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Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Terms and Conditions of Agreement for Access to Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia Website

(Note: certain features of this site have been disabled for the general public to prevent digital piracy. If you are an entitled government entity pursuant the Georgia Administrative Procedures Act, O.C.G.A.§ 50-13-7(d) contact the State of Georgia's Administrative Procedures Division at 678-364-3785 to enable these features for your location.)

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Subject 80-3-1 MONEY TRANSMISSION AND RELATED FINANCIAL SERVICES

Rule 80-3-1-.01 Payment Instrument Sellers and Money Transmitters

(1) For purposes of Rules 80-3-1-.01, 80-3-1-.03, 80-3-1-.04, 80-3-1-.06, 80-3-1-.07(4), 80-3-1-.08, 80-3-1-.09, and 80-5-1-.02(1), the terms that are defined in O.C.G.A. § 7-1-680 shall have the identical meaning.
(2) Dual Purpose. A license for the sale of payment instruments shall also permit the licensee to conduct money transmission, but the licensee must clearly inform the Department in writing that it intends to transmit money. A separate license will be issued for persons who intend to conduct only money transmission.
(3) Every applicant for a license shall demonstrate to the Department that such applicant has sufficient financial resources in the form of working capital and tangible net worth to successfully engage in the business of selling payment instruments or money transmission. Sufficiency of financial resources shall be determined through financial analysis by the Department of pro-forma and historical financial information of the applicant. Each licensee shall be required to complete and attest to official questionnaires and statements of assets and liabilities when requested for examination purposes. Licensees shall be prohibited from withholding, deleting, destroying, or altering information requested by an examiner of the Department or making false statements or material misrepresentations to the Department during the course of an examination or on any application or renewal form sent to the Department.
(4) Authorized Agents.
(a) Licensees may designate authorized agents to engage in the sale of payment instruments or money transmission at non-banking outlets and the place of business of such authorized agents will not be construed as a branch office. The authorized agent must be bonded and the licensee made solely liable for the payment of the issued payment instruments or transmitted money upon proper presentation and demand. The responsibility of both the licensee and its authorized agent shall be carefully defined in a written agreement setting forth the duties of both parties and providing for remuneration of the authorized agent. The licensee's blanket bond coverage shall extend to cover transactions by the authorized agent and the conveyance of the funds to the licensee or the licensee's depository financial institution.
(b) Licensees are required to submit authorized agent information, including notices of additional locations or changes in locations operated by an authorized agent, to the Department in such form, timeframe, and manner and with such supporting documentation as required. The initial authorized agent list should include all authorized agents of the licensee as of the date the licensee begins business. Future reports related to authorized agents will be submitted on a quarterly basis. The initial authorized agent list as well as the subsequent quarterly reports shall be deemed to be the licensee's notice of new locations operated by authorized agents as well as the licensee's application for approval of the designated authorized agents. The notice required by this section shall also include the name and business locations of any authorized agent whose agency has been revoked, suspended, cancelled, terminated, or voluntarily closed by the licensee since the previous report. The reason for such revocation or suspension, and the amount of any outstanding claim by the licensee against the authorized agent relating to the sale of payment instrument or money transmission shall be provided to the Department upon request. Failure to report changes to authorized agents and/or locations in the reporting period in which the authorized agent began or ceased offering the licensee's services can result in fines, revocation, suspension, or other administrative action by the Department.
(5) Every licensee or authorized agent of a licensee, unless such authorized agent is a financial institution whose deposits are federally insured, shall display prominently in the premises where money is transmitted or where payment instruments are issued or sold a copy of its license.
(6) Every licensee giving notices of additional locations or changes in locations operated by the licensee shall do so in a form and manner as provided by the Department.
(7) Every licensee shall have an audit of its books and records performed at least annually by independent public accountants in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Audits will be provided to the Department within ten (10) days of the Department's request for such information. In addition, each licensee is required to furnish the Department an activity statement on a quarterly basis in a form and manner prescribed by the Department which, shall include, but not be limited to, the amount of outstanding payment instruments or forty-five (45) days after the end of each calendar quarter. Licensees submitting an activity statement to the Department, are certifying to the material accuracy and validity of the information as submitted.
(8) Proceeds received from the sale of payment instruments or money transmission net of fees charged and retained by the authorized agent shall be remitted to the licensee in accordance with the terms of the contract between the licensee and the authorized agent.
(9) Receipt. Each customer that is a payment instrument holder shall be provided with a written receipt or other evidence of acceptance of the issuance of payment instruments or the transmission of money showing the name of the licensee or trade name of the licensee that is registered with the Department, authorized agent identifier information, the date of issuance of the payment instrument or of the transmission of money, the dollar amount of the issued payment instrument or of the transmitted money, and the fee charged to the customer.
(10) Minimum Books and Records.
(a) Each licensee shall make, keep, and preserve the following books, accounts, and other records:
1. A record of each payment instrument sold;
2. A general ledger which shall be posted at least monthly containing all assets, liabilities, capital, and income and expense accounts;
3. Settlement sheets received from authorized agents;
4. Bank statements and bank reconciliation records;
5. Records of outstanding payment instruments;
6. Records of each payment instrument paid;
7. A list of the names and addresses of all of the licensee's authorized agents;
8. A copy of all currency transaction reports and suspicious activity reports that are required by law to be filed by the licensee and the related work papers;
9. For money transmitters, records of all money transmissions sent or received as well as all outstanding money transmissions; and
10. Supporting documentation for all reports required to be prepared or filed with the Department or the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry.
(b) Each licensee shall maintain a principal location at which its books and records are maintained and which is accessible to the Department for examination during normal business hours. Records required to be maintained under this rule may be maintained in a photographic, electronic, or other similar format at a central location within or outside the State of Georgia provided specific records can be transmitted to a location designated by the Department within ten (10) days of the Department's request. The Department may examine any person that purports to satisfy the exemption from licensure set forth in O.C.G.A. § 7-1-682 to verify that the person qualifies for the exemption from licensure. A licensee that refuses to permit an investigation or examination of books, accounts and records (after a reasonable request by the Department), that withholds material information, or makes a misrepresentation shall have its license revoked.
(11) A licensee shall make a written request to the Department seeking approval for any proposed change in ultimate equitable ownership through acquisition or other change in control or change in executive officer resulting from such proposed change in ownership or change in control of the licensee as required by O.C.G.A. § 7-1-688 at least thirty (30) days prior to the proposed change.

