Business in brief AUGUSTA: LAW PROTECTS HOME EQUITY BORROWERS

Gov. John Baldacci has signed into law a bill that will add protections for Maine consumers who get home equity loans. Many banks issue checks to consumers when they get home equity loans, and some banks are now issuing debit cards. The bill signed Thursday makes clear that Maine-chartered banks that issue debit cards cannot assess finance charges in addition to interest already agreed to in the home equity loan. The sponsor, Sen. Nancy Sullivan, D-Biddeford, said the legislation is pro-consumer as well as pro-business. In addition to protecting borrowers from excessive interest, it helps Maine-chartered banks to compete with those chartered out-of-state by setting rules for home equity debit cards, she said.