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Minnesota Money Transmitter License Application: Required Enclosures

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When a business entity applies for a Minnesota money transmitter license, the applicant must be aware that, in addition to answering the questions on the application, the Department of Commerce (“Department”) requires a large number of additional documents that must accompany the original license application. While the precise nature of the required documentation varies depending on whether the applicant is a corporate entity or noncorporate entity and how many locations the applicant intends to operate, the following documents usually must be submitted with the original license application.

1. Sample of the authorized delegate contract(s), if applicable;
2. Sample of the form of payment instrument(s);
3. If the applicant is a corporation, copy of the “Certificate of Incorporation” or, if incorporated in another jurisdiction, copy of the “Certificate of Foreign Incorporation” from the Minnesota Secretary of State. If, however, the applicant is not a corporation, then a copy of the “Article of Organization”;
4. Certificate of good standing from the state in which the applicant is incorporated (if applicable);
5. Copy of criminal history verification for each person listed in Section III or IV of the application;
6. Required financial statements;
7. Surety bond, irrevocable letter of credit, or other similar security device for the required amount (the form is included in the application);
8. Uniform Consent to Service of Process and acknowledgment form;
9. If the applicant has employees in Minnesota, then evidence of current worker’s compensation coverage;
10. Authorization to Release Information form;
11. Affidavit of Official Signing Application form; and
12. Check of money order for the applicable fee amount payable to the “Department of Commerce”.

Sherayzen Law Office can help you correctly collect all of this information, review your money transmitter license application, and file the application with the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Please, call NOW to discuss your license application with a business attorney!

Minnesota Money Transmitter License Application: Expiration of Initial License Considerations

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Applying for a money transmitter license in Minnesota can be an expensive enterprise, and the applicant should make sure that he will be able to maximize the benefits that can be derived from the license. The definition of the licensed period, therefore, becomes one of the most important considerations.

The Department of Commerce (“Department”) states that the licenses issued under Chapter 53B (the statute which grants the Department authority to issue money transmitter licenses) expire annually on December 31. In order to conduct money transmissions after December 31, the applicant will have to timely submit the application for the license renewal. Hence, it does not matter whether the license is issued on January 1 or October 30 of the same year – the license will still expire on December 31 and, in the latter case, the applicant will need to file the license renewal application almost immediately after the initial license application is granted.

Therefore, if the applicant applies for a money transmitter license in the last quarter of a calendar year, it may be beneficial for him to insist that the license should be issued as of the first of January of the following calendar year. Obviously, in this situation, the applicant may not conduct any transmissions prior to January 1 of the following calendar year. Hence, a cost-benefit analysis must be conducted in order to determine whether it is more profitable for the applicant to obtain the license now or to postpone it until January 1 of the following year.

Sherayzen Law Office can help you file your money transmitter license application with the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Please, call NOW to discuss your license application with a business attorney!

Net Worth Requirement for Money Transmitter License in Minnesota

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An applicant for a money transmitter license in Minnesota must comply with Minn. Stat. §53B.05 net worth requirements. Under Minnesota law, each licensee engaging in money transmission in three or fewer locations in the state, either directly or through authorized delegates, must have a net worth of at least $25,000. However, if a licensee engages in money transmission at more than three locations in the state, but fewer than seven locations (either directly or through authorized delegates), he must have a net worth of at least $50,000. If there are more than six locations in the state, the licensee should have a net worth of $100,000 and an additional net worth of $50,000 for each location or authorized delegate located in the state in excess of seven, to a maximum of $500,000. The net worth is calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

The required net worth must be maintained throughout the licensed period. Failure to meet the statutory net worth requirement may lead to license revocation and denial of the license renewal application. Minn. Stat. §53B.19 (2).

The burden of proof is on the initial licensee. This means that when the applicant files its money transmitter license application for the very first time, he must prove by preponderance of evidence that he satisfies the net worth requirements and any other issues raised by the Minnesota Department of Commerce (“Department”). When an application for license renewal is filed, however, the issue of who bears the burden of proof is not yet settled by courts. There is a very good argument that the Department bears the burden of proof once the initial burden of production is satisfied by the applicant. Sherayzen Law Office can help you make this argument once the need arises.

It is very important to hire a Minnesota attorney to review your license application. The regulatory compliance costs are very high and making sure that your application satisfies the statutory requirements prior to its filing may be crucial to containing legal expenses and even ultimate ability to obtain (for the first time) or renew the license.

If, however, you submit your license application without professional review of a Minnesota attorney and the Department raises issues with respect to the application, it is indispensable to retain a Minnesota business lawyer as soon as possible. Timely professional intervention may lead to quick resolution of the issues and led to significant savings in accounting and legal expenses.

Sherayzen Law Office can help you file a new license application as well as a renewal application. If your application has been rejected and you appeal the case with the Office of Administrative Hearings, Sherayzen Law Office will provide you with a vigorous yet cost-effective legal representation. Call our office at (952) 500-8159!