Rule 80-3-1-.02 Check Cashers

(1) For purposes of Rules 80-3-1-.02, 80-3-1-.03, 80-3-1-.04, 80-3-1-.06, 80-3-1-.07(3), 80-3-1-.08, 80-3-1-.09, and 80-5-1-.02(2), the terms that are defined in O.C.G.A. § 7-1-700 shall have the identical meaning.
(2) Every applicant for a license shall demonstrate to the Department that such applicant has sufficient financial resources in the form of working capital and tangible net worth to successfully engage in the business of cashing payment instruments. Sufficiency of financial resources shall be determined through financial analysis by the Department of pro-forma and historical financial information of the applicant. Each licensee shall be required to complete and attest to official questionnaires and statements of assets and liabilities when requested for examination purposes. Licensees shall be prohibited from withholding, deleting, destroying, or altering information requested by an examiner of the Department or making false statements or material misrepresentations to the Department during the course of an examination or on any application or renewal form sent to the Department.
(3) Every licensee shall maintain an original written authorization or other evidence of verification attesting to the fact that each specific corporation or other business association has authorized its officers and employees or specific officers or employees to present payment instruments, drawn by the corporation or other business association payable to cash or drawn by any party payable to the corporation or other business association, to a licensee for cashing. A check casher shall not cash a payment instrument payable to persons other than natural persons unless the check casher has on file such written authorization or verification indicating that the payee has authorized the presentation of such payment instruments on behalf of the payee.
(4) Every licensee shall post in prominent view of each teller window or other customer service station a copy of its license. Advertising material related to the cashing of payment instruments and distributed within this state shall bear the legend "LICENSED BY THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND FINANCE" in letters at least one-quarter inch high and contain the licensee's unique identifier.
(5) Minimum Books and Records.
(a) Books and records required herein shall be maintained by every licensee.
(b) A record of cashed payment instruments shall be maintained by each licensee as a log of all transactions occurring each day. The log must be maintained in chronological order based on the date of negotiation of the payment instrument.
1. For all cashed payment instruments, such record shall include:
(i) The date of negotiation of the payment instrument;
(ii) Name, address, and identifying number (social security, driver's license, passport, etc.) of the person negotiating the payment instrument;
(iii) Amount of the payment instrument; and
(iv) Amount of fee charged for cashing the payment instrument.
2. For all cashed payment instruments in an amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more, such record shall also include:
(i) Date of the payment instrument;
(ii) Payment instrument number;
(iii) Name and location or routing number of the payor bank or, if a pre-paid card, the branded card name; and
(iv) Name of the drawer of the payment instrument.
(c) A daily cash reconcilement statement shall be maintained summarizing each day's activity and reconciling cash on hand at the opening of business to cash on hand at the close of business. Such reconcilement statement shall separately reflect cash received from the sale of payment instruments (if licensed as a seller of payment instruments or an authorized agent of such licensee), redemption of returned items, bank cash withdrawals, cash disbursed in cashing of payment instruments, and bank cash deposits.
(d) A general ledger containing records of all assets, liabilities, capital, income and expenses shall be maintained. The general ledger shall be posted from the daily record of cashed payment instruments or other record of original entry, at least quarterly, and shall be maintained in such manner as to facilitate the preparation of an accurate trial balance of accounts in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices. A consolidated general ledger reflecting activity at two or more locations under the same license may be maintained provided books of original entry are separately maintained for each location.
