§3517. Terms; construction; additional fees and charges

A. Wherever applicable in this Chapter, use of the masculine includes the feminine and use of the plural includes the singular and vice versa.

B. As a general rule of construction, persons may look to comparable rules, definitions, and principles under the Federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and Regulation X of the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Truth in Lending Act, and Regulation Z of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for guidance in further defining and interpreting terms and concepts that are not otherwise defined or specified under the provisions of this Chapter. For example, those fees and charges that are not classified as or considered to be finance charges for Federal Truth in Lending purposes are not considered to be loan finance charges for purposes of this Chapter. In addition, nothing contained in the provisions of this Chapter shall be construed to prohibit the imposition of fees and charges which are otherwise permissible under R.S. 6:548.

C. The commissioner shall prescribe, by rule not inconsistent with the provisions of this Chapter, additional fees and charges which may be imposed and collected by an extender of credit if such fees and charges have been contractually provided for in the consumer's promissory note, or credit contract or agreement.

Acts 1988, No. 629, §1; Acts 1995, No. 1184, §2; Acts 1999, No. 1315, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000.