(1) Upon the filing of a complete application, the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services shall review the application and may investigate the financial condition and responsibility, financial and business experience, character and general fitness of the applicant. The director may conduct an on-site investigation of the applicant, the reasonable cost of which shall be paid by the applicant. The director may disapprove an application if the director finds that the applicant:

(a) Is insolvent, either in the sense that the person‘s liabilities exceed the person’s assets or that the person cannot meet obligations as they mature, or that the person is in such financial condition that the person cannot continue in business with safety to the person’s customers;

(b) Has engaged in dishonest, fraudulent or illegal practices or conduct in any business or profession;

(c) Has willfully or repeatedly violated or failed to comply with a provision of the Oregon Bank Act, Oregon Securities Law, Oregon Credit Union Act, Oregon Consumer Finance Act or Pawnbrokers Act or any rule or order of the director adopted under those laws;

(d) Has been convicted of a crime, an essential element of which is fraud;

(e) Is not qualified to engage in the business of money transmission on the basis of such factors as training, experience and knowledge of the business;

(f) Is permanently or temporarily enjoined by a court of competent jurisdiction from engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice involving an aspect of the banking business or of the money transmission business;

(g) Is the subject of an order of the director subjecting the person to a civil penalty or removing the person from an office in any entity regulated by the director; or

(h) Is the subject of an order entered within the past five years, subjecting the person to a civil penalty or removing the person from an office in a state or federally chartered, licensed or regulated financial services company.

(2) The director may also disapprove an application if the director finds that a controlling person is subject to a provision of subsection (1) of this section except subsection (1)(a) or (e) of this section. If a controlling person is the sole owner of the applicant, then the director may disapprove an application if the director finds that the controlling person is subject to a provision of subsection (1) of this section.

(3) If the director finds that the applicant’s business will be conducted honestly, fairly and in a manner commanding the confidence and trust of the community, and that the applicant has fulfilled the requirements imposed by ORS § 717.200 to 717.320, 717.900 and 717.905 and has paid the required license fee, the director shall issue a license to the applicant authorizing the applicant to conduct money transmission business in this state for a term of one year. If these requirements have not been met, the director shall deny the application in writing and shall describe the reasons for the denial.

(4) An order of the director denying an application under ORS § 717.200 to 717.320, 717.900 and 717.905 shall state the grounds upon which the order is based and shall not become effective for at least 20 days after written notice of the order has been sent by registered or certified mail to the applicant at the principal place of business of the applicant.

(5) Appeals from an order of the director denying an application may be taken to the courts of this state as provided by ORS Chapter 183. [1999 c.571 § 9; 2009 c.541 § 37; 2011 c.597 § 289]