In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) “Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership or any other business entity or group or combination of individuals however organized.

(2) “Licensee,” “licensed lender,” “person licensed” or “lender” means any person duly licensed or regulated by the Commissioner pursuant to this chapter and, in addition, means any person or class of persons exempt from any or all of the provisions of this chapter in accordance with § 2202(b) of this title, to the extent and for such purposes as determined by the Commissioner in order to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.

(3) “Commissioner” means the State Bank Commissioner.

(4) “Payment period” means the period of time scheduled by the terms of a loan to elapse between the days upon which installment payment are required to be made on such loan.

66 Del. Laws, c. 22, §  1;  68 Del. Laws, c. 105, §  18;  72 Del. Laws, c. 15, §  29; 

(a) Every person desiring to transact the business of lending money in this State shall be required to obtain a license under this chapter; provided, however, that a person that makes not more than 5 loans within any 12-month period shall be deemed not to be transacting the business of lending money. Except as otherwise provided by law, loans made by any such unlicensed lender shall fall under Chapter 23 of Title 6. This chapter shall not apply:

(1) To any banking organization, federal credit union or insurance company; or

(2) To any other person, if and to the extent that such person is lending money in accordance with and as authorized by any other applicable law of this State or the United States, including but not limited to the registration requirements in Chapter 17 of this title.

(b) The Commissioner shall be authorized to exempt from any or all of the provisions of this chapter such persons or classes of persons, or loans or classes of loans, as the Commissioner shall find inappropriate to include within the coverage of this chapter in order to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. The Commissioner may by regulation establish procedures for application, fees and other requirements for an exemption pursuant to this subsection.

(c) A person shall not be deemed to be transacting the business of lending money within the meaning of this section solely by reason of the circumstance that such person is a participating merchant, as such term is used in this chapter.

66 Del. Laws, c. 22, §  1;  68 Del. Laws, c. 105, §  19;  70 Del. Laws, c. 327, §  43;  72 Del. Laws, c. 15, §  30; 

(a) Every application for a license shall be in writing in the form prescribed by the Commissioner and shall contain the name and complete address or addresses where the business of the applicant is to be conducted and, if the applicant be a partnership, association, corporation or other form of business organization, the names and complete addresses of each member, director and principal officer thereof. Such application shall also include a description of the activities of the applicant, in such detail and for such periods as the Commissioner may require, as well as such further information as the Commissioner may require. The Commissioner, at the time the application is submitted or in connection with an investigation of the application, may require the applicant, the spouse of the applicant, a principal of, individual who is a person in control of, or proposed responsible individual of the applicant, or any other individual associated with the applicant and the proposed licensed activities, to provide the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s designee with a complete set of fingerprints for purposes of a criminal background investigation. Such applicant, at the time of making such application, shall pay to the Commissioner as an investigation fee the sum of $250 which shall not be refundable.

(b) Upon approval, the applicant shall pay an annual license fee of $250 which shall be payable annually thereafter. No abatement in the amount of said license fee shall be made if the license is issued for less than 1 year or if the license is surrendered, canceled or revoked prior to the expiration of the period for which such license was issued. Every license shall expire on December 31 of each year.

(c) In addition to the annual license fee required by subsection (b) of this section, each licensee making short-term consumer loans, as defined in § 2227 of this title, and/or title loans, as defined in § 2250 of this title, shall pay an annual high-cost loan license fee surcharge of $1,500 for each licensed office. There is hereby created within the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the Financial Literacy Education Fund which shall be used to fund grants to or contracts with schools or other organizations that provide financial and economic literacy skills to adults and youth in accordance with guidelines and/or regulations to be established by the Commissioner and the Delaware Secretary of Education. All fees which are by law payable under this subsection shall be paid into the State Treasury and to the credit of the Financial Literacy Education Fund.

66 Del. Laws, c. 22, §  1;  68 Del. Laws, c. 105, §  20;  77 Del. Laws, c. 164, §  2;  82 Del. Laws, c. 78, § 2; 

Upon the filing of an application for a license, if the Commissioner shall find that the financial responsibility, experience, character and general fitness of the applicant and of the members thereof (if the applicant be a copartnership or association) and of the officers and directors thereof (if the applicant be a corporation) are such as to command the confidence of the community and to warrant belief that the business will be operated honestly, fairly and efficiently within the purpose of this chapter, the Commissioner shall thereupon issue a license to transact business in accordance with this chapter. If the Commissioner shall not so find, the Commissioner shall not issue such license and the Commissioner shall notify the applicant of the denial, give notice of the grounds for refusal and notify the applicant of the right to request a hearing. If the applicant requests a hearing the Commissioner shall hold such hearing under Chapter 101 of Title 29. The Commissioner shall approve or deny every application for license hereunder within 90 days from the date the Commissioner determines that the application as filed with the Commissioner is complete.

