| Date: | 01/01/2000 |
|---|---|
| Organization: | Division of Banks |
| Docket Number: | 00-016 |
This opinion was issued in the 1st quarter of 2000.
- This page, Summary of Selected Opinion 00-016, is offered by
- Division of Banks
Opinion
Opinion Summary of Selected Opinion 00-016
Table of Contents
Operating under the dba name of an acquired company
A subsidiary of a national association has entered into an agreement to purchase certain assets of another mortgage company, including its name and certain of its branch offices. The acquired offices would continue to use its own name on its signage and marketing material, but all loan documents would reflect the name of the acquiring mortgage company. The issue is whether the Division would object to the use of a d/b/a for the acquired company.
It has been the consistent position of the Division that it does not regulate the use of d/b/a's in the Commonwealth. If a mortgage company is exempt from a mortgage lender license pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws chapter 255E, section 2 because it is a subsidiary of a federally chartered national bank, an acquired entity, operating as a division of the mortgage company, would also be exempt from licensing after the acquisition is completed. When using a d/b/a, the Division would recommend that steps be taken to insure that consumers will not be confused as to which entity they are dealing with.