13-08 Deferred Presentment Service Providers - North Dakota Statutes

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CHAPTER 13-08DEFERRED PRESENTMENT SERVICE PROVIDERS13-08-01. Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:1."Check" means a personal check signed by the maker and made payable to a
licensee.2."Commissioner" means the commissioner of financial institutions.3."Completed deferred presentment service transaction" means a transaction that is
completed when a check is redeemed by the maker by payment in full to the
licensee in cash, money order, or certified check or by negotiation or deposit by the
licensee, or when an electronic funds transfer or other transfer of money has taken
place to repay the contracted debt.4."Customer" means a person to which funds are advanced under a deferred
presentment service transaction.5."Deferred presentment service transaction" means a transaction by which a person:a.Pays to a customer the amount of a check, less the fees permitted under this
chapter, and accepts a check from the customer dated on the date of the
transaction and agrees to hold the check for a period of time before negotiation
or presentment;b.Accepts a check dated after the date of the transaction and agrees to hold the
check for deposit until the date written on the check; orc.Pays to the customer an agreed-upon amount, and obtains the customer's
authorization to transfer or withdraw, electronically or otherwise, funds from a
customer's account in repayment at some future, agreed-upon date.6."Licensee" means a person licensed under this chapter to provide deferred
presentment services.13-08-02. License requirements. A person may not engage in the business of deferredpresentment service without a license issued under this chapter. A separate license is required
for each location from which the business of deferred presentment service is conducted.13-08-03. Qualifications for license. To qualify for a license, an applicant shall satisfythe following requirements:1.Each applicant shall maintain a net worth of at least twenty-five thousand dollars per
licensed location, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.2.The financial responsibility, financial condition, business experience, character, and
general fitness of the applicant must reasonably warrant the belief that the
applicant's business will be conducted lawfully and fairly. In determining whether
this qualification is met and for the purpose of investigating compliance with this
chapter, the commissioner may review and consider the relevant business records
and the capital adequacy of the applicant and the competence, experience, integrity,
and financial ability of any person who is a member, partner, director, officer, or
twenty-five percent or more shareholder of the applicant, and whether the applicant
has filed the appropriate registration with the North Dakota secretary of state, if so
required.Page No. 13.Each applicant shall establish that neither the applicant nor any principal of the
applicant has been convicted of a felony. A deferred sentence or federal pretrial
diversion must be considered a conviction for purposes of this section.4.Each applicant shall maintain a bond issued by a surety company authorized to do
business in this state, in the amount of twenty thousand dollars, and the
commissioner may require a larger bond if the commissioner determines the larger
bond is necessary based on the volume of the applicant's business.13-08-04. Application for license. Each application for a license must be in the formprescribed by the commissioner and must include:1.The legal name of the applicant, residence of the applicant, business address of the
applicant, and address at which deferred presentment service is provided if different
from the business address and, if the applicant is a partnership, association, or
corporation, the name and address of every member, officer, and director;2.The location at which the registered office of the applicant is located; and3.Other data and information the commissioner may require with respect to the
applicant and the applicant's directors, officers, members, and shareholders.13-08-05. Application fees - Financial statements - Annual fee - Deposit of fees.Each applicant for licensure shall include with the application an application and background
investigation fee of eight hundred fifty dollars, which is not subject to refund but which, if the
license is granted, constitutes the license fee for the first license year or part of the first license
year, and each applicant for licensure shall include with the application proof of the required
surety bond. The annual license fee is four hundred fifty dollars. Each fee set forth in this
section is applicable to each location. The commissioner shall deposit fees and costs collected
by the commissioner under this chapter in the department of financial institutions regulatory fund.13-08-06. Issuance of license - Posting.1.Upon receipt of a complete application, the commissioner shall determine whether
the qualifications prescribed under this chapter are satisfied. If the commissioner
determines the qualifications are satisfied and approves the documents, the
commissioner shall issue to the applicant a license to engage in the deferred
presentment service business.2.A licensee shall keep the license conspicuously posted in the place of business of
the licensee, and shall provide notice to its customers in this state of the license
number under which it is operating.3.A license issued under this section is effective through the remainder of the fiscal
year ending June thirtieth after the license's date of issuance unless earlier
surrendered, suspended, or revoked under this chapter.13-08-07. Nontransferability - Change in control of license. A license issued underthis chapter is not transferable or assignable. The prior written approval of the commissioner is
required for the continued operation of a deferred presentment service business if a change in
control of a licensee occurs.Control in the case of a corporation means direct or indirectownership; the right to control twenty-five percent or more of the voting shares of the corporation;
or the ability of any person to elect a majority of the directors or otherwise affect a change in
policy. Control in the case of any other entity means the ability to exchange the principals of the
