This section lets parties to certain consumer credit transactions agree in writing to defer installments and lets the extender of credit charge deferral charges within stated limits.
§3528. Maximum deferral charges A.(1) With respect to a precomputed consumer credit transaction payable in more than one installment, the parties before or after default may agree in writing to a deferral of all or part of one or more unpaid installments, and the extender of credit may make and collect a charge not exceeding the rate previously stated to the consumer calculated without regard to differences in the lengths of months, but proportionately for a part of a month, counting each day as one-thirtieth of a month. A deferral charge may be collected at the time it is assessed or at any time thereafter. Deferral charges on a precomputed consumer credit transaction may be computed on a pro rata basis or any other method of calculation that does not yield a greater sum than the maximum rates permitted in this Chapter. (2) In lieu of a deferral charge, the entire unpaid balance of the transaction may be deferred by charging an amount equal to the rate previously stated to the consumer times the balance at the time of deferral for the period of deferral. In such a case, the transaction maturity date will be extended by the number of months that the balance is deferred. B. The parties may agree in writing at the time of a precomputed consumer credit transaction that if an installment is not paid within ten days after its due date, the extender of credit may unilaterally grant a deferral and make charges as provided in this Section, provided the transaction consists of more than one installment. No deferral charge may be made for a period after the date that the extender of credit elects to accelerate the maturity of the agreement. A delinquency charge made by the extender of credit on an installment may not be retained if a deferral charge is made pursuant to this Section with respect to the period of delinquency. C. In addition to the lawful rate of loan finance charges that may be assessed on the outstanding balance of a simple interest consumer credit transaction, the parties may before or after default agree in writing to a deferral of all or part of one or more unpaid installments, and the extender of credit may make and collect an additional deferral charge in an amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars. This deferral charge may be collected at the time it is assessed or at any time thereafter. Whether accrued interest is designated as "loan finance charges" or "interest to date", payment of interest shall not constitute payment of a deferral charge. D. The extender of credit, in addition to the deferral charge, may make appropriate charges for insurance for the extended period and the amount of these charges which is not paid in cash may be added to the amount for the purpose of calculating the deferral charge. Added by Acts 1972, No. 454, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1973. Amended by Acts 1974, No. 466, §1; Acts 1991, No. 697, §1; Acts 1995, No. 1184, §2; Acts 1997, No. 67, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1033, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1315, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000.