Article 4. Branch Offices of California Financial Code >> Division 7. >> Chapter 2. >> Article 4.

Subject to Section 18145.1, when authorized by the commissioner as provided in this division, an industrial loan company, pursuant to a resolution of its board of directors, may establish and maintain one or more branch offices within the state.

(a) The commissioner may, by order or regulation, exempt from the requirement of authorization by the commissioner set forth in Section 18145 any establishment of an office or place of business that the commissioner finds not necessary or appropriate to regulate under that section.
  (b) In granting an exemption under this section, the commissioner may impose any conditions that the commissioner finds necessary or appropriate.

The request for authority to establish a branch office shall be set forth in an application in such form and containing such information as the commissioner may require and shall be accompanied by an application fee of one hundred dollars ($100) for each new branch office.

The commissioner shall not approve an application for a branch office until the commissioner has ascertained to the commissioner's satisfaction that the facts set forth in the application are true and:
  (a) That the public convenience and advantage will be promoted by the establishment of the proposed branch office.
  (b) That the industrial loan company has the capital required by this division.
  (c) That the industrial loan company has established branch operational controls.
  (d) That the financial condition of the industrial loan company justifies the establishment of the proposed branch office.
  (e) (1) As to an industrial loan company transacting business before October 1, 1985, that the industrial loan company is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or (2) as to an industrial loan company commencing business on or after October 1, 1985, that the industrial loan company is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

The failure of an industrial loan company to open and operate a branch office within six months after the commissioner has issued an order approving the application for a branch office shall automatically terminate the right of the industrial loan company to open the branch office. However, the commissioner may for good cause on written application made before the expiration of the six months' period, extend for additional periods, not in excess of six months each, the time within which the branch office may be opened.

When the commissioner has approved an application for permission to establish a branch office and the applicant pays to the commissioner an additional fee of one hundred dollars ($100) for a certificate of authorization to transact business, the commissioner shall issue a certificate of authorization to transact business authorizing the opening and operation of the branch office and specifying the date on which and the conditions under which it may be opened and the place where it will be located.

An industrial loan company shall keep posted in a conspicuous place in each branch office the certificate of authorization to transact business issued by the commissioner permitting the operation of the branch office.

An industrial loan company which opens a branch office without first obtaining a certificate of authorization to transact business shall forfeit to the people of the state the sum of one hundred dollars ($100) for every day during which the branch office is maintained without authority.

The provisions of Sections 18146, 18147, 18148, 18149, 18150, and 18151 shall not affect branch offices which are opened and operating prior to September 18, 1959.

An industrial loan company which maintains a branch office or branch offices shall give to each branch office maintained by it a specified designation by name or number and include in the designation the word "branch" or the word "office" and shall prominently display the designation at the place of business of the branch.

With the prior written approval of the commissioner, an industrial loan company may close or discontinue the opertion of any branch office provided public notice thereof is given in such manner as the commissioner directs at least 30 days before the date of closing or discontinuance. After a branch office has been closed or discontinued, it may not be reopened without the approval of the commissioner and compliance with the applicable provisions of this division.