Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

     Purpose: The proposed rule amendments are necessary because of the passage of chapter 78, Laws of 2008.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 208-660-006 and 208-660-008 (5), (6), (7), (8).

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 43.320.040, 19.146.223.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 08-07-073 on March 18, 2008.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: May 20, 2008.

Deborah Bortner, Director

Division of Consumer Services

OTS-1402.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-05-126, filed 2/20/08, effective 3/22/08)

WAC 208-660-006   Definitions.   What definitions are applicable to these rules? Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout these rules.

     "Act" means the Mortgage Broker Practices Act, chapter 19.146 RCW.

     "Advertising material" means any form of sales or promotional materials used in connection with the mortgage broker business. Advertising material includes, but is not limited to, newspapers, magazines, leaflets, flyers, direct mail, indoor or outdoor signs or displays, point-of-sale literature or educational materials, other printed materials; radio, television, public address system, or other audio broadcasts; or internet pages.

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

     "Application" means the same as in Regulation X, Real Estate Settlement Procedures, 24 C.F.R. Sec. 3500 as of the effective date of these rules, which is the submission, whether written or computer-generated, of a borrower's financial information in anticipation of a credit decision relating to a residential mortgage loan. If the submission does not state or identify a specific property, the submission is an application for a prequalification and not an application for a residential mortgage loan under this part. The subsequent addition of an identified property to the submission converts the submission to an application for a residential mortgage loan.

     For a refinance or purchase application that is not a prequalification, the credit report may be enough to constitute an application. The credit report date determines when the mortgage broker, or loan originator on behalf of the mortgage broker, has gathered sufficient information to make a credit decision. This may be a trigger for early disclosures when the property address is known.

     "Appraisal" means the act or process of developing an opinion of value, the act pertaining to an appraisal-related function, or any verbal or written opinion of value offered by an appraiser. The opinion of value by the appraiser includes any communication that is offered as a single point, a value range, a possible value range, exclusion of a value, or a minimum value.

     "Borrower" means any person who consults with or retains a mortgage broker or loan originator in an effort to obtain or seek advice or information on obtaining or applying to obtain a residential mortgage loan for himself, herself, or persons including himself or herself, regardless of whether the person actually obtains such a loan.

     "Branch office" means a fixed physical location such as an office, separate from the principal place of business of the licensee, where the licensee holds itself out as a mortgage broker.

     "Branch office license" means a branch office license issued by the director allowing the licensee to conduct a mortgage broker business at the location indicated on the license.

     "Certificate of passing an approved examination" means a certificate signed by the testing administrator verifying that the individual performed with a satisfactory score or higher.

     "Certificate of satisfactory completion of an approved continuing education course" means a certificate signed by the course provider verifying that the individual has attended an approved continuing education course.

     "Compensation or gain" means remuneration, benefits, or an increase in something having monetary value, including, but not limited to, moneys, things, discounts, salaries, commissions, fees, duplicate payments of a charge, stock, dividends, distributions of partnership profits, franchise royalties, credits representing moneys that may be paid at a future date, the opportunity to participate in a money-making program, retained or increased earnings, increased equity in a parent or subsidiary entity, special or unusual bank or financing terms, services of all types at special or free rates, sales or rentals at special prices or rates, lease or rental payments based in whole or in part on the amount of business referred, trips and payments of another person's expenses, or reduction in credit against an existing obligation. "Compensation or gain" is not evaluated solely on a loan by loan basis.

     For example, a realtor advertising that buyers using their services will receive free loan origination assistance is doing so in the anticipation of "compensation or gain" through increased real estate business.

     "Computer loan information systems" or "CLI system" means a real estate mortgage financing information system that facilitates the provision of information to consumers by a mortgage broker, loan originator, lender, real estate agent, or other person regarding interest rates and other loan terms available from different lenders.

     For purposes of this definition, the CLI system includes computer hardware or software, an internet-based system, or any combination of these, which provides information to consumers about residential mortgage interest rates and other loan terms which are available from another person.

     "Computer loan information system provider" or "CLI provider" is any person who provides a computer loan information service, either directly, or as an owner-operator of a CLI system, or both.

     "Consumer Protection Act" means chapter 19.86 RCW.

