TITLE XXXVI
PAWNBROKERS AND MONEYLENDERS

CHAPTER 399-D
DEBT ADJUSTMENT SERVICES

Section 399-D:4

    399-D:4 Application and Fees. –
I. (a) To be considered for licensing, each person shall complete and file with the department one verified application through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry, using the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry form which shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:
(1) The primary business address of the applicant;
(2) The applicant's tax identification number;
(3) The address of its principal office and all branch offices located or to be located within the state;
(4) The trade name, if any, under which the applicant proposes to conduct such business and evidence of authority to use the trade name in New Hampshire;
(5) The articles of incorporation or organization or partnership agreement;
(6) The name and address of the New Hampshire resident agent if the applicant is a foreign entity;
(7) A financial statement as described in subparagraph II(e);
(8) A consent to service of process as described in paragraph V;
(9) A list of the principals of the applicant and each principal shall provide his or her social security number and shall authorize the commissioner to conduct a background check;
(10) A blank copy of the contract intended for use between the licensee and the debtor; and
(11) Any other information that the commissioner may require including, but not limited to, the applicant's form and place of organization, the applicant's proposed method of doing business, the qualifications and business history of the applicant and its principals, and the applicant's financial condition and history.
(b) The applicant shall disclose whether the applicant or any of its principals has ever been issued or been the subject of an injunction or administrative order, has ever been convicted of a misdemeanor involving the financial services industry or any aspect of the financial services business, or has ever been convicted of any felony.
II. (a) The license issued for the licensee's principal place of business shall be referred to as a "principal office license." Each additional authorization to conduct business issued for debt adjustment occurring in a location in this state that is separate from the licensee's principal place of business shall be referred to as a "branch office."

[Paragraph II(b) effective until October 1, 2027; see also paragraph II(b) set out below.]


(b) Each license application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee of $500 for the principal office and $500 for each branch office. Sums collected under this chapter shall be payable to the state treasurer as restricted revenue and credited to the appropriation for the commissioner, consumer credit administration division.

[Paragraph II(b) effective October 1, 2027; see also paragraph II(b) set out above.]


