WSR 05-18-095

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

[ Filed September 7, 2005, 10:59 a.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 04-03-080.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Regulating check cashers, check sellers, and small loan lenders licensed under chapter 31.45 RCW, and implementing chapter 86, Laws of 2003.

     Hearing Location(s): Department of Financial Institutions, 150 Israel Road S.W., Room 319, Tumwater, WA 98501, on October 17, 2005, at 9-11 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: October 17, 2005.

     Submit Written Comments to: Catherine Mele-Hetter, P.O. Box 41200, Olympia, WA 98504-1200, e-mail cmele-hetter@dfi.wa.gov, fax (360) 586-5068, by October 14, 2005.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Catherine Mele-Hetter by October 10, 2005, TTY (360) 664-8126.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The proposed rules repeal the old rules, and make them comply with Governor's Executive Order 05-03, Plain talk. This will make the rules more user friendly for licensees and the public.

     The proposed rules modernize and clarify existing rules, and add many changes required by the new law passed in 2003 (SSB 5452, chapter 86, Laws of 2003). In summary the proposed rule:

Incorporates the statutory definitions, including the amendments and additions from the 2003 act;
Provides a more detailed description of the director's authority to conduct examinations and investigations.
Conforms the consequences of late filing of annual assessment fees to the 2003 statutory changes;
Eliminates securities and letters of credit as alternatives to the required surety bond;
Establishes minimum requirements for small loan applications;
Provides interpretive guidance regarding payment plans;
Expands the requirements for disclosure statements to borrowers; and
Makes additions to record-keeping requirements.
     These changes will assist licensees in operating their businesses in compliance with the new law. It deletes references to older provisions of the law no longer used by licensees such as eliminating securities and letters of credit as alternatives to the required surety bond. The new rule also clarifies exactly what the director's authorities are in examinations and investigations. The new law requires that licensees offer payment plans to borrowers after four successive loans, and it also requires more disclosures that the licensee must provide to the borrower. This rule will assist licensees in providing the payment plan and the disclosures.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: There was a major statutory rewrite and the rules reflect the changes made by the statute and the governor's executive order.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 31.04.165.

     Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 208-630 WAC.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Department of Financial Institutions, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Catherine Mele-Hetter, Department of Financial Institutions, 150 Israel Road S.W., Tumwater, WA 98501, (360) 902-0515; Implementation and Enforcement: Chuck Cross, Department of Financial Institutions, 150 Israel Road S.W., Tumwater, WA 98501, (360) 902-8733.

     A small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW.

Small Business Economic Impact Statement

     Introduction: The Department of Financial Institutions ("department") has prepared this SBEIS in compliance with chapter 19.85 RCW, the Regulatory Fairness Act ("RFA"). The preproposal statement of inquiry (form CR-101) was filed at WSR 04-03-080. Although this SBEIS addresses the rules as written on September 30, 2004, the department made changes to mitigate the impact on small businesses as described in the mitigation section of this SBEIS.

     Background for Proposed Rule: The legislature passed and the governor signed the first Check Casher, Check Seller, Small Loan Lender Regulatory Act in 1991, codified as chapter 31.45 RCW ("the act"). The act recognizes that borrowers who present a higher than average credit risk can only obtain credit at interest rates higher than those permitted under other legal interest rate limits. The purpose of the act is to authorize those higher rates, while providing appropriate borrower protections.

     Rules were adopted under the authority of the original act in 1992 and amended in 1996. The act was extensively amended in 2003 (SSB 5452, chapter 86, Laws of 2003). The proposed rule amendments and additions are in response to those changes, and reflect an attempt to improve regulatory performance.

     Description of the Proposed Rule: The proposed rule:

Incorporates the statutory definitions, including the amendments and additions from the 2003 act;
Provides a detailed description of the director's authority to conduct examinations and investigations;
Conforms the consequences of late filing of annual assessment fees to the 2003 statutory changes;
Eliminates securities and letters of credit as alternatives to the required surety bond;
Establishes minimum requirements for small loan applications;
Provides interpretive guidance regarding payment plans;
Expands the requirements for disclosure statements to borrowers; and
Makes additions to record-keeping requirements; and
Authorizes special reports as requested by the director in addition to annual reports.
     REQUIRED ELEMENTS OF SBEIS:

     ELEMENT 1. A brief description of the reporting, record-keeping, and other compliance requirements of the proposed rule and the kinds of professional services that a small business is likely to need in order to comply with the requirements.

     RESPONSE:

     Reporting: There are new reporting requirements as follows:

     1. The new proposal authorizes the department to gather certain information annually. The annual reports include (a) the number of borrowers whose accounts were referred to collection agencies; (b) the number of defaulted loans charged off as a business loss without the intent to make further efforts to collect amounts owed; (c) the number of loans per borrower per year; (d) the total number of loans made for each loan period; (e) the number of rescinded loans; and (f) the number of borrowers entering into a payment plan.

     2. The new proposal also authorizes the department to gather certain information by special report. Special reports may include the following: (a) Transaction data concerning numbers of borrowers, frequency of borrowing, size and volume of transactions, transaction period, and such other data necessary to understand business volume and licensee's market; (b) technology and systems information including process, practices, software, data capture, and any means of conducting business with consumers; (c) repayment methods, funds delivery methods, automatic clearing house utilization methods and data, and such other information related to the receipt and delivery of funds in consumer transactions as is deemed necessary to understand and regulate licensees; and (d) any company financial information, business organization information or policies, procedures and practices.

     3. The proposed rule requires additional transaction data be compiled on a periodic basis. The additions include (a) the amount of monetary instruments sold; (b) the amount of the fee charged for the monetary instrument; (c) the amount of small loan proceeds disbursed; (d) fees charged for small loans; (e) amount of payments on small loans received; (f) origination date of small loan; (g) termination date of small loan; (h) payment plan dates; and (i) the name, address, and Social Security number, of each small loan borrower.

     4. The proposed rule authorizes departmental requests for the previous day's transaction record. Licensees would be required to provide the data within one business day of the request.

     Record keeping: The new record-keeping requirements are:

     1. Information to demonstrate compliance with the consumer disclosure requirements of WAC 208-630-068;

     2. Additions to the individual transaction records requirement to include specified data on the sale of monetary instruments and small loans (current requirements only relate to check cashing);

     3. A record of cash disbursed in making small loans is added to the reconciliation of each day's activity;

     4. A record of the disbursement of loan proceeds, and the receipt of all payments on the balance of small loans, and whether the disbursement or payment is on a successive loan or payment plan;

     5. Personnel files must include employee's full name, date of birth, hire, termination, last known address and Social Security number; and

     6. In each loan file, a copy of the application, and the note.

     Other compliance requirements: The fee charged for examinations and investigations is increased from $66.81 per hour of staff time, to $69.00 per hour, an increase of $2.19 per hour.

     Disclosure of significant developments, such as insolvency, adverse license action by another state, criminal charges against key people affiliated with the licensee, and changes of control of the licensee must be made within fifteen days of the event instead of the current thirty days.

     Professional services required: The reporting, record-keeping and other compliance requirements of the proposed rule do not necessarily require professional services. They can be performed by the licensee's office staff. However, many licensees will choose to capture information electronically that will be required repeatedly in subsequent reports. That may require the services of either in-house or contract programmers or system designers.

