailing addresses, and loan dates of all eligible consumers in their records; (b) a separate list entitled "Eligible Foreclosed Consumers" containing the names, mailing addresses, loan dates, and dates of foreclosures of all eligible foreclosed consumers in their records; and (c) a sworn statement signed by a responsible company official of respondents that these lists constitute true, accurate and complete lists of all such consumers in their records. In creating the lists described in this paragraph, respondents shall make good faith efforts to locate within their files the consumer's full name and current address. If, before the date of service of this order, respondents have provided to the Commission lists and a sworn statement that meet the requirements of this paragraph, respondents shall provide a statement to that effect to the Division of Enforcement and shall not be required to provide the lists and sworn statement again thereafter. II. The independent agent shall add to each respective list referred to in Paragraph I of this Appendix A, in a segregated format, the names and addresses of those consumers that the Division of Enforcement specifies are eligible consumers or eligible foreclosed consumers under this order and provides to the independent agent. The independent agent shall assign a control number for each consumer on these two lists. The independent agent shall update the addresses on these two lists by conducting a standard address search using the national change of address system ("NCOA"). III. Respondents shall also provide promptly and within a reasonable period of time any additional information that the independent agent reasonably needs to carry out the Consumer Redress Program and Other Consumer Redress Requirements described in this order and the appendices to this order. Respondents shall deliver to the independent agent all data and information required by this order and the appendices to this order, in a clear format compatible with the independent agent's computers. IV. During the sixty (60)-day period beginning on the date the order is published in the Federal Register for notice and comment, respondents shall cooperate fully with the independent agent in a test run by the independent agent designed to examine the compatibility of the data's format with the independent agent's computers and to test the procedures for preparing and mailing the letter described in Appendix B to this order ("Appendix B letter") to the consumers on the two lists described in Paragraph I of this Appendix A. V. Not later than the later of thirty (30) days after receiving from respondents the information described in Paragraph I of this Appendix A or the date of this order, the independent agent shall: (a) retain a copy of the information described in Paragraph I of this Appendix A with a record of the date it was received from respondents; and (b) mail a letter substantially identical to the Appendix B letter, an envelope addressed to the independent agent, and a claim form substantially identical to the form in Appendix C ("Claim Form") to all consumers on the two lists described in Paragraph I of this Appendix A. VI. For Appendix B letters that are returned due to an undeliverable address, the independent agent shall conduct an address search using consumer databases and then shall remail the letter, the envelope, and the Claim Form to any updated address by first class regular mail through the U.S. Postal Service. VII. Any recipient of an Appendix B letter whose Claim Form is not received by the independent agent within sixty (60) days of the date on such consumer's Appendix B letter shall not receive a redress payment; provided, that the independent agent may at its discretion accept and process an untimely Claim Form that it receives within ninety (90) days of the date on the consumer's Appendix B letter. VIII.For any consumers not included on the two lists described in Paragraph I of this Appendix A who contact the independent agent not later than sixty (60) days after the date of this order regarding a possible redress payment, the independent agent shall specify that, to qualify for a redress payment, the consumers must submit, not later than ninety (90) days after the date of this order, certain documents. Those documents must show that the consumer meets either of the following: (a) the requirements of subparagraphs 9(a) and 9(c) of the definition of "eligible consumer" under this order; or (b) the requirements of subparagraphs 10(a) and 10(c) of the definition of "eligible foreclosed consumer" under this order. Not later than 120 days after the date of this order, the independent agent shall review any documents submitted and decide which consumers, if any, qualify for a redress payment. Within the same time period, the independent agent shall submit to the Division of Enforcement for approval a list of those consumers it has found to qualify for a redress payment under this paragraph. If the independent agent is unable to decide whether a particular consumer qualifies for a redress payment under this paragraph, the independent agent shall forward the consumer's documents to the Division of Enforcement, who will make the determination. After receiving from the Division of Enforcement a list of consumers who are approved to receive a redress payment under this paragraph ("qualified consumers"), the independent agent shall retain that list. IX. The independent agent shall calculate the proposed amount of redress ("proposed amount"), which shall be an equal amount for each consumer, to be given to all consumers who either: (1) were sent an Appendix B letter and submitted a Claim Form in accordance with this order; or (2) were deemed qualified consumers under Paragraph VIII of this Appendix A. The independent agent shall calculate the proposed amount by starting with the total amount of money in the redress fund available for distribution ("total available redress") and dividing that figure by the following figure: the number of Claim Forms received by the independent agent, plus the number of qualified consumers under Paragraph VIII of this Appendix A. The available redress shall be the $1,300,000 paid by respondents in accordance with this order less:
