Article 4. Distributions To Shareholders of California Financial Code >> Division 15. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 4.

In this article, "distribution to its shareholders" has the meaning set forth in Corporations Code Section 166.

No licensee shall, except with the prior approval of the commissioner, make, or obligate itself to make, any distribution to its shareholders.

If the commissioner finds, with respect to an application for approval for a licensee to make, or to obligate itself to make, a distribution to its shareholders:
  (a) That for the applicant to make, or to obligate itself to make, the distribution will not endanger the applicant's ability to provide financing assistance and management assistance to business firms in this state; and
  (b) That for the applicant to make, or to obligate itself to make, the distribution will not be unsafe or unsound; the commissioner shall approve the application. If, after notice and a hearing, the commissioner finds otherwise, he or she shall deny the application.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 31232, unless an application for approval for a licensee to make, or to obligate itself to make, a distribution to its shareholders is approved, denied, withdrawn, or abandoned within a period of 45 days after such application is filed with the commissioner or, if the applicant consents to an extension of the period, within such extended period, such application shall be deemed to be approved by the commissioner as of the first day after such period of 45 days or such extended period, as the case may be. For purposes of this section, an application for approval for a licensee to make, or to obligate itself to make, a distribution to its shareholders shall be deemed to be filed with the commissioner when such application, containing all the information required by the commissioner and otherwise complying with Section 31107, is received by the commissioner.