     ELEMENT 2. An analysis of the costs of compliance for identified industries, including costs of equipment, supplies, and increased administrative costs.

     RESPONSE: To gather the data necessary to analyze the costs of compliance for the check sellers and check cashers with small loan endorsements, the department sent a survey to all one hundred fifty licensees under the Check Casher and Sellers Act. Forty-five licensees responded for a 30% response rate. Eight of the surveys are not included because the answers were incomplete or inapplicable. Only four of the thirty-seven respondents have more than fifty employees. All other respondents are "small businesses" under RCW 19.85.020. The small businesses that participated in the survey had from one to thirty-two employees. Each survey participant was asked to estimate the cost of each of the proposals that could have a cost impact on the licensee. Most of the respondents did not provide details of their calculations or describe whether the figures they used were for one or multiple reports, therefore, multiple requests could represent higher costs. The table below summarizes the results of the survey. Because the survey allowed anonymous responses, the table is numbered instead of identifying the participant.


Survey Results for Licensees with under Fifty Employees

     While most respondents did not break down their costs into different categories, we presume that the major costs of these rules are for increased labor and administrative costs.

     There is a wide range of cost estimates among the respondents. We believe this is due to the estimated cost of the employee(s) responsible for preparing the report (i.e., use of a temporary employee vs. use of the company accountant), the estimated time it would take to gather the information and the fact that some businesses plan on hiring a computer specialist to reprogram their computers to create reports for the items requested.


Survey Results for Licensees with over Fifty Employees

     The four survey participants that were not defined as small businesses because they had more than fifty employees also had widely varying cost estimates. While each was asked to break down the costs, one of the respondents only gave a lump sum total cost estimate for all of the items (#3 in the chart below).

     ELEMENT 3. Whether compliance with the proposed rule will cause businesses to lose sales or revenue.

     RESPONSE: The rule does not affect demand for services, or in any way restrict the licensee's ability to provide services. The disclosure requirements are somewhat expanded, and there is some possibility that as a result of enhanced disclosure, some potential borrowers may explore other credit resources. However, since many payday loan borrowers do not qualify for other less costly loan products, it seems highly unlikely that enhanced disclosure will have a measurable effect on volume of business or revenue.

     ELEMENT 4. A comparison of compliance costs for the small business segment and the large business segment of the affected industries, and whether the impact on small business is disproportionate.

     RESPONSE: As illustrated above, it appears that the cost of compliance for a small business runs from a low of $25.00 per employee to $25,000 per employee with an average of $2,379.59 per employee. For businesses with over fifty employees, the cost of compliance runs from a low of $12.92 per employee to $2,407.62 per employee with an average of $635.42 per employee. Therefore, it does appear that the rules will have a disproportionate impact on small businesses.

     ELEMENT 5. Steps taken by the agency under RCW 19.85.030(2) to reduce costs of the proposed rule on small businesses, or reasonable justification for not doing so, addressing the specified mitigation steps.

     RESPONSE: We have reviewed the six steps under RCW 19.85.030 (3)(a) through (f). Our analysis is as follows:

     (a) Reducing, modifying, or eliminating substantive regulatory requirements: There are three substantive requirements added by the proposed rule: An increase in the hourly staff fee for examinations, enhanced disclosures made to borrowers, and a shortened period for licensees to notify the department of the occurrence of significant developments, such as bankruptcy, adverse actions taken against the license or a criminal conviction of a key person connected with the business.

     The examination fee increase amounts to $2.19 per hour. It does not keep pace with inflation since the last hourly fee amount was adopted. The total is less than the amount charged to some other licensees (e.g., money services businesses pay $75 per hour). It is the minimum amount required to cover examination costs, which is the standard the department is required to use.

     Enhanced disclosure is required to make key features of the amended act meaningful to consumers. These amendments include a right to rescind a loan, and the right to convert their loan to an installment payment plan after their fourth successive loan. For these rights to be meaningful, borrowers and potential borrowers must be informed that they exist.

     The shortened period for informing the department of the occurrence of significant developments affecting the integrity and viability of the business will allow the department to take more timely regulatory action if appropriate. The current deadline of thirty days is long enough for significant harm to consumers to occur. The shorter time period will impose a minimal hardship on licensee.

     For these reasons a reduction of these substantive regulatory requirements would be inappropriate.

     (b) Simplifying, reducing or eliminating record-keeping and reporting requirements: In accordance with the requirements of RCW 19.85.030 the agency reduced the reporting and record-keeping requirements proposed by the original rule. The old rule proposal required special reports to the director from all licensees holding a small loan endorsement. The special reports were due not later than ninety days following receipt of the request. The special reports included (but were not limited to) the following information:

     1. Transaction data concerning numbers of borrowers, frequency of borrowing, size and volume of transactions, transaction period, and such other data necessary to understand business volume and licensee's market;

     2. Technology and systems information including process, practices, software, data capture, and any means of conducting business with consumers;

     3. Repayment methods, funds delivery methods, automatic clearing house utilization methods and data, and such other information related to the receipt and delivery of funds in consumer transactions as is deemed necessary to understand and regulate licensees;

     4. Any company financial information, business organization information, or policies, procedures and practices.

     The rule, as filed with the CR-102 on September 7, 2005, requires reporting from most of the small loan endorsement market, but does not require this reporting for small businesses holding small loan endorsements. The new proposed rule requires that licensees with small loan endorsements with total loan volume in principal of over ten million provide the following information yearly to the department. This information is limited to the number of loans per borrower for the period; the number of loans per active military borrower during the period; and the number of loans with terms in each of the following categories for the year: One to seven days; eight to fourteen days; fifteen to twenty-one days; twenty-two to thirty-one days; thirty-two or more days. By requesting much less information in the report, and by reducing the number of licensees required to report, the department has significantly reduced reporting and record-keeping requirements. In addition, the reporting requirements only apply to the larger licensees which usually have the necessary technology to comply with reporting.

     Other reporting and record-keeping requirements that are added by the proposed rule are fundamental to the task of regulating and monitoring this comparatively young industry, particularly the small loan part of the industry. Some requirements are for the purpose of demonstrating compliance with statutory duties. For example, RCW 31.45.088 imposes several disclosure requirements on licensees advertising and making small loans. Monitoring compliance with this section would be impossible without the requirement of maintaining appropriate information as required by this proposal.

     The reporting and record-keeping requirements that remain unchanged are essential to the monitoring and enforcement mission of the department.

     (c) Reducing the frequency of inspections: The statute does not require any particular examination frequency. The current rule requires an examination of each licensee at least every twenty-four months. WAC 208-630-015. The proposed rule eliminates that requirement, and authorizes examinations at any time. In practice, examinations are concentrated on those licensees with identified compliance problems and those that are targeted through consumer complaints. Compliant, well run, complaint-free licensees experience less frequent examinations. To alter that pattern to achieve an overall less frequent exam pattern would be contrary to the department's primary duty to protect consumers from higher risk licensees.

     (d) Delaying compliance timetables: Compliance duties connected to time periods are the reporting requirements. WAC 208-630-090(7) retains the current authority of the director to extend the time for compliance upon a written request and good cause shown.

     (e) Reducing or modifying fine schedules for noncompliance: The only "fine" or monetary penalty for noncompliance in the proposed rule is the late fee of 25% of the annual assessment for filing the annual assessment late. Various amounts were considered, but it was decided this is the lowest amount likely to deter late filing.

