(1)    A depository institution may apply for registered entity status with the division. The application shall be on forms and in the manner prescribed by the division and the applicant shall pay the same fee as that established by rule under s. 224.72 (8) for mortgage bankers. The application shall be accompanied by a commercial surety bond in the amount of $300,000 that is issued by a surety company authorized to do business in this state and is written on a form that is acceptable to the division.

   (2)   Upon the filing of an application for registered entity status and the payment of the required fee, the division shall make an investigation of the applicant. If the application is complete, and the division has no concerns regarding the applicant’s character, general fitness, or financial responsibility, the division shall register the applicant as a registered entity.

   (3)   Each registered entity shall register with the division each branch office where a mortgage loan originator sponsored by the registered entity engages in business as a mortgage loan originator. Applications for branch office registration shall be made on forms and in the manner prescribed by the division and shall be accompanied by the same fee as that established by rule for branch offices of mortgage bankers.

   (5)   A depository institution’s registered entity status, and the registration of all of its registered branch offices, expires on December 31 of each year.

   (6)   A registered entity may apply to renew its registered entity status, and the registration of all of its registered branch offices, by timely submitting, on forms and in the manner prescribed by the division, a completed renewal application for the registered entity and for each branch office, along with the applicable fee under sub. (1) or (3). The division may not renew registered entity status under this section unless the division finds that the registered entity continues to meet the minimum standards for registration under this section.

   (7)   If a registered entity fails to satisfy the minimum standards for renewal of its registration, its registration shall expire. If a registered entity fails to satisfy any requirement under sub. (6) for renewing its registration of a branch office, the registration for that branch office shall expire.

   (8)   A registered entity shall cooperate with, and provide access to records and documents required by, the division to carry out examinations in accordance with s. 224.74 (2) of mortgage loan originators that are sponsored by the registered entity.