(e) For all entities cashing payment instruments, each customer cashing a payment instrument shall be offered the option of receiving a receipt showing the name of the licensee or trade name of the licensee, the transaction date, the amount of the payment instrument, and the fee charged.
(f) All licensees shall maintain supporting documentation for all reports and logs required to be prepared or filed with the Department or the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry.
(6) All payment instruments drawn on a financial institution domiciled in the United States and cashed by a licensee shall be sent for deposit to the licensee's account at a financial institution authorized to do business in the State of Georgia whose deposits are federally insured or sent for collection not later than the close of business on the next business day after the date on which the payment instrument was cashed.
(7) Each licensee shall maintain a principal location at which its books and records are maintained and which is accessible to the Department for examination during normal business hours. Records required to be maintained under this rule may be maintained in a photographic, electronic, or other similar format at a central location within or outside the State of Georgia provided specific records can be transmitted to a location designated by the Department within ten (10) days of the Department's request. The Department may examine any person that purports to satisfy the exemption from licensure set forth in O.C.G.A. § 7-1-701.1 to verify that the person qualifies for the exemption from licensure. A licensee that refuses to permit an investigation or examination of books, accounts and records (after a reasonable request by the Department), that withholds material information or makes a misrepresentation shall have its license revoked.
(8) The business of the licensee may be conducted through additional outlets, including those operated as mobile facilities, provided that mobile facilities maintain a regular schedule of times and locations at which they cash payment instruments, file the schedule with the Department, and comply with local licensure requirements at each location at which business is conducted. A licensee must provide the Department with written notice at least thirty (30) days prior to it conducting business at any additional outlets.
(9) A licensee shall notify the Department in writing within fifteen (15) days of the closing of the portion of its business that cashes payments instruments and shall surrender its original license to the Department at that time.
(10) A licensee shall make a written request to the Department seeking approval for any proposed change in ultimate equitable ownership through acquisition or other change in control or change in executive officer resulting from such change in ownership or change in control of the licensee as required by O.C.G.A. § 7-1-705.1 at least thirty (30) days prior to the proposed change.
(11) Every licensee giving notices of changes in locations operated by the licensee over those previously reported shall do so at least thirty (30) days prior to conducting business at the new location and on forms provided by the Department.

Rule 80-3-1-.03 Money Service Businesses: Compliance with Federal Requirements

(1) For the purposes of this Rule, Money Service Businesses ("MSBs") refer to a class of non-bank financial institutions defined in the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970 and its related regulations, including those set forth at 31 CFR Chapter X (together, the "Bank Secrecy Act"), which Act requires such non-bank financial institutions to register with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, United States Department of the Treasury and to comply with other recordkeeping and compliance laws.
(2) A licensee under Article 4 or 4A of Chapter 1 of Title 7 that satisfies the definition of an MSB under the Bank Secrecy Act, shall comply with the federal registration requirements for such businesses and shall provide the Department with evidence of such registration.
(3) All licensees under Article 4 or 4A of Chapter 1 of Title 7 must have a compliance program and must comply with the recordkeeping requirements, currency transaction reporting, and suspicious activity reporting set forth in the Bank Secrecy Act provided the licensees are required to do so under the Bank Secrecy Act. Other recordkeeping requirements required by state law are provided for in Rules 80-3-1-.01(10) and 80-3-1-.02(5). Licensees may consult https://www.fincen.gov/resources/financial-institutions/money-services-businesses [File Link Not Available] for questions about the federal requirements.

