Video & Transcript Research : 'mortgages'
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AL
Keywords:
HB300, Choctaw County, probate court, probate judge, recording fee, filing fee, deed tax, mortgage tax, deeds, mortgages, property records, recordation, county local act, local legislation, technology upgrades, digitalization of records, recordkeeping, county treasury, special fund, court administration
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a combination of a bunch of the agency bills with crypto kiosks, residential mortgage loan servicing
Bills:
HF3794, HF4472, HF4410, HF4347, HF4412, HF4398, HF4397, HF4201, HF4199, HF4203, HF3706, HF4071, HF4120, HF4175, HF4188
Keywords:
surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, automated decision systems, consumer protections, data privacy, biometrics, school district health insurance, charter school health benefits, employee benefits, public sector health insurance, health insurance survey, Legislative Budget Office, LBO report, premium costs, retiree coverage, broker commissions, third-party administrator, health plan transparency, health reimbursement arrangement
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Each mortgage that I saw, 7,000 mortgages, somebody gave me a big bundle with 7,000 mortgages created
- So I got a second mortgage cleaning the first mortgage, which the first mortgage had a split loan, a
- split... ...mortgage, which the first mortgage had a split loan, a split mortgage.
- I had two mortgages not knowing that I had two mortgages.
- the mortgage kept going up.
Summary:
The Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on several bills focused on consumer debt, mortgage regulation, credit unions, and foreclosure prevention. The Attorney General’s Office strongly supported the Debt Collection Fairness Act (S. 735/H. 1275), saying it would curb abusive debt collection, prevent stale claims, limit civil arrest warrants, modernize wage garnishment rules, and reduce judgment interest rates. Senator Eldridge and legal aid advocates echoed that support, while the Massachusetts Bankers Association and the Massachusetts Mortgage Bankers Association supported bills on credit union mission/competition, consumer privacy in mortgage applications, subprime loan definitions, UCC updates, and protections for vulnerable adults, but opposed foreclosure mediation proposals and several credit union expansion measures, arguing they would distort competition and add unnecessary burdens.
A large portion of the hearing focused on foreclosure prevention bills (S. 765/H. 1090), with testimony from homeowners, housing organizers, and legal advocates describing predatory lending, confusing servicing practices, health harms, and displacement caused by foreclosure. Supporters said a statewide pre-foreclosure mediation program would give borrowers and lenders a chance to reach alternatives such as loan modifications or repayment plans, and cited local experience in Lynn where mediation reportedly produced high rates of foreclosure alternatives. Opponents from the banking industry argued Massachusetts already has strong foreclosure protections and that a new mandatory process could delay resolution without added benefit, though they also noted a 2024 pilot should be evaluated first.
The committee also heard strong support for H. 1282/S. 684, which would update the Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code. State Street and a bankruptcy attorney said the changes are needed to keep commercial law current with electronic transactions, tokenized assets, and blockchain technology, and to maintain competitiveness with other states. The hearing concluded after public testimony, with no bill votes taken during the session; the chair thanked speakers and the committee voted to adjourn.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Apr 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Independent mortgage companies make over 50% of the mortgage loans in California.
- This increases the funds available for more mortgages.
- found that independent mortgage banks have significantly grown their market share of mortgage lending
- found that independent mortgage banks have significantly grown their market share of mortgage lending
- it harder to attract mortgage capital to the state.
Summary:
The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met to hear several bills, beginning with a consent calendar that included AB 665 and AB 866, both adopted on a do pass basis and referred to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 801, which would create a California Community Reinvestment Act to require covered financial institutions, including state-chartered banks, credit unions, residential mortgage lenders, and money transmitters, to meet the financial needs of low- and moderate-income communities and communities of color. The author and supporters argued the bill would close gaps left by the federal CRA, address redlining and discriminatory lending, and expand investment in housing, small business, and community development. Support came from community groups, CDFIs, labor, and housing advocates, while opposition from mortgage bankers and credit unions argued the bill would impose costly new reporting and regulatory burdens, especially on institutions they said already serve underserved borrowers well. Committee members discussed the scope of the bill, the experience of other states with state CRA laws, and possible carve-outs or tiered treatment for smaller credit unions. AB 801 was passed as amended and referred to Appropriations, with the roll left open and later completed; one member voted no and others were not voting or voted aye as the roll was finalized.
