138.14(1)(be)

(be) “Consumer reporting agency” has the meaning given in 15 USC 1681a (f).

138.14(1)(k)

(k) “Payday loan” means any of the following:

138.14(10)(a)

(a) Interest.

138.14(12)

(12) Prohibitions.

138.14(14)(b)3.b.

b. Whether the provider is currently providing a similar service for another state.

138.14(1)(bd)

(bd) “Consumer report” has the meaning given in 15 USC 1681a (d).

138.14(14)(b)3.

3. In selecting a 3rd-party provider, give strong consideration to all of the following:

138.14(1)(bm)

(bm) “Customer” means an individual who enters into a payday loan with a licensee.

138.14(1)(e)

(e) “Department” means the department of financial institutions.

138.14(1)(f)

(f) “Division” means the division of banking.

138.14(1)(h)

(h) “General order” means an order that is not a special order.

138.14

138.14 Payday loans.

138.14(1)

(1) Definitions. In this section:

138.14(1)(a)2.

2. For any entity other than a corporation, the ability to change the active or passive principals of the organization.

138.14(1)(j)

(j) “Maturity date” means the date specified when originating a payday loan on which the loan is required to be paid in full.

138.14(11g)

(11g) Repayment after term of loan.

138.14(1)(a)

(a) “Affiliate” means, with respect to a person, another person who owns or controls, is owned or controlled by, or is under common ownership or control with, such person. In this paragraph “control” means any of the following:

138.14(1)(a)1.

1. For a corporation, direct or indirect ownership of, or the right to control, 10 percent or more of the voting shares of the corporation, or the ability of a person to elect a majority of the directors or otherwise effect a change in policy.

138.14(1)(b)

(b) “Check” has the meaning given in § 403.104 (6).

138.14(1)(L)

(L) “Special order” means an order against a person.

138.14(4)

(4) Applications; fees; bond.

138.14(4)(a)

(a)

138.14(4)(a)1.b.

b. If the applicant is not an individual, the applicant’s federal employer identification number.

138.14(1)(c)

(c) “Database” means the statewide database described in sub. (14).

138.14(1)(d)

(d) “Database provider” means a 3rd-party provider with whom the department contracts to operate the database or, if the division elects to operate the database, the division.

138.14(1)(g)

(g) “Financial establishment” means any organization that is authorized to do business under state or federal law and that holds a demand deposit, savings deposit, or other asset account belonging to an individual.

138.14(1)(i)

(i) “Licensee” means a person holding a license issued by the division under sub. (5).

138.14(1)(k)1.

1. A transaction between an individual with an account at a financial establishment and another person, including a person who is not physically located in this state, in which the person agrees to accept from the individual one or more checks, to hold the check or checks for a period of time before negotiating or presenting the check or checks for payment, and to loan to the individual, for a term of 90 days or less, before negotiating or presenting the check or checks for payment, an amount that is agreed to by the individual.

138.14(1)(k)2.

2. A transaction between an individual with an account at a financial establishment and another person, including a person who is not physically located in this state, in which the person agrees to accept the individual’s authorization to initiate one or more electronic fund transfers from the account, to wait a period of time before initiating the electronic fund transfer or transfers, and to loan to the individual, for a term of 90 days or less, before initiating the electronic fund transfer or transfers, an amount that is agreed to by the individual.

138.14(2)

(2) License required. A person may not originate or service a payday loan involving a Wisconsin resident without first having obtained from the division a license under sub. (5) for each place of business at which the person originates or services payday loans involving Wisconsin residents. Such a license is required for, and this section applies to, all payday loans made to a Wisconsin resident, regardless of whether the loan is made by face-to-face contact, mail, telephone, Internet, or any other means.

138.14(3)

(3) Exemptions. This section does not apply to banks, savings banks, savings and loan associations, trust companies, credit unions, or any of their affiliates.

138.14(4)(a)1.

