69V-85.003. Branch Application Forms, Fees, Procedures and Requirements.

(1) Every licensee under Chapter 520, F.S., that conducts business in a branch office shall apply for a license to operate a branch office using Form OFR-520-02, Application for Branch Office License, revised 12/20/2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference and available on the Office’s website at www.flofr.com and by mail from the Office of Financial Regulation, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0376. Any office or location shall be deemed to be a branch office if the name or advertising of a licensee is displayed in such a manner as to reasonably lead the public to believe that such business may be conducted at such office, location, or advertised address. If a motor vehicle retail installment seller licensed under Section 520.03, F.S., has more than one location in the same county, only one license is required for that county.

(2) The statutory, non-refundable application fee for an initial branch office license required by Sections 520.03, 520.32, 520.52 and 520.63, F.S., as applicable, shall be the fee for the biennial period beginning January 1 of each odd-numbered year or any part thereof.

(3) Request for Additional Information. Any request for additional information will be made by the Office of Financial Regulation within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of the application by the Office of Financial Regulation. The additional information must be received by the Office of Financial Regulation within forty-five (45) calendar days after the date of the request. The Office will grant a request for an additional forty-five (45) days to submit the additional information. The Office will not grant a request after the original forty-five (45) day deadline has passed. Failure to provide timely all additional information shall result in the application being deemed abandoned, which will result in the application being removed from further consideration by the Office and closed.

(4) Amendments to Pending Applications. If the information contained in any application form for branch office license, or any amendment thereto, becomes inaccurate for any reason, the applicant shall file an amendment correcting such information within thirty (30) days after the change on Form OFR-520-02. An applicant may amend the application as to those factors generally within the control or selection of the applicant once, as a matter of course, at any time within thirty (30) days from receipt of the application by the Office. Otherwise, the application may be amended only with prior written permission from the Office of Financial Regulation. Requests to make changes that are material to the application shall be deemed by the Office of Financial Regulation to be grounds for denial, and a new application, accompanied by the appropriate filing fee, shall be required. Material changes include the substitution or addition of an ultimate equitable owner of 10% or greater interest, a chief executive officer, a chief financial officer, a chief operations officer, a chief legal officer, a chief compliance officer, a control person, a member, a partner, or a joint venturer. Form OFR-520-02 is incorporated by reference in subsection 69V-85.003(1), F.A.C.

(5) Withdrawal of Application. An applicant may request withdrawal of an application prior to a determination of the application being made by the Office of Financial Regulation by submitting a written request that the application be withdrawn. Withdrawals will be deemed effective upon receipt by the Office.

(6) Refunds. If the application is withdrawn or denied, all fees are non-refundable.

(7) Upon approval of an application, a license will be issued for the remainder of the biennial licensure period.

Rulemaking Authority 520.03(2), 520.32(2), 520.52(2), 520.63(2), 520.994(5) FS. Law Implemented 520.03(2), 520.32(2), 520.52(2), 520.63(2) FS. History–New 12-20-07, Amended 1-18-21.