The committee also heard AB 743, which would require licensing and surety bonds for commercial lawsuit financing and bring those transactions under DFPI oversight. The author said the bill was aimed at a largely unregulated, multi-billion-dollar industry and was intended to increase transparency and address concerns about foreign interests, fraud, and abusive litigation funding practices, while not affecting consumer legal funding. Supporters, including Unified Patents, the Civil Justice Association of California, the California Chamber of Commerce, the California Trucking Association, and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, said the bill was an important first step toward disclosure and regulation. There was no opposition testimony. AB 743 passed unanimously as amended and was referred to Appropriations, with the roll held open briefly for absent members before the committee adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Apr 28th, 2025
Banking and Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- Independent mortgage companies make over 50% of the mortgage loans in California.
- , increasing the funds available for funding more mortgages.
- found that independent mortgage banks have grown their market share of mortgage lending and the proportion
- it harder to attract mortgage capital.
- like Trident Mortgage Company.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions, February 18, 2026
Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions
Transcript Highlights:
- A mortgage modification is a change to a mortgage that typically happens when a borrower is in trouble
- the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act. the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act.
- A mortgage modification step.
- is a change to a mortgage that typically is a change to a mortgage that typically happens<00:10:
- have to have this mortgage relisted. have to have this mortgage relisted.
Keywords:
elections, Wyoming House of Representatives, state representatives, multi-member districts, county-based districts, party list voting, list voting, proportional representation, Jefferson method, greatest divisors method, ranked choice voting, RCV, primary elections, party conventions, minor parties, major parties, ballot design, apportionment, redistricting, nomination procedures
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Business, Financial Services & Trade Dec 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- mortgages, or home equity loans.
- mortgages, or home equity loans.
- We have taken the position it was a mortgage. The company said that it is not a mortgage.
- , reverse mortgage product.
- We have shared appreciation mortgages, because we also have reverse mortgages.
Summary:
The committee first heard a work session on cryptocurrency kiosks from the Department of Financial Institutions and Spokane City Councilmember Paul Dillon. DFI described crypto kiosks as licensed money transmission terminals that allow cash purchases of virtual currency, and said the main concern is fraud: scammers often pressure victims, especially older adults, to deposit cash into kiosks and send it to wallets controlled by organized crime. DFI cited a sharp increase in kiosk volume, nationwide fraud complaints and losses, and said Washington currently has licensing and disclosure rules but lacks transaction and fee limits. The department said it is seeking stronger disclosures, a $1,000 daily transaction limit, and a fee cap. Spokane described its unanimous ordinance banning new kiosks and removing existing ones after local scam reports, and members asked about how the machines work, whether the fraud is in the hardware or the transaction, and whether stronger warnings or screening could help.
The committee then reviewed home equity sharing agreements, or CHISAs, based on a report by Mariana Amaram and testimony from DFI and industry representatives. The report found that CHISAs provide homeowners a lump sum in exchange for a share of future home value or appreciation, with no monthly payments, but that consumers often struggle to understand the products and settlement calculations. The report said the market has grown quickly in Washington, that costs can be hard to predict, and that early uncapped contracts could produce very high settlement amounts, especially during periods of rising home prices. DFI said it views these products as mortgage loans and is moving forward with rulemaking, including counseling and clearer disclosures, while industry witnesses said the products are equity-based rather than debt-based and asked for tailored regulation. Members discussed the need for better consumer education, clearer payoff schedules, and whether the products should be treated as mortgages or a separate category.