X. Upon receiving notice of approval of the proposed amount, including any corrections, by the Division of Enforcement, the independent agent shall send by first class mail a check in that amount to each consumer who: (a) was mailed an Appendix B letter and submitted a Claim Form; or (b) was deemed a qualified consumer under Paragraph VIII of this Appendix A. The letter accompanying the check shall be substantially identical to the letter shown in Appendix D. In addition, the independent agent shall include the Commission's consumer education pamphlet pertaining to home equity loans. For those consumers not deemed qualified consumers under Paragraph VIII of this Appendix A, the independent agent shall mail a letter substantially identical to the letter attached to this order as Appendix E ("Appendix E letter"). XI. The independent agent shall establish and maintain a toll-free telephone number for consumers covered by this Order that shall be included on all Appendix B, D and E letters sent pursuant to this order that consumers may call to inquire about the Consumer Redress Program under this order. The toll-free telephone number shall continue for as long as necessary, but in no event longer than nine (9) months from the date of this order. XII. The independent agent shall redeposit into the redress fund the funds from any returned checks or checks not cashed within 90 days after distribution to consumers. The independent agent shall make a second-round distribution of the funds remaining in the redress fund in the same manner as set forth above for the initial distribution; provided, however, that if the Division of Enforcement determines that insufficient funds are available to warrant a second-round distribution, the Division of Enforcement shall so notify the independent agent and the independent agent shall pay the balance of the redress fund to the United States Treasury in lieu of making a second-round distribution. XIII.The independent agent shall create and retain the following lists:
XIV. If any funds remain in the redress fund after the final distribution to consumers, payment of the independent agent's fees, discharge of the redress fund's tax liabilities, and any other expense of the redress fund, the independent agent shall pay such funds over to the United States Treasury. XV. The independent agent shall manage the money deposited into the redress fund in a manner reasonably calculated to maximize the amount available for distribution, provided, however, that the money in the fund shall be invested in interest-bearing bank accounts that are insured by an agency of the United States government or in United States government obligations. XVI. The independent agent shall ensure that the redress fund is in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. In particular, the independent agent shall file all required tax returns. XVII.After disposing of all funds in the redress fund, the independent agent shall submit to the Division of Enforcement a final report, accounting for all funds received into the fund and paid out of the fund. XVIII.The fee due the independent agent for performing the duties described herein shall be determined according to its contract with the Commission. This fee is to be paid from the redress fund. XIX. The independent agent shall maintain all records related to the performance of its duties under this order for a period of five (5) years after the final accounting report is approved by the Commission. APPENDIX B [For Eligible Consumers and Eligible Foreclosed Consumers] [Date of Letter] Dear Consumer: As part of a settlement between the U.S. Federal Trade Commission ("the FTC") and Fleet Finance and its related companies ("Fleet") concerning certain home loans that Fleet made or purchased between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 1993, Fleet paid the FTC an amount for use in making redress payments to consumers who obtained such loans. Because you are among this group of consumers, you will be mailed a redress payment if you fill out the attached Claim Form and sign it, place a stamp on the enclosed addressed envelope, and mail the Claim Form in the envelope. For you to receive the redress payment, the independent agent must receive your Claim Form within sixty (60) days from the date on the top of this letter. Please mail back your Claim Form promptly. We do not yet know how large the redress payment to each consumer will be. That amount will depend on the number of consumers who submit Claim Forms. The redress payment will not be greater than $1,000, and it could be much less. If you have questions about this letter or about the redress program, please call the independent agent set up by the FTC at the following toll-free number: 1-800-[insert number]. Again, to receive the redress payment, simply fill out the Claim Form, sign it, put it in the envelope, place a stamp on the envelope, and mail it. Sincerely, Federal Trade Commission APPENDIX C CLAIM FORM [Control Number Please send me the redress payment in connection with the settlement between the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and Fleet. Signed: _____________________________ Date: _______________ [Name of Consumer] If the address above is incorrect, please add your correct address below: Apartment: __________________________________________ Street Address: __________________________________________ City, State, Zip: __________________________________________ PRIVACY ACT NOTICE: The FTC seeks this information to provide refunds to eligible consumers. Providing this information is voluntary. If you decide not to provide this information, it could delay processing, or in some cases, make it impossible to process your claim. This information may be disclosed as authorized by Privacy Act, such as to another government agency. 5 U.S.C. 552a, 47 Fed. Reg. 32,662. APPENDIX D [Letter to Accompany Redress Payments] [Date of Letter] Dear Consumer: Thank you for your correspondence in connection with the settlement between the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and Fleet Finance and its related companies ("Fleet"). We have enclosed a check made out to you for $______. Please cash your check as soon as possible and not later than 90 days after the date of this letter. After 90 days, the check will not be good. The Federal Trade Commission is committed to enforcing federal laws that protect consumers from unfair or deceptive practices. If you have any questions about this check or about the redress program in general, please call the independent agent, at 1-(800) XXX-XXXX. Sincerely, APPENDIX E [Letter to Consumers Who Do Not Qualify for a Redress Payment] [Date of Letter] Dear Consumer: Thank you for your correspondence regarding the recent settlement between the U.S. Federal Trade Commission ("the FTC") and Fleet Finance and its related companies ("Fleet"). We have reviewed the information you submitted. Unfortunately, your transaction is not covered by the settlement, and you do not qualify for a redress payment. If you have questions about this letter or about the redress program, please call the independent agent set up by the FTC at the following toll-free number: 1-800-[insert number]. Sincerely, |