(1)
May I open branch offices under my mortgage broker license? Yes. A licensed mortgage broker may submit license application(s) to the department to establish branch office(s) under the existing mortgage broker license. Each branch office must be licensed and must pay an annual license fee. See WAC
208-660-550, Department fees and costs.
(2)
If my branch offices are under separate ownership, does that limit my liability for their activities? No. Licensed mortgage brokers are responsible for the activity and violations at their branch offices regardless of the structure or label given the branch offices. Licensure of a branch office creates a direct line of responsibility from the main office to the branch.
(3)
If my branch offices are under separate ownership, what level of supervision must I maintain? Because branch offices, regardless of their business structure, are not independent from your license and surety bond, you are responsible for the conduct of anyone conducting business under your license. You must have a written supervisory plan. The details of the plan, and how you implement the plan for your branch offices, must take into account the number of branch offices, their location, and the number of individuals working at the branch offices. You must maintain your written supervisory plan as part of your business books and records.
(4)
How do I apply for a mortgage broker branch office license? As the licensed mortgage broker, you must apply for a branch office license through the NMLSR and receive a branch office license from the department before operating from any location other than your licensed location. You must be in good standing, and may need to increase the amount of the surety bond. You will have to pay application and annual assessment fees for the branch office(s). See WAC
208-660-550, Department fees and costs.
(5)
What does the department consider when reviewing an application for a branch office license? The department considers:
(a) Whether the mortgage broker is in good standing. See WAC
208-660-007.
(b) Whether the amount of the mortgage broker's surety bond is sufficient to cover the loan originators that will be working from the branch office.
(c) Whether the physical address listed in the application can be verified as a branch office location.
(6)
Must I display my branch office license? Yes. Your mortgage broker branch office license must be prominently displayed in the branch office.
(7)
If I am an internet company, how do I display my license? You must display your license information, as it appears on your license, including any or all business names, and the license number, on your web site. The information must also include a list of the states in which you are licensed.
(8)
How do I change information on my mortgage broker branch office license? You must file a license amendment through the NMLSR within thirty days of the change occurring.
(9)
Does my branch office license expire? The license expires annually. The expiration date is shown on the license. If the license is an interim license, it may expire in less than one year.
(10)
How do I renew my mortgage broker branch office license? (a) Before the expiration date, the licensed mortgage broker must:
(i) Verify the surety bond is adequate for the licensee's average number of loan originators.
(ii) Submit a renewal and pay the branch office annual assessment fee through the NMLSR.
(b) The renewed mortgage broker branch office license is valid for the term listed on the license or until surrendered, suspended, or revoked.
(11)
If my mortgage broker branch office license expires, must I apply for a new license? If you complete all the requirements for renewal within forty-five days of the expiration date you may renew an existing license. However, if you renew your license during this forty-five day period, in addition to paying the annual assessment on your branch office license, you must pay an additional fifty percent of your annual assessment for that branch. See subsection (10) of this section for the license renewal requirements.
During this forty-five day period, your license is expired and you must not conduct any business under the act that requires a license until your license has been renewed.
Any renewal requirements received by the department must be evidenced by either a postmark or "date received" stamp within the forty-five days. If you fail to comply with the renewal request requirements within forty-five days, you must apply for a new license.
(12)
If my mortgage broker branch office license has expired, may I still conduct my mortgage broker business from that location? No. Once the mortgage broker branch office license has expired, you must not conduct any business under the act that requires a license until you renew your license.
(13)
If my mortgage broker main office license expires, may I still conduct my mortgage broker business from a branch office? No. Once the mortgage broker main office license expires, you must not conduct any business under the act that requires a license from any location until you renew the main office license.
(14)
May I add a trade name (or "DBA") to my mortgage broker branch office license? Yes. You may add a trade name, or "DBA" name, to the mortgage broker branch office license if you first apply to the department, in a form prescribed by the director, and receive department approval. The branch office trade name must at all times be identified as connected with the mortgage broker's license name as it appears on the mortgage broker license. When the department has approved the trade name, you must conduct business under that trade name in at least one of the two following ways:
(a) Use your license name together with the branch office trade name; or
(b) Use the branch office trade name and mortgage broker branch office license number together.
(c) See WAC
208-660-180(10).
(15)
How must I identify my mortgage broker branch office(s)? The branch office must be prominently identified as a branch or division of the licensed mortgage broker so as not to appear to be an independent enterprise.
(16)
Does my branch office have to be a physical location? Yes. The physical location may be at a commercial or residential address but does not have to be in Washington. See WAC
208-660-420, Out-of-state mortgage brokers and loan originators.
(17)
Must I have a branch manager? No. Although you may appoint one, the act does not require a branch manager. The licensee and designated broker are responsible for the business conducted at all locations.
(18)
Must I have a designated broker at each branch? No. The licensed mortgage broker may have only one designated broker who is responsible for the mortgage broker business at all locations.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.320.040, 19.144.070, 2008 c 109. 09-01-156, § 208-660-195, filed 12/23/08, effective 1/23/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.320.040, 19.146.223. 08-05-126, § 208-660-195, filed 2/20/08, effective 3/22/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.320.040, 19.146.223, 2006 c 19. 06-23-137, § 208-660-195, filed 11/21/06, effective 1/1/07.]