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A California borrower proves a willful and knowing covered-loan violation. Which recovery does Financial Code section 4978 provide?

Correct Answer

B) Actual damages or $15,000, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees and costs

For willful and knowing covered-loan violations, Financial Code section 4978 provides actual damages or $15,000, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees and costs.

Answer Options
A
Only the excess fee charged
B
Actual damages or $15,000, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees and costs
C
Triple damages only, with no attorney fees
D
No private recovery once the loan closes

Why This Is the Correct Answer

For willful and knowing covered-loan violations, Financial Code section 4978 provides actual damages or $15,000, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees and costs.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Option A: Only the excess fee charged

Recovery is not limited to excess fees. The full range of damages and attorney's fees is available.

Option C: Triple damages only, with no attorney fees

Triple damages are not the specific remedy under CFL §4979. The statute provides actual plus statutory damages.

Option D: No private recovery once the loan closes

Rescission is not the sole remedy. Additional damages and attorney's fees are available.

Memory Technique

CA -> ca-covered-loans-high-cost-consumer-protections

Exam Tip

Covered-loan questions often test the 8-point APR trigger, 6 percent points-and-fees trigger, principal-dwelling scope, Consumer Caution notice timing, ATR, prepayment penalty limits, prohibited loan terms, and remedies.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • -Using a national baseline answer when California has agency-specific DFPI or DRE requirements
  • -Confusing CFL, CRMLA, covered-loan, usury, servicing, and DRE endorsement rules
  • -Relying on legacy California state-exam or education assumptions instead of current NMLS source pages
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