Money Transmitter Division

The Money Transmitter Division of DBO licenses and regulates money transmitters, which includes issuers of payment instruments (money orders), travelers checks and stored value. The California money transmission laws are found in the California Financial Code, Division 1.2, commencing with section 2000.

How to reach us:

Department of Business Oversight
Division of Financial Institutions
One Sansome Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94104-4428

Phone: (415) 263-8500
Fax: (415) 288-8830
E-mail: licensing@dbo.ca.gov

New for Licensees 

NMLS Call Report

Starting with the first quarter call reports for calendar year 2017, licensees that have transitioned to the NMLS for California must file the NMLS MSB Call Report directly through the NMLS. The first quarter call report is due by May 15, 2017. In addition, licensees must continue to submit financial information that is not reported on the NMLS MSB Call Report directly with the DBO through our California Call Report. These forms and directions are available at the following link:

Call Report Forms

NMLS License Management Program

On January 15, 2016 the DBO will begin using the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) to manage money transmitter licenses. Through NMLS, companies will have the option to apply for, or amend, its license conveniently and safely online. Current California-licensed money transmitters may transition their licenses to NMLS at that time. Information on transitioning your license to NMLS.

Laws and Regulations

• California Financial Code Reference
• California Financial Code – Division 1.2, Section 2000 – 2176
• Money Transmission Act
• Federal Laws and Requirements Applicable to Money Transmitters
• Invitation for Comments- Money Transmission Act – Agent of Payee Regulations
• Actions, Orders and Administrative Hearing Decisions
• Opinions
• Regulatory and Industry Links

Publications

• Money Transmitter Forms
• Directory of Money Transmitters

Resources

• Money Transmitters FAQ
• Money Transmitters Receipts
• Order Regarding Eligible Securities Ratings and Rating Services – Revised – February 23, 2012 (PDF)

MONEY TRANSMISSION ACT

The Department is a member of the Money Transmitter Regulators Association (MTRA).

Once the prospective applicant for a new money transmitter license or acquisition of control understands the laws and regulations that govern money transmission in California, it is highly recommended that the applicant arrange for a pre-filing meeting with the Money Transmitter Division staff. The prospective applicant may contact Mr. Oscar Lumen at (415) 263-8577 or by email at Oscar.lumen@dbo.ca.gov or Mr. Jonathan Lee at (213) 435-3921 or by email at Jonathan.Lee@dbo.ca.gov to arrange for a copy of pre-filing materials and make an appointment.

The purpose of the pre-filing meeting is to answer the prospective applicant’s questions about the process and regulatory requirements, and to help the DBO process the application in a timely manner. The meeting also helps prospective applicants prepare an application that meets all the requirements of California and federal law. The filing fee is five thousand dollars ($5,000) for a new license and is not refundable in the event an application is incomplete or inadequate. The Department recommends these meetings occur in-person at the San Francisco Office, however other arrangements are acceptable. For acquisition of control applicants, this step is highly recommended, especially if the applicants are not known to the Money Transmitter Division staff.

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of the laws and regulations that govern money transmitters and be ready to present a proposed business plan.

Completed applications for new money transmitter license, along with the non-refundable fee of five thousand dollars ($5,000) made out to the Department of Business Oversight, should be addressed to Mr. Patrick Carroll, Strategic Support Manager, Department of Business Oversight, Division of Financial Institutions, One Sansome Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94104-4428. You may contact him at (415) 263-8559 or by email at patrick.carroll@dbo.ca.gov

Money Transmitter Forms

Notice to Individual – Use of Information The following items comprise the application package for a license to engage in the business of money transmission.

• FDIC 3064-0006 – Interagency Biographical and Financial Report Form
• FDIC 3064-0006 – Department of Business Oversight Supplemental Instructions (PDF)
• DBO 2 – Personal Financial Statement  (PDF)
• DBO 3 – Confidential Resume (PDF)
• DBO-525 –  Call Report Forms and instructions
• DBO 550 – Emergency Contact Person Information (PDF)
• DBO 2110 – Application for a License to Engage in the Money Transmission Business (PDF)
  • Instructions (PDF)
• DBO MTD BCII 8016 – Request for Live Scan and Live Scan process instructions Form (PDF)
• DBO 2118 – Application for Approval to Acquire Control of Money Transmitters  (PDF)
• DBO 2120 English – Unlicensed Money Transmitter Complaint (PDF)
• DBO 2120 Spanish -Unlicensed Money Transmitter Complaint/Queja Con Respecto A Un Transmisor De Dinero No Authorizado (PDF)
• DBO 4030 – Authorization for Release of Information (Money Transmitters)  (PDF)
• DBO 5025 – Appointment of Commissioner of Business Oversight as Agent for Service of Process (Money Transmitters) (PDF)
• Bond Forms
  • OAL File No. 2013-0819-05 FP (PDF)
  • OAL File No. 2013-0819-06 FP (PDF)

Oscar Lumen and Jonathan Lee are available to confer with you in advance of filing an application for the purpose of discussing questions related to the application. However, no application will be decided in advance of filing. You may contact Oscar Lumen at (415) 263-8577 or by email at Oscar.Lumen@dbo.ca.gov or Jonathan Lee at (213) 435-3921 or by email at Jonathan.Lee@dbo.ca.gov. Also, the forms needed for fingerprinting are not available on the internet, but may be received by contacting the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) in Sacramento. DOJ contact number can be obtained by contacting Jean Nosaka at (415) 263-8555 or email at jean.nosaka@dbo.ca.gov.