1. Application for licenses under sub. (5) shall be made to the division in writing in the form and manner prescribed by the division and shall include all of the following:

138.14(4)(a)1.a.

a. Except as provided in subd. 3., if the applicant is an individual, the applicant’s social security number.

138.14(10)(b)

(b) Fees.

138.14(10)(b)1.

1. A licensee may not assess a customer any fee or charge for database access or usage.

138.14(11)

(11) Prepayment.

138.14(11)(a)

(a) A customer may pay a payday loan in whole or in part prior to the maturity date of the loan.

138.14(4)(a)1.c.

c. A statement signed by or on behalf of the applicant that acknowledges that the applicant is subject to the debt collection requirements under ch. 427 with respect to payday loans.

138.14(4)(a)2.

2. The division may not disclose any information received under subd. 1. a. or b. to any person except as follows:

138.14(4)(a)2.a.

a. The division may disclose information under subd. 1. a. or b. to the department of revenue for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under § 73.0301.

138.14(4)(a)2.b.

b. The division may disclose information under subd. 1. a. to the department of workforce development in accordance with a memorandum of understanding under § 49.857.

138.14(4)(a)3.

3. If an applicant who is an individual does not have a social security number, the applicant, as a condition of applying for a license, shall submit a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation to the division that the applicant does not have a social security number. The form of the statement shall be prescribed by the department of workforce development. Any license issued in reliance upon a false statement submitted by an applicant is invalid.

138.14(4)(b)

(b) At the time of making application, an applicant for a license shall pay to the division a nonrefundable $300 fee for investigating the application and a $500 annual license fee. If the cost of the investigation exceeds $300, the applicant shall upon demand of the division pay to the division the amount by which the cost of the investigation exceeds the nonrefundable fee.

138.14(4)(c)

(c) The division shall require any applicant or licensee to file and maintain in force a bond in a sum not to exceed $5,000 for each place of business at which the applicant or licensee makes payday loans to a Wisconsin resident. The bond shall be in a form prescribed by and acceptable to the division.

138.14(5)

(5) Licenses.

138.14(5)(a)

(a) Upon the filing of an application under sub. (4) and the payment of the required fees, the division shall investigate the relevant facts. Except as provided in para. (b), if the division finds that the character and general fitness and the financial responsibility of the applicant, and the members thereof if the applicant is a partnership, limited liability company, or association, and the officers and directors thereof if the applicant is a corporation, warrant the belief that the business will be operated in compliance with this section, the division shall issue a license to the applicant. If the division does not make such finding, the division shall deny the application.

138.14(5)(b)

(b) The division may not issue a license to an applicant if any of the following applies:

138.14(5)(b)1.

1. The applicant fails to provide any information required under sub. (a).

138.14(5)(b)2.

2. The department of revenue certifies under § 73.0301 that the applicant is liable for delinquent taxes.

138.14(5)(b)3.

3. The applicant fails to comply, after appropriate notice, with a subpoena or warrant issued by the department of workforce development or a county child support agency under § 59.53 (5) and related to paternity or child support proceedings.

138.14(5)(b)4.

4. The applicant is delinquent in making court-ordered payments of child or family support, maintenance, birth expenses, medical expenses, or other expenses related to the support of a child or former spouse, as provided in a memorandum of understanding entered into under § 49.857.

138.14(5)(c)

(c) A license shall remain in force and effect until suspended or revoked in accordance with this section or surrendered by the licensee, and a licensee shall, on or before each December 10, pay to the division the annual license fee for the next succeeding calendar year.

138.14(5)(d)

(d) A license is not assignable and permits operation under it only at or from the place of business specified in the license.

138.14(5)(e)

(e) A licensee shall conspicuously post a license at the place of business where the licensee makes payday loans, or if conducting business through the Internet, on the licensee’s Web site so that the license is easily viewed by a consumer.

138.14(6)

(6) Relocation; other business.

