Section 7-1-1006. Contents of license; posting of license; transferring of license; transacting business under other name; change of address; opening a new additional office without prior approval; approval of branch manager

   (a) Each license issued under this article shall state the name of the licensee.

(b) A licensee shall post a copy of such license in a conspicuous place in each place of business of the licensee.

(c) A license shall not be transferred or assigned.

(d) No licensee shall transact business under any name or names other than those designated in the records of the department.

(e) For mortgage brokers and mortgage lenders, each licensee shall notify the department in writing of any change in the address of the principal place of business or of any additional location of business in Georgia, any change in registered agent or registered office, any change of executive officer, contact person for consumer complaints, or ultimate equitable owner of 10 percent or more of any corporation or other entity licensed under this article, or of any material change in the licensee's financial statement. Notice of changes shall be received by the department no later than 30 business days after the change is effective.

(f) No mortgage broker or mortgage lender shall open a new additional office in Georgia without prior approval of the department. Applications for such additional office shall be made in writing on a form prescribed by the department and shall be accompanied by payment of a $350.00 nonrefundable application fee. The application shall be approved unless the department finds that the applicant has not conducted business under this article efficiently, fairly, in the public interest, and in accordance with law. The application shall be deemed approved if notice to the contrary has not been mailed by the department to the applicant within 45 days of the date the application is received by the department.

(g) All branch managers in Georgia shall be approved by the department. A mortgage broker or mortgage lender may place a new branch manager subject to the department's approval but shall file for approval within 15 days of the placement and shall remove the person immediately should the department deny approval.

Code 1981, § 7-1-1006, enacted by Ga. L. 1993, p. 543, § 1; Ga. L. 1994, p. 97, § 7; Ga. L. 1994, p. 570, § 6; Ga. L. 1999, p. 674, § 34; Ga. L. 2000, p. 174, § 29; Ga. L. 2005, p. 826, § 34/SB 82; Ga. L. 2007, p. 502, § 35/SB 70; Ga. L. 2009, p. 252, § 1/HB 312.