Montana Code Annotated 2007

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     32-10-401. Prohibited practices. It is unlawful for any person to:
     (1) provide or offer to provide any service requiring a license unless the person has been issued the appropriate license or is exempt from licensure;
     (2) disburse the mortgage loan proceeds to a closing agent in any form other than, as applicable:
     (a) direct deposit to a borrower's account:
     (b) wire;
     (c) bank or certified check;
     (d) attorney's check drawn on a trust account; or
     (e) other form as specifically authorized by applicable law;
     (3) disburse the proceeds of a mortgage loan without sufficient collected funds on hand at the time of the disbursement in the account upon which the funds are drawn;
     (4) fail to disburse funds in accordance with a loan commitment to make a mortgage loan that was accepted by the borrower;
     (5) accept any fees at closing that were not disclosed as required by law;
     (6) retain third-party fees at closing in excess of the actual cost of third-party services;
     (7) require the borrower to be represented by a third-party service provider except under the terms permitted by applicable federal law;
     (8) fail to take the actions required to effect a release of the lender's security interest in the property as described in 71-1-212;
     (9) obtain any agreement or instrument in which blanks are left to be filled in after execution;
     (10) obtain any exclusive dealing or exclusive agency agreement from any borrower;
     (11) delay closing of any mortgage loan for the purpose of increasing interest, costs, fees, or charges payable by the borrower;
     (12) engage in unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent mortgage loan practices;
     (13) make payment of any kind, whether directly or indirectly, to any appraiser for the purpose of influencing the independent judgment of the appraiser with respect to the value of any residential real property that is to be mortgaged;
     (14) make any misrepresentations or false promises likely to influence or persuade or pursue a course of misrepresentation and false promises through officers, directors, partners, trustees, independent contractors, employees, agents, advertising, or otherwise;
     (15) misrepresent, circumvent, or conceal, through any subterfuge or device, any of the material facts or terms of a mortgage loan;
     (16) act as a mortgage lender in this state without a license issued by the department;
     (17) advertise that a mortgage applicant will have unqualified access to credit without disclosing what material limitations on the availability of credit exist, such as the percentage of down payment required, that a higher rate or points could be required, or that restrictions as to the maximum principal amount of the mortgage loan offered could apply;
     (18) advertise a mortgage loan for which a prevailing rate is indicated in the advertisement unless the advertisement specifically states that the expressed rate could change or not be available at commitment or closing;
     (19) advertise mortgage loans, including rates, margins, discounts, points, fees, commissions, or other material information, including material limitations on mortgage loans, unless the person is able to make advertised mortgage loans to a reasonable number of qualified applicants;
     (20) falsely advertise or misuse names in violation of 18 U.S.C. 709; or
     (21) make any untrue statement of a material fact in any document filed with the department or to omit any material fact that is required to be stated in any document.

     History: En. Sec. 16, Ch. 369, L. 2007.

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