SECTION 83.3002. Filing of New Application

An application for issuance of a new credit access business license must be submitted in a format prescribed by the commissioner at the date of filing and in accordance with the commissioner's instructions. The commissioner may accept the use of prescribed alternative formats to facilitate multistate uniformity of applications or in order to accept approved electronic submissions. Appropriate fees must be filed with the application and the application must include the following:

(1) Required application information. All questions must be answered.

(A) Application for license.

(i) Location information. A physical street address must be listed for the applicant's proposed address, or if the applicant will have no such location, a statement to that effect must be provided. For applicants with a proposed location in Texas, a post office box or a mail box location at a private mail-receiving service generally may not be used. If the address has not yet been determined or if the application is for an inactive license, then the application must so indicate.

(ii) Compliance officer. The application must list a compliance officer. The compliance officer must be an individual responsible for overseeing compliance, and must be authorized to receive and respond to communications from the OCCC.

(iii) Registered agent. The registered agent must be provided by each applicant. The registered agent is the person or entity to whom any legal notice may be delivered. The agent must be a Texas resident and list an address for legal service. If the registered agent is a natural person, the address must be a different address than the licensed location address. If the applicant is a corporation or a limited liability company, the registered agent should be the one on file with the Office of the Texas Secretary of State. If the registered agent is not the same as the agent filed with the Office of the Texas Secretary of State, then the applicant must submit a certification from the secretary of the company identifying the registered agent.

(iv) Owners and principal parties.

(I) Proprietorships. The applicant must disclose the name of any individual holding an ownership interest in the business and the name of any individual responsible for operating the business. If requested, the applicant must also disclose the names of the spouses of these individuals.

(II) General partnerships. Each partner must be listed and the percentage of ownership stated. If a general partner is wholly or partially owned by a legal entity and not a natural person, a narrative or diagram must be included that lists the names and titles of all meeting the definition of "managerial official," as contained in Texas Business Organizations Code, §1.002, and a description of the ownership of each legal entity must be provided. General partnerships that register as limited liability partnerships should provide the same information as that required for general partnerships.

(III) Limited partnerships. Each partner, general and limited, fulfilling the requirements of items (-a-) - (-c-) of this subclause must be listed and the percentage of ownership stated.

(-a-) General partners. The applicant should provide the complete ownership, regardless of percentage owned, for all general partners. If a general partner is wholly or partially owned by a legal entity and not a natural person, a narrative or diagram must be included that lists the names and titles of all meeting the definition of "managerial official," as contained in Texas Business Organizations Code, §1.002, and a description of the ownership of each legal entity must be provided.

(-b-) Limited partners. The applicant should provide a complete list of all limited partners owning 10% or more of the partnership.

(-c-) Limited partnerships that register as limited liability partnerships. The applicant should provide the same information as that required for limited partnerships.

(IV) Corporations. Each officer and director must be named. Each shareholder holding 10% or more of the voting stock must be named if the corporation is privately held. If a parent corporation is the sole or part owner of the proposed business, a narrative or diagram must be included that describes each level of ownership of 10% or greater.

(V) Limited liability companies. Each "manager," "officer," and "member" owning 10% or more of the company, as those terms are defined in Texas Business Organizations Code, §1.002, and each agent owning 10% or more of the company must be listed. If a member is a legal entity and not a natural person, a narrative or diagram must be included that describes each level of ownership of 10% or greater.

(VI) Trusts or estates. Each trustee or executor, as appropriate, must be listed.

(B) Disclosure questions. All applicable questions must be answered. Questions requiring a "yes" answer must be accompanied by an explanatory statement and any appropriate documentation requested.

(C) Personal information.

(i) Personal affidavit. Each individual meeting the definition of "principal party" as defined in §83.3001 of this title (relating to Definitions) or who is a person responsible for day-to-day operations must provide a personal affidavit. All requested information must be provided.

(ii) Personal questionnaire. Each individual meeting the definition of "principal party" as defined in §83.3001 of this title or who is a person responsible for day-to-day operations must provide a personal questionnaire. Each question must be answered. If any question, except question 1, is answered "yes," an explanation must be provided.

(iii) Employment history. Each individual meeting the definition of "principal party" as defined in §83.3001 of this title or who is a person responsible for day-to-day operations must provide an employment history. Each principal party should provide a continuous 10-year history, accounting for time spent as a student, unemployed, or retired. The employment history must also include the individual's association with the entity applying for the license.

(D) Additional requirements.

(i) Statement of experience. Each applicant should provide a statement setting forth the details of the applicant's prior experience in the credit access business. If the applicant or its principal parties do not have significant experience in the same type of credit access business as planned for the prospective licensee, the applicant must provide a written statement explaining the applicant's relevant business experience or education, why the commissioner should find that the applicant has the requisite experience, and how the applicant plans to obtain the necessary knowledge to operate lawfully and fairly.

