CHAPTER 3. Licensing [31150. - 31158.]

Cal. Financial Code - FIN 3.
in effect

Cal. Financial Code - FIN § 31150. Section 31150.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b), no person transacting business in this state, other than a licensee, shall use any name or title which indicates that it is a business and industrial development corporation or otherwise represent that it is a business and industrial development corporation or that it is a licensee. (b) Any California corporation which proposes to apply for a license or which has applied for a license, may, before being issued a license, use a name or title which indicates that it is a business and industrial development corporation if it meets all of the following requirements: (1) The corporation shall append to the name the designation “proposed,” “in organization,” or “in formation,” or any similar designation which the commissioner may approve. The designation shall be set forth at least as conspicuously as the name or title. (2) The corporation may perform only such acts as may be necessary (A) to apply for and obtain such license and (B) otherwise to prepare to commence transacting business as a licensee. (3) The corporation shall not represent that it is a licensee.

Cal. Financial Code - FIN § 31152. Section 31152.

If the commissioner finds all of the following with respect to an application for a license, the commissioner shall approve the application: (a) That the applicant has net worth in an amount which is not less than one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) and which is adequate for the applicant to transact business as a business and industrial development corporation. (b) That the applicant has lendable funds in an amount which is not less than one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) and which is adequate for the applicant to transact business as a business and industrial development corporation. (c) That the applicant has, in addition to the requirements of subdivision (b), financial resources in an amount which is adequate for the applicant to pay its expenses in transacting business as a business and industrial development corporation for a period of not less than three years. (d) That the directors, officers, and controlling persons of the applicant are each of good character and sound financial standing, that the directors and officers of the applicant are each competent to perform their functions with respect to the applicant, and that the directors and officers of the applicant are collectively adequate to manage the business of the applicant as a business and industrial development corporation. For purposes of this subdivision, the commissioner shall accord weight to the prior or current successful operation of a commercial enterprise. (e) That it is reasonable to believe that the applicant, if licensed, will comply with all applicable provisions of this division and of any regulation or order issued under this division. (f) That the applicant has reasonable promise of successful operation as a business and industrial development corporation. (g) That the licensing of the applicant will promote the public convenience and advantage. If, after notice and a hearing, the commissioner finds otherwise, he or she shall deny the application.

Cal. Financial Code - FIN § 31152.5. Section 31152.5.

(a) For purposes of Section 31152, the commissioner may find: (1) That a director, officer, or controlling person of an applicant is not of good character if the director, officer, or controlling person or any director or officer of the controlling person has been convicted of, or has pleaded nolo contendere to, a crime involving fraud or dishonesty. (2) That it is not reasonable to believe that an applicant, if licensed, will comply with all applicable provisions of this division and of any regulation or order issued under this division if the applicant has been convicted of, or has pleaded nolo contendere to, a crime involving fraud or dishonesty. (b) Subdivision (a) shall not be deemed to be the only grounds upon which the commissioner may find, for purposes of Section 31152, that a director, officer, or controlling person of an applicant is not of good character or that it is not reasonable to believe that an applicant, if licensed, will comply with all applicable provisions of this division and of any regulation or order issued under this division.

Cal. Financial Code - FIN § 31153. Section 31153.

Before any applicant for a license is issued a license, each person which is a parent or subsidiary of such applicant shall file, and each person who becomes a parent or subsidiary of a licensee shall, not less than 30 days after becoming a parent or subsidiary of such licensee, file, with the commissioner, in such form as the commissioner may by regulation or order require, an agreement that such person shall comply with all applicable provisions of this division and of any regulation or order issued under this division.

Cal. Financial Code - FIN § 31154. Section 31154.

Whenever any application for a license has been approved and all conditions precedent to the issuance of such license have been fulfilled, the commissioner shall issue a license to the applicant.

Cal. Financial Code - FIN § 31157. Section 31157.

No licensee shall represent that it is sponsored, recommended, or approved by, or that its abilities or qualifications have in any respect been passed upon by, the commissioner. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit a licensee from stating that it is licensed if the effect of such license is not misrepresented.

Cal. Financial Code - FIN § 31158. Section 31158.

(a) The fact that a California corporation is licensed under any law other than this division shall not preclude such corporation from applying for or being issued a license under this division unless the transaction of business by such corporation as a licensee under such other law would violate any provision of this division or of any regulation or order issued under this division or would be contrary to the purposes of this division. (b) The fact that a California corporation is licensed under this division shall not preclude such corporation from applying for or being issued a license under any other law unless the transaction of business by such corporation as a licensee under such other law would violate any provision of this division or of any regulation or order issued under this division or would be contrary to the purposes of this division.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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