Rule 80-3-1-.04 Reports of Large Currency Transactions, Recordkeeping, and Suspicious Activity Reporting Requirements for Check Cashers, Payment Instrument Sellers and Money Transmitters

(1) Persons engaged in the business of cashing payment instruments, selling payment instruments, and transmitting money and authorized agents of money transmitters and payment instrument sellers shall be subject to the filing requirements for large currency transactions as prescribed in Article 11 of Chapter 1 of Title 7, and as further directed herein.
(2) The reporting requirements contained in Article 11 of Chapter 1 of Title 7 shall be met by filing with the appropriate federal agency a copy of the form(s) filed in compliance with the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970 and its related regulations, including those set forth at 31 CFR Chapter X (together, the "Bank Secrecy Act") within the time limits set forth therein. Such forms shall include the filing of currency transaction reports and suspicious activity reports as described in the Bank Secrecy Act and accompanying regulations.
(3) Recordkeeping. Georgia law regarding such recordkeeping for check cashers, payment instrument sellers and money transmitters shall be satisfied by compliance with all applicable federal law. Such federal law includes, but is not limited to, the Bank Secrecy Act. A licensed check casher that does not satisfy the definition of a check casher under the Bank Secrecy Act shall comply with the state recordkeeping requirements at Rule 80-3-1-.02(5).
(4) Records required to be maintained under Paragraph (3) of this rule may be maintained in a photographic, electronic, or other similar form at a central location within or outside the State of Georgia provided specific records can be transmitted to a location designated by the Department within ten (10) days of the date of the Department's request.
(5) Currency transaction reporting requirements for financial institutions are contained in Chapter 80-9-1 of the Department's regulations.

Rule 80-3-1-.05 Reserved

Rule 80-3-1-.06 Reports of Apparent Criminal Irregularity by Check Cashers, Payment Instrument Sellers, Money Transmitters, and Authorized Agents

(1) Sale of payment instruments and money transmitter licensees shall file with the Department the name, location, and federal tax identification number of any authorized agent within this state who has failed to remit to the licensee the proceeds received from the sale of the licensee's payment instruments or from licensee's money transmission activities in accordance with the terms of the contract between the licensee and the authorized agent or whose authorized agency status has been revoked, suspended, terminated, cancelled, or voluntarily closed due to an outstanding liability due to the licensee. The report shall state the aggregate amount of unremitted payment instrument sales or money transmission proceeds due to the licensee and any provisions which have been made to recover same.
(2) Structuring to avoid reporting.
(a) Unless otherwise reporting to the appropriate federal agency under Paragraph (2) of Rule 80-3-1-.04, every check casher, payment instrument seller, authorized agent of a payment instrument seller, other persons who cash payment instruments for a fee, money transmitters, and authorized agents of money transmitters shall report to the Department any instance involving such sale of payment instruments, cashing of payment instruments, or money transmission where there is reasonable cause to believe that its customer has, for the purpose of evading the reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970 and its related regulations, including those set forth at 31 CFR Chapter X (together, the "Bank Secrecy Act") or

Article 11 of Chapter 1 of Title 7:

1. Caused or attempted to cause a currency transaction report required under Article 11 of Chapter 1 of Title 7 or the Bank Secrecy Act not to be filed;
2. Caused or attempted to cause a currency transaction report required under Article 11 of Title 7 or the Bank Secrecy Act to be filed containing a material omission or misstatement as defined in O.C.G.A. § 7-1-912;
3. Completed a structuring (as defined in O.C.G.A. § 7-1-912), assisted in structuring, attempted a structuring, or attempted to assist in structuring any currency transaction.
(b) Authorized agents of payment instrument sellers and money transmitters shall not be required to report as provided in subsection (a) where the licensee has advised the authorized agent in writing that the licensee operates a system of internal procedures designed to gather the pertinent data and file the reports required in subsection (a).
(3) Any licensed payment instrument seller, money transmitter, or check casher shall notify the Department within ten (10) business days of any knowledge or discovery of any criminal act or apparent criminal act by any officer, director, or employee of such licensee or by any officer, director, or employee of an authorized agent occurring in this state and relating to the business of the licensee. Such notification shall include a full description of the acts or apparent acts believed to be in violation of the criminal laws of this state or the United States, the names of all persons believed to be involved, a statement as to action taken by the licensee in response to the discovery or suspicions, and a copy of the written notification to the licensee's fidelity insurance carrier.
(4) Licensees governed by these Rules shall be subject to amendments of the Bank Secrecy Act which may impose other reporting obligations for suspicious transactions.