66 Del. Laws, c. 22, §  1;  68 Del. Laws, c. 105, §  21;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1; 

In the event that there shall be any change among the officers, partners or directors of any licensee, the licensee shall forthwith notify the Commissioner of the name, address and occupation of each new officer, partner or director and provide such other information as the Commissioner may require.

66 Del. Laws, c. 22, §  1; 

(a) A licensee shall obtain a license for each office or other place of business from which its licensed business is conducted upon payment of the required fees for each office and compliance with all applicable provisions of law. In the event the location of a licensed office is changed during the term of the license, the Commissioner shall issue without charge an amended license for the new location. In case there is a change of name but no change in corporate structure, the Commissioner shall issue without charge an amended license for the new name. Such license shall not be otherwise transferable or assignable. The Commissioner may issue more than 1 license to the same applicant upon payment of the required fees and compliance with all applicable provisions of law.

(b) Upon written request, the Commissioner may in the Commissioner’s discretion grant conditional approval for the acquired licensee to conduct its business under its existing license for a period not to exceed 60 days in cases where the control of the licensee changes and where a new application for licensure has been filed in accordance with § 2203 of this title.

66 Del. Laws, c. 22, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 6, §§  8, 9;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  72 Del. Laws, c. 15, §  31;  80 Del. Laws, c. 225, § 4; 

Every holder of a license or a renewal thereof, as provided for in this section, desiring to continue the transaction of the business as provided for in this chapter, shall at least 30 days prior to the expiration of such license or renewal thereof make application to the Commissioner on forms to be provided by the Commissioner for a license renewal. The Commissioner may mandate that applications for renewal shall be treated as new applications if said renewal applications are not on file with the office of the State Bank Commissioner at least 30 days prior to the expiration of such license or renewal thereof. Licensees who have not complied with supervisory letters or who have not paid the supervisory assessment or examination fees may be refused license renewal.

66 Del. Laws, c. 22, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 327, §  42; 

(a) Surety bonds. — (1) Every licensee shall file with the Commissioner, in a form satisfactory to the Commissioner, an original corporate surety bond, with surety provided by a corporation authorized to transact business in this State, in the principal sum to be determined by the Commissioner, except that the bond amount shall not be less than $50,000 nor more than $200,000. In determining the amount of the bond required for a licensee, the Commissioner shall consider, among other things:

a. The dollar value of the lender’s Delaware business;

b. The dollar value of advance fees collected by the lender;

c. The periods for which such fees are held before a loan is funded; and

d. Such other and further criteria as the Commissioner may deem necessary and appropriate.

(2) No bond shall be accepted unless the following requirements are satisfied:

a. The aggregate value of the bond shall be equal to or greater than the amount determined in accordance with subsection (a)(1) of this section;

b. The term of the bond shall be commensurate with the license period or continuous;

c. The expiration date of the bond shall not be earlier than midnight of the date on which the license expires; and

d. The bond shall run to the State for the benefit of the office of the State Bank Commissioner and for the benefit of all consumers injured by any wrongful act, omission, default, fraud or misrepresentation by a licensee in the course of its activity as a licensee. Compensation under the bond shall be for amounts which represent actual losses and shall not be payable for claims made by business creditors, third-party service providers, agents or persons otherwise in the employ of the licensee. Surety claims shall be paid to the office of the State Bank Commissioner by the insurer not later than 90 days after receipt of a claim. Claims paid after 90 days shall be subject to daily interest at the legal rate. The aggregate liability of the surety on the bond, exclusive of any interest which accrues for payments made after 90 days, shall in no event exceed the amount of such bond.

(3) If the licensee changes its surety company or the bond is otherwise amended, the licensee shall immediately provide the Commissioner with the amended original copy of the surety bond. No cancellation of an existing bond by a surety shall be effective unless written notice of its intention to cancel is filed with the Commissioner at least 30 days before the date upon which cancellation shall take effect.