The final panel focused on Washington’s space economy, with presentations from Amazon Leo, Blue Origin, Stoke Space, Space Northwest, and Green River College. Speakers highlighted major in-state investments in satellite manufacturing, launch systems, and workforce training, including Amazon Leo’s Redmond and Kirkland facilities, Blue Origin’s Kent headquarters, and Stoke Space’s Kent manufacturing and Moses Lake test site. Space Northwest presented data showing the sector’s growing economic footprint, high-wage jobs, and regional clusters in Kent and Redmond, and urged more workforce programs, incentives, infrastructure support, and a state space commission. The companies emphasized local hiring, apprenticeship and certification programs, and the role of Washington’s aerospace supply chain in supporting the broader space industry. No votes were taken during the transcript excerpt.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- potentially have their their mortgage potentially have their their mortgage erased.<00:27:13.279
- And when you think about it in the mortgage context, if you had a mortgage out on there and you were
- And when you think about it in the mortgage context, if you had a mortgage out on there and you were
- And when you think about it in the mortgage context, if you had a mortgage out on there and you were
- And when you think about it in the mortgage context, if you had a mortgage out on there and you were
Summary:
The Senate Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and took up Senate Bill 50, sponsored by Chair Storm and President Stivers, a broad probate and trust measure. Stivers and attorney Barry explained that the bill updates Kentucky probate and intestacy procedures to better fit electronic filing and modern family structures, adjusts inheritance tax classifications to reflect longer lifespans and more complex family relationships, and adopts newer trust tools used in other states, including electronic wills and directed trusts. They also described a domestic asset protection trust provision, saying it is intended to level the playing field with other states and is not meant to help people evade existing creditors; they noted one non-uniform section may have fiscal impact and could warrant referral to Appropriations and Revenue.
Members asked about the asset protection trust language, especially whether it could shield assets after a lawsuit is pending or threatened. Barry said the bill would not allow transfers to defeat existing or threatened claims and that the protection only applies where there are no such claims at the time of transfer. Senators also discussed whether the trust could be used for spendthrift-style family planning, with Barry noting trusts can already be drafted for that purpose and that the bill is not aimed at that issue.
Senator Thomas requested more detail on the inheritance tax changes, and Stivers explained that the bill would move more beneficiaries into the no-tax category because estates now often pass to older children, grandchildren, and step-relatives, creating unexpected tax liability. He and others said the changes were meant to reflect modern family patterns and longer life expectancy, and Thomas said he was not opposed to the tax changes but wanted the public to understand them.
Tim Shank of the Kentucky Bankers Association testified that the bankers were not opposing the bill overall but had concerns about the domestic asset protection trust section, particularly its treatment of existing mortgages and creditor claims. He said the bill’s notice and claim-extinguishment provisions could create unintended consequences for mortgage holders, and he urged changes to protect existing debt. In response, Senator Thomas questioned whether a lender that takes no action for the bill’s six-month-to-two-year claim period should lose its claim, but Shank replied that federal mortgage rules and payment status could complicate that assumption. The discussion ended with acknowledgment that the mortgage issue was likely unintended and would need further review.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Agriculture (2-26-25) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- He said valid mortgage holders might not know about transfers because parties could take their money
- value on the property without notice to the bank or an opportunity to protect its mortgage.
- <00:30:36.840>
holders <00:30:37.159>with um you know Val mortgage holders with um - mortgage.
- >
and <00:42:49.280>just the value of the mortgage and and just the value of the mortgage
Keywords:
00:00 -- Introduction
00:13 – Attendance Roll Call
08:25 – Discussion of HB 315
23:45 – Roll call vote on HB 315
26:35 – Discussion of HB 356
46:30 – Roll call vote on HB 356, 958, all
Summary:
The House Agriculture Committee first spent much of the meeting recognizing the large number of 4-H and FFA students and guests in attendance, with members from several counties introducing their groups and praising the programs for developing future agricultural and civic leaders. Comments emphasized the value of youth involvement in agriculture, leadership, and public speaking, and several members noted their own 4-H or FFA backgrounds. The committee then took up House Bill 356, and adopted a committee substitute before hearing testimony on the revised measure.
