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HomeFinancial CodeDiv. 20Ch. 4§ 50201 Mortgage Lender Net Worth

§ 50201 Mortgage Lender Net Worth

Financial Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 50201 Mortgage Lender Net Worth

Key Takeaways

  • •If you want to give out or fix home loans, you must always have at least $250,000 in real money (not just stuff you own).
  • •The boss in charge can make some lenders keep even more money if they do riskier loans, but never more than what the federal government asks for.
  • •You have to calculate your real money using normal money rules that accountants use.
  • •The boss can make new rules about how much money you need to have.

Example

A small company wants to start helping people get home loans.

Before they can start, they must show they have at least $250,000 in real money (like cash or things they can quickly turn into cash). If they don’t, they can’t get the license to work.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 50201 Mortgage Lender Net Worth

(a) A licensee issued a license for purposes of making or servicing residential mortgage loans, including a licensee employing one or more mortgage loan originators, shall continuously maintain a minimum tangible net worth at all times of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000). The commissioner, in his or her discretion, may require a lender who engages in the activities described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (m) of Section 50003 to continuously maintain a minimum tangible net worth of an amount that is greater than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000), but that does not exceed the net worth required of an approved lender under the Federal Housing Administration. (b) Tangible net worth shall be computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. (c) The commissioner may promulgate rules or regulations with respect to the requirements for minimum net worth, as are necessary to accomplish the purposes of this division and comply with the SAFE Act. (Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 797, Sec. 2. (SB 657) Effective January 1, 2017.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

commissionmortgagenetregulationlicensefederal housing administrationdiscretionaccordance

Related Statutes

  • § 50209 Mortgage Originator Id Display
  • § 22104 Finance Lender Net Worth
  • § 12300.4 Agent Fund Handling Requirements
  • § 22755 Mortgage Originator Fraud Prohibitions
  • § 30704 Commissioner Actions Review Process

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Financial Code. Section 50201.
View Official Source