Maryland Installment Loan Bond: A Comprehensive Guide

June 1, 2021

This guide provides information for insurance agents to help their customers obtain Maryland Installment Loan Bonds

At a Glance:

• Average Cost: Between $750 to $3,750 per year based on the applicant’s credit
• Bond Amount: $50,000
• Who Needs it: All installment loan lenders operating in Maryland
• Purpose: To ensure the public will receive compensation for any damages should the installment loan lender fail to comply with licensing law
• Who Regulates Installment Loan Lenders in Maryland: The Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation

Background

Maryland statute 11-302 requires all installment loan lenders operating in the state to obtain a license with the Commissioner of Financial Regulation. The Maryland legislature enacted the licensing laws and regulations to ensure that installment loan lenders engage in ethical business practices. In order to provide financial security for the enforcement of the licensing law, installment loan lenders must purchase and maintain a $50,000 surety bond to be eligible for licensure.

What is the Purpose of the Maryland Installment Loan Bond?

Maryland requires installment loan lenders to purchase a surety bond as part of the application process to obtain a business license. The bond ensures that the public will receive compensation for financial harm if the installment loan lender fails to comply with the licensing regulations set forth in Maryland statutes 11-301-304. Specifically, the bond protects the public in the event the installment loan lender engages in any acts of fraud or charges an interest rate higher than the maximum percentage allowed. In short, the bond is a type of insurance that protects the public if the installment loan lender breaks licensing laws.

How Can an Insurance Agent Obtain a Maryland Installment Loan Bond?

BondExchange makes obtaining a Maryland Installment Loan Bond easy. Simply login to your account and use our keyword search to find the “installment” bond in our database. Don’t have a login? Enroll now and let us help you satisfy your customers’ needs. Our friendly underwriting staff is available by phone (800) 438-1162, email or chat from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM EST to assist you.

At BondExchange, our 40 years of experience, leading technology, and access to markets ensures that we have the knowledge and resources to provide your clients with fast and friendly service whether obtaining quotes or issuing bonds.

Is a Credit Check Required for the Maryland Installment Loan Bond?

Surety companies will run a credit check on the owner’s of the installment loan lending company to determine eligibility and pricing for the Maryland Installment Loan bond. Owners with excellent credit and work experience can expect to receive the best rates. Owners with poor credit may be declined by some surety companies or pay higher rates. The credit check is a “soft hit”, meaning that the credit check will not affect the owner’s credit.

How Much Does the Maryland Installment Loan Bond Cost?

The Maryland Installment Loan surety bond can cost anywhere between $750 to $3,750 per year. Insurance companies determine the rate based on a number of factors including your customer’s credit score and experience. The chart below offers a quick reference for the approximate bond cost on the $50,000 bond requirement.

$50,000 Installment Loan Bond Cost

*The credit score ranges do not include other factors that may result in a change to the annual premium offered to your customers, including but not limited to, years of experience and underlying credit factors contained within the business owner’s credit report.

Who is Required to Obtain an Installment Loan License?

Maryland statute 12-103 requires all business entities who make loans or extensions of credit, other than mortgage loans, to obtain a license with the Commissioner of Financial Regulation.

How do Installment Loan Lenders Apply for a License in Maryland?

Installment loan lenders in Maryland must navigate several steps to secure their license. Below are the general guidelines, but applicants should refer to the NMLS’s application guidelines for details on the process.

License Period – The Maryland Installment Loan License expires on December 31 of each year and must be renewed before the expiration date

Step 1 – Meet the Liquid Asset Requirements

Applicants for the Maryland Installment Loan License must have a minimum of $20,000 in liquid assets available to be utilized by the company. Applicants must submit either a financial statement or a verified liquid asset letter confirming the availability of the funds when submitting their license application.

Step 2 – Purchase a Surety Bond

Installment loan lenders must purchase and maintain a $50,000 surety bond

Step 3 – Request a NMLS Account

The Maryland Installment Loan License application is submitted electronically through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS). To submit a license application, applicants must first request to obtain an NMLS account.

Step 4 – Complete the Application

All Maryland Installment Loan License applications can be completed online through the NMLS. Applicants must complete the entire application, and submit the following items:

• • Primary company and consumer complaint contact information
  • Financial statements or verified liquid asset letter confirming the company has a minimum of $20,000 in liquid assets
  • Company business plan (see the application form for the required information)
  • Company staffing and internal policies
  • The following document samples:
    • Representative contracts
    • Consumer agreements
    • Disclosures
  • Company formation documents
  • Management chart detailing the company’s hierarchy
  • Organizational chart detailing the company’s ownership structure
  • Trust account authorization
  • List of all warehouse lines of credit
  • Memorandum of Tax Certification confirming all Maryland tax obligations have been met
  • Personal financial statements for all individuals with at least a 10% company ownership interest

Applicants for the Maryland Installment Loan License must pay the following fees when submitting their license application:

• • $850 license fee
  • $100 investigation fee

How Do Maryland Installment Loan Lenders Renew Their License?

Installment loan lenders can renew their license online through the NMLS. License holders need to simply login to their account to access their renewal application. The Maryland Installment Loan License expires on December 31 of each year and must be renewed before the expiration date.

What Are the Insurance Requirements for the Maryland Installment Loan License?

The State of Maryland does not require installment loan lenders to obtain any form of liability insurance as a prerequisite to obtaining a business license. Installment loan lenders must purchase and maintain a $50,000 surety bond.

How Do Maryland Installment Loan Lenders File Their Bond?

Installment loan lenders should submit the completed bond form, including the power of attorney, electronically through the NMLS. The surety bond requires signatures from both the surety company that issues the bond and a representative from the installment loan company. The surety company should include the following information on the bond form:

• Legal name and NMLS number of entity/individual(s) buying the bond
• Surety company’s name
• Bond amount
• Date the bond goes into effect
• Date the bond is signed

What Can Maryland Installment Loan Lenders Do to Avoid Claims Against Their Bond?

To avoid claims on their bond, installment loan lenders in Maryland must follow all license regulations in the state, including some of the most important issues below that tend to cause claims:

• Do not engage in any acts of fraud
• Do not charge an interest exceeding the maximum percentage allowed

What Other Insurance Products Can Agents Offer Installment Loan Lenders in Maryland?

Maryland does not require installment loan lenders to purchase any form of liability insurance as a prerequisite to obtaining a license. However, most reputable businesses will seek to obtain this insurance anyway. Bonds are our only business at BondExchange, so we do not issue liability insurance, but our agents often utilize brokers for this specific line of business. A list of brokers in this space can be found here.

How Can Insurance Agents Prospect for Maryland Installment Loan Lender Customers?

The NMLS conveniently provides a public database to search for active installment loan lenders  in Maryland. The database can be accessed here. Contact BondExchange for additional marketing resources. Agents can also leverage our print-mail relationships for discounted mailing services.