House Bill 356, sponsored by Representative Carney, would create the Kentucky Urban Youth Agriculture Initiative, expanding the original urban farming concept into broader agricultural education, agribusiness, advocacy, and work-ready skills. The substitute removed the requirement that participants have access to farmland, lowered the age floor from six to five, broadened participation, and established a pilot program with implementation left to Cooperative Extension. Supportive testimony came from a 4-H student and Kentucky 4-H representatives, who described how the program helps youth explore many interests and removes barriers for urban students. Members from both parties praised the bill as a way to reach more youth and strengthen agricultural education. The committee approved House Bill 356 as amended by the committee substitute on a roll call vote, with all members present voting yes.
The committee then heard House Bill 315 from Representative Sharp, a foreign adversary land bill intended to limit certain foreign entities’ ability to purchase Kentucky land. Before member questions, Tim Shank of the Kentucky Bankers Association testified in opposition to one section of the bill, saying banks already screen borrowers through federal systems and that Section 8’s reference to an Attorney General lien for “actual costs” was too vague. He warned the language could create uncertainty for mortgage holders and potentially affect credit availability for farmers. Representative Sharp said he had just learned of the concern and may need to work with the Attorney General’s office to address it. He also said the bill was largely the same as last year’s version, except for the removal of a leasing-related paragraph, and the committee began discussion of the bill after that testimony.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 2/24/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- banking<00:52:15.760>
uh mortgage lending and mortgage banking uh mortgage lending and mortgage - <01:32:05.520>
So postpone mortgage sale clarified. So postpone mortgage sale clarified. - and mortgage servicers.
- release that mortgage. Thank you. release that mortgage. Thank you.
- <01:47:25.360>
banking, <01:47:26.080>all mortgage lending, mortgage banking, all mortgage
Keywords:
common interest community, CIC, homeowners association, HOA, condominium, planned community, cooperative, unit owner, association board, declarant, declarant control, special declarant rights, assessment lien, foreclosure, late fees, fines, attorney fees, resale disclosure, annual report, maintenance plan
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Tax Expenditure Review Commission 6/17/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, first, fewer..." of the Minnesota home mortgage interest of the Minnesota home mortgage interest
- <01:04:48.000>
interest Minnesota home mortgage interest Minnesota home mortgage interest - <01:07:16.840>
interest Minnesota home mortgage interest Minnesota home mortgage interest - <01:10:12.000>
interest Minnesota home mortgage interest Minnesota home mortgage interest - The mortgage did not cover today.
Summary:
The Tax Expenditure Review Commission met on June 17, 2026, approved the January 20, 2026 minutes, and then adopted updated commission procedures. The procedural changes, presented by Legislative Budget Office Director Christian Larson, required a quorum of voting members to complete evaluations before a formal recommendation vote, and allowed members to bundle or unbundle tax expenditures for voting. The commission approved the revised procedures by roll call vote, with five ayes and four excused.
The commission then reviewed member evaluation summaries for tax expenditures presented in December 2025 and January 2026. It first considered the alcoholic beverage tax credits for small brewers and microdistilleries, and after discussion voted to recommend repeal of those two expenditures, while leaving the small winery credit for a later meeting because it lacked enough member responses under the new procedures. The vote on the repeal recommendation passed 4-1, with Commissioner Marquart voting no.
The commission next approved the lawful gambling bundle, which included bingo, raffle, and related exemptions. Larson reported that most members recommended continuation for each item, and the commission voted to recommend continuing all six lawful gambling expenditures. It then reviewed the residential utility services bundle—residential heating fuels, residential water services, and sewer services—where members generally favored continuation but several noted possible modifications or caps for higher-income users; the commission voted to recommend continuation of the bundle.