138.14(6)(a)

(a) Whenever a licensee changes the address of its place of business to another location within the same city, village, or town, the licensee shall give written notice thereof, in a form and manner prescribed by the division, to the division within 10 business days of the relocation and the division shall replace the original license with an amended license showing the new address. No change in the place of business of a licensee to a different city, village, or town is permitted under the same license.

138.14(6)(b)

(b)

138.14(6)(b)1.

1. Except as provided in subd. 2., a licensee may conduct, and permit others to conduct, at the place of business specified in its license, one or more of the following businesses not subject to this section:

138.14(6)(b)1.a.

a. A currency exchange under § 218.05.

138.14(7)

(7) Records; reports.

138.14(7)(e)1.

1. The number of payday loans made by all licensees during the preceding year.

138.14(7)(e)2.

2. The average principal amount for all payday loans made during the preceding year.

138.14(6)(b)1.b.

b. A seller of checks business under ch. 217.

138.14(6)(b)1.c.

c. A loan business under § 138.09.

138.14(6)(b)1.d.

d. A sales finance company under §§ 218.0101 to 218.0163.

138.14(6)(b)2.

2. A licensee may not sell merchandise or conduct other business at the place of business specified in the license unless written authorization is granted to the licensee by the division.

138.14(7)(a)

(a) Except as provided in para. (b), a licensee shall keep such books and records in the licensee’s place of business that, in the opinion of the division, will enable the division to determine compliance with this section. A licensee shall preserve the records of final entry used in such business for a period of at least 2 years after the making of any loan recorded therein.

138.14(7)(b)

(b) A licensee may keep the books and records specified in para. (a) at a single location inside or outside of this state if the books and records are kept at a place of business licensed under this section. A licensee shall organize the books and records by the place of business where the records originated.

138.14(7)(c)

(c) A licensee shall keep the books and records affecting loans made pursuant to this section separate and distinct from the records of any other business of the licensee.

138.14(7)(d)

(d) A licensee shall make an annual report to the division for each calendar year on or before March 15 of the following year. The report shall include business transacted by the licensee under this section and shall give all reasonable and relevant information that the division may require, including the information required for the division’s reports under para. (e). The reports shall be made in the form and manner prescribed by the division.

138.14(7)(e)

(e) The division shall submit an annual report to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature in the manner provided under § 13.172 (3) that includes all of the following:

138.14(7)(e)3.

3. The average interest, fees, and other charges for all payday loans made during the preceding year.

138.14(12)(d)

(d) No licensee may take a note, promise to pay, or any other instrument, in which blanks are left to be filled in after the payday loan has been made.

138.14(13)

(13) Other provisions.

138.14(14)

(14) Database.

138.14(14)(b)1.

1. Ensure that the 3rd-party provider operates the database according to the provisions of this section.

138.14(7)(e)4.

4. Based on subd. 3., the average annual percentage rate for all payday loans made during the preceding year.

138.14(7)(e)5.

5. The number of payday loans made during the preceding year that were paid in full on the maturity date.

138.14(7)(e)6.

6. The number of payday loans made during the preceding year that resulted in repayment under sub. (11g) (a).

138.14(7)(e)7.

7. The number of payday loans made during the preceding year that were repaid with the proceeds of a subsequent payday loan.

138.14(7)(e)8.

8. The number of payday loans made during the preceding year that resulted in default.

138.14(7)(e)9.

9. The number of payday loans made during the preceding year for which a customer’s payment method was dishonored or denied due to insufficient funds.

138.14(8)

(8) Powers of the division.

138.14(8)(a)

(a) The division may issue any general or special order in execution of or supplementary to this section.

138.14(8)(b)

(b) The division may promulgate such rules as it considers necessary for the administration of this section, including rules establishing database transaction fees under sub. (h) and other fees considered reasonable and necessary by the division.

138.14(8)(c)

(c) The division shall have the same power to conduct hearings, take testimony, and secure evidence as is provided in §§ 217.17 and 217.18.

