(1)
May I open branch offices under my mortgage broker license? Yes. A licensed mortgage broker may submit license application(s) to the department through the NMLS 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 NMLS and receive approval from the department before operating from any location other than your licensed location. You must be in good standing. 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 physical address listed in the application can be verified as a branch office location.
(6) 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 website. The information must also include a list of the states in which you are licensed.
(7) How do I change information on my mortgage broker branch office license? You must file a license amendment through the NMLS.
(8) 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.
(9) How do I renew my mortgage broker branch office license?
(a) Before the expiration date, the licensed mortgage broker must submit an online renewal and pay the branch office annual assessment fee through the NMLS.
(b) The renewed mortgage broker branch office license is valid for the term listed on the license or until surrendered, suspended, or revoked.
(10) If my mortgage broker branch office license expires, must I apply for a new license? If you complete all the requirements for renewal by the last day of February each year, you may renew an existing license. However, if you renew your license during this two-month 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 (9) of this section for the license renewal requirements.
During this two-month 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.
If you fail to comply with the renewal request requirements by the last day of February, each year, you must apply for a new license.
(11) 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.
(12) 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.
(13) 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. Branch trade names must also be listed on the main office record in the NMLS. 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 main office license number together.
(14) 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.
(15)
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.
(16) Must I have a branch manager? No. Although you may appoint one, the act does not require a branch manager. You and the designated broker are responsible for the business conducted at all locations.
(17) If I appoint a branch manager, must he or she be licensed? If the branch manager performs any of the functions of a mortgage broker or loan originator, he or she must be licensed. If they do not perform those functions, they must not be paid a commission or salary based upon the number of transactions closed.
(18) Must I have a designated broker at each branch? No. You may have only one designated broker who is responsible for the mortgage broker business at all locations.
(19) If I want my licensed company to become a branch of another mortgage broker, what must be completed before the licensed loan originators can start transacting business under the sponsorship of the other mortgage broker? The loan originators may begin doing business when the other mortgage broker has filed and received department approval of a new branch office, if necessary, and has sponsored and received departmental approval for each of the licensed loan originators.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
43.320.040 and
19.146.225. WSR 19-21-142, § 208-660-195, filed 10/22/19, effective 11/24/19; WSR 13-24-023, § 208-660-195, filed 11/22/13, effective 1/1/14. Statutory Authority: Chapter
43.320 RCW and RCW
19.146.223. WSR 12-18-048, § 208-660-195, filed 8/29/12, effective 11/1/12. Statutory Authority: RCW
43.320.040,
19.146.223, and 2009 c 528. WSR 09-24-091, § 208-660-195, filed 12/1/09, effective 1/1/10. Statutory Authority: RCW
43.320.040,
19.144.070, 2008 c 109. WSR 09-01-156, § 208-660-195, filed 12/23/08, effective 1/23/09. Statutory Authority: RCW
43.320.040,
19.146.223. WSR 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. WSR 06-23-137, § 208-660-195, filed 11/21/06, effective 1/1/07.]
