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HomeFinancial CodeDiv. 20Ch. 4§ 50204 Mortgage Loan Disbursement Rules

§ 50204 Mortgage Loan Disbursement Rules

Financial Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
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§ 50204 Mortgage Loan Disbursement Rules

Key Takeaways

  • •Mortgage lenders must give loan money in safe ways like direct deposit or checks. They can't just hand out cash.
  • •Lenders can't charge hidden fees at closing. All fees must be shown on the HUD-1 form.
  • •Lenders can't trick borrowers by leaving blank spaces in contracts or lying about loan details.
  • •Lenders can't delay closing just to make borrowers pay more money.

Example

You apply for a home loan, and the lender says you'll get the money in 30 days.

The lender must give you the money on time and can't suddenly add extra fees at the last minute. If they try to delay closing to charge you more interest, that's against the rules.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 50204 Mortgage Loan Disbursement Rules

A licensee may not do any of the following: (a) Disburse the mortgage loan proceeds in a form other than direct deposit to the borrower’s or borrower’s designee’s account, wire, bank or certified check, ACH funds transfer, or attorney’s check drawn on a trust account. An entity may apply to the commissioner for a waiver of the requirements of this subdivision by demonstrating, in a letter application, that it has adopted or will adopt another method of disbursement of loan proceeds that will satisfy the purposes of this subdivision. (b) Fail to disburse funds in accordance with a commitment to make a mortgage loan that is accepted by the applicant. (c) Accept fees at closing that are not disclosed to the borrower on the federal HUD-1 Settlement Statement. (d) Commit an act in violation of Section 2941 of the Civil Code. (e) Obtain or induce an agreement or other instrument in which blanks are left to be filled in after execution. (f) Intentionally delay closing of a mortgage loan for the sole purpose of increasing interest, costs, fees, or charges payable by the borrower. (g) Engage in fraudulent home mortgage underwriting practices. (h) Make payment of any kind, whether directly or indirectly, to an in-house or fee appraiser of a government or private money lending agency, with which an application for a home mortgage has been filed, for the purpose of influencing the independent judgment of the appraiser with respect to the value of real estate that is to be covered by the home mortgage. (i) Engage in any acts in violation of Section 17200 or 17500 of the Business and Professions Code. (j) Knowingly misrepresent, circumvent, or conceal, through subterfuge or device, any material aspect or information regarding a transaction to which it is a party. (k) Do an act, whether of the same or a different character than specified in this section, that constitutes fraud or dishonest dealings. (l) Sell more than eight loans in a calendar year made under the authority of this license to a person who is not an institutional investor. (m) Commit an act in violation of Section 1695.13 of the Civil Code. (n) Make or service a loan that is not a residential mortgage loan under the authority of the license. (o) Commit an act in violation of Section 2948.5 of the Civil Code. Evidence of compliance with Section 2948.5 of the Civil Code may be evidenced by (1) a certification executed by the licensee, at no cost to the borrower, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, or (2) other evidence in the loan file acceptable to the commissioner. (p) Make or broker a loan that is offered by, negotiated by, or applied for through a mortgage loan originator who is not licensed in this state through the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry, unless the mortgage loan originator is exempt from licensure. (Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 160, Sec. 65. (SB 36) Effective October 11, 2009.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

judgmentagreementreal estatecommissionwaivermortgagefraudport

Related Statutes

  • § 22755 Mortgage Originator Fraud Prohibitions
  • § 12404 Commissioner Disciplinary Authority
  • § 30609 Securities Depository Discipline
  • § 50318 Mortgage Licensee Discipline Authority
  • § 17423 Escrow Agent Discipline Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Financial Code. Section 50204.
View Official Source