     ELEMENT 6. A description of how the agency will involve small business in the development of the proposed rule.

     RESPONSE: The agency has appointed an advisory panel composed of industry representatives and consumer advocates to review and assist in developing the proposed rule.

     The agency has provided a copy of the CR-101 to all interested persons and all licensees. It will also provide access to those same parties when the CR-102 is filed.

     ELEMENT 7. A list of the industry(ies) affected by the proposed rule.

     RESPONSE: The industry affected by the proposed rule is check cashers, check sellers and payday loan lenders. Check cashers and sellers must obtain a license before engaging in business. Payday lenders must first obtain a check casher/seller license and then obtain an endorsement that permits them to make payday loans. Not all licensees provide all three services.

     A copy of the statement may be obtained by contacting [Catherine Mele-Hetter, 150 Israel Road S.W., Tumwater, WA 98501, (360) 902-0515.]

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. It is not applicable to these rules.

September 6, 2005

Chuck Cross

Division Director

OTS-8301.2


NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-110   What definitions are required to understand these rules?   The definitions in RCW 31.45.010 and this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

     "Act" means chapter 31.45 RCW.

     "Affiliate" means any person who directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is in common control with another person.

     "Agent" for purposes of RCW 31.45.079 means a person who, pursuant to the terms of a written agreement and for compensation, performs small loan agent services on behalf of an exempt entity.

     "Board director" means a director of a corporation or a person occupying a similar status and performing a similar function with respect to an organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated.

     "Close of business" for the purposes of RCW 31.45.86 and these regulations means the actual time a licensee closes for business at the location from which a small loan was originated or 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, whichever is earlier.

     "Department" means the department of financial institutions.

     "Exempt entity" means a person described in RCW 31.45.020 that is engaged in the business of making small loans.

     "Investigation" means an examination undertaken for the purpose of detecting violations of chapter 31.45 RCW or these rules or obtaining information lawfully required under chapter 31.45 RCW or these rules.

     "License" means a license issued by the director to engage in the business of check cashing or check selling under the provision of chapter 31.45 RCW.

     "Monetary instrument" means a check, draft, money order or other commercial paper serving the same purpose.

     "Payday advance lender" or "payday lender" means a licensee under this chapter who has obtained a small loan endorsement under RCW 31.45.073.

     "Payday advance loan," "payday loan" or "deferred deposit loan" means the same as a small loan.

     "Postdated check" means a check delivered prior to its date, generally payable at sight or on presentation on or after the day of its date. "Postdated check" does not include any promise or order made or submitted electronically by a borrower to a licensee.

     "RCW" means the Revised Code of Washington.

     "Small loan agent services" means all or substantially all of the following services:

     (1) Marketing and advertising small loans;

     (2) Taking small loan applications;

     (3) Assisting customers in completing small loan documentation;

     (4) Providing required disclosures;

     (5) Disbursing small loan proceeds;

     (6) Collecting small loans;

     (7) Retaining documents and records; and

     (8) Making reports.

     "State" means the state of Washington.

     "Unsafe or unsound financial practice" means any action, or lack of action, the likely consequences of which, if continued, would impair materially the net worth of a licensee or create an abnormal risk of loss to its customers.

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LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-120   What does a business have to do to operate as a check casher and seller, or to make small loans as a payday lender?   In order to engage in the business of check cashing and selling, a business must apply and obtain from the department a check cashing or selling license. A check casher or seller must first obtain a small loan endorsement to its license to make small loans in accordance with chapter 31.45 RCW and this chapter.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-130   How does a business apply for a check casher's or seller's license or a small loan endorsement to a check casher's or seller's license?   Each applicant for a check casher license, or check seller license, or a small loan endorsement to a check casher's or seller's license must apply to the director by filing the following:

     (1) An application in a form prescribed by the director including at least the following information:

     (a) The legal name, residence, and business address of the applicant if the applicant is an individual or sole proprietorship, and in addition, if the applicant is a partnership, corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, trust, company, or association, the name and address of every member, partner, officer, controlling person, and board director;

     (b) The trade name or name under which the applicant will do business under the act;

     (c) The street and mailing address of each location in which the applicant will engage in business under the act;

     (d) The location at which the applicant's records will be kept; and

     (e) Financial statements and any other pertinent information the director may require with respect to the applicant and its board directors, officers, trustees, members, or employees, including information regarding any civil litigation filed within the preceding ten years against the applicant or controlling person of the applicant;

     (2) A surety bond and related power of attorney, or other security acceptable to the director in an amount equal to the penal sum of the required bond as set forth in this rule. In lieu of the bond, the applicant may demonstrate to the director net worth in excess of three times the amount of the penal sum of the required bond in accordance with RCW 31.45.030 (5)(b) and (e) and this rule;

     (3) A current financial statement as of the most recent quarter end prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles which includes a statement of assets and liabilities and a profit and loss statement;

     (4) Information on the applicant's or any affiliate's current or previous small loan or related type business in this state or any other state, including, but not limited to, name, address, city, state, licensing authority, and whether any enforcement action is pending or has been taken against the applicant in any state;

     (5) Upon request, a complete set of fingerprints and a recent photograph of each sole proprietor, owner, director, officer, partner, member, and controlling person; and

     (6) An application fee.