138.14(8)(d)

(d) The division for the purpose of discovering violations of this section may investigate the business of a licensee transacted under this section, and shall investigate convictions reported to the division by any district attorney for violation by a licensee of this section. The place of business, books of account, papers, records, safes, and vaults of a licensee shall be open to inspection and examination by the division for the purpose of such investigation and the division may examine under oath all persons whose testimony the division may require relative to such investigation.

138.14(8)(e)

(e) The cost of any investigation, examination, or hearing, including witness fees or any other expenses, conducted by the division under this section involving a licensee shall be paid by the licensee within 30 days after demand therefor by the division, and the state may maintain an action for the recovery of such costs and expenses.

138.14(8)(f)

(f) Actual costs incurred by the division to examine books and records maintained outside of this state shall be paid by the licensee.

138.14(9)

(9) Revocation and suspension of licenses.

138.14(9)(a)

(a) The division may suspend or revoke any license issued under this section if the division finds any of the following:

138.14(9)(a)1.

1. That the licensee has violated any provision of this section, any rule promulgated thereunder, or any lawful order of the division made thereunder.

138.14(9)(a)2.

2. That the licensee has violated any of the provisions of chs. 421 to 427.

138.14(9)(a)3.

3. That any fact or condition exists which, if it had existed at the time of the original application for such license, would have warranted the division in refusing to issue such license.

138.14(9)(a)4.

4. That the licensee made a material misstatement in an application for a license or in information furnished to the division.

138.14(9)(a)5.

5. That the licensee has failed to pay the annual license fee or to maintain in effect the bond required under sub. (c).

138.14(9)(b)

(b) The division shall restrict or suspend a license issued under this section if the division finds that the licensee is an individual who fails to comply, after appropriate notice, with a subpoena or warrant issued by the department of workforce development or a county child support agency under § 59.53 (5) and related to paternity or child support proceedings or who is delinquent in making court-ordered payments of child or family support, maintenance, birth expenses, medical expenses, or other expenses related to the support of a child or former spouse, as provided in a memorandum of understanding entered into under § 49.857. A licensee whose license is restricted or suspended under this paragraph is entitled to a notice and hearing only as provided in a memorandum of understanding entered into under § 49.857 and is not entitled to any other notice or hearing under this section.

138.14(9)(c)

(c) The division shall revoke a license issued under this section if the department of revenue certifies under § 73.0301 that the licensee is liable for delinquent taxes. A licensee whose license is revoked under this paragraph for delinquent taxes is entitled to a notice under s. 73.0301 (2) (b) 1. b. and a hearing under § 73.0301 (5)(a) but is not entitled to any other notice or hearing under this section.

138.14(9)(d)

(d) Except as provided in pars. (b) and (c), no license shall be revoked or suspended except after a hearing under this section. A complaint stating the grounds for suspension or revocation together with a notice of hearing shall be delivered to the licensee at least 5 days in advance of the hearing. In the event the licensee cannot be found, complaint and notice of hearing may be left at the place of business stated in the license,which shall be considered the equivalent of delivering the notice of hearing and complaint to the licensee.

138.14(9g)

(9g) Disclosure requirements.

138.14(9g)(a)

(a) Before any licensee enters into a payday loan with an applicant, the licensee shall do all of the following:

138.14(9g)(a)1.

1. Disclose to the applicant the total amount of all fees and costs, in dollars, to be paid by the applicant for the loan assuming that the loan is paid in full at the end of the loan term.

138.14(9g)(a)2.

2. Disclose to the applicant the annual percentage rate to be paid by the applicant on the loan assuming that the loan is paid in full at the end of the loan term.

138.14(9g)(a)3.

3. Provide to the applicant a copy of the written informational materials specified in sub. (9r).

138.14(9g)(a)4.

4. Disclose to the applicant that he or she has the right to rescind the loan transaction as provided in sub. (11r).

138.14(9g)(a)5.

5. Disclose to the applicant the service charge that may apply under sub. (10) (b) 2.

138.14(9g)(a)6.

6. Disclose to the applicant the payment requirements that may apply under sub. (11g) (a) if the loan is not paid in full at the end of the loan term.

