32-5-301. Fees charged to consumers. - Montana Statutes

     32-5-301. Fees charged to consumers. (1) A licensee may contract for and receive, on any loan of money, interest as provided under 31-1-112.
     (2) If provided for in the contract, an additional fee may be charged for any amount past due according to the original terms of the contract, whether by reason of default or extension agreement. The fee charged may be the greater of $15 or 5% of the amount past due, not to exceed $50. The fee charged for any past-due amount may be charged only once. Except as provided in subsection (3), other fees may not be charged for default or extension of the contract by the borrower.
     (3) (a) If provided for in the contract, a licensee may grant a deferral at any time. A deferral postpones the scheduled due date of the earliest unpaid installment and all subsequent installments as originally scheduled or as previously deferred for a period equal to the agreed-upon deferral period. The deferral period is that period during which an installment is not scheduled to be paid by reason of the deferral.
     (b) A licensee may charge an additional fee for each deferral. The fee charged may be the greater of $15 or 5% of the amount currently due, not to exceed $50.
     (c) Other fees may not be charged by the lender for any deferrals granted by the lender.
     (4) The licensee may include in the principal amount of any loan:
     (a) the actual fees paid a public official or agency of the state for filing, recording, or releasing any instrument securing the loan;
     (b) the premium for insurance in lieu of filing or recording any instrument securing the loan to the extent that the premium does not exceed the fees that would otherwise be payable for filing, recording, or releasing any instrument securing the loan;
     (c) bona fide fees or charges related to real estate security paid to third parties;
     (d) fees or premiums for title examination, title insurance, or similar purposes, including survey;
     (e) fees for preparation of a deed, settlement statement, or other documents;
     (f) fees for notarizing deeds and other documents;
     (g) appraisal fees;
     (h) fees for credit reports; and
     (i) fees paid to a trustee for release of a trust deed.
     (5) (a) Other fees may not be directly or indirectly contracted for or received by any licensee except those specifically authorized by this chapter. A licensee may not divide into separate parts any contract made for the purpose of or with the effect of obtaining fees in excess of those authorized by this chapter. If any amount in excess of the fees permitted by this chapter is charged, contracted for, or received, the licensee shall forfeit to the borrower a sum that is double the amount that is in excess of the fees authorized by this chapter.
     (b) This section does not apply to fees for services rendered in connection with a loan after the loan has been consummated and if the borrower's participation in the services is strictly voluntary.

     History: Ap. p. Sec. 10, Ch. 283, L. 1959; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 15, L. 1965; Sec. 47-210, R.C.M. 1947; Ap. p. Sec. 5, Ch. 283, L. 1959; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 233, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 172, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 172, Ch. 431, L. 1975; Sec. 47-205, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 47-205(part), 47-210; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 216, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 424, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 135, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 140, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 168, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 406, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 198, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 270, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 308, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 125, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 372, L. 2007.