(a) A person must hold a license issued under this chapter to:
(1) engage in the business of making, transacting, or negotiating loans subject to this chapter; or
(2) contract for, charge, or receive, directly or indirectly, in connection with a loan subject to this chapter, a charge, including interest, compensation, consideration, or another expense, authorized under this chapter that in the aggregate exceeds the charges authorized under other law.
(b) A person may not use any device, subterfuge, or pretense to evade the application of this section.

Terms Used In Texas Finance Code 342.051

  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Mortgage: The written agreement pledging property to a creditor as collateral for a loan.
  • Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
  • United States: includes a department, bureau, or other agency of the United States of America. See Texas Government Code 311.005

(c) A person is not required to obtain a license under Subsection (a) if the person is:
(1) a bank, savings bank, or savings and loan association organized under the laws of the United States or under the laws of the institution’s state of domicile; or
(2) subject to Chapter 651, Insurance Code.
(c-1) A person who is licensed or registered under Chapter 156 or 157 is not required to obtain a license under this section to make, negotiate, or transact a residential mortgage loan, as defined by § 180.002.
(d) An insurance agent licensed under Subchapter B, C, D, or E, Chapter 4051, Insurance Code, is not required to obtain a license to negotiate or arrange a loan on behalf of a bank, savings bank, or savings and loan association provided that the insurance agent or the bank, savings bank, or savings and loan association does not make the provision of insurance a condition to apply for or obtain a loan or service from the bank, savings bank, or savings and loan association.
(e) An electronic return originator who is an authorized Internal Revenue Service e-file provider is not required to obtain a license to make, negotiate, or transact a loan that is based on a person’s federal income tax refund on behalf of a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union.
(f) Repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 655, Sec. 65(a)(15), eff. September 1, 2011.