(4) The Commissioner may require potential claimants to provide such documentation and affirmations as the Commissioner may determine to be necessary and appropriate. In the event the Commissioner determines that multiple consumers have been injured by a licensee, the Commissioner shall cause a notice to be published for the purpose of identifying all relevant claims.

(5) When a surety company receives a claim against the bond of a licensee, it shall immediately notify the Commissioner and shall not pay any claim unless and until it receives notice to do so from the Commissioner.

(6) The Commissioner shall have a period of 2 calendar years after the effective date of cancellation or termination of the surety bond by the insurer to submit claims to the insurer.

(b) Irrevocable letters of credit. — In lieu of requiring the filing of a surety bond, the Commissioner may, at the Commissioner’s discretion, accept from a licensee an irrevocable letter of credit.

(1) Such irrevocable letters of credit shall be provided by an insured depository institution (as defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(c)) acceptable to the Commissioner, in a form satisfactory to the Commissioner in the principal sum to be determined by the Commissioner, except that the irrevocable letter of credit amount shall not be less than $50,000 nor more than $200,000. In determining the amount of the irrevocable letter of credit required for a licensee, the Commissioner shall consider, among other things:

a. The dollar value of the lender’s Delaware business;

b. The dollar value of advance fees collected by the lender;

c. The periods for which such fees are held before a loan is funded; and

d. Such other and further criteria as the Commissioner may deem necessary and appropriate.

(2) No irrevocable letter of credit shall be accepted unless the following requirements are satisfied:

a. The aggregate value of the irrevocable letter of credit shall be equal to or greater than the amount determined by subsection (b)(1) of this section;

b. The irrevocable letter of credit shall run to the State for the benefit of the office of the State Bank Commissioner and for the benefit of all consumers injured by the wrongful act, omission, default, fraud or misrepresentation by a licensee in the course of its activity as a licensee. Compensation under the irrevocable letter of credit shall be for amounts which represent actual losses and shall not be payable for claims made by business creditors, third-party service providers, agents or persons otherwise in the employ of the licensee. The aggregate liability of the insured depository institution issuing the irrevocable letter of credit shall in no event exceed the amount of such irrevocable letter of credit; and

c. Draws upon such irrevocable letters of credit shall be available by sight drafts thereunder, in amounts determined by the Commissioner, up to the aggregate amount of the irrevocable letter of credit. Such drafts shall be honored in accordance with § 5-112(1) of Title 6.

(3) The Commissioner may require potential claimants to provide such documentation and affirmations as the Commissioner may determine to be necessary and appropriate. In the event the Commissioner determines that multiple consumers have been injured by a licensee, the Commissioner shall cause a notice to be published for the purpose of identifying all relevant claims.

(4) The Commissioner may refuse release of an irrevocable letter of credit, following the surrender of a license, up to 2 years after the effective date of such termination of licensure.

66 Del. Laws, c. 22, §  1;  68 Del. Laws, c. 105, §  22;  70 Del. Laws, c. 356, §  2; 

(a) The Commissioner may revoke any license issued hereunder if the Commissioner shall find that:

(1) The licensee has violated any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation made by the Commissioner under and within the authority of this chapter or of any other law, rule or regulation of this State or the United States.

(2) Any fact or condition exists which, if it had existed at the time of the original application for such license, would have warranted the Commissioner in refusing originally to issue such license.

(3) The licensee has engaged in business activities or practices in connection with extensions of credit to consumers, which could be deemed unfair or deceptive by nature of intent. Such activities and practices include, but are not limited to, the use of tactics which mislead the consumer, misrepresent the consumer transaction or any part thereof or otherwise create false expectations on the part of the consumer.

(b) The Commissioner may temporarily suspend any license pending the issuance of a final order as provided in Chapter 101 of Title 29.

(c) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no license shall be revoked or suspended except after notice and an opportunity for the licensee to request a hearing in accordance with Chapter 101 of Title 29.

(d) Any licensee may surrender any license by delivering to the Commissioner such license together with written notice that it thereby surrenders such license, but such surrender shall not affect such licensee’s civil or criminal liability for acts committed prior to such surrender.

(e) No revocation, suspension or surrender of any license shall impair or affect the obligation of any preexisting lawful contract between the licensee and any person.

(f) Every license issued hereunder shall remain in force and effect until the same shall have expired or shall have been surrendered, revoked or suspended in accordance with this chapter, but the Commissioner shall have authority to reinstate a suspended license or to issue a new license to a licensee whose license shall have been revoked if no fact or condition then exists which would have warranted the Commissioner in refusing originally to issue such license under this chapter.