organization, whether active or passive.In the case of a change of control request, thecommissioner may require information the commissioner deems necessary to determine whether
a new application is required. A licensee shall notify the commissioner fifteen days before any
proposed change in the licensee's business location or name.Page No. 213-08-08. Reports of commissioner. Within fifteen days of the occurrence of any oneof the following events, a licensee shall file a written report with the commissioner describing the
event and the event's expected impact on the activities of the licensee in the state:1.The filing for bankruptcy or reorganization by the licensee;2.The institution of revocation or suspension proceedings against the licensee by any
governmental authority;3.Any felony charges of the licensee or any of the licensee's members, directors,
officers, or shareholders; and4.Any other event the commissioner identifies by rule.13-08-09. Expiration of license - Renewal. Licenses issued under this chapter expireas of June thirtieth of each year. A license may be renewed for the ensuing twelve-month period
upon application and the payment to the commissioner of the annual license fee, which is not
subject to refund, before June first of each year. The form and content of renewal applications
must be determined by the department of financial institutions and a renewal application may be
denied upon the same grounds as would justify denial of an initial application. When a licensee
has been delinquent in renewing the licensee's license, the department may charge an additional
fee of fifty dollars for the renewal of such license.13-08-10. Regulations - Examinations. The commissioner may adopt rules for theimplementation and enforcement of this chapter. A copy of a rule adopted by the commissioner
must be mailed to each licensee at least thirty days before the date the rule takes effect. To
assure compliance with this chapter, the commissioner may examine the relevant business,
books, and records of any licensee. The licensee shall pay an examination or visitation fee, and
the commissioner shall charge the licensee for the actual cost of the examination or visitation at
an hourly rate set by the commissioner which is sufficient to cover all reasonable expenses
associated with the examination or visitation.13-08-11. Retention of records. Each licensee shall keep and use in the licensee'sbusiness any books, accounts, and records the commissioner may require to carry into effect the
provisions of this chapter and the rules issued under this chapter. Every licensee shall preserve
required books, accounts, and records for at least six years. The records of a licensee may be
maintained electronically provided they can be reproduced upon request by the department of
financial institutions and within the required statutory time period provided in this section.13-08-11.1.Response to department requests.An applicant, licensee, or otherperson subject to the provisions of this chapter shall comply with requests for information,
documents, or other requests from the department of financial institutions within the time
specified in the request, which must be a minimum of ten days, or, if no time is specified, within
thirty days of the mailing of the request by the department of financial institutions. If the request
for information is in regard to a new application or renewal of an existing application and is not
received within the time specified in the request, or within thirty days of the mailing of the request,
the department may deny the application.13-08-12. Fees for service - Deferred presentment service transaction procedures -Penalty.1.Before disbursing funds under a deferred presentment service transaction, a
licensee shall provide to the customer a clear and conspicuous printed notice
indicating:a.That a deferred presentment service transaction is not intended to meet
long-term financial needs.Page No. 3b.That the customer should use a deferred presentment service transaction only
to meet short-term cash needs.c.That the customer will be required to pay additional fees if the deferred
presentment service transaction is renewed rather than paid in full when due. If
the transaction is renewed, any amount paid in excess of the fee applies to the
payoff amount.d.A schedule of fees charged for deferred presentment service.e.Any information required under federal law.f.No property, titles to any property, or mortgages may be received or held
directly or indirectly by the licensee as a condition of a deferred presentment
service transaction or as a method of collection on a defaulted deferred
presentment service transaction without proper civil process.2.A licensee may charge a fee for the deferred presentment service, not to exceed
twenty percent of the amount paid to the customer by the licensee. This fee may not
be deemed interest for any purpose of law. No other fee or charge may be charged
for the deferred presentment service, except that a fee, not to exceed the cost to the
licensee, may be charged for registering a transaction on a database administered
or authorized by the commissioner. No property, titles to any property, or mortgages
may be received or held directly or indirectly by the licensee as a condition of a
deferred presentment service transaction or as a method of collection on a defaulted
deferred presentment service transaction without proper civil process.3.A licensee may not disburse more than five hundred dollars to the customer in a
deferred presentment service transaction.4.A licensee may not engage in a deferred presentment service transaction with a
customer who has an aggregate value of all outstanding obligations from any one
customer exceeding six hundred dollars which is payable to the same or any other
licensee. A licensee may not enter a new deferred presentment service transaction
with a customer within three business days of that customer's completion of a
previous deferred presentment service transaction. A licensee may rely on a written
or electronic representation of a customer regarding the existence of any
outstanding obligations for deferred presentment held by a licensee other than the
licensee receiving the representation until the database provided for under this
subsection is in operation, and after that time may not rely on a customer's
representation but must verify the fact using the database. However, if a licensee
