§ 31-17-12 — Grounds for suspension or revocation of license; suspension and revocation generally; reinstatement or new license; penalties and fines for violation of this article

West Virginia § 31-17-12

• Jurisdiction: West Virginia
• Ch. 31: CORPORATIONS
• Art. 17: WEST VIRGINIA RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LENDER, BROKER AND SERVICER ACT

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(a) The commissioner may suspend or revoke any broker or lender license issued hereunder if he or she finds that the licensee or any owner, director, officer, member, partner, stockholder, employee or agent of the licensee:

(1) Has knowingly violated any provision of this article or any order, decision or rule of the commissioner lawfully made pursuant to the authority of this article;

(2) Has knowingly made any material misstatement in the application for the license;

(3) Does not have available the net worth required by the provisions of section four of this article, if applicable;

(4) Has failed or refused to keep the bond required by this article in full force and effect, if applicable;

(5) In the case of a foreign corporation, does not remain qualified to do business in this state;

(6) Has committed any fraud or engaged in any dishonest activities with respect to any mortgage loan business in this state or failed to disclose any of the material particulars of any mortgage loan transaction in this state to anyone entitled to the information; or

(7) Has otherwise demonstrated bad faith, dishonesty or any other quality indicating that the business of the licensee in this state has not been or will not be conducted honestly or fairly within the purpose of this article. It shall be a demonstration of bad faith and an unfair or deceptive act or practice to engage in a pattern of making loans where the consumer has insufficient sources of income to timely repay the debt and the lender had the primary intent to acquire the property upon default rather than to derive profit from the loan. This section may not limit any right the consumer may have to bring an action for a violation of section one hundred four, article six, chapter forty-six-a of this code in an individual case.

The commissioner may also suspend or revoke the license of a licensee if he or she finds the existence of any ground upon which the license could have been refused or any ground which would be cause for refusing a license to the licensee were he or she then applying for the same. The commissioner may also suspend or revoke the license of a licensee pursuant to his or her authority under section thirteen, article two, chapter thirty-one-a of this code.

(b) The suspension or revocation of the license of any licensee does not impair or affect the obligation of any preexisting lawful mortgage loan between the licensee and any obligor.

(c) The commissioner may reinstate a suspended license, or issue a new license to a licensee whose license has been revoked, if the grounds upon which any license was suspended or revoked have been eliminated or corrected and the commissioner is satisfied that the grounds are not likely to recur.

(d) In addition to the authority conferred under this section, the commissioner may impose a fine or penalty not exceeding$2,000 upon any lender or broker required to be licensed under this article who the commissioner determines has violated any of the provisions of this article. For the purposes of this section, each separate violation is subject to the fine or penalty provided in this section. Each day excluding Sundays and holidays, that an unlicensed person engages in the business or holds himself or herself out to the general public as a mortgage lender or broker is a separate violation.

Legislative History

2011 Reg. Sess., HB2962; 2009 Reg. Sess., SB532; 2002 Reg. Sess., HB4379; 2001 Reg. Sess., SB418; 2000 Reg. Sess., HB4139; 2000 Reg. Sess., SB6; 1967 Reg. Sess., SB42