(ii) Business operating plan. Each applicant must provide a brief narrative to the application explaining the type of operation that is planned. This narrative should discuss each of the following topics:

(I) the source of customers;

(II) the purpose(s) of the extensions of consumer credit;

(III) the size of the extensions of consumer credit;

(IV) the source of working capital for planned operations;

(V) the types of consumer credit products to be extended to consumers, as advertised by the business; and

(VI) the contractual loan term, in days, of each consumer credit product to be offered to consumers.

(iii) Statement of records. Each applicant must provide a statement of where records of Texas transactions will be maintained. If these records will be maintained at a location outside of Texas, the applicant must acknowledge responsibility for the travel cost associated with examinations in addition to the assessment fees or agree to make all records available for examination in Texas.

(E) Consent form. Each applicant must submit a consent form signed by an authorized individual. Electronic signatures will be accepted in a manner approved by the commissioner. The following are authorized individuals:

(i) If the applicant is a proprietor, the owner must sign.

(ii) If the applicant is a partnership, one general partner must sign.

(iii) If the applicant is a corporation, an authorized officer must sign.

(iv) If the applicant is a limited liability company, an authorized member or manager must sign.

(v) If the applicant is a trust or estate, the trustee or executor, as appropriate, must sign.

(2) Other required filings.

(A) Fingerprints.

(i) For all persons meeting the definition of "principal party" as defined in §83.3001 of this title, a complete set of legible fingerprints must be provided. All fingerprints should be submitted in a format prescribed by the OCCC and approved by the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

(ii) For limited partnerships, if the owners and principal parties under paragraph (1)(A)(iv)(III)(-a-) of this section does not produce a natural person, the applicant must provide a complete set of legible fingerprints for individuals who are associated with the general partner as principal parties.

(iii) For entities with complex ownership structures that result in the identification of individuals to be fingerprinted who do not have a substantial relationship to the proposed applicant, the applicant may submit a request to fingerprint three officers or similar employees with significant involvement in the proposed business. The request should describe the relationship and significant involvement of the individuals in the proposed business. The OCCC may approve the request, seek alternative appropriate individuals, or deny the request.

(iv) For individuals who have previously been licensed by the OCCC and are principal parties of entities currently licensed, fingerprints are generally not required if the fingerprints are on record with the OCCC, are less than 10 years old, and have been processed by both the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Upon request, individuals and principal parties previously licensed by the OCCC may be required to submit a new set of fingerprints in order to complete the OCCC's records.

(v) For individuals who have previously submitted fingerprints to another state agency (e.g., Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending), fingerprints are still required to be submitted under Texas Finance Code, §14.152. Fingerprints cannot be disclosed to others, except as authorized by Texas Government Code, §560.002.

(B) Entity documents.

(i) Partnerships. A partnership applicant must submit a complete and executed copy of the partnership agreement. This copy must be signed and dated by all partners. If the applicant is a limited partnership or a limited liability partnership, provide evidence of filing with the Office of the Texas Secretary of State.

(ii) Corporations. A corporate applicant, domestic or foreign, must provide the following documents:

(I) a complete copy of the certificate of formation or articles of incorporation, with any amendments;

(II) a certification from the secretary of the corporation identifying the current officers and directors as listed in the owners and principal parties section of the application for license form;

(III) if the registered agent is not the same as the agent on file with the Office of the Texas Secretary of State, a certification from the secretary of the corporation identifying the registered agent;

(IV) if requested, a copy of the relevant portions of the bylaws addressing the required number of directors and the required officer positions for the corporation;

(V) if requested, a copy of the minutes of corporate meetings that record the election of all current officers and directors as listed in the owners and principal parties section of the application for license form.

(iii) Publicly held corporations. In addition to the items required for corporations, a publicly held corporation must file the most recent 10K or 10Q for the applicant or for the parent company.

(iv) Limited liability companies. A limited liability company applicant, domestic or foreign, must provide the following documents:

(I) a complete copy of the articles of organization;

(II) a certification from the secretary of the company identifying the current officers and directors as listed in the owners and principal parties section of the application for license form;

(III) if the registered agent is not the same as the agent on file with the Office of the Texas Secretary of State, a certification from the secretary of the company identifying the registered agent;

(IV) if requested, a copy of the relevant portions of the operating agreement or regulations addressing responsibility for operations;

(V) if requested, a copy of the minutes of company meetings that record the election of all current officers and directors as listed in the owners and principal parties section of the application for license form.

(v) Trusts. A copy of the relevant portions of the instrument that created the trust addressing management of the trust and operations of the applicant must be filed with the application.

(vi) Estates. A copy of the instrument establishing the estate must be filed with the application.

