What, if any, notice is required for a Small Servicer to change practices regarding treatment of Partial Payments and start using a suspense account instead of applying when received?
1026 Official interpretation of Paragraph 36(c)(1)(ii) says, in part,
1. Handling of partial payments. If a servicer receives a partial payment from a consumer, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law or the legal obligation between the parties, the servicer may take any of the following actions:
iii. Hold the payment in a suspense or unapplied funds account. If the payment is held in a suspense or unapplied funds account, this fact must be reflected on future periodic statements, in accordance with § 1026.41(d)(3).
The Bank however does not send Statements as exempt under the Small Servicer standards.
I’m told vendor does not allow to add verbiage to the payment coupon.
This change did not appear to trigger subsequent disclosures under 1026.20.
I understand there is UDAAP risk with a change in practice, but would appreciate any help in assessing that and/or identifying other considerations.