     "Control" including the terms "controls," "is controlled by," or "is under common control" means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a person, whether through ownership of the business, by contract, or otherwise. A person is presumed to control another person if such person is:

     • A general partner, officer, director, or employer of another person;

     • Directly or indirectly or acting in concert with others, or through one or more subsidiaries, owns, holds with power to vote, or holds proxies representing, more than twenty percent of the voting interests of another person; or

     • Has similar status or function in the business as a person in this definition.

     "Convicted of a crime," irrespective of the pronouncement or suspension of sentence, means a person:

     • Has been convicted of the crime in any jurisdiction;

     • Has been convicted of a crime which, if committed within this state would constitute a crime under the laws of this state;

     • Has plead guilty or no contest or nolo contendere or stipulated to facts that are sufficient to justify a finding of guilt to such a charge before a court or federal magistrate; or

     • Has been found guilty of a crime by the decision or judgment of a state or federal judge or magistrate, or by the verdict of a jury.

     "Department" means the department of financial institutions.

     "Designated broker" means a natural person designated as the person responsible for activities of the licensed mortgage broker in conducting the business of a mortgage broker under this chapter and who meets the experience and examination requirements set forth in RCW 19.146.210 (1)(e).

     "Director" means the director of financial institutions.

     "Discount points" or "points" mean a fee paid by a borrower to a lender to reduce the interest rate of a residential mortgage loan. Pursuant to Regulation X, discount points are to be reflected on line 802 of the good faith estimate and settlement statement as a percentage of the loan amount.

     "Division of consumer services" means the division of consumer services within the department of financial institutions, or such other division within the department delegated by the director to oversee implementation of the act and these rules.

     "Employee" means an individual who has an employment relationship with a mortgage broker, and the individual is treated as an employee by the mortgage broker for purposes of compliance with federal income tax laws.

     "Examination" or "compliance examination" means the examination performed by the division of consumer services, or such other division within the department delegated by the director to oversee implementation of the act and these rules to determine whether the licensee is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

     Federal statutes and regulations used in these rules are:

     • "Alternative Mortgage Transaction Parity Act" means the Alternative Mortgage Transaction Parity Act (AMTPA), 12 U.S.C. Sec. 3801 et seq.

     • "Equal Credit Opportunity Act" means the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1691 et seq., Regulation B, 12 C.F.R. Part 202.

     • "Fair Credit Reporting Act" means the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.

     • "Federal Trade Commission Act" means the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 45(a).

     • "Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)" means the Financial Modernization Act of 1999, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 6801-6809, and the GLBA-mandated Federal Trade Commission (FTC) privacy rules, at 16 C.F.R. Parts 313-314.

     • "Home Equity Loan Consumer Protection Act" means the Home Equity Loan Consumer Protection Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1637 and 1647.

     • "Home Mortgage Disclosure Act" means the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), 12 U.S.C. Sec. 2801-2810, Regulation C, 12 C.F.R. Part 203.

     • "Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act" means the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA), 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1639.

     • "Homeowners Protection Act" means the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 (HPA), 12 U.S.C. Sec. 4901 et seq.

     • "Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act" means the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), 12 U.S.C. Sec. 2601 et seq., Regulation X, 24 C.F.R. Part 3500 et seq.

     • "Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act" means the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 6101-6108, Telephone Sales Rule, 16 C.F.R. Part 310.

     • "Truth in Lending Act" means the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1601 et seq., Regulation Z, 12 C.F.R. Part 226 et seq.

     "Federally insured financial institution" means a savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union, whether state or federally chartered, or a federally insured bank, authorized to conduct business in this state.

     "Financial misconduct," for the purposes of the act, means a criminal conviction for any of the following:

     • Any conduct prohibited by the act;

     • Any conduct prohibited by statutes governing mortgage brokers in other states, or the United States, if such conduct would constitute a violation of the act;

     • Any conduct prohibited by statutes governing other segments of the financial services industry, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, statutes governing the conduct of securities broker dealers, financial advisers, escrow officers, title insurance companies, limited practice officers, trust companies, and other licensed or chartered financial service providers; or

     • Any conduct commonly known as white collar crime, including, but not limited to, embezzlement, identity theft, mail or wire fraud, insider trading, money laundering, check fraud, or similar crimes.

     "Independent contractor" means any person that expressly or impliedly contracts to perform mortgage brokering services for another and that with respect to its manner or means of performing the services is not subject to the other's right of control, and that is not treated as an employee by the other for purposes of compliance with federal income tax laws.

