Monthly mortgage summary, Oct. 2011

Monthly Mortgage Summary

Georgia Department of Banking & Finance ~ Non-Depository Financial Institutions Division
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Inside this Issue:
Affidavit of Lawful 2 Presence Required
at Renewal
Mortgage Call 2 Report Reminder
2012 State 3 Holidays
Administrative 4 Actions
License Denials 4
Fine Information 4
Licenses Revoked, 5 Expired, Withdrawn
Licenses Approved 6 or Reinstated
Customer Service 7 Stars for the Month of October
Contact Information 8

2012 License / Registration Renewal Reminders
The 2012 license/registration renewal period for existing mortgage brokers/processors, mortgage lenders, and mortgage loan originators began on November 1, 2011. Please refer to articles published in previous editions of the Department's Monthly Mortgage Summary for detailed information about the renewal timeline and process.
Important Reminders for All Existing Licensees/Registrants:
Mortgage lenders, mortgage brokers, and mortgage loan originators seeking to renew their licenses/registrations for calendar year 2012 must do so by making applications on the NMLSR. Licensees/registrants that DO NOT plan to renew their existing Georgia license or registration can indicate this decision from the Renewals Tab once they have logged in to the NMLSR.
Licensees/registrants making renewal applications after December 1, 2011, will owe late renewal fees to both the Department and the NMLSR.
If a mortgage license/registration is not renewed by December 31, 2011, it will expire by operation of law effective January 1, 2012.
Important Reminders for Mortgage Brokers and Mortgage Loan Originators:
Continuing Education (CE): Mortgage brokers and mortgage loan originators that did not complete pre-licensing education in 2011 must obtain eight (8) hours of CE during calendar year 2011. Failure to obtain the appropriate continuing education hours prior to November 1, 2011, will result in the assessment of late CE fees by both the NMLSR and the Department. Important Note: While CE courses may be visible in individual licensee records in the NMLSR, CE courses must be reported through the Department's website (https://bkgfin.dbf.state.ga.us/mbcedata.html) to ensure compliance with Georgia CE requirements.
Mortgage loan originators who submit a renewal but do not have a current sponsor will not have their renewal application approved. Mortgage loan originators must have a sponsor to be in an approved status.
Any questions about mortgage renewal process should be sent to the Department by email to renewal@dbf.state.ga.us.

"Safeguarding Georgia's Financial Services"

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October 2011

Affidavit of Lawful Presence Required at Renewal
All mortgage loan originators and those mortgage brokers and lenders with licenses held in their individual names applying to renew a mortgage license must submit to the Department a signed and sworn affidavit verifying his or her lawful presence in the United States that is accompanied by a copy of at least one "secure and verifiable document." O.C.G.A. 50-36-1(e).
Please refer to the Department's Memorandum concerning the requirement in the Renewals section of the Mortgage Forms and Applications and Mortgage Loan Originator Resources pages of the Department's website. More detailed information about the requirement can also be found in previous editions of the Department's Monthly Mortgage Summary.
Failure to provide the documentation called for by the Memorandum will prevent a renewal applicant from having his or her mortgage license timely renewed for calendar year 2012 and may result in his or her mortgage license being the subject of revocation proceedings.

Mortgage Call Report Reminder
The is a reminder that the Mortgage Call Report ("MCR") required by O.C.G.A. Section 7-1-1004.1 is due within 45 days of the end of every calendar quarter. Third quarter data (July 1 September 30, 2011) should be filed through the NMLSR by November 14, 2011.
Companies should file the 3rd quarter MCR by the deadline noted above, as failure to do so may result in fines and/or revocation of their Georgia licenses. For more information about the requirements surrounding the MCR, please refer to the NMLSR website at: http://mortgage.nationwidelicensingsystem.org/slr/common/mcr/Pages/ default.aspx.

HOLIDAY CLOSING
This is a reminder that the Department will be closed on Friday, November 11th for Veterans' Day,
Thursday, November 24th for Thanksgiving Day, and Friday, November 25th in observance of Robert E. Lee's Birthday.

