Transportation of Money and Valuables

Del. Code tit. 5, ch. 32
in effect

Del. Code tit. 5, § 3202 Definitions.

For purposes of this chapter: (1) “Person” means any individual, partnership, association, joint stock association or corporation, or other entity, but does not include the United States government or the government of this State. (2) “Licensee” means a person duly licensed by the State Bank Commissioner pursuant to this chapter. (3) “Money” includes cash, legal tender or currency of the United States or of any other state or nation. (4) “Transporter” means any person engaged in the business of transporting for hire, money or other valuables. (5) “Valuables” includes bullion, securities, stocks, bonds, any negotiable or nonnegotiable documents, jewels or other property or documents of substantial monetary value. (6) “Commissioner” means the State Bank Commissioner.

Del. Code tit. 5, § 3203 License required.

No person requiring a license by this chapter shall engage in this State in the business of a transporter until such person’s application for a license to so engage in business is finally approved by the State Bank Commissioner.

Del. Code tit. 5, § 3204 Exempt from licensing.

(a) No license as a transporter shall be required of any of the following: (1) Banks, trust companies, building and loan associations, organized under the laws of this State or authorized to do business in this State while transporting their own property; (2) Incorporated telegraph companies insofar as they receive money at any of their respective offices or agencies for immediate transmission by telegraph. (b) Nothing contained in this section or in any other section of this chapter shall be construed to enlarge or limit the rights which any of the above-named organizations have under any existing law.

Del. Code tit. 5, § 3205 Qualifications.

To qualify for a license hereunder an applicant shall meet the following requirements: (1) The applicant shall have a net worth of at least $50,000, computed according to generally accepted accounting principles. (2) The financial responsibility, financial condition, and business experience, and character and general fitness of the applicant shall be such as reasonably to warrant the belief that applicant’s business will be conducted honestly, carefully and efficiently. To the extent deemed advisable by the Commissioner, the Commissioner may investigate and consider the qualifications of the applicant including officers and directors of an applicant in determining whether this qualification has been met.

Del. Code tit. 5, § 3206 Applications.

Each application for a license shall be made in writing and under oath to the Commissioner in such form and containing such information as the Commissioner may prescribe including the name and business and residence address: (1) Of the proprietor, if the applicant is an individual; (2) Of every member, if the applicant is a partnership or unincorporated association; (3) Of the corporation and each officer and director thereof, if the applicant is a corporation, stating the date and the state of incorporation.

Del. Code tit. 5, § 3207 Accompanying fees and statements.

Each application for a license shall be accompanied by: (1) An investigation fee of $250, which shall not be subject to refund; (2) The annual license fee as specified in § 3210 of this title; (3) Financial statements reasonably satisfactory to the Commissioner.

Del. Code tit. 5, § 3208 Action by the Commissioner; conditional approval.

Upon the filing of the application and the payment of the investigation fee and the annual license fee, the Commissioner shall, to the extent the Commissioner deems advisable, investigate the financial responsibility, financial condition, financial and business experience, character and general fitness of the applicant, and if the Commissioner finds these qualities are such as to warrant the belief that the applicant’s business will be conducted honestly, fairly, equitably, carefully and efficiently within the purposes of the intent of this chapter, and in the manner commanding the confidence and trust of the community, the Commissioner shall advise the applicant in writing of the Commissioner’s conditional approval of the application, and thereafter, upon compliance by the applicant with § 3209 of this title, shall issue to the applicant a license to engage in the business of a transporter. If the Commissioner determines on the basis of the Commissioner’s investigation that the applicant does not comply with the purposes of this chapter as set forth in the preceding sentence of this section, the Commissioner shall notify the applicant of the denial of the conditional approval of the license stating the reasons therefor in writing.

Del. Code tit. 5, § 3209 License; bond; insurance.

