On October 21, the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, Division of Financial Regulation announced that it issued Bulletin No. 2025-7, urging financial institutions and related entities to provide means of relief and assistance to individuals affected by the federal government shutdown. The bulletin provided guidance on how financial institutions could help federal employees through “financial hardship caused by no fault of their own,” including avoiding delinquencies and adverse credit reporting, postponing evictions and foreclosures, waiving fees, and easing credit terms for new loans for Oregon residents impacted by the shutdown.

The bulletin encouraged collection agencies and debt buyers to take steps to accommodate debtors experiencing hardships caused by the shutdown, with such remedies including offering payment accommodations, waiving late payment and other fees, and suspending collection activities. Depository institutions were encouraged to waive overdraft fees and fees for nonsufficient funds for affected residents. Mortgagors could be given confirmation that late payments do not affect their ability to obtain permanent loan modifications. Mortgage servicers were encouraged to forbear mortgage payments and extend forbearance as needed, while lenders were encouraged to offer payment accommodations, defer payments, extend due dates, and adjust loan terms to help borrowers avoid delinquencies and negative credit reporting, among other options.