Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 32. FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

CHAPTER 9. RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE BROKERS, LENDERS, SERVICERS, AND LOAN ORIGINATORS

Part 1. Montana Mortgage Act

Use Of Name -- Advertising

32-9-149. Use of name -- advertising. (1) A licensee engaged in a business regulated by this part may not operate under a name other than the name licensed by the department.

(2) A licensee may not:

(a) advertise that an applicant has unqualified access to credit without disclosing that material limitations on the availability of credit may exist, such as the percentage required as a down payment, that a higher interest rate or points could be required, or that restrictions as to the maximum principal amount of the mortgage loan offered could apply;

(b) advertise a mortgage loan with a prevailing interest rate indicated in the advertisement unless the advertisement specifically states that the interest rate could change or not be available at the time of commitment or closing;

(c) advertise mortgage loans, including interest rates, margins, discounts, points, fees, commissions, or other material information, including material limitations on the mortgage loans, unless the licensee is able to make or broker the offered mortgage loans to a reasonable number of qualified applicants;

(d) engage in false, deceptive, or misleading advertising; or

(e) falsely advertise or misuse names in violation of 18 U.S.C. 709.

(3) The department may adopt rules to define false, deceptive, or misleading advertising.

(4) In any printed, published, e-mail, or internet advertisement for the provision of services, the following information must be included:

(a) a name and unique identifier for a mortgage loan originator advertising as an individual; or

(b) the name and unique identifier only of the licensed entity when the licensed entity is advertising on its own behalf or as an entity with one or more mortgage loan originators listed.

(5) The department may adopt rules to establish requirements for licensee advertising using the internet or any electronic format.

History: En. Sec. 13, Ch. 125, L. 2013; amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 65, L. 2019.