     The following factors may be considered to determine if a person is an independent contractor:

     Is the person instructed about when, where and how to work?

     Is the person guaranteed a regular wage?

     Is the person reimbursed for business expenses?

     Does the person maintain a separate business?

     Is the person exposed to potential profits and losses?

     Is the person provided employee benefits such as insurance, a pension plan, or vacation or sick pay?

     "Licensee" means:

     • A mortgage broker licensed by the director; or

     • The principal(s) or designated broker of a mortgage broker; or

     • A loan originator licensed by the director; or

     • Any person subject to licensing under RCW 19.146.200; or

     • Any person acting as a mortgage broker or loan originator subject to any provisions of the act.

     "License application fee" means immediately available funds paid to the department for each mortgage broker, loan originator, or mortgage broker branch office license application.

     "Loan application" means the same as "application," in this section.

     "Loan originator" means a natural person who:

     • Takes a residential mortgage loan application for a mortgage broker; or

     • Offers or negotiates terms of a mortgage loan, for direct or indirect compensation or gain, or in the expectation of direct or indirect compensation or gain. "Loan originator" also includes a person who holds themselves out to the public as able to perform any of these activities. "Loan originator" does not mean persons performing purely administrative or clerical tasks for a mortgage broker. For the purposes of this subsection, "administrative or clerical tasks" means the receipt, collection, and distribution of information common for the processing of a loan in the mortgage industry and communication with a borrower to obtain information necessary for the processing of a loan. A person who holds himself or herself out to the public as able to obtain a loan is not performing administrative or clerical tasks.

     For purposes of further defining "loan originator," "taking a residential mortgage loan application" includes soliciting, accepting, or offering to accept an application for a residential mortgage loan or assisting a borrower or offering to assist a borrower in the preparation of a residential mortgage loan application.

     For purposes of this definition, a person "holds themselves out" by advertising or otherwise informing the public that the person engages in any of the activities of a mortgage broker or loan originator, including the use of business cards, stationery, brochures, rate lists or other promotional items.

     "Loan originator licensee" means a natural person who is licensed as a loan originator or is subject to licensing under RCW 19.146.200 or who is acting as a loan originator subject to any provisions of the act.

     "Loan processor" means a natural person who performs clerical or support duties at the direction of and subject to the supervision and instruction of a licensed or exempt mortgage broker. The job responsibilities may include the receipt, collection and distribution of information common for the processing of a loan. The loan processor may also communicate with a borrower to obtain the information necessary for the processing of a loan, provided that such communication does not include offering or negotiating loan rates or terms, or counseling borrowers about loan rates or terms.

     "Lock-in agreement" means an agreement with a borrower made by a mortgage broker or loan originator, in which the mortgage broker or loan originator agrees that, for a period of time, a specific interest rate or other financing terms will be the rate or terms at which it will make a loan available to that borrower.

     (("Mortgage broker" means any person who for compensation or gain, or in the expectation of compensation or gain:

     • Makes a residential mortgage loan or assists a person in obtaining or applying to obtain a residential mortgage loan; or

     • Holds himself or herself out as being able to make a residential mortgage loan or assist a person in obtaining or applying to obtain a residential mortgage loan.

     For purposes of this definition, a person "makes" a loan if: The loan is closed in their name, or they advance, offer to advance or make a commitment to advance funds to a borrower for a loan.

     For purposes of this definition, a person "assists a person in obtaining or applying to obtain a residential mortgage loan" by, among other things, counseling on loan terms (rates, fees, other costs), preparing loan packages, or collecting enough information on behalf of the consumer to anticipate a credit decision under Regulation X, 24 C.F.R. Part 3500, Sec. 3500.2(b).

     For purposes of this definition, a person "holds themselves out" by advertising or otherwise informing the public that they engage in any of the activities of a mortgage broker or loan originator, including the use of business cards, stationery, brochures, rate lists, or other promotional items.))

     "Mortgage broker licensee" means a person that is licensed as a mortgage broker or is subject to licensing under RCW 19.146.200 or is acting as a mortgage broker subject to any provisions of the act.

     "Mortgage Broker Practices Act" means chapter 19.146 RCW.

     "Out-of-state applicant or licensee" means a person subject to licensing that maintains an office outside of this state.