     Any information in the application regarding a personal residential address or telephone number, and any trade secret as defined in RCW 19.108.010 including any financial statement that is a trade secret is exempt from the public disclosure requirements of chapter 42.17 RCW.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-140   Once a business finishes the application process, when does the director issue a license?   If the director determines that all licensing criteria of chapter 31.45 RCW have been met and the appropriate fees paid, the director shall issue a nontransferable license for the applicant to engage in the business of cashing and/or selling checks or a small loan endorsement to a license.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-150   When does the license expire?   The license and small loan endorsement will remain continuously in effect until surrendered, suspended, or revoked.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-160   Does each location where a licensee makes small loans have to have a small loan endorsement?   The law requires a small loan endorsement for each location where a licensee makes small loans. These locations include, in addition to traditional staffed locations, unstaffed locations at which electronic or telephonic terminals such as facsimile machines, telephones, computer terminals or similar devices are available to the public to provide access to small loans, whether or not the locations are located within the premises of an exempt entity.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-170   Where may a licensee make small loans?   A small loan endorsement may authorize a licensee to make small loans at a location other than the licensed location where it cashes and sells checks.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-180   Is there a bond requirement for licensees?   A licensee engaged in any business under chapter 31.45 RCW must obtain a bond. The bond must run to the benefit of the state and any person or persons who suffer loss. The licensee must file the bond with the director at the beginning of each calendar year. The bond must be issued by a surety which meets the requirements of chapter 48.28 RCW. The bond form must be acceptable to the director. The licensee may obtain a copy of an acceptable form from the department.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-190   What type of bond is necessary and what are the conditions?   The bond shall be continuous and conditioned upon the licensee faithfully abiding by chapter 31.45 RCW and all rules in this chapter. It shall also be conditioned upon the licensee paying all persons who purchase monetary instruments from the licensee the face value of any monetary instrument dishonored by the drawee financial institution due to insufficient funds or by reason of the account having been closed. The surety shall only be liable for the face value of the dishonored monetary instrument, and shall not be liable for any interest or consequential damages. For a licensee with a small loan endorsement, the bond shall run to the benefit of the state and any person or persons who suffer loss due to the licensee's violation of chapter 31.45 RCW or this chapter.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-200   How is a bond canceled?   The bond may be canceled by the surety by giving written notice to the director and licensee of its intent to cancel the bond. The cancellation is effective thirty days after the notice is received by the director.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-210   What is the liability of the surety under the bond?   Whether or not the bond is renewed, continued, reinstated, reissued, or otherwise extended, replaced, or modified, including increases or decreases in the penal sum, it shall be considered one continuous obligation, and the surety shall not be liable in an aggregate or cumulative amount exceeding the penal sum set forth on the face of the bond. In no event shall the penal sum, or any portion thereof, at two or more points in time be added together in determining the surety's liability. The surety shall not be liable for any liability of the licensee for tortious acts, whether or not such liability is imposed by statute or common law, or is imposed by contract. The bond shall not be a substitute or supplement to any liability or other insurance required by law or by contract. If the surety desires to make payment without awaiting court action against it, the penal sum of the bond shall be reduced to the extent of any payment made by the surety in good faith under the bond.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-220   Who may make claims against the bond?   Any person who is a purchaser of a monetary instrument from the licensee having a claim against the licensee for the dishonor of any monetary instrument by the drawee financial institution due to insufficient funds or by reason of the account having been closed, or any person who obtained a small loan from the licensee and was damaged by the licensee's violation of chapter 31.45 RCW or this chapter, may bring suit upon such bond or deposit in the superior court of the county in which the monetary instrument was purchased, or in the superior court of a county in which the licensee maintains a place of business. Jurisdiction shall be exclusively in the superior court. Any action must be brought not later than one year after the dishonor of the monetary instrument on which the claim is based. If the claims against a bond or deposit exceed the amount of the bond or deposit, each claimant shall only be entitled to a pro rata amount, based on the amount of the claim as it is valid against the bond, or deposit, without regard to the date of filing of any claim or action.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-230   What if there are claims against the bond?   The licensee must notify the department of any claim against the bond within ten days after receiving notice of a claim.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-240   What is the amount of bond needed for licensees engaging only in check selling?   The penal sum of the surety bond for a person with a check seller license shall not be less than the amount established in the following table:


Highest Monthly

Liability*

Required

Bond

Plus Percentage

of Excess

Up to $50,000 Highest Monthly

Liability or $10,000, whichever is greater

$0
$50,001 to $100,000 $50,000 .5 above $50,000
$100,001 and above $75,000 .25 above $100,000

* The monthly liability is the total sum of checks for a given month. The "highest monthly liability" shall be determined by multiplying the highest monthly liability of checks from the preceding calendar year by seventy-five percent.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-250   What is the amount of bond needed if a licensee has a small loan endorsement?   The required penal sum of the bond for a small loan endorsement must be ten thousand dollars plus an additional one thousand dollars for each endorsed branch office beyond one branch.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-260   Does a licensee have any alternative to maintaining a surety bond?   In lieu of the surety bond required in this rule, an applicant or licensee may substitute one of the following alternatives with the approval of the director. Any alternative to the surety bond shall secure the same obligations as would the surety bond. The amount of alternative substituted under subsection (1) or (2) of this section must be equal to or greater than the amount of the required surety bond.

     (1) Time deposit. An assignment in favor of the director of a certificate of deposit. The certificate of deposit must be issued by a financial institution in the state whose deposits or shares are insured by an agency of the government of the United States. The depositor is entitled to receive all interest and dividends on the certificate of deposit.

     (2) Demonstration of net worth. A licensee or applicant for a small loan endorsement may demonstrate net worth in excess of three times the amount of the required bond. The licensee shall notify the director within ten business days of any date upon which its net worth decreases below the required amount. A licensee that fails to maintain the required level of net worth and continues to operate under a small loan endorsement will be required to immediately obtain a surety bond and maintain it for five years after the date of noncompliance. During this five-year period, the director will not accept a demonstration of net worth in lieu of a surety bond.

     (3) Reports required. A licensee that maintains net worth in lieu of a surety bond shall submit annually to the director an audited financial statement and within forty-five days after the close of each quarter a supplementary year-to-date financial statement prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The financial statements must include at a minimum a statement of assets and liabilities and a profit and loss statement. The director may continue to require other documents, agreements or information necessary to properly evaluate and ensure that the licensee remains in compliance with this section.

     (4) Bad debts and judgments. A licensee that maintains net worth in lieu of a surety bond may not consider bad debts and certain judgments as assets. The director may approve exceptions in writing. The licensee must charge off its books any debt upon which any payment is six months or more past due. The licensee may not count as an asset any judgment more than two years old which has not been paid. Time consumed by an appeal from a judgment is not counted in the two-year limit.

     (5) Noncompliance. A licensee that does not comply with this section must obtain and file with the director a surety bond in the required amount in WAC 208-630-030 by the date specified by the director.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-270   When and under what circumstances may the director have access to the criminal history of an applicant or licensee, or controlling person?   (1) The director may review any criminal history record information maintained by any federal, state, or local law enforcement agency relating to:

     (a) An applicant for a license or small loan endorsement under chapter 31.45 RCW; or

     (b) A controlling person of an applicant for a license under chapter 31.45 RCW.

     (2) The director may deny, suspend or revoke a license if the applicant, licensee, or controlling person of the applicant or licensee fails to provide a complete set of fingerprints and a recent photograph on request.

     (3) All criminal history record information received by the director is confidential information and is for exclusive use of the director and the division of consumer services. Except on court order or as provided by subsection (4) of this section, or otherwise provided by law, the information may not be released or otherwise disclosed to any other person or agency.

     (4) The director may not provide a person being investigated under this section with a copy of the person's criminal history record obtained pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. This subsection does not prevent the director from disclosing to the person the dates and places of arrests, offenses, and dispositions contained in the criminal history records.

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LICENSING FEES
NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-280   Does a licensee have to pay a fee for a license application?   At the time an applicant files for a license, the applicant must pay to the director a deposit fee for investigating and processing the application.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-290   How much are the fees for various license applications, and when does a licensee pay them?   (1) The director shall collect a fee of sixty-nine dollars per employee hour expended for services, plus actual expenses, for review, investigation and processing of:

     (a) New license applications;

     (b) Small loan endorsement applications;

     (c) Additional locations;

     (d) Change of control;

     (e) Relocation of office;

     (f) Voluntary or involuntary liquidation of licensee.

     (2) The director may require a lump sum payment in advance to cover the anticipated cost of review and investigation of the activities described in this section.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-300   What happens if a licensee pays a lump sum payment in advance, and there is a surplus or deficiency in the application deposit?   If the deposit required exceeds the actual amount derived in WAC 208-630-290(1), the amount in excess shall be refunded.

     If the deposit fee does not cover the costs of investigation and processing, the applicant will pay for any additional cost, which will be itemized and billed by the director.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-310   Is the licensee's deposit fee refundable?   The deposit fee is not refundable if the application is denied or withdrawn, or if the license is issued. The director will apply the deposit fee to the actual cost of investigating and processing the application.