(g) Whenever the Commissioner shall revoke or suspend a license issued pursuant to this chapter, the Commissioner shall forthwith execute a written order to that effect. The Commissioner shall forthwith serve the written order upon the licensee. Any such order may be reviewed in the manner provided by Chapter 101 of Title 29.

66 Del. Laws, c. 22, §  1;  68 Del. Laws, c. 105, §  23;  68 Del. Laws, c. 303, §  37;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  73 Del. Laws, c. 24, §§  7, 8, 9;  77 Del. Laws, c. 126, §  3;  84 Del. Laws, c. 42, § 70; 

(a) Every person or combination of persons licensed to transact business as provided in this chapter in the State shall be subject to the supervision and examination of the State Bank Commissioner and shall be examined by the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s authorized representative annually or at such intervals as the Commissioner deems necessary.

(b) On the occasion of every examination, the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s authorized representative shall be given access to every part of the office or place of business visited and to the assets, securities, books and papers of the business.

(c) The examination made by the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s authorized representative shall be a thorough examination into the affairs of the business visited, the resources and liabilities, the investment of the funds, the mode of conducting the business and the compliance or noncompliance with this Code or any regulations promulgated thereunder, and any other statutes or regulations of this State or the United States; and in connection with such examination the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s authorized representative may examine, under oath or affirmation, any and all persons connected with or associated with the licensee.

(d) If, in the Commissioner’s opinion, it is necessary for a thorough examination of a licensee, the Commissioner may retain 1 or more accountants, attorneys, appraisers or other third parties to assist the Commissioner in such examination. Within 10 days after receipt of a statement from the Commissioner, such licensee shall pay or reimburse the fees, costs and expenses of any third parties retained by the Commissioner under this subsection.

(e) The Commissioner may prescribe regulations to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

66 Del. Laws, c. 22, §  1;  68 Del. Laws, c. 303, §  38;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  77 Del. Laws, c. 126, §  4;  84 Del. Laws, c. 42, § 71; 

(a) Every licensee shall maintain such books, accounts and records relating to all transactions within this chapter as will enable the Commissioner to enforce full compliance with this chapter.

(b) Each licensee that engages in the business of making mortgage loans, as defined by § 2403(13) of this title, shall submit to the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry developed and maintained by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators reports of condition, which shall be in such form and shall contain such information as the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry may require.

66 Del. Laws, c. 22, §  1;  77 Del. Laws, c. 96, §  4; 

All books, accounts and records of the licensee shall be preserved and kept available as provided in this chapter for such period of time as the Commissioner may by regulation require.

66 Del. Laws, c. 22, §  1; 

The Commissioner may prescribe the minimum information to be shown in such books, accounts and records of the licensee so that such records will enable the Commissioner to determine compliance with this chapter.

66 Del. Laws, c. 22, §  1; 

(a) The Commissioner is authorized to participate in any automated system involving 1 or more other states that will facilitate any aspect of the application and licensing processes of this chapter.

(b) Upon joining any such system, the Commissioner may by regulation establish:

(1) Any additional requirements for a license under this chapter that the Commissioner determines are necessary for participation in the system;

(2) Prelicensing education and testing, and postlicensing continuing education of individuals employed by the applicants or licensees subject to the system; and

(3) Any additional investigation fees, any fees paid directly to the administrator of the system, or any other fee required by the system to process an application or maintain a license, in such amount as the Commissioner determines is necessary to participate in the system.

(c) The administrator of any such system in which the Commissioner participates is authorized to act on behalf of the Commissioner to collect from the applicants and licensees subject to the system any payments due the Commissioner under this chapter, to collect information and maintain records in electronic or other format relating to those applicants and licensees, and to submit fingerprints and any other information required for a criminal history background check to the Federal Bureau of Investigation or other law-enforcement agency.

(d) Information maintained on any such system in which the Commissioner participates regarding the applicants and licensees subject to the system may be shared with any other state participating in that system for the purpose of licensing, regulating, or supervising that same applicant or licensee under a statute similar to this chapter, if that state could have obtained that same information directly from the applicant or licensee under its own law. The Commissioner shall ensure that the system maintains appropriate confidentiality, privacy, data security, and security breach notification policies that are in full compliance with Delaware law.

76 Del. Laws, c. 264, §  2;