Rule 80-3-1-.07 Administrative Fines and Penalties

(1) Except as otherwise indicated, these fines and penalties apply to any person, partnership, association, corporation, or any other group of individuals, however organized, that is required to be licensed under Article 4 or Article 4A of Chapter 1 of Title 7. The Department, at its sole discretion, may waive or modify a fine based upon the financial resources of the person, gravity of the violation, history of previous violations, and such other facts and circumstances deemed appropriate by the department.
(2) All fines levied by the Department are due within thirty (30) days from the date of assessment and must be paid prior to renewal of the annual license, reapplication for a license, or any other activity requiring Departmental approval.
(3) Check Cashers. The Department establishes the following fines and penalties for violation of the law and rules governing check cashers.
(a) Books and Records. If the Department, in the course of an examination or investigation, finds that a licensee has failed to maintain its books and records according to the requirements of O.C.G.A. § 7-1-706(a) and Rules 80-3-1-.02(2) or 80-3-1-.02(5), such licensee shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each books and records violation listed in Rules 80-3-1-.02(2) or 80-3-1-.02(5).
(b) Excessive Fees. If the Department, in the course of an examination or investigation, finds that a licensee has charged fees for cashing payment instruments in excess of the amount set forth in O.C.G.A. § 7-1-707(f), such licensee shall be subject to a fine of five thousand dollars ($5,000) per occurrence and its license will be subject to revocation or suspension.
(c) Posting of Charges. Any licensee who does not display, at all locations, a notice stating the charges/fees for cashing payment instruments in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 7-1-707.1 shall be subject to a fine of five hundred dollars ($500).
(d) Operating Without Proper License. Any person who acts as a check casher prior to receiving a current license required under Article 4A of Chapter 1 of Title 7, or who acquires a business that cashes payment instruments and operates without its own license, or during the time a suspension, revocation or applicable cease and desist order is in effect, shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day and its license application will be subject to denial or its license will be subject to revocation or suspension.
(e) Felons. Any licensee that hires or retains a covered employee who is a felon as described in O.C.G.A. § 7-1-703(b), when such covered employee has not complied with the remedies provided for in O.C.G.A. § 7-1-703(b)for each conviction before such employment, shall be subject to a fine of five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each such covered employee and its license will be subject to revocation or suspension.
(f) GCIC Background Checks on Employees. Any licensee that does not obtain a Georgia Crime Information Center ("GCIC") criminal background check on each covered employee prior to the initial date of hire or retention shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per occurrence. Proof of the required GCIC criminal background check must be retained by the licensee until five years after termination of employment by the licensee. Notwithstanding compliance with this requirement to perform a GCIC criminal background check prior to employment, failure to maintain criminal background checks as required will result in a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each covered employee for which the licensee is missing this documentation.
(g) Deferred Payment. Any licensee that defers payment on a payment instrument pending collection and has not obtained the surety bond as required by O.C.G.A. § 7-1-707(c)shall be subject to a fine of five thousand dollars ($5,000) per occurrence and its license will be subject to revocation or suspension.
(h) Other Business Activities. Any licensee found to have violated any law of this state by conducting any other business that is not lawful in conjunction with cashing payment instruments, shall be subject to a fine of five thousand dollars ($5,000) and its license will be subject to revocation or suspension.
(i) Corporate Checks. Any licensee that cashes a payment instrument made payable to a corporation or other business association or cashes a payment instrument drawn by the corporation or other business association and made payable to cash without the proper written authorization as required by O.C.G.A. § 7-1-707(d) and Rule 80-3-1-.02(3) shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per occurrence.
(j) Advertising - "No Identification Required." A licensee that advertises that it will cash payment instruments with no identification required will be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000).
(k) Identification Requirements for Cashing Payment Instruments. No licensee shall cash payment instruments without identification of the bearer of such check. Failure to comply with the requirements of O.C.G.A. § 7-1-707(e)shall subject the licensee to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per occurrence.
(l) Failure to Submit to Exam. The penalty for the refusal of a licensee to permit the Department to conduct an investigation or examination of its books, accounts, and records, shall be the revocation of its license and a five thousand dollar ($5,000) fine.
(m) Consumer Complaints. Any licensee who fails to respond to a written consumer complaint or fails to respond to the Department regarding a consumer complaint, within the time periods specified in the Department's correspondence to such licensee, shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each occurrence. Repeated failure to properly respond, as reasonably determined by the Department, may result in the revocation or suspension of its license.
(n) Failure to Notify or Obtain Approval from the Department of Change in Ownership, Change in Control, or Designation of Executive Officer. Any licensee or other person who fails to obtain the Department's prior approval of a change in ultimate equitable ownership through acquisition or other change in control or change in executive officer resulting from such change in ownership or change in control of the licensee in compliance with O.C.G.A. § 7-1-705.1 and Rule 80-3-1-.02 shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) and its license will be subject to revocation or suspension. Any licensee or other person who fails to timely notify the Department of a change in executive officer not resulting from a change in control or ownership in compliance with O.C.G.A. § 7-1-705 and Rule 80-3-1-02 shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) and its license will be subject to revocation of suspension.