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EXAMINATION AND INVESTIGATION
NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-320   What examination authority does the director have?   The director determines the frequency of examinations for the purpose of determining compliance with chapter 31.45 RCW and these rules.

     The director or designee may at any time examine the records and documents used in the business of any licensee or licensee's agent wherever located.

     The director or designee may examine the records and documents of any person the director believes is engaging in unlicensed business governed by chapter 31.45 RCW wherever located.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-330   May the director accept other reports in lieu of an examination?   The director or designees may accept reports prepared by independent certified professionals or prepared by another state or the federal government in lieu of, in whole or in part, an examination performed by the director.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-340   What should a licensee expect the director to review during an examination?   In conducting examinations the director or designee may:

     (1) Obtain access, during reasonable business hours, to the offices and places of business, books, accounts, papers, files, records, computers, safes and vaults of any person in possession of information relevant to the examination;

     (2) Interview any person the director or designee believes has information relative to the examination, including, but not limited to, any party to the transaction;

     (3) Obtain statements in writing by any person, under oath or otherwise, as to all facts and circumstances concerning the matters under examination;

     (4) Require the production of copies of any items in subsection (1) of this section;

     (5) Require assistance and cooperation, from any licensee or employee or agent of any licensee under examination with respect to the conduct and subject matter of the examination;

     (6) Conduct meetings and exit review with owners, managers or employees of the licensee being examined;

     (7) Require a response from the subject of the examination.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-350   Who pays for the costs of an examination?   Every licensee must pay to the director the actual cost of examining and supervising each licensed place of business at the examination hourly rate of sixty-nine dollars per person per hour expended, plus actual expenses, which for out-of-state exams includes, without limitation, travel, lodging and per diem expense.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-360   Whether a business has a license or not, what should the business know about an investigation?   The director or designee may conduct investigations at any time, in or outside of the state, to determine whether any person has violated or is about to violate chapter 31.45 RCW, these rules, or any order issued under these laws and rules. For that purpose the director or designee may conduct inquiries, interviews and examinations of any person relevant to the investigation.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-370   What powers does the director have during an investigation?   The director or designee may investigate the business of a licensee, or other business or personal financial records of any person subject to investigation. In conducting investigations, the director or designee may:

     (1) Have access to any location where records of the subject of the investigation are located, including offices, places of business, commercial storage facilities, computers, safes and vaults for the purposes of obtaining, reviewing or copying books, accounts, papers, files, or records, including electronic records, or records in any format;

     (2) Administer oaths and affirmations;

     (3) Subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance at a time and place determined by the director or designee, and compel their testimony regarding any matter related to an investigation or examination under chapter 31.45 RCW or these rules, including:

     (a) Testimony regarding the existence, description, nature, custody, condition and location of any relevant evidence;

     (b) The identity and location of persons having knowledge of any matter related to the investigation; and

     (c) Any matter reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of material evidence.

     (4) Subpoena the production of any books, records in any format, documents or other tangible things, or physical or documentary evidence or matter;

     (5) Conduct oral examination, under oath or otherwise, publicly or privately, of any controlling person, employee, agent or independent contractor of a licensee;

     (6) Conduct oral examination, under oath or otherwise, publicly or privately, of any person whose testimony is deemed relevant to the investigation;

     (7) Copy, or request to be copied, any items described in subsection (1) of this section, or if the director or designee determines that:

     (a) There is danger that original records may be destroyed, altered, or removed denying the director access; or

     (b) Original documents are necessary for the preparation of criminal referral or trial, the director may take possession of originals of any items described in subsection (1) of this section, regardless of the source of such items. Originals and/or copies taken by the director may be held, returned, or forwarded to other regulatory or law enforcement officials as determined necessary by the director or designee.

     (8) Conduct analysis and review of any items described in subsection (1) of this section;

     (9) Require assistance, as necessary, from any employee or person subject to investigation under this section with respect to the conduct and subject matter of the investigation;

     (10) Conduct meetings and exit reviews with owners, managers, officers, or employees of any person subject to investigation or examination under this chapter;

     (11) Conduct meetings and share information with other regulatory or law enforcement agencies; and

     (12) Prepare and deliver, as deemed necessary, a report of investigation requiring a response from the recipient.

     The director may investigate the business and records of any person who the director has reason to believe is engaging in business which requires a license under chapter 31.45 RCW.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-380   What are the fees for an investigation?   Unless the person investigated is not required to hold a license, the person must pay the cost of the investigation at the hourly rate of sixty-nine dollars per person per hour expended, plus actual expenses, which for out-of-state investigations includes, without limitation, travel, lodging and per diem expense.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-390   May the director hire other specialists to assist with examinations and investigations, and who will pay for them?   (1) The director may retain attorneys, accountants, or other professionals and specialists as examiners, auditors, or investigators, to conduct, or assist in the conduct of examinations, or investigations. Fees for services provided to the director by such professionals and specialists under this paragraph will be billed at such rates and in the manner described in WAC 208-630-350 and 208-630-380.

     (2) The director may order the retention of such professionals and specialists as auditors, or investigators to conduct, or assist in the conduct of audits or investigations. Unless the director determines that the person investigated is not required to hold a license or otherwise should not bear the cost, the actual cost of these services will be borne by the person who is the subject of the audit, or investigation.

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ASSESSMENTS AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-400   Once licensed, what fees must a licensee pay to keep a license current?   (1) The director will charge each licensee an annual assessment at the rate set forth in subsection (2) of this section. Assessments for a calendar year will be computed on total volume of transactions as of December 31 of the previous calendar year.

     (2) The annual assessment rate is:

     (a) For check cashers:

     (i) If the volume of checks cashed is one million dollars or less, there is no annual assessment;

     (ii) If the volume of checks cashed is over one million dollars, the annual assessment is five hundred thirteen dollars and ninety-five cents per licensed location.

     (b) For check sellers:

     (i) If the volume of checks sold is one million dollars or less, there is no annual assessment;

     (ii) If the volume of checks sold is over one million dollars, the annual assessment is five hundred thirteen dollars and ninety-five cents per licensed location.

     (c) For licensees with small loan endorsements, in addition to (a) and/or (b) of this subsection:

     (i) If the volume of small loans made is one million dollars or less, there is no annual assessment;

     (ii) If the volume of small loans made is over one million dollars, the annual assessment is five hundred thirteen dollars and ninety-five cents per licensed location.

     (3) For purposes of this section, "volume" includes all transactions made under this chapter and chapter 31.45 RCW by a Washington licensed check casher or check seller at all licensed locations.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-410   What happens if a licensee is late with an annual assessment fee?   If a licensee does not pay its annual assessment fee by April 15, the director must send the licensee a notice of suspension and assess a late fee of twenty-five percent of the annual assessment fee. The licensee's payment of both the annual assessment fee and the late fee must arrive in the department's offices by 5:00 p.m. on the tenth day after the annual assessment fee due date, unless the department is not open for business on that date, then the licensee's payment of both the annual assessment fee and the late fee must arrive in the department's offices by 5:00 p.m. on the next day the department is open for business. If the payment of both the annual assessment fee and the late fee does not arrive prior to such time and date, the expiration of the licensee's license is effective at 5:00 p.m. on the thirtieth day after the assessment fee due date.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-420   How can a license be reinstated after it expires?   The director may reinstate the license if, within twenty days after the effective date of expiration, the licensee:

     (1) Pays both the annual assessment fee and the late fee; and

     (2) Attests under penalty of perjury that it did not engage in conduct requiring a license under this chapter during the period its license was expired. The director may confirm the licensee's attestation by an investigation.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-430   When may a licensee expect a fee increase?   The department intends to increase its fee and assessment rates each year for several bienniums. The department intends to initiate a rule making for this purpose each biennium. This rule provides for an automatic annual increase in the rate of fees and assessments each fiscal year during the 2005-2007 biennium.

