Missouri Governor Signs Loan Originator Registration Bill

On July 8, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signed the “Missouri Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing and Residential Mortgage Brokers Licensing Act” (the Act) (HB 382). Among other things, the Act sets forth a scheme for registering residential mortgage loan originators and substantially amends the regulations applicable to residential mortgage brokers. Under the Act, loan originators must register with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) and must satisfy new pre-licensing and continuing education requirements. For residential mortgage brokers, the Act requires licensure via the NMLS. In addition, the Act limits the number of exemptions available to licensure and modifies the method for calculating requisite surety bonds. Finally, the Act increases the amount of civil penalties from $5,000 to $25,000 per violation. The Act became effective July 8, however, the Act’s loan originator licensing provisions do not take effect until July 31, 2010.