has multiple locations, that licensee may not rely on the representation of a
customer regarding the existence of any outstanding obligation for deferred
presentment held by that licensee, or one of the licensee's multiple locations, unless
the licensee and the licensee's multiple locations use a point of sale registry or some
other accounting system to attempt to prevent violations of this subsection. The
commissioner shall administer or authorize the development of a database in which
each transaction must be recorded for the purpose of preventing violations of this
section. The commissioner shall adopt rules governing the creation, structure, and
use of the database.5.Before a licensee may negotiate or present a check for payment, the check must be
endorsed with the actual name under which the licensee is doing business.6.Each deferred presentment service transaction, including a renewal, must be
documented by a written agreement signed or similarly authenticated by the
customer. The agreement must contain the name of the licensee; the transaction
date; the amount of the obligation; and a statement of the total amount of fees
charged, expressed as a dollar amount and as an annual percentage rate. ThePage No. 4agreement must authorize the licensee to defer presentment or negotiation of the
check, or electronic debit of the customer's account, until a specified date.Themaker of a check may redeem the check from the licensee at any time before the
negotiation or presentment of the check by making payment to the licensee. A
customer agreeing to an electronic deferred presentment service transaction may
repay the obligation at any time before the agreed-upon date. A customer may
rescind any transaction by the close of the business day following the day on which
the customer receives payment from the licensee at no cost. If a customer agreeing
to an electronic deferred presentment service transaction rescinds the transaction,
the licensee must facilitate the repayment of the funds through the same electronic
means the licensee used to deliver the funds to the customer.7.If a check or electronic debit is returned to the licensee from a payer financial
institution due to insufficient funds, closed account, or a stop payment order, the
licensee has the right to all civil remedies available to collect the obligation. The
licensee may contract for and collect a returned check or electronic debit charge not
to exceed twenty dollars. No other fee or charge may be collected as a result of a
returned check or electronic debit or as a result of default by the customer in timely
payment to the licensee.8.A customer who has authority to make a check or authorize an electronic debit and
enters a deferred presentment service agreement is not subject to a criminal penalty
relating to the check, electronic debit, or the deferred presentment service
agreement unless the customer's account was closed on the original date of the
transaction.At the time of entering a transaction involving a written check, alicensee shall verify that the account on which the check is written is open.Alicensee may not pursue or threaten to pursue criminal penalties against a customer
for criminal penalties prohibited by this subsection.9.A licensee may not engage in unfair or deceptive acts, practices, or advertising in
the conduct of a deferred presentment service business.10.The amount paid to the customer by the licensee in a deferred presentment service
transaction must be paid in the form of cash, check, or an electronic credit to the
customer's account.11.Each licensee must conspicuously post in the licensee's licensed location a notice of
the fees imposed for the deferred presentment service. A licensee that engages in a
deferred presentment service transaction via the internet shall require its customers
to acknowledge the fees imposed using a click-through or other method that
prevents customers from completing the transaction without reviewing the licensee's
fees.12.A licensee may not renew a deferred presentment service transaction more than
once. A licensee's renewal fee may not exceed twenty percent of the amount being
renewed. The renewal fee must be paid in cash, money order, or cashier's check.
The total period of deferral, including the initial deferral and one renewal, may not
exceed sixty days. An individual renewal period may not be less than fifteen days.
After sixty days the renewed deferred presentment service transaction must be paid
off in cash, money order, electronic payment, or cashier's check by the customer or,
if a check is used, the check must be deposited by the licensee.13.A licensee may not renew, repay, refinance, or consolidate a deferred presentment
service transaction with the proceeds of another deferred presentment service
transaction with that licensee by the same maker or customer. It is presumed that a
deferred presentment service transaction initiated within three business days before
completion of a deferred presentment service transaction is a violation of this
subsection.Page No. 514.A licensee may not conduct another business, other than a bona fide pawnbroking
business, within the same office, suite, room, or place of business at which the
licensee engages in deferred presentment service transactions unless the
commissioner provides written authorization after a determination the other business
is not contrary to the best interests of consumers.15.A licensee shall provide a notice in a prominent place on each deferred presentment
service agreement in no less than ten-point type in substantially the following form:State law prohibits this business from allowing customers to have outstanding
at any one time, deferred presentment service transactions totaling more than
six hundred dollars.16.A licensee or any agent of a licensee who willfully violates this section is guilty of a
class A misdemeanor.13-08-13. Denial of license - Hearing. If the commissioner determines an applicant isnot qualified to receive a license, the commissioner shall notify the applicant in writing stating that
the application is denied and stating the basis for denial.If the commissioner denies anapplication, or if the commissioner fails to act on an application within thirty days after the filing of
a properly completed application, the applicant may make written demand to the commissioner
for a hearing before the commissioner on the question of whether the license should be granted.