(a) Within 30 days after the applicant receives written notice of the conditional approval by the Commissioner of an application for original license as provided in § 3208 hereof, or within such longer period as the Commissioner may authorize, the applicant shall file with the Commissioner a corporate surety bond in the principal sum of $10,000. Such bond shall be in a form satisfactory to the Commissioner and shall be issued by a surety company authorized by the laws of this State to conduct business in this State. The bond shall run to the State and shall be conditioned that the licensee will pay any and all moneys that may become due and owing any claimant or creditor of or against the licensee arising out of the licensee’s business within the State as transporter. The aggregate liability of the surety bond shall, in no event, exceed the amount of the bond. The surety on the bond shall have the right to cancel such bond upon giving 30 days’ written notice to the Commissioner and thereafter shall be relieved of liability for any breach of condition occurring after the effective date of said cancellation. In any event, the bonds shall continue to be in effect as a condition for the continuance or renewal of the license issued hereunder. (b) In lieu of such corporate surety bond the applicant may keep on deposit with any federally insured banking institution or savings and loan association in this State as such applicant shall designate and the Commissioner shall approve, securities, interest-bearing stocks and bonds, notes, debentures, or other obligations of the United States or agency or instrumentality thereof, or guaranteed by the United States or of this State or any subdivision thereof, or dollar deposits, to an aggregate amount, based upon principal amount or market value, whichever is lower, of not less than the amount of the required corporate surety bond. The securities shall be deposited as aforesaid and held to secure the same obligations as would the corporate surety bond, but the depositor shall be entitled to receive all interest and dividends thereon and shall have the right, with the approval of the Commissioner, to substitute other securities for those deposited. (c) In addition to the bond required in subsection (a) of this section, within 30 days after the applicant receives written notice of the conditional approval by the Commissioner of an application for original license as provided in § 3208 hereof or within such longer period as the Commissioner may authorize, the applicant shall file with the State Bank Commissioner true copies of its insurance contracts, including all documents not attached physically to such contracts but which are incorporated into and made a part of such contracts by reference or otherwise, establishing that it has in full force and effect a contract of insurance with a good and reputable insurance company, licensed to do business in this State, an underlying all risk (except for customary war risk and nuclear exclusions) policy in an amount not less than $5,000,000 insuring licensee and/or any persons doing business with, or having a claim against, said licensee arising from any loss through any risk assumed by the licensee in any contract for the transportation, handling or storage of moneys, including lawful currency and coin, negotiable and nonnegotiable securities, stocks, bonds, coupons and things of unusual value. True copies of such insurance contracts and such nonattached documents shall be furnished annually, prior to renewal of the license. The Commissioner may, in the Commissioner’s discretion, upon a showing of good cause, issue a license to an applicant whose insurance contracts (including the nonattached documents incorporated into and made a part of such contracts) show that it has less than $5 million of such all risk coverage if it is established to the Commissioner’s satisfaction that the amount of such applicant’s all risk coverage is adequate, taking into consideration the aggregate value of such money and/or valuables as are being transported or as may be transported by the applicant for all of its customers pursuant to such contracts for transportation, handling or storage; provided, however, that under no circumstances shall a license be issued to any applicant where the amount of its all risk insurance coverage under this subsection is less than $2 million. Each such contract for such transportation, handling or storage shall contain in bold print a verbatim quotation of (i) all conditions precedent to any recovery under, and (ii) all warranties of the licensee relating to coverage under, the licensee’s all risk insurance policies. If the insurance contracts required by this subsection shall lapse or be cancelled, then the State Bank Commissioner, in the Commissioner’s discretion, may, upon 10 days’ notice to the licensee, cancel the license provided for in this chapter, until such time as the required insurance contracts have gone into effect. Insurance companies issuing contracts pursuant to this section shall, within 3 days after giving notice to the licensee that the effect of the contracts have been altered or are no longer in effect, give similar notice to the State Bank Commissioner of such notice to the licensee. (d) A license issued under this chapter shall remain in full force and effect until surrendered, suspended or revoked pursuant to this chapter. In case there is a change in name, but no change in identity or control of the licensee, the Commissioner shall issue without charge an amended license showing the new name. Such license shall not be otherwise transferable or assignable. (e) If the Commissioner shall at any time reasonably determine that the bond or securities of the aforesaid are insecure, deficient in amount, or exhausted in whole or in part, or if the surety on the bond shall have notified the Commissioner of its intention to cancel the bond, the Commissioner shall by written order require the filing of a new or supplemental bond or the depositing of a new or additional securities in order to secure compliance with this chapter, such order to be complied with within 20 days following service thereof upon the licensee.