     "Person" means a natural person, corporation, company, limited liability corporation, partnership, or association.

     "Prepaid escrowed costs of ownership," as used in RCW 19.146.030(4), means any amounts prepaid by the borrower for the payment of taxes, property insurance, interim interest, and similar items in regard to the property used as security for the loan.

     "Principal" means any person who controls, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or alone or in concert with others, a ten percent or greater interest in a partnership, company, association, or corporation, and the owner of a sole proprietorship.

     "Registered agent" means a person located in Washington appointed to accept service of process for a licensee.

     "Residential mortgage loan" means any loan primarily for personal, family, or household use secured by a mortgage or deed of trust on residential real estate upon which is constructed or intended to be constructed a single family dwelling or multiple family dwelling of four or less units.

     For purposes of this definition, a loan "primarily for personal, family, or household use" includes loan applications for a finance or refinance of a primary residence for any purpose, loan applications on second homes, and loan applications on nonowner occupied residential real estate provided the licensee has knowledge that proceeds of the loan are intended to be used primarily for personal, family or household use.

     "Residential real estate" is real property upon which is constructed or intended to be constructed, a single family dwelling or multiple family dwelling of four or less units.

     • Residential real estate includes, but is not limited to:

     – A single family home;

     – A duplex;

     – A triplex;

     – A fourplex;

     – A single condominium in a condominium complex;

     – A single unit within a cooperative;

     – A manufactured home when the home and real property together will secure the residential mortgage loan; or

     – A fractile, fee simple interest in any of the above.

     • Residential real estate does not include:

     – An apartment building or dwelling of five or more units;

     – A single piece of real estate with five or more single family dwellings unless each dwelling is capable of being financed independently of the other dwellings; or

     – Any dwelling on leased or rented land or space, such as dwellings in a manufactured home park unless the mortgage broker treats such property as residential real estate.

     "Table-funding" means a settlement at which a mortgage loan is funded by a contemporaneous advance of loan funds and an assignment of the loan to the person advancing the funds. The mortgage broker originates the loan and closes the loan in its own name with funds provided contemporaneously by a lender to whom the closed loan is assigned.

     "Third-party provider" means any person other than a mortgage broker or lender who provides goods or services to the mortgage broker in connection with the preparation of the borrower's loan and includes, but is not limited to, credit reporting agencies, title companies, appraisers, structural and pest inspectors, or escrow companies.

     A lender is considered a third party only when the lender provides lock-in arrangements to the mortgage broker in connection with the preparation of a borrower's loan.

     "Underwriting" means a lender's detailed credit analysis preceding the offering or making of a loan. The analysis may be based on information furnished by the borrower (employment history, salary, financial statements), the borrower's credit history from a credit report, the lender's evaluation of the borrower's credit needs and ability to pay, and an assessment of the collateral for the loan. While mortgage brokers may have access to various automated underwriting systems to facilitate an evaluation of the borrower's qualifications, the mortgage broker who qualifies or approves a borrower in this manner is not the underwriter of the loan and cannot charge a fee for underwriting the loan. Third-party charges the mortgage broker incurs in using or accessing an automated system to qualify or approve a borrower may, like other third-party expenses, be passed on to the borrower.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.320.040, 19.146.223. 08-05-126, § 208-660-006, filed 2/20/08, effective 3/22/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.320.040, 19.146.223, 2006 c 19. 06-23-137, § 208-660-006, filed 11/21/06, effective 1/1/07.]

     (a) Take a residential mortgage loan application for a mortgage broker;

     (b) Offer or negotiate terms of a mortgage loan for direct or indirect compensation or gain, or in the expectation of direct or indirect compensation or gain;

     (c) Make a residential mortgage loan, or assist a person in obtaining or applying to obtain a residential mortgage loan, for compensation or gain; or

     (d) Hold yourself out as being able to perform any of the above services.

     (2) Are insurance companies exempt from the Mortgage Broker Practices Act? Yes. Insurance companies authorized to transact the business of insurance in this state by the Washington state office of the insurance commissioner are exempt from the Mortgage Broker Practices Act.

     (3) If I make residential mortgage loans under the Consumer Loan Act, chapter 31.04 RCW, am I exempt from the Mortgage Broker Practices Act? If you are licensed under the Consumer Loan Act, only residential mortgage loans are exempt from the Mortgage Broker Practices Act. Complying with the Consumer Loan Act includes abiding by the requirements and restrictions of that act and counting all loans originated and made under that act for purposes of your annual assessment.