(o) Bank Secrecy Act. If the Department, in the course of an examination or investigation, finds that a licensee has failed to comply with the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970 and its related regulations, including those set forth at 31 CFR Chapter X (together, the "Bank Secrecy Act") or the requirements referred to in Rules 80-3-1-.03, 80-3-1-.04, and 80-3-1-.06, such licensee shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each instance of non-compliance.
(p) Failure to Post Required License or Failure to Include Required Legend on Advertising. Any licensee that fails to post a copy of its license in prominent view of each teller window or other customer service station, or distributes advertising in this state related to the cashing of payment instruments that fails to display the phrase "LICENSED BY THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND FINANCE" shall be subject to a fine of five hundred dollars ($500) for each instance of non-compliance.
(q) Failure to Timely Disclose Change in Affiliation of Natural Person that Executed Lawful Presence Affidavit and Submission of New Affidavit. Any licensed check casher that fails to disclose that the owner or executive officer that executed the lawful presence affidavit is no longer in that position with the licensee within ten (10) business days of the date of the event necessitating the disclosure, shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000). Any licensed check casher that fails to submit a new lawful presence affidavit from a current owner or executive officer within ten (10) business days of the owner or executive officer that executed the previous lawful presence affidavit no longer being in that position with the licensee, shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day until the new affidavit is provided.
(r) Failure to Timely Update Information on the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry. Any licensee that fails to update its information on the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry ("NMLSR"), including, but not limited to, amendments to any response to disclosure questions, within ten (10) business days of the date of the event necessitating the change, shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per occurrence. In addition, the failure of a control person of a licensee to update the individual's information on the NMLSR, including, but not limited to, amendments to any response to disclosure questions by the control person, within ten (10) business days of the date of the event necessitating the change, shall subject the licensee to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per occurrence.
(s) Prohibited Acts. Any licensee or other person who violates the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 7-1-708 shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation or transaction that is in violation and its license will be subject to suspension or revocation.
(t) Failure to Submit to Examination or Investigation. The penalty for refusal to permit an investigation or examination of books, accounts and records (after a reasonable request by the Department) shall be revocation of the license and a five thousand dollar ($5,000) fine. Refusal shall require at least two attempts by the Department to schedule an examination or investigation.
(4) Payment Instrument Sellers and Money Transmitters. The Department establishes the following fines and penalties for violation of the laws and rules governing payment instrument sellers and money transmitters.
(a) Books and Records. If the Department, in the course of an examination or investigation, finds that a licensee has failed to maintain its books and records according to the requirements of O.C.G.A. § 7-1-689 and Rules 80-3-1-.01(4), 80-3-1-.01(7), 80-3-1-.01(9), or 80-3-1-.01(10), such licensee shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each books and records violation listed in Rule 80-3-1-.01(4), 80-3-1-.01(6), 80-3-1-.01(7), 80-3-1-.01(9), or 80-3-1-.01(10).
(b) Operating Without Proper License. Any person who acts as a payment instrument seller or money transmitter prior to receiving a current license required under O.C.G.A. Article 4 of Chapter 1 of Title 7, or who acquires a payment instrument seller or money transmission business without its own license, or during the time a suspension, revocation or applicable cease and desist order is in effect, shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day and its application will be subject to denial or its license will be subject to revocation or suspension.
(c) Felons. Any licensee that hires or retains a covered employee who is a felon as described in O.C.G.A. § 7-1-684(b), when such covered employee has not complied with the remedies provided for in O.C.G.A. § 7-1-684(b)for each conviction before such employment, shall be subject to a fine of five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each such covered employee and its license will be subject to revocation or suspension.
(d) Locations and Authorized Agents. Any licensee that does not give timely notice to the Department of new locations or agents beyond those previously reported as required in O.C.G.A. § 7-1-686(d) and Rules 80-3-1-.01(4) and 80-3-1-.01(6), shall be subject to a fine of five hundred dollars ($500) for each location or agent not reported.
(e) GCIC Background Checks on Employees. Any licensee that does not obtain a Georgia Crime Information Center ("GCIC") criminal background check on each covered employee prior to the initial date of hire or retention shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per occurrence. Proof of the required GCIC criminal background check must be retained by the licensee until five years after termination of employment by the licensee. Notwithstanding compliance with this requirement to perform a GCIC criminal background check prior to employment, failure to maintain criminal background checks as required will result in a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each covered employee for which the licensee is missing this documentation.