     (1) On July 1, 2005, the fee and assessment rates as increased in the prior fiscal year, will increase by a percentage rate equal to the fiscal growth factor for the then current fiscal year. As used in this section, "fiscal growth factor" has the same meaning as the term is defined in RCW 43.135.025. However, there will be no rate increase under this subsection (1) for assessments described in WAC 208-630-022 (2)(a)(i), (b)(i) and (c)(i).

     (2) The director may round off a rate increase under subsection (1) of this section. However, no rate increase may exceed the applicable fiscal growth factor.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-440   How will a licensee know about fee increases?   By June 1 of each year, the director will make available a chart of the new rates that will take effect on the immediately following July 1.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-450   When may the director waive fees?   The director may waive any or all of the fees and assessments imposed, in whole or in part, when he or she determines that both of the following factors are present:

     (1) The consumer services program fund exceeds the projected acceptable minimum fund balance level approved by the office of financial management; and

     (2) That such course of action would be fiscally prudent.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-460   When must a licensee inform the director of significant changes in business?   A licensee must notify the director in writing within fifteen days of the occurrence of any of the following significant developments:

     (1) Licensee filing for bankruptcy or reorganization.

     (2) Notification of the initiation of license revocation procedures in any state against the licensee.

     (3) The filing of criminal charges or a criminal indictment or information, in any way related to check cashing, check selling or small loan activities of the licensee, key officer, board director, or controlling person, including, but not limited to, the handling and/or reporting of moneys received and/or instruments sold.

     (4) A licensee, sole proprietor, owner, director, officer, partner, member or controlling person being convicted of a crime.

     (5) A change of control. In the case of a corporation, control is defined as a change of ownership by a person or group acting in concert to acquire ten percent of the stock, or the ability of a person or group acting in concert to elect a majority of the board directors or otherwise effect a change in policy of the corporation. The director may require such information as deemed necessary to determine whether a new application is required. In the case of entities other than corporations, change in control shall mean any change in controlling persons of the organization either active or passive. Change of control investigation fees shall be billed to the persons or group at the rate billed for applications.

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REQUIREMENTS FOR CHECK CASHING AND MAKING SMALL LOANS (PAYDAY LENDING)
NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-470   What types of information must a licensee include on a borrower's application for a small loan?   The licensee must require and maintain an application for each borrower in each small loan transaction. Each application must contain the borrower's full name, Social Security number or other unique identifier acceptable to the director, current address, loan origination date, and whether the applicant is a military borrower at any time prior to the termination date of the loan. As used in this section "other unique identifier" means a state identification card, a passport, a document issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the United States that provides identification of the borrower, a matricula consular, a driver's license, or other forms as approved by the director.

     Licensees may rely upon an applicant representation regarding the applicant's military status, and are not required to conduct an independent investigation regarding military status.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-480   How must a licensee maintain customer small loan applications?   The licensee may maintain a single master application in paper or electronic form that the licensee updates each time a customer takes out a new loan.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-490   What information must the note or small loan agreement contain?   Each small loan made under a small loan endorsement pursuant to chapter 31.45 RCW must be evidenced by a written note or loan agreement which must contain at least the following:

     (1) The origination date of the loan;

     (2) The principal of the loan;

     (3) The manner in which the loan is to be repaid, including a statement of whether any check held in connection with a small loan may be redeemed in cash and if so, a statement of the date and time after which the licensee may choose not to permit redemption;

     (4) The termination date of the loan;

     (5) The dollar amount of fees and the method of calculating fees;

     (6) The annual percentage rate as defined in the federal Truth in Lending Act; and

     (7) The signature or electronic signature of the borrower.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-500   When must a licensee provide a note or small loan agreement to the borrower?   A licensee must provide a copy of the note or loan agreement (or if in electronic form, make available) to the borrower at the time the borrower executes the note or loan agreement.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-510   When does a borrower have a right to enter into a statutory payment plan?   A borrower has a right to convert a small loan to a statutory payment plan after four successive loans and prior to default on the last loan.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-520   If a borrower and licensee enter into a statutory payment plan, what is the term of the payment plan?   A payment plan under the provisions of RCW 31.45.084 must be for a period of at least sixty days unless a shorter period is agreed to by both the borrower and the licensee.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-530   If a borrower and licensee enter into a statutory payment plan, how must the payments be structured?   A payment plan under the provisions of RCW 31.45.084 must provide for at least three separate payments which, unless otherwise requested by the borrower and agreed to in writing by the lender, shall be:

     (1) Equal to the total amount of the payment plan divided by the number of payments (subject to reasonable rounding); and

     (2) Due at substantially equivalent intervals. For example, a sixty-day, three hundred fifty dollar payment plan entered into on May 1 providing for payments of one hundred twenty dollars on May 20, one hundred twenty dollars on June 11, and one hundred ten dollars on June 29, complies with this rule.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-540   Must a licensee comply with the federal Truth in Lending Act when entering into a payment plan?   An agreement to enter into a payment plan under the provisions of RCW 31.45.084 must comply with the federal Truth in Lending Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1601.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-550   May the licensee and the borrower enter into a payment plan prior to the fourth consecutive loan?   A licensee is not prohibited from entering into a payment plan with a borrower at any time prior to the time a borrower's right to a statutory payment plan is triggered under RCW 31.45.084. Any payment plan other than a statutory payment plan may be on any terms on which a licensee and borrower may agree.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-560   What types of disclosures must a licensee make to a borrower?   (1) A licensee must deliver to the borrower at the time the licensee makes a small loan, a disclosure that meets the requirements of all applicable laws, including the federal Truth in Lending Act.

     (2) A licensee must deliver to the borrower at the time the licensee makes the small loan a disclosure of the right to rescind the loan and the right to convert the loan to a payment plan.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-570   What must be included in the disclosures?   The disclosure referred to in WAC 208-630-560(2) must be substantially in the following form:

     Your right to a payment plan.

     If this is your fourth (or greater) successive loan, and if you are not in default, you may convert your loan to a payment plan with us. "Successive loans" means loans made to you by us with no more than three business days between the repayment in full of one loan and the beginning date of the next loan.

     A payment plan will allow you, by paying a one time fee equal to the finance charge on your loan, to pay all that you owe in at least three payments over a period of at least sixty days.

     Your right to rescind (cancel) this loan. You have the right to rescind (cancel) this loan by returning the amount of the loan in cash, or returning the check given to you by us to our office by the close of business on our next business day following the date of this loan. We may not charge you for canceling the loan and we will return to you any postdated check or electronic equivalent you have given to us.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-580   In addition to providing disclosures to the borrower, does a licensee have to post any disclosures?   Licensees that make small loans must post at each location where small loans are made a conspicuous notice substantially in the form set forth in the preceding question.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-590   How must a licensee format disclosures?   All disclosures must be presented in a manner and physical format that is clear, conspicuous and designed to call attention to each right and responsibility of the borrower and lender being disclosed. Such statements may be provided separately or included within the note or loan agreement.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-600   What documentation must a licensee keep to show that the licensee has made the proper disclosures?   A licensee must maintain in its files sufficient information to show compliance with the consumer disclosure requirements of chapter 31.45 RCW, these rules, and state and federal law.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-610   Are there accounting and financial records that a licensee must keep?   Licensees must maintain as a minimum the following records for at least two years.