     (4) If I make residential mortgage loans under the Consumer Loan Act, chapter 31.04 RCW, are my loan originators exempt from the Mortgage Broker Practices Act? Your loan originator employees are also exempt from the Mortgage Broker Practices Act for their loan originator activities on residential mortgage loans.

     Your independent contractor loan originators are not exempt from the Mortgage Broker Practices Act for their residential mortgage loan originator activities.

     (5) ((If I am an exempt mortgage broker because my business has been approved by and is subject to audit by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, am I subject to licensing or any other sections of the act? You are not required to have a license to make loans that you sell to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, but you are subject to RCW 19.146.0201 through 19.146.080, and the rules associated with those sections of the act. Those sections include prohibited practices, certain required disclosures, the requirement of a writing for agreements, trust fund requirements, books and records requirements, limitations on fees or compensation, and the requirement to provide the consumer with certain information they have paid for. You are also subject to the investigation and enforcement authority of the director.

     Stated another way, if your mortgage business does not make and then sell all loans to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, you must have a license to broker or make the residential mortgage loans not sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

     (6) If I am an exempt mortgage broker because my business has been approved by and is subject to audit by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, are my loan originators subject to licensing or any other sections of the act? Your loan originator employees are not required to have a license to conduct loan originator activities on loans made and then sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, but they are subject to RCW 19.146.0201 through 19.146.080, and the rules associated with those sections of the act. Those sections include prohibited practices, certain required disclosures, the requirement of a writing for agreements, trust fund requirements, books and records requirements, limitations on fees or compensation, and the requirement to provide the consumer with certain information they have paid for. Your loan originator employees are also subject to the investigation and enforcement authority of the director.

     Your loan originators must be licensed to act as loan originators on residential mortgage loans not made and then sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

     Your independent contractor loan originators are not exempt under this section.

     (7) Am I exempt from the Mortgage Broker Practices Act if I make or acquire residential mortgage loans solely with my own funds for my own investment without intending to resell the residential mortgage loans? You are exempt from the licensing requirements, but you are subject to RCW 19.146.0201 through 19.146.080, and the rules associated with those sections of the act. Those sections include prohibited practices, certain required disclosures, the requirement of a writing for agreements, trust fund requirements, books and records requirements, limitations on fees or compensation, and the requirement to provide the consumer with certain information they have paid for. You are also subject to the investigation and enforcement authority of the director.

     For purposes of this section, intent to resell residential mortgage loans is determined by your ability and willingness to hold the residential mortgage loans, indicated by, but not limited to, such measures as whether you have sold loans in the past, whether the loans conform to established secondary market standards for the sale of loans, and whether your financial condition would reasonably allow you to hold the residential mortgage loans.

     (8) If I am an exempt mortgage broker because I am making or acquiring residential mortgage loans solely with my own funds for my own investment without intending to resell the residential mortgage loans, are my loan originators subject to licensing or any other sections of the act? Your loan originator employees are not required to have a license, but they are subject to RCW 19.146.0201 through 19.146.080, and the rules associated with those sections of the act. Those sections include prohibited practices, certain required disclosures, the requirement of a writing for agreements, trust fund requirements, books and records requirements, limitations on fees or compensation, and the requirement to provide the consumer with certain information they have paid for. Your loan originator employees are also subject to the investigation and enforcement authority of the director.

     Your independent contractor loan originators are not exempt under this section.

     (9))) As an attorney, must I have a mortgage broker or loan originator license to assist a person in obtaining or applying to obtain a residential mortgage loan in the course of my practice?

     (a) If you are an attorney licensed in Washington and if the mortgage broker activities are incidental to your professional duties as an attorney, you are exempt from the Mortgage Broker Practices Act under RCW 19.146.020 (1)(c).

     (b) Whether an exemption is available to you depends on the facts and circumstances of your particular situation. For example, if you hold yourself out publicly as being able to perform the services of a mortgage broker or loan originator, or if your fee structure for those services is different from the customary fee structure for your professional legal services, the department will consider you to be principally engaged in the mortgage broker business and you will need a mortgage broker or loan originator license before performing those services. A "customary" fee structure for the professional legal service does not include the receipt of compensation or gain associated with obtaining a residential mortgage loan on the property.