(f) Authorized Agents. Any licensee that does not give notice of an authorized agent whose agency certificate has been revoked, suspended, cancelled, terminated, or voluntarily closed by the licensee as required by Rule 80-3-1.01(4), shall be subject to a fine of five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each authorized agent revocation, suspension, cancellation, termination, or voluntary closure not reported in writing to the Department.
(g) Failure to Provide Receipt. In the event a licensee or its authorized agent does not provide the customer with a written receipt or other evidence of acceptance as required in Rule 80-3-1-.01(9), it shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per transaction where the receipt was not provided.
(h) Failure to Notify or Obtain Approval from the Department of Change in Ownership, Change in Control, or Designation of Executive Officer. Any licensee or other person who fails to obtain the Department's prior approval of a change in ultimate equitable ownership through acquisition or other change in control or change in executive officer resulting from such change in ownership or change in control of the licensee in compliance with O.C.G.A. § 7-1-688 and Rule 80-3-1-.01 shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) and its license will be subject to revocation or suspension. Any licensee or other person who fails to timely notify the Department of a change in executive officer not resulting from a change in control or ownership in compliance with O.C.G.A. § 7-1-687 and Rule 80-3-1-01 shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) and its license will be subject to revocation of suspension.
(i) Other Business Activities. Any licensee found to have violated any law of this state by conducting any other business that is not lawful in conjunction with the selling of payment instruments or money transmission, shall be subject to a fine of five thousand dollars ($5,000) and its license will be subject to revocation or suspension.
(j) Failure to Report. Any licensee who fails to provide required reports as established by the Department and file the reports with the Department or the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry within the designated time periods shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each such occurrence. Repeated failure to provide timely reports as required may result in additional administrative action by the Department, including, but not limited to, license revocation.
(k) Failure to Submit to Exam. The penalty for the refusal of a licensee to permit the Department to conduct an investigation or examination of its books, accounts, and records, shall be the revocation of its license and a five thousand dollars ($5,000) fine.
(l) Consumer Complaints. Any licensee who fails to respond to a written consumer complaint or fails to respond to the Department regarding a consumer complaint, within the time periods specified in the Department's correspondence to such licensee, shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each occurrence. Repeated failure to properly respond, as reasonably determined by the Department, may result in the revocation or suspension of its license.
(m) Bank Secrecy Act. If the Department, in the course of an examination or investigation, finds that a licensee has failed to comply with the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970 and its related regulations, including those set forth at 31 CFR Chapter X (together, the "Bank Secrecy Act") or the requirements referred to in Ruled 80-3-1-.03, 80-3-1-.04, and 80-3-1-.06, such licensee shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each instance of non-compliance.
(n) Failure to Timely Disclose Change in Affiliation of Natural Person that Executed Lawful Presence Affidavit and Submission of New Affidavit. Any licensed payment instrument seller or money transmitter that fails to disclose that the owner or executive officer that executed the lawful presence affidavit is no longer in that position with the licensee within ten (10) business days of the date of the event necessitating the disclosure, shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000). Any licensed payment instrument seller or money transmitter that fails to submit a new lawful presence affidavit from a current owner or executive officer within ten (10) business days of the owner or executive officer that executed the previous lawful presence affidavit no longer being in that position with the licensee, shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day until the new affidavit is provided.
(o) Failure to Timely Update Information on the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry. Any licensee that fails to update its information on the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry ("NMLSR"), including, but not limited to, amendments to any response to disclosure questions, within ten (10) business days of the date of the event necessitating the change, shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per occurrence. In addition, the failure of a control person of a licensee to update the individual's information on the NMLSR, including, but not limited to, amendments to any response to disclosure questions by the control person, within ten (10) business days of the date of the event necessitating the change, shall subject the licensee to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per occurrence.
(p) Failure to Post Required License. Any licensee that fails to post a copy of its license in the premises where money is transmitted or where payment instruments are issued or sold shall be subject to a fine of five hundred dollars ($500) for each instance of non-compliance.
(q) Prohibited Acts. Any licensee or other person who violates the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 7-1-692 shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation or transaction that is in violation and its license will be subject to suspension or revocation.
(r) Failure to Submit to Examination or Investigation. The penalty for refusal to permit an investigation or examination of books, accounts and records (after a reasonable request by the Department) shall be revocation of the license and a five thousand dollar ($5,000) fine. Refusal shall require at least two attempts by the Department to schedule an examination or investigation.

