What Happened?
President Biden has proclaimed January 9, 2025, a federal holiday for the state funeral of former President Jimmy Carter; as a result, Federal government agencies and departments will be closed that day. Is this federal holiday proclaimed by executive order a “legal public holiday” for purposes of certain disclosure timing requirements of Regulation Z?
Why is it Important?
Under the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) Integrated Disclosure Rule (TRID), generally, the creditor is responsible for ensuring that it delivers or places in the mail the loan estimate (LE) no later than the third business day after receiving the consumer’s application. Further, a creditor must ensure that the consumer receives the closing disclosure (CD) at least three business days before consummation of the transaction. In addition, for certain refinancings, Regulation Z permits the consumer to rescind (cancel) the transaction within three business days after consummation.
For purposes of providing the LE, a business day is a day on which the creditor’s offices are open to the public for carrying out substantially all of its business functions. However, the term “business day” is defined differently for other purposes, such as counting days to ensure the consumer receives the CD on time and the consumer’s exercise of the right to rescind the transaction. For these purposes, “business day” means all calendar days except Sundays and the legal public holidays specified in 5 U.S.C. § 6103(a): New Year’s Day, the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
What to do Now?
Because the Carter state funeral on January 9, 2025, is not a “legal public holiday” within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. § 6103(a), it is a business day for counting days to ensure the consumer receives the CD on time and for the consumer’s exercise of the right to rescind the transaction. Further, January 9, 2025, is also a business day for purposes of providing the LE as long as the creditor’s offices are open to the public for carrying out substantially all of its business functions.
[View source.]