The hearing must be held within thirty days after receipt of the written demand by the applicant.
In the event of a hearing, the commissioner shall reconsider the application and, after hearing,
issue a written order granting or denying the application. If an applicant who is denied a license
requests a hearing and the commissioner's denial is upheld, the commissioner may assess the
applicant for the commissioner's costs incurred for the hearing, in an amount not exceeding two
thousand dollars.13-08-14. Suspension - Revocation.1.After notice and hearing, the commissioner may suspend or revoke a license if the
commissioner finds that the licensee or any principal of the licensee has been
convicted of a felony or that the licensee knowingly or through lack of due care:a.Failed to pay the annual license fee imposed under this chapter or any
examination fee imposed by the commissioner under the authority of this
chapter;b.Committed any fraud, engaged in any dishonest activities, or made any
misrepresentations;c.Violated this chapter or any rule adopted under this chapter or violated any
other law in the course of the licensee's business activities as a licensee;d.Made false statements in the application for the license; ore.Engaged in any unfair or deceptive acts, practices, or advertising in the conduct
of a deferred presentment service business.2.Written notice must be given at least twenty days before the date of a hearing under
this chapter.13-08-14.1.Suspension and removal of deferred presentment service providerofficers and employees.1.The commissioner of financial institutions may issue and serve upon a deferred
presentment service provider officer or employee and upon the licensee involved aPage No. 6complaint stating the basis for the commissioner's belief that the officer or employee
is willfully engaging or has willfully engaged in any of the following conduct:a.Violating a law, rule, order, or written agreement with the commissioner;b.Engaging in harassment or abuse, the making of false or misleading
representations, or engaging in unfair practices involving lending activity; orc.Performing an act of commission or omission or practice, which is a breach of
trust or a breach of fiduciary duty.2.The complaint must contain a notice of opportunity for hearing pursuant to chapter
28-32.3.If a hearing is not requested within twenty days of the date the complaint is served
upon the officer or employee, or if a hearing is held and the commissioner finds that
the record so warrants, the commissioner may enter an order suspending or
temporarily removing the employee or officer from office for a period not exceeding
three years from the effective date of the suspension or temporary removal.4.A contested or default suspension or temporary removal order is effective
immediately upon service of the order on the officer or employee and upon the
licensee. A consent order is effective as agreed. An officer or employee suspended
or temporarily removed from office pursuant to this section is not eligible, while
under suspension, for reinstatement to a position within a licensed deferred
presentment service provider.5.When an officer or employee or other person participating in the conduct of the
affairs of a licensee is charged with a felony in state or federal court which involves
dishonesty or breach of trust, the commissioner may immediately suspend the
person from office or prohibit the person from further participation in the deferred
presentment service provider affairs, or both. The order is effective immediately
upon service of the order on the licensee and the person charged and remains in
effect until the criminal charge is finally disposed of or until modified by the
commissioner. If a judgment of conviction, federal pretrial diversion, or similar state
order or judgment is entered, the commissioner may order that the suspension or
prohibition be made permanent. A finding of not guilty or other disposition of the
charge does not preclude the commissioner from pursuing administrative or civil
remedies.6.Under this section, a person engages in conduct "willfully" if the person acted
intentionally in the sense that the person was aware of what the person was doing.13-08-15.Violations - Cease and desist orders - Penalties. Except as otherwiseprovided in this chapter, any person who willfully provides deferred presentment services without
a license is guilty of a class C felony and any person who violates any other provisions of this
chapter or any rule adopted to implement this chapter is guilty of an infraction.If thecommissioner finds, whether without a hearing or after a hearing if a hearing is requested within
twenty days of notice of an action by the commissioner under this section, that a person violated
this chapter or any rule adopted to implement this chapter, the commissioner may do any one or
more of the following:1.Order the person to cease and desist violating this chapter or the rule.2.Require the refund of any fees collected by the person in violation of this chapter.3.Impose a civil penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars per violation upon a
person or agency who willfully violates a law, rule, written agreement, or order under
this chapter.An interested party may appeal the assessment of a civil moneyPage No. 7penalty under the provisions of chapter 28-32 by filing a written notice of appeal
within twenty days after service of the assessment of civil money penalties. A civil
money penalty collected under this section must be paid to the state treasurer and
deposited in the financial institutions regulatory fund.Page No. 8Document Outlinechapter 13-08 deferred presentment service providers