NCUA Writes FCC Regarding Emergency Exception for Automated Calls

National Credit Union Administration Chairman Rodney E. Hood on May 19 wrote to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding a third-party petition to permit certain automated calls to fall under the Emergency Purposes Exception of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

Hood wrote: "Autodialed calls providing information about payment deferrals, fee waivers, loan term extensions, other loan modifications, and forbearance could assist consumers during this challenging time."

In the letter, Hood noted that financial institutions are not seeking permission to use automated calls related to advertising, telemarketing, or seeking payment on a debt. Like other financial institutions, federally insured credit unions must comply with all other consumer protection laws governing autodialed calls.

In a related matter, a coalition of financial trade groups on May 21 wrote the FCC requesting an expedited ruling or waiver stating that phone calls and text messages placed by banks, credit unions, and other customer-facing financial service providers using an automatic telephone dialing system or prerecorded or artificial voice on matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic are “call[s] made for emergency purposes."

The trade groups signing the letter were the American Bankers Association (ABA), American Financial Services Association, Consumer Bankers Association, Credit Union National Association, Independent Community Bankers of America, Mortgage Bankers Association, and National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions.

Read the NCUA letter.

Read the joint trade group letter.