     (((10))) (6) As a licensed real estate broker or salesperson, must I have a mortgage broker or loan originator license when I assist the purchaser in obtaining financing for a residential mortgage loan involving a bona fide sale of real estate? You are exempt from the act under RCW 19.146.020 (1)(g) if you only receive the customary real estate commission in connection with the transaction. A "customary" real estate commission does not include receipt of compensation or gain associated with the financing of the property. A "customary" real estate commission only includes the agreed upon commission designated in the listing or purchase and sale agreement for the bona fide sale of the subject property.

     (((11))) (7) Under what circumstances will the director approve an exemption under RCW 19.146.020(4) for the exclusive agents working as loan originators of an affiliate of a bank that is wholly owned by the bank holding company that owns that bank?

     (a) The director will provide a written exemption from loan originator licensing for the exclusive agents of an affiliate of a bank that is wholly owned by the bank holding company that owns the bank if the director finds that the affiliate is licensed and is in "good standing" with the department and the affiliate has procedures in place, as evidenced by a written "plan of business," to reasonably assure the department that:

     (i) The exclusive agents of the affiliate of a bank operate exclusively as loan originators for the affiliate and not for other mortgage brokers;

     (ii) The affiliate of the bank requires continuing education for the exclusive agents that meets the same or similar requirements approved by the director for licensed loan originators;

     (iii) The affiliate of the bank will notify the department if the affiliate terminates an exclusive agent because the exclusive agent:

     (A) Has had any license, or any authorization to do business under any similar statute of this or any other state, suspended, revoked, or restricted within the prior five years; or

     (B) Has been convicted of a felony, or a gross misdemeanor involving dishonesty or financial misconduct, within the prior seven years; or

     (C) Has been subject to a cease and desist order or an injunction issued pursuant to the act, or the Consumer Protection Act, or has been found through an administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding to have violated the provisions of the act or rules, or the Consumer Protection Act, chapter 19.86 RCW.

     (b) To qualify for this exemption, the affiliate must make a written request to the department and submit a "plan of business" with the request. After receipt of this request, the department will notify the affiliate in writing within ten business days whether the affiliate's exclusive agents qualify for the exemption, or if the department will conduct additional review of the affiliate and the "plan of business." The affiliates must receive the department's notice of qualification for exemption before the affiliate's exclusive agents take any action that would subject them to licensing under the act.

     (c) The exemption granted by the director remains valid as long as the affiliate complies in all material respects with its "plan of business" and the affiliate remains in good standing with the department.

     (((12))) (8) What are the responsibilities of a mortgage broker that is exempt from the licensing provisions of the act? The owners of companies exempt from licensing under RCW 19.146.020 (1)(e), (g), or (4), are responsible for:

     (a) Complying with RCW 19.146.0201 through 19.146.080, and 19.146.235;

     (b) Ensuring compliance with the act by all persons representing the exempt mortgage broker; and

     (c) Notifying the director of any change affecting the mortgage broker's exempt status under the act.

     (((13))) (9) Are the independent contractors of a mortgage broker exempt under RCW 19.146.020 (1)(b), (c), (e), and (g) themselves exempt? No. After January 1, 2007, an independent contractor working as a loan originator for a mortgage broker exempt under RCW 19.146.020 (1)(b), (c), (e), and (g) must hold a loan originator license.

     (((14))) (10) What other persons or entities are exempt from the Mortgage Broker Practices Act?

     (a) Any person doing any act under order of any court except for a person subject to an injunction to comply with any provision of the act or any order of the director issued under the act.

     (b) The United States of America, the state of Washington, any other state, and any Washington city, county, or other political subdivision, and any agency, division, or corporate instrumentality of any of the entities in this subsection (b).