138.14(9g)(b)

(b) A licensee shall retain, for at least 3 years after the origination date of any payday loan, a record of compliance with par. (a) with respect to the loan.

138.14(9m)

(9m) Income verification. Before entering into a payday loan with an applicant that has not previously been a customer of the licensee, the licensee may request the applicant’s consumer report from a consumer reporting agency as part of the licensee’s underwriting process and the licensee may rely on the consumer report as a permissible method of income verification in making the payday loan. The licensee may also rely on the same consumer report in underwriting and making subsequent payday loans to the same customer.

138.14(9r)

(9r) Informational materials.

138.14(9r)(a)

(a) The division shall develop written informational materials on payday loans and the payday loan industries. These informational materials shall be designed to educate individuals regarding the operation and potential costs of payday loans and of other options for borrowing funds that may be available.

138.14(9r)(b)

(b) The informational materials under par. (a) shall include a clear and conspicuous notice that a payday loan is not intended to meet long-term financial needs and that a payday loan applicant should use a payday loan only to provide funds in a financial emergency.

138.14(9r)(c)1.

1. The average annual percentage rate for payday loans.

138.14(9r)(c)2.

2. The percentage of customers originating payday loans who defaulted on the loan.

138.14(9r)(c)3.

3. The percentage of customers originating payday loans whose payment method was dishonored or denied for insufficient funds.

138.14(10)

(10) Interest, penalties, and fees.

138.14(9r)(c)

(c) The informational materials under par. (a) shall include all of the following information, based upon aggregated information from reports submitted under sub. (d) for the most recent reporting period:

138.14(9r)(c)4.

4. The percentage of customers originating payday loans that resulted in repayment under sub. (11g) (a).

138.14(9r)(d)

(d) The informational materials under par. (a) shall include a summary of all actions that the licensee may take against a payday loan customer if the customer defaults on the payday loan or if the customer’s check or electronic fund transfer is dishonored or denied for insufficient funds.

138.14(9r)(e)

(e) The division shall annually update the informational materials under par. (a), based upon the division’s analysis of reports received under sub. (d).

138.14(9r)(f)

(f) The division shall make copies of the informational materials under par. (a) available, upon request, to licensees and to the public, including making these informational materials available on the Internet site of the department of financial institutions. The division may charge licensees a reasonable fee for printed copies of informational materials supplied under this paragraph.

138.14(10)(a)1.

1. Except as provided in sub. (b), this section imposes no limit on the interest that a licensee may charge before the maturity date of a payday loan.

138.14(10)(a)2.

2. If a payday loan is not paid in full on or before the maturity date, a licensee may charge, after the maturity date, interest at a rate not exceeding 2.75 percent per month, except that if a licensee makes a subsequent payday loan to the customer under sub. (a), and the customer does not pay the subsequent loan in full on or before the maturity date of the subsequent loan, the licensee may charge, after the maturity date of the subsequent loan, interest at a rate not exceeding 2.75 percent per month on the subsequent loan and the licensee may not charge any interest under this subdivision on the prior loan. Interest earned under this subdivision shall be calculated at the rate of one-thirtieth of the monthly rate charged for each calendar day that the balance of the loan is outstanding. Interest may not be assessed on any interest earned under this subdivision.

138.14(14)(c)

(c) The database shall do all of the following:

138.14(14)(c)2.

2. Allow a licensee accessing the database to determine if making a new payday loan would cause a violation of this section.

138.14(14)(c)4.

4. Provide any other information that the division determines is necessary and requires by rule or contract with the database provider.

138.14(14)(d)

(d) The database provider shall do all the following:

138.14(10)(am)

(am) Penalties. Except as provided in par. (b) 2., no licensee may impose any penalty on a customer arising from the customer’s prepayment of or default or late payment on a payday loan, including any payment under sub. (11g) (a).

138.14(10)(b)2.