(vii) Foreign entities. In addition to the items required by this section, a foreign entity must provide a certificate of authority to do business in Texas, if applicable.

(C) Financial statement and supporting financial information.

(i) All entity types. The financial statement must be dated no earlier than 90 days prior to the date of application. Applicants may also submit audited financial statements dated within one year prior to the application date in lieu of completing the Supporting Financial Information. All financial statements must be certified as true, correct, and complete, and must comply with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

(ii) Sole proprietorships. Sole proprietors must complete all sections of the Personal Financial Statement and the Supporting Financial Information, or provide a personal financial statement that contains all of the same information requested by the Personal Financial Statement and the Supporting Financial Information. The Personal Financial Statement and Supporting Financial Information must be as of the same date.

(iii) Partnerships. A balance sheet for the partnership itself as well as each general partner must be submitted. In addition, the information requested in the Supporting Financial Information must be submitted for the partnership itself and each general partner. All of the balance sheets and Supporting Financial Information documents for the partnership and all general partners must be as of the same date.

(iv) Corporations and limited liability companies. Corporations and limited liability companies must file a balance sheet. The information requested in the Supporting Financial Information must be submitted. The balance sheet and Supporting Financial Information must be as of the same date. Financial statements are generally not required of related parties, but may be required if the commissioner believes they are relevant. The financial information for the corporate or limited liability company applicant should contain no personal financial information.

(v) Trusts and estates. Trusts and estates must file a balance sheet. The information requested in the Supporting Financial Information must be submitted. The balance sheet and Supporting Financial Information must be as of the same date. Financial statements are generally not required of related parties, but may be required if the commissioner believes they are relevant. The financial information for the trust or estate applicant should contain no personal financial information.

(D) Assumed name certificates. For any applicant that does business under an "assumed name" as that term is defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code, §71.002, an Assumed Name Certificate must be filed as provided in this subparagraph.

(i) Unincorporated applicants. Unincorporated applicants using or planning to use an assumed name must file an assumed name certificate with the county clerk of the county where the proposed business is located in compliance with Texas Business and Commerce Code, Chapter 71. An applicant must provide a copy of the assumed name certificate that shows the filing stamp of the county clerk or, alternatively, a certified copy.

(ii) Incorporated applicants. Incorporated applicants using or planning to use an assumed name must file an assumed name certificate in compliance with Texas Business and Commerce Code, Chapter 71. Evidence of the filing bearing the filing stamp of the Office of the Texas Secretary of State must be submitted or, alternatively, a certified copy.

(E) Third-party lender organizations. As required by Texas Finance Code, §393.604(a)(4), each applicant must provide the names, physical addresses, and telephone numbers of the third-party lender organizations with which the business contracts to provide services or from which the business arranges extensions of consumer credit.

(F) Bond. The commissioner may require a bond under Texas Finance Code, §393.605, if the commissioner finds that this would serve the public interest. If a bond is required, the commissioner will give written notice to the applicant. Should a bond not be submitted within 40 calendar days of the date of the commissioner's notice, any pending application may be denied.

(3) Subsequent applications for branch offices.

(A) Branch applications received after 90 days from last new or transfer license approval. If the applicant is currently licensed and filing an application for a new office after 90 days from its last new or transfer license approval, the applicant must submit a new application as provided by this section. Required information need not be resubmitted if the information on file with the OCCC is current and valid. All fees for new licenses required by §83.3010(a) of this title (relating to Fees) must be paid for each new branch location.

(B) Branch applications received within 90 days from last new or transfer license approval. If the applicant is currently licensed and filing an application for a new office within 90 days from its last new or transfer license approval, and no action, fact, or information has changed that would require a materially different answer than that given in the last new or transfer license application, the applicant must provide the following information:

(i) the branch consent form verifying that there have been no changes from the last application, signed by an authorized individual as provided by paragraph (1)(E) of this section;

(ii) the location information and responsible person for each new branch location, as provided by paragraph (1)(A)(i) and (ii) of this section;

(iii) the fees required by §83.3010(a) of this title must be paid for each new branch location, with the exception of the $200 investigation fee;

(iv) if requested, a new financial statement as provided in paragraph (2)(C) of this section; and

(v) if requested, any other information required by the commissioner that may be necessary to process the branch application.

(C) Last new or transfer license approval. For purposes of this section, a subsequent branch application filed under subparagraph (B) of this paragraph does not qualify as the "last new or transfer license approval."

Source Note: The provisions of this §83.3002 adopted to be effective November 10, 2011, 36 TexReg 7518; amended to be effective September 6, 2012, 37 TexReg 6911; amended to be effective January 7, 2016, 41 TexReg 112; amended to be effective January 5, 2017, 41 TexReg 10563; amended to be effective March 7, 2024, 49 TexReg 1259