(b) Each license application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee of $750 for the principal office and $500 for each branch office. Sums collected under this chapter shall be payable to the state treasurer as restricted revenue and credited to the appropriation for the commissioner, consumer credit administration division.
(c) Each applicant shall submit detailed financial information sufficient for the commissioner to determine the applicant's ability to conduct the business of a debt adjuster with financial integrity.
(d) The application shall include a statement of net worth in all cases and an applicant shall demonstrate and maintain a positive net worth computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Net worth statements provided in connection with a license application under this section shall be subject to review and verification during the course of any examination or investigation conducted under the authority of RSA 399-D:12.
(e) The application shall include a financial statement that shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles with appropriate note disclosures. If the financial statement is not audited, a certification statement shall be attached and signed by a duly authorized officer of the licensee. The certification statement shall state that the financial statement is true and accurate to the best of the officer's belief and knowledge. Financial statements provided in connection with a license application under this section shall be subject to review and verification during the course of any examination or investigation conducted under this chapter.
(1) For profit entities: An applicant's financial statement, except for nonprofit organizations, shall include a balance sheet, income statement, statement of changes in owners' equity, cash flow statement, and statement of net worth. If the financial statement is more than 6 months old, the applicant shall also submit an interim balance sheet and income statement not more than 3 months old.
(2) For nonprofit organizations: An applicant's financial statement shall include a statement of financial condition, statement of activities, statement of cash flow, and, if applicable, statement of functional expenses. If the financial statement is more than 6 months old, the applicant shall also submit an interim statement of financial condition and statement of activities not more than 3 months old.
III. (a) Unless the applicant is a publicly traded corporation, the department shall complete a background investigation and criminal history records check on the applicant's principals. If the applicant is a subsidiary, the department shall complete a background investigation and criminal history records check on individuals who are indirect owners. For nonprofit organizations, the department shall complete a background investigation and criminal history records check on each member of the board of directors.
(b) The persons described in subparagraph (a) shall submit to the department a criminal history records release form, as provided by the New Hampshire division of state police, which authorizes the release of the person's criminal records, if any. The person shall submit with the release form a complete set of fingerprints taken by a qualified law enforcement agency or an authorized employee of the department. In the event that the first set of fingerprints is invalid due to insufficient pattern, a second set of fingerprints is necessary in order to complete the criminal history records check. If, after 2 attempts, a set of fingerprints is invalid due to insufficient pattern, the department may, in lieu of the criminal history records check, accept police clearances from every city, town, or county where the person has lived during the past 5 years.
(c) The department shall submit the criminal history records release form to the New Hampshire division of state police, which shall conduct a criminal history records check through its records and through the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Upon completion of the background investigation, the division of state police shall release copies of the criminal conviction records to the department. The department shall maintain the confidentiality of all criminal history records information received pursuant to this paragraph.
(d) The department may require the applicant or licensee to pay the actual costs of each background investigation and criminal history records check.
(e) The department may rely on criminal records checks reported through a national licensing facility in lieu of subparagraphs (b) and (c).
IV. (a) Each debt adjuster applicant shall post a continuous surety bond in the amount of $25,000. The surety bond shall be payable to the state of New Hampshire and the bank commissioner of the state of New Hampshire for the benefit of any person who is damaged by any violation of this chapter and shall be conditioned upon the licensee's compliance with each provision of this chapter.
(b) Surety bonds shall include a provision requiring the surety to give written notice to the commissioner 30 days in advance of the cancellation or termination of the bond.
(c) Every bond shall provide that no recovery may be made against the bond unless the state makes a claim for recovery or the person brings suit naming the principal within 6 years after the act upon which the recovery or suit is based. The obligations of the surety shall survive the bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, or reorganization of the licensee, including, without limitation, any bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, or reorganization commenced by or against the licensee under any applicable state or federal law, including the United States Bankruptcy Code.
(d) When an action is commenced on a licensee's bond, the licensee shall immediately file a new bond. Immediately upon recovery upon any action on the bond, the licensee shall file a new bond or the license shall be automatically suspended at the end of such 30-day period.
V. Every applicant for licensing under this chapter shall file with the commissioner irrevocable consent appointing the commissioner to receive service of any lawful process in any noncriminal suit, action, or proceeding against the applicant or the applicant's successor, executor, or administrator which arises under this chapter or any rule or order under this chapter after the consent has been filed, with the same force and validity as if served personally on the person filing the consent. A person who has filed such a consent in connection with a previous application need not file another. When any person, including a nonresident of this state, engages in conduct prohibited or made actionable by this chapter or by any rule or order under this chapter, and such person has not filed a consent to service of process under this section and personal jurisdiction over such person cannot otherwise be obtained in this state, that conduct shall be considered equivalent to such person's appointment of the commissioner to receive service of any lawful process. Service may be made by leaving a copy of the process in the office of the commissioner along with $5, but is not effective unless:
(a) The plaintiff, who may be the attorney general in a suit, action, or proceeding instituted by him or her, immediately sends a notice of the service and a copy of the process by registered mail to the defendant or respondent at such person's last address on file with the commissioner; and
(b) The plaintiff's affidavit of compliance with this paragraph is filed in the case on or before the return day of the process, if any, or within such further time as the court allows.
VI. Applicants shall provide policies for compliance with state and federal laws.
VII. The commissioner may license or register individuals or firms by means of or through the facilities of a national organization which facilitates registration and licensing on a nationwide basis.

Source. 2016, 151:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2017. 2018, 318:34, eff. Aug. 24, 2018. 2019, 36:28-30, eff. May 15, 2019. 2021, 194:8, eff. Oct. 9, 2021. 2026, 294:21, eff. Oct. 1, 2027.