2. A licensee may present a customer’s check for payment no more than once. For each customer authorization to initiate an electronic fund transfer from the customer’s account, a licensee may initiate an electronic fund transfer no more than once. The only charge that a licensee may impose for dishonor of a customer’s check or denial of the licensee’s instruction to execute an electronic fund transfer is a service charge that does not exceed $15.

138.14(11)(b)

(b) Upon prepayment in full, a refund of the unearned portion of any interest assessed by the licensee must be allowed. The amount of such refund shall not be less than the difference between the interest charged and the interest earned at the agreed rate computed upon the unpaid principal balance of the loan from time to time outstanding prior to repayment in full.

138.14(11g)(a)

(a) Except as provided in par. (b), if a customer fails to repay a payday loan in full at the end of the loan term, the licensee that made the loan shall offer the customer the opportunity to repay the outstanding balance of the loan in 4 equal installments with due dates coinciding with the customer’s pay period schedule.

138.14(11g)(b)

(b) If a licensee offers a customer the opportunity to make repayment under par. (a), then, during the 12-month period following the offer, no licensee, including the licensee making the offer, is required to offer the customer another opportunity to repay a payday loan under par. (a).

138.14(11r)

(11r) Rescission. A customer may rescind a payday loan, before the close of business on the next day of business after the loan is made, or, if the place of business where the loan is made is open 24 hours, before 5 p.m. on the next day of business after the loan is made, by returning to the licensee the proceeds of the payday loan. The licensee may not charge the customer any fee for rescinding the payday loan as provided in this subsection.

138.14(12)(a)

(a) A customer may repay a payday loan with the proceeds of a subsequent payday loan made by the same or another licensee or an affiliate of the same or another licensee, but if the customer does so, the customer may not repay the subsequent payday loan with the proceeds of another payday loan made by the same or another licensee or an affiliate of the same or another licensee. A repayment of a subsequent payday loan and the origination of a new payday loan from the same or another licensee or an affiliate of the same or another licensee within a 24-hour period shall be considered proof of violation of the prohibition under this paragraph.

138.14(12)(b)

(b) No licensee may make a payday loan to a customer that results in the customer having an outstanding aggregate liability in principal, interest, and all other fees and charges, to all licensees who have made payday loans to the customer of more than $1,500 or 35 percent of the customer’s gross monthly income, whichever is less. As provided in sub. (9m), a licensee may rely on a consumer report to verify a customer’s income for purposes of this paragraph.

138.14(14)(f)

(f) The division may, without cost, access the database for the purposes of enforcing this section.

138.14(12)(c)

(c) No licensee may make a payday loan to a customer if the licensee determines, knows, or should have known, that the customer identification number of the customer is invalid.

138.14(12)(e)

(e) No licensee may advertise, print, display, publish, distribute, or broadcast, or cause to be printed, displayed, published, distributed, or broadcast, in any manner, any statement with regard to the rates, terms, or conditions of a payday loan that is false or calculated to deceive. With respect to matters specifically governed by § 423.301, compliance with such section satisfies the requirements of this paragraph.

138.14(12)(f)

(f) If a check held by a licensee as a result of a payday loan is dishonored, or an instruction to execute an electronic funds transfer authorized as the result of a payday loan is denied, the licensee may bring an action to collect the amount of the check or electronic funds transfer, but may not threaten or pursue criminal action against a debtor as a result of the debtor’s dishonored check or denied electronic funds transfer or the debtor’s payday loan not being paid.

138.14(13)(a)

(a) All payday loans shall be governed by chs. 421 to 426, but to the extent that chs. 421 to 426 are inconsistent with this section, this section shall govern. All payday loans shall be governed by ch. 427.

138.14(13)(b)

(b) A licensee shall deliver to the customer, at the time a payday loan is made, a statement in the English and Spanish languages including all the disclosures required by the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act. The statement shall disclose that the customer may prepay the customer’s loan in whole or in part and that if the loan is prepaid in full the customer will receive a refund of interest as provided by this section. The statement shall also clearly and conspicuously indicate the percentage per year of interest charged for th