Rule 80-3-1-.08 State Requirements for Financial Institutions

(1) A financial institution required to report any currency transaction in excess of ten thousand dollars ($10,000), including a transaction in excess of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), may satisfy state currency transaction filing and reporting requirements by filing a timely report (FinCEN Form 104) with the federal authority designated in the Currency and Foreign Transaction Reporting Act of 1970 ("Bank Secrecy Act").
(2) Banks and credit unions are required to follow federal guidelines and requirements for detecting abuses or the structuring of transactions designed to avoid Bank Secrecy Act reporting, including transactions described in Rule 80-3-1-.04(4).

Rule 80-3-1-.09 Verification of Lawful Presence Citizenship Affidavit

(1) Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-36-1, the Department is required to obtain an affidavit verifying the lawful presence of every natural person that submits an application for a license as a payment instrument seller, money transmitter, or check casher on behalf of an individual, business, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or any other business entity. For businesses, corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, and other business entities (collectively "company applicant"), only an owner or executive officer that is authorized to act on behalf of the company applicant is authorized to submit the required signed and sworn affidavit.
(2) In the event the individual that executed the lawful presence affidavit on behalf of the company applicant is no longer an owner or executive officer of the licensee, the licensee must notify the Department within ten (10) business days following the date of the occurrence and provide the Department with an affidavit from a current owner or executive officer verifying his or her lawful presence on behalf of the licensee. The failure to disclose within ten (10) business days that the owner or executive officer that executed the lawful presence affidavit is no longer in that position with the licensee or to timely submit a new affidavit from a current owner or executive officer may subject the license to revocation, suspension, and other administrative action.

Rule 80-3-1-.10 Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry

(1) License issuance and renewals.
(a) All applications for new or renewal licenses must be made through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry ("NMLSR") unless otherwise expressly exempted from this requirement by the Department in writing. Fees for new applications include an initial Department investigation fee and the appropriate application fee. Applications for new licenses which are approved between November 1 and December 31 in any year will not be required to file a renewal application for the next calendar year. All fees are non-refundable.
(b) All licenses issued shall expire on December 31 of each year, and an application for renewal shall be made annually between November 1 and December 31 each year. Subsequent renewal applications and/or license fees must be received on or before December 1 of each year or the renewal applicant will be assessed a late fee as set forth in Rule 80-5-1-.02. A renewal application is not deemed received until all required information and corresponding fees have been provided by the licensee. A proper renewal application not received on or before the December 1 renewal application deadline of each year cannot be assured of issuance or renewal prior to January 1, at which time the license will expire. Unless a proper renewal application has been received any license which is not renewed on or before December 31 will require the renewal applicant to file a reinstatement application in order to conduct business as a check casher, money transmitter, or payment instrument seller in the State after that date.
(2) The responsibility of applicants and licensees to update information in NMLSR.
(a) It shall be the sole responsibility of each applicant for a license and each licensee to keep current at all times its information on the NMLSR. Amendments to any information on file with the NMLSR must be made by the applicant or licensee within ten (10) business days of the date of the event necessitating the change. The Department shall have no responsibility for any communication not received by an applicant or licensee due to its failure to maintain current contact information on the NMLSR as required.
(b) Amendments to any responses to disclosure questions by an applicant for a license or a licensee must be made within ten (10) business days following the date of the event necessitating the change. Failure by an applicant for a license to timely update the applicant's responses to disclosure questions may result in the denial of the application. In the case of a licensee, failure to timely update any disclosure information may result in the revocation of its license.
(a) It shall be the responsibility of each applicant for a license and each licensee to ensure that its control persons keep current at all times their information on the NMLSR. Amendments to any information on file with the NMLSR must be made by the control person within ten (10) business days of the date of the event necessitating the change. For purposes of this Rule, control person means any individual that has the power, either directly or indirectly, to direct or cause the direction of management and policies of an applicant or licensee, whether through the ownership of voting or nonvoting securities, by contract, or otherwise.
(b) Amendments to any responses to disclosure questions by a control person must be made within ten (10) business days following the date of the event necessitating the change. Failure by a control person of an applicant for a license to timely update the control person's responses to disclosure questions may result in the denial of the application. In the case of a licensee, failure by a control person to timely update any disclosure information may result in the revocation of its license.
(3) A licensee may challenge information entered by the Department into the NMLSR. All challenges must be sent to the Department in writing addressed to the attention of the Deputy Commissioner of Non-Depository Financial Institutions. Once received, the Department shall consider the merits of the challenge raised and provide the licensee with a written reply that shall be the Department's final decision regarding the challenge.