(1) A person may apply to the commissioner for preliminary approval of an application for a license. Notwithstanding that commitments to invest in the equity of the applicant have not been obtained and that all directors, officers, and managers of the applicant have not been identified, the commissioner may grant preliminary approval. In issuing an order granting preliminary approval, the commissioner shall indicate that, for the commissioner to determine that the requirements of section 303 are satisfied, final approval is conditioned on review by the commissioner of the applicant’s completion of fund-raising, including the controlling persons, and review by the commissioner of the completion of the roster of directors and officers. If an application for preliminary approval has been granted, before granting final approval of the application for a license, the commissioner may request an updated balance sheet and other information considered relevant by the commissioner.

    (2) If a person files an application under this section, the fee required by section 209(1)(a) is payable at the time the application is filed with the commissioner.