(1) For the purpose of this section, the application is not deemed to be filed until the applicant has provided the office with all information required to be included pursuant to s. 662.121.

(2) Upon filing an application for a license to operate as a licensed family trust company, the office shall conduct an investigation to confirm:

(a) That the persons who will serve as directors or officers of the corporation or, if the applicant is a limited liability company, managers or members acting in a managerial capacity, have not:

1. Been convicted of, or entered a plea of nolo contendere to, a crime involving fraud, misrepresentation, or moral turpitude;

2. Been convicted of, or pled nolo contendere to, a violation of the financial institutions codes, including s. 655.50, chapter 896, or similar state or federal law;

3. Been directors, officers, managers, or members of a financial institution licensed or chartered under the financial institutions codes or by the Federal Government or any other state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or a foreign country, whose license or charter was suspended or revoked within the 10 years preceding the date of the application;

4. Had a professional license suspended or revoked within the 10 years preceding the date of the application; or

5. Made a false statement of material fact on the application.

(b) That the name of the proposed company complies with s. 662.123.

(c) That capital accounts of the proposed company conform to s. 662.124 and that fidelity bonds and errors and omissions insurance coverage required under s. 662.126 are issued and effective.

(d) That the articles of incorporation or articles of organization conform to s. 662.123(1).

(e) That the management structure of the proposed company complies with s. 662.125.

(3) If the investigation required under this section confirms that the applicant has met the requirements of ss. 662.1225, 662.123(1), 662.124, 662.125, and 662.126, and that the persons who will serve as directors or officers of the corporation or the managers or members acting in a managerial capacity of the limited liability company, as applicable, satisfy the criteria set forth in subsection (2), the office shall issue a license authorizing the applicant to operate as a licensed family trust company.

(4) If the office determines the criteria in subsection (2) have not been met, the office shall serve notice of its intent to deny the application and of the applicant’s opportunity to request a hearing pursuant to ss. 120.569 and 120.57.

History.—s. 11, ch. 2014-97; s. 5, ch. 2016-35.