Finally, the commission reviewed the data center equipment sales tax exemption, which Larson said had an estimated annual revenue loss of $95 million and was intended to create jobs in construction and data center industries. Members raised questions about its effectiveness and whether the exemption should be modified or capped, but the commission ultimately voted to recommend continuation. The meeting concluded with these recommendations set to be included in the commission’s 2026 annual report.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Preferential scoring for housing projects in communities with land trusts 3/10/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Community land trusts reduce the upfront costs by separating land ownership from the home, making mortgages
- <00:02:02.399>
mortgages <00:02:03.119>of the home, making mortgage mortgages of the - home, making mortgage mortgages of more<00:02:03.680>
affordable. - Community land trust homeowners can also access conventional mortgage products, but the state has been
- also access conventional mortgage also access conventional mortgage products<00:04:34.400>
but
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 03/04/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- of our first mortgages sold on the secondary market.
- <00:08:02.599>
lenders conducted for first mortgage lenders conducted for first mortgage lenders - communities there is Strong Mortgage communities there is Strong Mortgage industry<00:21:29.000>
- the Minnesota mortgage the Minnesota mortgage Association<00:22:00.120>
uh <00:22:00.279>< - my name is Amber laser I am the mortgage my name is Amber laser I am the mortgage foreclosure<00
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Task Force on Homeowners and Commercial Property Insurance 10/22/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- for uh the purpose of the mortgage loan. for uh the purpose of the mortgage loan.
- happens to that person's mortgage? happens to that person's mortgage?
- mortgage bankers? mortgage bankers?
- <00:36:25.359>
Premiums mortgage approval process. Premiums mortgage approval process. - order to keep the mortgage approvable. order to keep the mortgage approvable.
Summary:
The task force met on October 22, 2025, with a quorum present and several members participating remotely. Members approved the minutes from the previous meeting. Michelle Urick of the Legislative Coordinating Commission then gave an administrative update on proxy voting and the task force’s operating procedures. She said the enabling statute only authorizes the officially appointed member to act and vote, so proxy voting is not allowed, and votes must be cast in person at the meeting where the item is considered. She also said members may submit written positions, but not vote before or after a meeting. In response to concerns about attendance for future votes, the chair said the January meetings would be rescheduled if possible using a Doodle poll so more members could be present in person. The group also agreed to treat the revised document as operating procedures rather than a formal charter, with no separate adoption action needed at that time.
The task force then moved into testimony on homeowners and commercial property insurance. Paul Edgar of Minnesota Realtors said rising insurance costs are adding to housing affordability pressures, citing an increase in the monthly principal, interest, taxes, and insurance payment on a median-priced Minnesota home from $1,622 in 2021 to $2,642 in September 2025. He said higher insurance costs and limited coverage can affect buyers’ financing, especially for condominiums and townhomes, and urged continued work on liability and insurance-related laws that may discourage condo development. He also referenced prior bipartisan reforms to Minnesota’s condominium construction defects law and said his organization supports further improvements to encourage more condo production.
Keenan Ravery of the Minnesota Mortgage Association focused on how insurance requirements affect mortgage lending. He explained that lenders require insurance both at origination and throughout the life of the loan, with standards aimed at protecting collateral rather than providing full homeowners coverage. He said replacement-cost coverage has long been the norm, but recent issues with roofs, deductibles, HO-6 policies, and force-placed insurance have become pain points for consumers and lenders. He said his association is working with national trade groups on reforms that could allow more flexibility in coverage types and deductibles, and he expressed hope that Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency may announce policy changes in the coming months or by early 2026. No votes or substantive policy actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and agreeing to pursue scheduling adjustments for January.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- mortgage.