Del. Code tit. 5, § 3210 Renewal of license; annual license fee.

Every holder of a license or a renewal thereof, as provided for in this section, desiring to continue the transaction of business as provided for in this chapter, shall at least 30 days prior to the expiration of such license or renewal thereof make application to the Commissioner on forms to be provided by the Commissioner for a license renewal. Each licensee shall pay to the Commissioner annually, together with its application for license renewal, a license fee of $200 for the ensuing calendar year. The Commissioner may mandate that applications for renewal shall be treated as new applications if said renewal applications are not on file with the office of the State Bank Commissioner at least 30 days prior to the expiration of such license or renewal thereof. Licensees who have not complied with supervisory letters or who have not paid examination fees when due may be refused license renewal.

Del. Code tit. 5, § 3211 Agents.

A licensee may conduct the licensee’s business at one or more locations within the State and through or by means of such agents as the licensee may from time to time designate or appoint. No license under this chapter shall be required of any agent of a licensee. In order for an agent to be authorized to act for the licensee in this State, the licensee shall have on file with the Commissioner the name and address of the agent and the licensee shall notify the Commissioner within 30 days of the change of name and/or address of an agent or of the termination of any such agent. The requirements of this section shall not apply to any agent of a licensee who is exempt from this chapter pursuant to § 3204(a) of this title.

Del. Code tit. 5, § 3212 Liability of licensee.

(a) Each licensee shall be absolutely liable for any loss, damage, destruction or impairment of the money or valuables placed in the licensee’s possession in addition to whatever additional liability shall be imposed upon the licensee by reason of contractual obligations or the laws of this State or any other applicable law. (b) In any action to recover money or valuables delivered to a transporter, the burden of proving the delivery to and the receipt of such money or valuables by the person to whom it was directed to be paid or delivered shall be upon the transporter.

Del. Code tit. 5, § 3213 Suspension, revocation or surrender of license.

(a) The Commissioner may revoke any license issued hereunder upon finding that: (1) The licensee has violated any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation made by the Commissioner under and within the authority of this chapter or of any other law, rule or regulation of this State or the United States; (2) Any fact or condition exists which, if it had existed at the time of the original application for such license, would have warranted the Commissioner in refusing originally to issue such license; or (3) The licensee has engaged in business activities or practices inconsistent with its responsibilities under this chapter. (b) The Commissioner may temporarily suspend any license pending the issuance of a final order as provided in Chapter 101 of Title 29. (c) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no license shall be revoked or suspended except after notice and an opportunity for the licensee to request a hearing in accordance with Chapter 101 of Title 29. (d) Any licensee may surrender any license by delivering to the Commissioner such license together with written notice that it thereby surrenders such license, but such surrender shall not affect such licensee’s civil or criminal liability for acts committed prior to such surrender. (e) No revocation, suspension or surrender of any license shall impair or affect the obligation of any preexisting lawful contract between the licensee and any person. (f) Every license issued hereunder shall remain in full force and effect until the same shall have expired or shall have been surrendered, revoked or suspended in accordance with this chapter, but the Commissioner shall have authority to reinstate a suspended license or issue a new license to a licensee whose license shall have been revoked if no fact or condition then exists which would have warranted the Commissioner in refusing originally to issue such license under this chapter. (g) Whenever the Commissioner shall revoke or suspend a license issued pursuant to this chapter, the Commissioner shall forthwith execute a written order to that effect. The Commissioner shall forthwith serve the written order upon the licensee. Any such order may be reviewed in the manner provided by Chapter 101 of Title 29.

Del. Code tit. 5, § 3214 §§ 3214, 3215. Hearings; appeal from Commissioner [Repealed].

Repealed by 73 Del. Laws, c. 24, §§ 17, 18, eff. April 17, 2001. For present law see § 3213 of this title.

Del. Code tit. 5, § 3216 Penalties.

Any person who violates this chapter shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $1,000, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both, for each such offense.

Del. Code tit. 5, § 3217 Rules and regulations.

The Commissioner may adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary for the proper administration of this chapter.