October 2011

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2012 State Holidays
In accordance with O.C.G.A. 1-4-1, Governor Nathan Deal proclaimed the following dates in 2012 as public and legal state holidays when the Capitol and all State agencies will be closed:

Holiday Name
New Years Day 2012
Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday Robert E. Lee's Birthday
Washington's Birthday
Confederate Memorial Day
Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans' Day Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

Date Observed
January 1st Sunday Will be observed Monday, Jan 2nd January 16th Monday
January 19th Thursday Will be observed on Friday, November 23rd
February 20th - Monday Will be observed on Monday, December 24th
April 26th Thursday Will be observed on Monday, April 23rd
May 28th Monday
July 4th Wednesday
September 3rd Monday October 8th Monday
November 12th Monday
November 22nd Thursday Lee's Birthday will be observed on Friday, November 23rd
December 25th Tuesday Washington's Birthday will be observed on Monday, Dec. 24th

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October 2011

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS
Final Consent Orders
Tanner, Russell Thurston, Bogart, GA (license# 26027) - Consent Order issued 10/27/2011 became final 10/27/2011.

Cease and Desist Orders Which Became Final
Financial Hope For America, Inc. aka Certified Financial Protection Group, Murrietta, CA - Order to Cease and Desist issued 09/16/2011 became final 10/27/2011.
Hofler and Associates, LLC, Loganville, GA - Order to Cease and Desist issued 08/01/2011 became final 10/28/2011.
Home Rights Advocates, Inc., Marietta, GA - Order to Cease and Desist issued 09/16/2011 became final 10/27/2011.
Marquise Group, LLC, Snellville, GA - Order to Cease and Desist issued 08/24/2011 became final 10/27/2011.
SignPost Mortgage, Inc., Acworth, GA (license# 19958) - Order to Cease and Desist issued 09/02/2011 became final 10/04/2011.
State Law Group aka Novation Law Center aka Consult Legal Group, Irvine, CA - Order to Cease and Desist issued 09/16/2011 became final 10/27/2011.
Wilcher, Shane Preston, Waleska, GA - Order to Cease and Desist issued 08/26/2011 became final 10/07/2011.

License Denials

Fine Information

Information regarding fines assessed against a specific licensee for which there is no pending administrative action, is available on an individual licensee basis by submitting a written request to the following e-mail address: dbfmort@dbf.state.ga.us

1 Licensee fined for Books and Records

FINE REASON
4 Licensees fined for Changes in Management

October 2011

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October 2011

October 2011

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CUSTOMER SERVICE STARS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER
It is the Department's goal to provide excellent customer service by meeting and exceeding the expectations of our customers. Along those lines, we would like to recognize the following individuals for going above and beyond in serving our customers:
Applications Analyst Irene Harper (Mortgage) The Department received comments from a customer stating: "I wanted to let you know that we appreciate Irene Harper very much. She is always happy to explain the processes and policies for licensing and help us with our questions. She is not only efficient and knowledgeable but also friendly and helpful. Really, we think she's just about perfect. We are sure that you are aware of what an asset she is to your department but we wanted to reinforce it."
Senior Financial Examiner Joel Byers (Mortgage) The Department received comments from a customer stating: "Thanks Mr. Byers. Your timely response is greatly appreciated. Again, I would like to compliment your department on how helpful you have been. I deal with 23 other states and they are not nearly as helpful as you and your department."
CONGRATULATIONS AND GREAT JOB TO THIS MONTH'S CUSTOMER SERVICE STARS!!

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Georgia Department of Banking and Finance
2990 Brandywine Road Suite 200
Atlanta, Georgia 30341-5565
Phone: (770) 986-1269 Fax: (770) 986-1029 or 1655
Email: dbfmort@dbf.state.ga.us

October 2011
The Department is the state agency that regulates and examines banks, credit unions, and trust companies chartered by the State. The Department also has regulatory and/or
licensing authority over mortgage brokers/processors, lenders and loan originators, money service businesses, international banking organizations, and bank holding compa-
nies conducting business in Georgia.
Our MISSION is to promote safe, sound, competitive financial services in Georgia through innovative, responsive regulation and supervision.
Our VISION is to be the best financial services industry regulator in the country Progressive. Proactive. Service-Oriented.

We're on the Web! dbf.georgia.gov

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This monthly publication highlights topics and activities pertaining to the Department's regulation of state-licensed or registered mortgage brokers, lenders and loan originators. It is delivered to interested parties via e-mail and is also available from the Department's website at: http://dbf.georgia.gov under Publications, Mortgage Summary.
If you would like to be added to our distribution list, send an e-mail to dbfpress@dbf.state.ga.us stating your name and e-mail address. Please be sure to include "Subscribe to Monthly Mortgage Summary" in the Subject line.