- Your lender likes that smaller mortgage, and behind it is a second mortgage for the energy components
- . would lend a second mortgage that by the would lend a second mortgage that by the way<00:09:19.839>
- It's explicitly not a mortgage, right?
- It's explicitly not a mortgage, right?
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine housing roadblocks, focusing on paving a new way to address affordability. Mar 12th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I am the Chief Innovation Officer at United Wholesale Mortgage.
- Interest rates, supply, and cost embedded in the mortgage process.
- I mean, we are focused mostly on the mortgage process. I understand.
- mortgages and what could that mean for available workforce housing?
- It reflects both the price of housing and the mortgage rates.
Keywords:
affordable housing, government investment, barriers, legislative solutions, public testimony
Summary:
The committee meeting focused on addressing the significant issue of affordable housing in America. Members expressed concern over the persistent barriers faced in the housing sector, despite substantial government investment aimed at alleviating these issues. It was highlighted that government interference plays a critical role in complicating the housing landscape, and discussions revolved around potential legislative approaches to mitigate these challenges. Several witnesses provided testimony, contributing to a thorough exploration of the topic.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Financial Services Committee Jan 14th, 2026
Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- So, I have HB 55, and HB 55 would require financial institutions to allow mortgagors to make mortgage
- And also, we do know that mortgage inflation has increased as well as mortgage payments.
- mortgage principal without a penalty. mortgage principal without a penalty.
- payment and potentially their mortgage payment and potentially saving<00:05:30.639>
on <00:05: - Well, you'll be speaking with someone with extensive knowledge in the mortgage industry as a 31-year
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Mar 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- First, AB 238 needs to consider the different needs of investors in the mortgage market.
- First, AB238 needs to consider the different needs of investors in the mortgage market.
- Hi, Indira McDonald, on behalf of the California Mortgage Association.
- AB 239, Harabedian, mortgage forbearance, that's due pass. Sorry, 238. This happened last time.
- Sorry, let's go back to AB 238, Harabedian, mortgage forbearance, due pass, a roll call, right?
Summary:
The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on March 19, 2025, adopted its committee rules unanimously, and then heard a series of housing, insurance, and disaster-recovery bills. Early bills focused on wildfire relief and insurance issues, including AB 238 on mortgage forbearance for Los Angeles County wildfire survivors, AB 493 on insurance payout interest for homeowners, AB 597 on consumer protections after disasters, and AB 226 on strengthening the California FAIR Plan’s liquidity tools. Supporters generally framed these measures as necessary protections for disaster survivors and market stability, while opponents and concerned witnesses raised issues such as investor guidelines, compliance conflicts, and market disruption. Several members also noted equity concerns and the need to balance relief with consistency across the state.
The committee also heard a cluster of housing-production bills. AB 306 proposed a six-year pause on new state building code updates affecting residential construction and limits on local code modifications, drawing strong support from housing and building industry groups who argued it would reduce costs and improve predictability. It also drew opposition from code, environmental, and clean-energy advocates, who warned about safety, local control, and the loss of important code updates. AB 253 would allow licensed third-party professionals to perform plan checks if local review takes 30 days or more, and AB 301 would impose state-agency permitting timelines similar to those already applied to local governments; both were presented as ways to reduce delays and speed housing development. AB 462 would exempt ADU construction from coastal development permit requirements in Los Angeles County, especially to aid fire recovery and expand housing supply.
After hearing testimony and brief member discussion on each measure, the committee placed the bills on suspense or advanced them as appropriate. In the suspense hearing at the end of the meeting, the committee took up the suspense-file bills and reported AB 226, AB 238, AB 301, and AB 306 out with due pass recommendations on roll call votes. The meeting then adjourned.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
INSURANCE & COMMERCE - SENATE AND HOUSE Feb 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- But I'm interested in this reverse mortgage scam.
- But I'm interested in this reverse mortgage scam.
- , who is a mortgage loan originator here in central Arkansas.
- And so a lot of these are your online reverse mortgage lenders.