     (((15))) (11) When is a CLI provider exempt from the licensing requirements of the act? A CLI provider is exempt from the licensing requirements of the act:

     (a) When the CLI provider meets the general statutory requirements under RCW 19.146.020 (1)(a), (c), (d), (e), (g), or (h); or

     (b) When a real estate broker or salesperson licensed in Washington, acting as a CLI provider and a real estate agent, obtains financing for a real estate transaction involving a bona fide sale of real estate and does not receive either:

     (i) A separate fee for the CLI service; or

     (ii) A sales commission greater than that which would be otherwise customary in connection with the sales transaction; or

     (c) When a person, acting as a CLI provider:

     (i) Provides only information regarding rates, terms, and lenders;

     (ii) Complies with all requirements of subsection (((16))) (12) of this section;

     (iii) Does not represent or imply to a borrower that they are able to obtain a residential mortgage loan from a mortgage broker or lender;

     (iv) Does not accept a loan application, assist in the completion of a loan application, or submit a loan application to a mortgage broker or lender on behalf of a borrower;

     (v) Does not accept any deposit for third-party provider services or any loan fees from a borrower in connection with a loan, regardless of when the fees are paid;

     (vi) Does not negotiate interest rates or terms of a loan with a mortgage broker or lender on behalf of a borrower; and

     (vii) Does not provide to the borrower a good faith estimate or other disclosure(s) required of mortgage brokers or lender(s) by state or federal law.

     (d) If the CLI provider is not exempt under (a), (b), or (c) of this subsection, the CLI provider is not required to have a mortgage broker license if the CLI provider does not receive any fee or other compensation or gain, directly or indirectly, for performing or facilitating the CLI service.

     (((16))) (12) When is a CLI provider required to have a mortgage broker license?

     (a) If a CLI provider, who is not otherwise exempt from the licensing requirements of the act, performs any act that would otherwise require that they be licensed, including accepting a loan application, or submitting a loan application to a mortgage broker or lender, the CLI provider must obtain a mortgage broker license.

     (b) Example - License required: A CLI provider uses an internet-based CLI system in which an abbreviated application is available for online completion by borrower. Once the borrower presses "submit," the information collected in the abbreviated application is forwarded to lender. The information contains the borrower's name, Social Security number, contact information, purpose of the loan sought (e.g., purchase, refinance, home equity, second mortgage), size of loan requested, annual salary, and a self-declaration of total unsecured debt. The electronic entries made by the borrower are then used by lender to electronically populate "form fields" and to initiate lender's loan application. A loan originator for the lender then follows up with borrower to complete the loan application. On or after closing, CLI provider receives a CLI service fee.

     (c) Example - License not required: A CLI provider uses an internet-based CLI system in which various interactive informational tools are present, including an online "prequalification" tool. Based upon borrower's self-declared data input, borrower receives an indication of borrower's "maximum affordable loan amount," based upon standard norms of debt-to-income ratio and loan-to-value ratio, and also subject to verification of information, availability and suitability of loan products, and independent underwriting by any lender. The borrower indicates a desire for follow-up from one or more lenders by inputting personal contact information and pressing "submit." A number of lenders receive only the personal identity information of borrower and not any financial information. However, the CLI system has been programmed (and may be continuously reprogrammed) to route personal contact information to certain lenders based upon borrower's "prequalification" data input and the lending criteria of each of the lenders for whom CLI provider has a relationship. None of borrower's self-declared financial information is actually submitted to any of the lenders whose criteria match borrower's profile. Loan originators from lender A and lender B initiate contact with borrower based solely on borrower's contact information. Lender A and lender B, through their assigned loan originators, contact borrower with the object of beginning and hopefully completing a loan application. In this example, CLI provider has not taken a loan application.

     (((17))) (13) Must the CLI provider provide any disclosures?

     (a) Yes. If a borrower using or accessing the CLI services pays for the CLI service, either directly or indirectly, the CLI provider must give the following disclosure:

     (i) The amount of the fee the CLI provider charges the borrower for the service;

     (ii) That the use of the CLI system is not required to obtain a residential mortgage loan; and

     (iii) That the full range of loans available may not be listed on the CLI system, and different terms and conditions, including lower rates, may be available from others not listed on the system.

     (b) Each CLI provider must give the borrower a copy of the disclosure form when the first CLI service is provided to the borrower. The form must be signed and dated by the borrower and a copy maintained as part of the CLI provider's books and records for at least two years.

     (((18))) (14) Are CLI system providers subject to enforcement under the act? Yes. CLI system providers are responsible for any violations of the act and will be subject to any applicable fines or penalties.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.320.040, 19.146.223. 08-05-126, § 208-660-008, filed 2/20/08, effective 3/22/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.320.040, 19.146.223, 2006 c 19. 06-23-137, § 208-660-008, filed 11/21/06, effective 1/1/07.]

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