     (1) A licensee must maintain a record of transactions conducted. Such a record may be limited to the following provided a sufficient audit trail is available through records obtainable from the licensee's bank of account:

     (a) Amount of the checks cashed;

     (b) Amount of fees charged for cashing the check;

     (c) Amount of cash deducted from the transaction for the sales of other services or products;

     (d) Amount of each check or monetary instrument sold;

     (e) Amount of fee charged for the monetary instrument;

     (f) Amount of small loan proceeds disbursed;

     (g) Fees charged for small loans;

     (h) Amount of payments on small loans received;

     (i) Origination date of each small loan;

     (j) Termination date of each small loan;

     (k) Payment plan payment due dates;

     (l) The information required to be maintained for applications in the rule.

     (2) Licensees must maintain a cash reconciliation summarizing each day's activity and reconciling cash on hand at the opening of business to cash on hand at the close of business. Such reconciliation must separately reflect cash received from the sale of checks, redemption of returned items, bank cash withdrawals, cash disbursed in cashing of checks, cash disbursed in making small loans, cash received in payment of small loans and bank cash deposits.

     (3) Records of the disbursement of loan proceeds and the receipt of all payments on the balance of small loans must be kept and must indicate the date of the transaction, the borrower's name, amount, and whether the disbursement or payment is on a loan or payment plan.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-620   In what form must a licensee maintain accounting and financial records?   Licensees may maintain records required in combined form, hand or machine posted, or automated, and licensees may maintain them on any electronic, magnetic, optical or other storage media. However the licensee must maintain the necessary technology to permit access to the records by the department for the period required by law.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-630   May the director ask a licensee for records regarding the previous day's transactions?   Upon request of the director or director's designee a licensee must within one business day make available, either directly or through a third party, a record of the previous day's transactions.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-640   What specific accounting records must a licensee maintain?   Licensees must maintain a general ledger containing records of all assets, liabilities, capital, income, and expenses. The licensee must post a general ledger from the daily record of checks cashed or other record of original entry, at least monthly, and it must be maintained in such manner as to facilitate the preparation of an accurate trial balance of accounts in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-650   May a licensee maintain a consolidated general ledger if the licensee has two or more locations?   A licensee may maintain a consolidated general ledger reflecting activity at two or more locations by the same licensee provided that the licensee maintain books of original entry separately for each location.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-660   What must a licensee have in employees' personnel files?   Every licensee must maintain personnel files for its employees. Each file must contain the employee's full name, date of birth, date of hire and date of termination, last known address and Social Security number.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-670   For licensees with small loan endorsements what information must the licensee keep in every loan file?   For licensees with small loan endorsements, each loan file must contain at least a copy of the application, a copy of the note or loan agreement and a copy of any disclosure statement. As used in this section, "application" means any information received by the licensee from the borrower for the purposes of making a lending decision, including, but not limited to, personal employment history and credit history.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-680   Are there specific banking requirements for check sellers?   All monetary instruments issued by check sellers must be drawn on a financial institution domiciled in the United States.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-690   When must a check casher deposit a monetary instrument?   Once a licensee cashes a monetary instrument the licensee must send the monetary instrument for deposit to the licensee's account at a depository financial institution located in Washington state or send it for collection not later than the close of business on the third business day after the day on which the licensee accepted the monetary instrument for cash. This subsection does not apply if the licensee accepted the monetary instrument as part of a small loan transaction under chapter 31.45 RCW.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-700   When may a licensee deposit a monetary instrument accepted in the course of making a small loan?   A licensee with a small loan endorsement may not deposit a monetary instrument accepted in the course of making a small loan under the act prior to the termination date and any time disclosed on the note or small loan agreement.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-710   What other federal and state laws and regulations must a licensee comply with?   Each licensee must comply with applicable federal and state laws including, but not limited to, the following:

     (1) Chapter 63.29 RCW, the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act; and

     (2) The federal Truth in Lending Act.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-720   Is a licensee required to register with the Secretary of the Treasury?   Each licensee must register with the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States if required by 31 U.S.C. Section 5330 or any regulations promulgated thereunder.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-730   What records and actions does a licensee need to take to assure the licensee is correctly reporting under the Bank Secrecy Act?   Each licensee shall maintain detailed records to satisfy currency transaction reporting and suspicious activity reporting requirements of the United States Treasury Department.

     Each licensee shall implement an antimoney laundering program that includes the development of internal policies, procedures and controls, training of employees, the appointment of a compliance officer, and the appointment of an external reviewer of the antimoney laundering program if required by 31 U.S.C. Section 5318(h).

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-740   What obligation does a licensee have to assure that employees comply with the laws and rules regarding payday lending and check cashing and selling?   Each licensee shall ensure that any employee or person who engages in business on behalf of the licensee under authority granted by chapter 31.45 RCW has sufficient understanding of the statutes and rules applicable to its business to assure compliance with such statutes and rules.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-750   What fees may licensees charge to collect a delinquent small loan?   A licensee when collecting a delinquent small loan may:

     (1) Agree with the borrower for the payment of fees for a credit report received from a recognized credit reporting company when the licensee pays these fees to an unaffiliated third party for services. In no event may the fee exceed the actual cost charged by the provider of the credit report.

     (2) Charge or collect a fee equal to or less than twenty-five dollars for a check returned unpaid by the bank drawn upon. Only one fee may be collected with respect to a particular check even if it has been redeposited and returned more than once.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-760   What are the legal restrictions on making small loans?   A licensee with a small loan endorsement is subject to various restrictions.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-770   May a licensee allow a borrower to refinance or "rollover" a small loan with another small loan?   A licensee may not allow a borrower to use a new small loan to pay off an existing small loan by the same lender or an affiliate of the lender. Licensees may not apply the proceeds from any small loan to any other loan from the same lender or affiliate of the lender.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-780   May a licensee use a name or place of business other than that named on the license or small loan endorsement?   A licensee may not make any loan under authority granted by chapter 31.45 RCW under any name or at any place of business other than that named on the license and small loan endorsement.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-790   What is the limit on the amount of checks a licensee may hold from one borrower?   A licensee may not hold a check or checks in an aggregate face amount of more than seven hundred dollars plus allowable fees from any one borrower at any one time.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-800   May a licensee holding a borrower's check for a period longer than the statutory limit of forty-five days charge additional fees?   A licensee may hold a check for more than forty-five days if requested to do so by the borrower. The licensee may not charge additional fees for holding the check.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-810   May a licensee charge additional fees to cash monetary instruments issued as part of a small loan?   The licensee may not charge an additional fee to cash a monetary instrument issued as part of a small loan made under chapter 31.45 RCW.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-820   May a licensee charge any fees if a borrower decides to convert their loan to a payment plan?   A licensee may not charge any fee or impose any other burden upon the decision of a borrower to convert their small loan to a payment plan as provided under RCW 31.45.084, other than the terms and conditions expressly authorized by RCW 31.45.084.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-830   What are a licensee's annual financial and reporting requirements?   Each licensee must submit the reports of its Washington activities described in this section, on a form prescribed and made available by the director, due not later than one hundred five days after the close of the calendar year (or fiscal year if a licensee has established a fiscal year different from the calendar year). Licensees must make each report for the prior calendar year or fiscal year, which shall be referred to in these rules as the "period." A consolidated annual report must contain:

     (1) The total number of employees and annual payroll during the period;

     (2) The total number and dollar volume of transactions during the period;

     (3) The total dollar amount of fees collected during the period;

     (4) The total number and dollar amount of undeposited checks taken or held in connection with check cashing and small loan endorsement business at the end of the period;

     (5) The total number and dollar amount of returned (NSF) checks taken or held in connection with check cashing and small loan business at the end of the period, and the total dollar amount of fees collected for returned (NSF) checks during the period;

     (6) The total number and dollar amount of charge-offs (losses), net of any recoveries, for the period;

     (7) The total dollar amount of net income before and after taxes earned under authority of this chapter.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-840   Who may a licensee hire to prepare the financial statements in the annual report?   Financial statements contained in the annual report may be prepared by outside accountants or by the licensee's own accountants.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-850   What information must a licensee have in the annual assessment report?   An annual assessment report must contain:

     (1) The total dollar volume of checks cashed during the period, if applicable; and

     (2) The total dollar volume of checks sold during the period, if applicable.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-860   If licensee has a small loan endorsement, what other reports must be filed?   For all licensees with small loan endorsements a report containing the following:

     (1) The total dollar volume of small loans made during the period, including payment plan loans;

     (2) The total number of loans made for the period;

     (3) The total number of borrowers for the period;

     (4) The number of borrowers whose accounts were referred to collection agencies;

     (5) The number of loans rescinded during the period;

     (6) The number of borrowers entering into a payment plan;

     (7) The number of loans made to borrowers to be paid through an ACH (automated clearing house) or other electronic transaction;

     (8) The number of loans made to borrowers through other than a physical visit to the licensee's location (e.g., internet, telephone, etc.); and

     (9) The number of active military borrowers during the period.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-870   If a licensee has a loan volume of at least ten million dollars in principal in the year prior, what additional reports must the licensee file with the director?   For licensees with small loan endorsements and total loan volume of at least ten million dollars in principal in the one year period just prior to the period under report, a report containing the following in a form prescribed by the director:

     (1) The number of loans per borrower for the period;

     (2) The number of loans per military borrower during the period; and

     (3) The number of loans with terms in each of the following categories for the period:

     (a) One to seven days;

     (b) Eight to fourteen days;

     (c) Fifteen to Twenty-one days;

     (d) Twenty-two to thirty-one days; and

     (e) Thirty-two or more days.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-880   What must a check seller report when surrendering or revoking a license?   A licensee engaged in the business of selling monetary instruments whose license has been surrendered or revoked shall submit to the director, at its own expense, on or before one hundred five days after the effective date of such surrender or revocation, a closing annual report containing audited financial statements as of such effective date. This closing annual report shall cover the twelve months ending with such closure date or for such other period as the director may specify. If the report, certificate, or opinion of the independent accountant is in any way qualified, the director may require the licensee to take such action as appropriate to permit an independent accountant to remove such qualification from the report, certificate, or opinion. Such report shall include relevant information specified by the director.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-890   What must a licensee, other than a check seller, report when surrendering or revoking a license?   A licensee not engaged in the business of selling monetary instruments whose license has been surrendered or revoked shall submit to the director at its own expense, on or before one hundred five days after the effective date of such surrender or revocation, a closing annual report covering the twelve months ending with such closure date or for such other period as the director may specify. Financial statements contained in this closing report may be prepared by outside accountants or by the licensee's own accountants.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-900   What additional information must a licensee include with annual reports and financial statements?   The reports and financial statements in the consolidated annual report, the report for all licensees with small loan endorsements, and the report for licensees with small loan endorsements over ten million dollars in principal in the one year prior to the reporting period must include at least a balance sheet and a statement of income together with such other relevant information as the director may require, prepared in accordance with general accepted accounting principles. The reports and financial statements in the report for licensees with small loan endorsements over ten million dollars in the one year prior to the reporting period must be accompanied by a report, certificate, or opinion of an independent certified public accountant or independent public accountant. The audits shall be conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-910   May a licensee request an extension of time to comply with reporting requirements?   For good cause and upon written request, the director may extend the time for compliance with reporting requirements.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-920   Under what circumstances would a licensee submit unaudited financial statements to the director?   A licensee shall, when requested by the director, for good cause, submit its unaudited financial statement, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and consisting of at least a balance sheet and statement of income as of the date and for the period specified by the director.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-930   When may the director reject financial statements and other reports submitted to the director by the licensee?   The director may reject any financial statement, report, certificate, or opinion filed pursuant to this section. The director must notify the licensee or other person required to make such filing of its rejection and the cause thereof.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-940   How much time does a licensee have to correct the deficiency in financial statements or other reports?   Within thirty days after the receipt of such notice, the licensee or other person shall correct such deficiency. The director shall retain a copy of all filings so rejected.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 208-630-950   What are the trust accounting requirements that a licensee must comply with?   (1) At least monthly a licensee in the business of selling checks shall withdraw from the trust account an amount equal to fees earned for the corresponding period from the sale of monetary instruments. The remaining balance of the trust account must be sufficient to cover all monetary instruments that remain outstanding and drawn against the trust account.

     (2) A licensee is prohibited from allowing the bank of account to charge back checks or drafts deposited to the trust account and subsequently dishonored against said trust account.

     (3) A licensee, whose license has been suspended, terminated, or not renewed, shall not make withdrawals from the trust account without the director's consent, until a closing report has been received according to these rules.

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REPEALER

     The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:
WAC 208-630-005 Definitions.
WAC 208-630-010 Application deposit fee.
WAC 208-630-015 Examinations.
WAC 208-630-020 Schedule of fees paid by licensees and applicants.
WAC 208-630-021 Application review and investigation fee.
WAC 208-630-022 Annual assessment charge.
WAC 208-630-023 Examination fees.
WAC 208-630-02303 Fee increase.
WAC 208-630-02305 Waiver of fees.
WAC 208-630-025 Application for small loan endorsement to a check casher or check seller license.
WAC 208-630-030 Surety bond.
WAC 208-630-035 Alternatives to the surety bond.
WAC 208-630-040 Access to criminal history information.
WAC 208-630-050 Issuance of license or small loan endorsement.
WAC 208-630-060 Disclosure of significant developments.
WAC 208-630-065 The note.
WAC 208-630-068 Contents of disclosure statement to borrower.
WAC 208-630-070 Accounting and financial records.
WAC 208-630-075 Monetary instruments -- Deposit requirements.
WAC 208-630-080 Licensees are required to comply with federal and state laws including but not limited to the following.
WAC 208-630-085 Licensee with small loan endorsement -- Powers -- Restrictions.
WAC 208-630-090 Audit report by licensee -- Financial statements.
WAC 208-630-095 Knowledge of the law and regulations.
WAC 208-630-100 Trust accounts -- Limitations and prohibitions.

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