- And so a lot of these are your online reverse mortgage lenders.
Summary:
A joint House-Senate Insurance and Commerce meeting focused on the growing threat of financial fraud in Arkansas, with members hearing from bankers, the Attorney General’s office, the state bank and securities commissioner, the insurance department, AARP, and mortgage industry representatives. Witnesses described fraud as increasingly organized, technology-driven, and often transnational, with common schemes including spoofed bank calls and texts, fake websites and social media impersonations, business email compromise, gift card and wire scams, crypto kiosk fraud, check fraud, and mortgage/real estate fraud. Several witnesses emphasized that seniors are disproportionately targeted and that losses are often underreported because victims feel embarrassed or do not know where to report incidents.
Testimony highlighted both state and national responses. Bankers and regulators pointed to Arkansas’s 2025 actions on crypto ATMs and elder-fraud education, including training for gift-card sellers and safe-harbor protections for banks under the Safe AR Act. The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division described its complaint process, a new financial fraud task force, and examples of recovered funds, including quick recoveries from Bitcoin kiosk scams and wire fraud cases. The American Bankers Association and others urged stronger accountability for telecoms and social media platforms, citing spoofed caller ID, impersonation ads, Section 230 issues, and the need for a national scam-prevention strategy or federal office. Artificial intelligence was identified as a major emerging risk because it can generate convincing scam emails, websites, and impersonation content at scale.
Members asked about reporting procedures, whether banks reimburse fraud losses, how crypto affects recoverability, the safety of tap-to-pay versus chip use, and whether public online records contribute to fraud. Witnesses generally advised victims to report scams through the proper channels, avoid clicking links or responding to suspicious messages, and verify requests independently by contacting institutions directly. The committee also heard that banks and regulators are already sharing information and educating consumers, but that more legislative and cross-agency action may be needed. No formal vote or bill action was taken beyond approval of the November 3, 2025 minutes.
NY
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, you start talking about big things like car loans, mortgages, and we're telling them that you
- And now they have, their mortgage is paid off and the thing's worth, in some cases, millions. Yeah.
- But I'm told that if a mortgage is filed against a piece of property, that county clerks, for example
- Then when you market down to just state-chartered banks, that's probably maybe 10% of mortgages.
- So 70% are and state chartered, and New York State only account for about 30% of mortgages.
Summary:
The Senate Banking Committee met with Chair James Sanders Jr. and reviewed a full agenda of banking-related bills. Early action included approval of a bill requiring licensed check cashers to file suspicious activity reports, and a bill on civil penalties for fraud or misrepresentation in financial products or services, though several members objected to removing the intentionality standard and warned it could broaden enforcement too far and discourage lending in New York. The committee also advanced a bill prohibiting fees for periodic paper statements, a bill on asset-based lending transactions, and a bill requiring reporting of suspected financial exploitation.
Members spent substantial time on a bill regulating automated lending decision tools. The sponsor and chair said the measure would allow AI use but require a human review or appeal if a borrower is denied, while some senators raised concerns about competitiveness for state-chartered banks and possible overlap with existing human oversight. The bill was reported out and referred to the Internet and Technology Committee for further review. The committee also approved a DFS study bill on the financial stability and licensing of the check-cashing industry, with a suggestion that the study also examine risks of expanding the industry.
A major discussion centered on the “Deep Protection Act,” aimed at preventing foreclosures tied to deed theft. The sponsor described cases involving elderly homeowners and fraudulent transfers, while opponents argued the bill was vague, could create unintended consequences or private litigation, and might affect only a small share of mortgages because it applies to state-chartered institutions. The sponsor said the bill would be amended and noted interest in related county clerk reforms. The committee ultimately sent the bill to Judiciary. The final bills addressed mortgage payment schedule fees and unsolicited mail loan checks; both were approved. The meeting ended after the chair emphasized open debate and committee review as part of improving legislation.