75-67-413 - Title pledge service charge; extension of title pledge transaction period; additional payments on same pledged property to be evidenced by separate title pledge agreement. - Mississippi Statutes

§ 75-67-413. Title pledge service charge; extension of title pledge transaction period; additional payments on same pledged property to be evidenced by separate title pledge agreement.
 

(1)  A title pledge lender may contract for and receive a title pledge service charge in lieu of interest or other charges for all services, expenses, cost and losses of every nature not to exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the principal amount, per month, advanced in the title pledge transaction. 

(2)  Any interest, charge or fees contracted for or received, directly or indirectly, in excess of the amount permitted under subsection (1) of this section shall be uncollectible and the title pledge transaction shall be void. The title pledge service charge allowed under subsection (1) of this section shall be deemed earned, due and owing as of the date of the title pledge transaction and a like sum shall be deemed earned, due and owing on the thirty-first day from the date of the transaction and on every thirtieth day thereafter. 

(3)  By agreement of the parties, the maturity date of the title pledge transaction may be extended or continued for thirty-day periods, provided that the service charges as specified in subsection (1) are not exceeded for any extensions. All extensions or continuations of the title pledge transaction shall be evidenced in writing. No accrued interest or service charge shall be capitalized or added to the original principal of the title pledge transaction during any extension or continuation. Beginning with the first extension or continuation and at each successive extension or continuation thereafter, the pledgor shall be required to reduce the principal amount financed by at least ten percent (10%) of the original principal amount of the title pledge transaction. Notwithstanding any provision in this article to the contrary, if the pledgor fails to pay at least ten percent (10%) of the original principal amount at any such extension or continuation, the title pledge lender may, at its option, either (a) declare the outstanding principal and any service charges to be immediately due and payable, or (b) allow the transaction to be extended or continued, provided that the title pledge lender shall reduce the principal amount of the loan by ten percent (10%) of the original principal amount solely for the purposes of calculating its service charge. This reduction in principal shall continue to be owing by the pledgor in accordance with the title pledge transaction, but that amount shall not be entitled to accrue interest or service charges thereafter. 

(4)  Any additional payment of funds on the same pledged property must be evidenced by a separate title pledge agreement. A title pledge lender shall not advance funds to a pledgor to pay off an existing title pledge agreement. 
 

Sources: Laws,  1997, ch. 610, § 8; Laws, 2000, ch. 621, § 23, eff from and after passage (approved May 23, 2000.)