Del. Code tit. 5, § 3218 Limitation on construction of chapter.

This chapter shall not be construed as permitting any corporation, domestic or foreign, to transact in this State the business of a state bank and trust company, savings bank, industrial bank, private bank or building or savings and loan association.

Del. Code tit. 5, § 3219 State government contracts.

No contract shall be awarded by the State for the transportation, handling or storage of moneys, including lawful currency and coin, negotiable and nonnegotiable securities, stocks, bonds, coupons and things of unusual value, in the absence of a certificate that (i) the provider was licensed under this chapter at the time its bid for the contract was submitted or that at such time the provider had an application for such a license filed with the Commissioner with all fees required by § 3207 of this title paid and awaiting action by the Commissioner, and (ii) also that at the time of the award of such contract the provider was fully licensed under this chapter. All bids for such contracts shall include a statement that the bidder is licensed under this chapter, or that the bidder has an application filed with the Commissioner for such a license with all fees required by § 3207 of this title paid and awaiting action by the Commissioner. Officials responsible for awarding and administering such contract shall establish that the provider is fully licensed under this chapter and is in good standing with the Commissioner as of the date of the award of the contract and for each year of the contract thereafter.

Del. Code tit. 5, § 3220 Supervision and examination of business by the Commissioner.

(a) Every person or combination of persons licensed as a transporter under this chapter shall be subject to the supervision and examination of the State Bank Commissioner and shall be examined by the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s authorized representative annually or at such intervals as the Commissioner deems necessary. (b) On the occasion of every examination, the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s authorized representative shall be given free access to the licensee’s books and records. (c) The examination made by the Commissioner, or the Commissioner’s authorized representatives, shall be a thorough examination into the compliance or noncompliance with this Code or any regulations promulgated thereunder, and any other statutes or regulations of this State or the United States; in addition, such examination shall include a review of the licensee’s business practices and such other matters, as in the judgment of the Commissioner, may have relation to the security of property of the licensee’s customers. In connection with such examination, the Commissioner may examine, under oath or affirmation, any and all persons connected with the licensee. (d) Each licensee shall submit to the Commissioner on or before January 1 of each year financial statements for the licensee’s most recently available completed fiscal year which have been audited by a certified public accountant, including the report of the certified public accountant thereon.

Del. Code tit. 5, § 3221 Cease and desist orders.

(a) The Commissioner shall have the power and authority to issue and serve an order upon a person to cease and desist from any violation or practice if, in the opinion of the Commissioner, a transporter subject to this chapter is engaging in, or has engaged in, or, if the Commissioner has reasonable cause to believe that such institution or company is about to engage, in any of the following: (1) A violation of a law, rule or regulation relating to the supervision of such transporter; (2) A violation of any written agreement entered into with the Commissioner; or (3) A violation of warranties, terms or conditions of the insurance contract(s) which may, in the judgment of the Commissioner, lead to an inability to recover. (b) Such order may require the officers or directors of the institution or company to take affirmative action to correct any violation or practice. (c) A cease and desist order issued pursuant to this section shall include a statement of the facts upon which the order is based, specific activities which the financial institution must cease, the affirmative acts required of the financial institution and the effective date of the order. A cease and desist order may be served by any member of the State Bank Commissioner’s Office who is designated by the Commissioner. Service may be effected by hand delivering the order to the transporter at its principal place of business during normal working hours. (d) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, a cease and desist order shall not become effective in less than 10 days after the order is served. After an order is served, but before its effective date, upon petition of any interested party, the Commissioner shall conduct a hearing. At the conclusion of such hearing, the Commissioner may affirm the cease and desist order as originally issued, or the Commissioner may modify, amend or rescind such order. (e) Whenever, in the opinion of the Commissioner, the violation or practice set forth in subsection (a) of this section represents an immediate danger or substantial harm to the interests of the public, the Commissioner may issue a cease and desist order pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, which shall become effective upon service thereof, without prior notice or hearing. Upon the application of an interested party, the Commissioner shall afford an opportunity for a hearing to consider rescission of any order issued pursuant to this subsection, and any action taken promptly thereafter.
Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title5/c032/index.htmlFetched: 6/28/2026