2024-08-23
Added · Updated
EverBright Financing 2023, LLC d/b/a EverBright must pay a $10,000 civil penalty and $400 in back licensing fees to the State of Connecticut for operating as an unlicensed sales finance company since December 14, 2023. The entity is ordered to cease and desist from engaging in sales finance business in Connecticut without a license. This resolution waives EverBright's right to a hearing or judicial review regarding these specific allegations, though it does not prevent future enforcement for violations of this order or new infractions.
IN THE MATTER OF: * * EVERBRIGHT FINANCING 2023, LLC * d/b/a EVERBRIGHT * CONSENT ORDER NMLS # 2544376 * * (“EverBright”) * *
WHEREAS, the Banking Commissioner (“Commissioner”) is charged with the administration of Part II of Chapter 668, Sections 36a-535 to 36a-547, inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statutes, “Finance Companies”; WHEREAS, EverBright is a Delaware limited liability company with its main office at 700 Universe Blvd., Juno Beach, Florida; WHEREAS, EverBright has never been licensed to engage in the business of a sales finance company in Connecticut; WHEREAS, on May 1, 2024, EverBright submitted an application through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (“NMLS”) for a license to engage in the business of a sales finance company in Connecticut, which is currently pending; WHEREAS, the Commissioner, through the Consumer Credit Division of the Department of Banking, conducted an investigation pursuant to Section 36a-17(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes into the activities of EverBright to determine if it had violated, was violating or was about to violate the provisions of the Connecticut General Statutes within the jurisdiction of the Commissioner;
2 - WHEREAS, as a result of such investigation, the Commissioner alleges that since December 14, 2023, EverBright has engaged in the business of a sales finance company in Connecticut without a license, in violation of Section 36a-536 of the Connecticut General Statutes, by acquiring 121 retail installment contracts from its affiliate, EverBright R1, LLC d/b/a EverBright, NMLS # 2361430, which has been licensed to engage in the business of a sales finance company in Connecticut since November 1, 2022; WHEREAS, the Commissioner believes that such allegation would support initiation of enforcement proceedings against EverBright, including, without limitation, proceedings to issue an order to cease and desist against EverBright pursuant to Sections 36a-543(d) and 36a-52(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes and impose a civil penalty of up to One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) per violation upon EverBright pursuant to Sections 36a-543(d) and 36a-50(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes; WHEREAS, initiation of such enforcement proceedings would constitute a “contested case” within the meaning of Section 4-166(2) of the Connecticut General Statutes. Section 4-177(c) of the Connecticut General Statutes and Section 36a-1-55(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies provide that a contested case may be resolved by consent order, unless precluded by law; WHEREAS, the Commissioner and EverBright acknowledge the possible consequences of formal administrative proceedings, and EverBright voluntarily agrees to consent to the entry of the sanctions imposed below without admitting or denying any allegation set forth herein, and solely for the purpose of obviating the need for further formal administrative proceedings concerning the allegation contained herein; WHEREAS, EverBright acknowledges that it has had the opportunity to consult with and be represented by independent counsel in negotiating and reviewing this Consent Order and executes this Consent Order freely; WHEREAS, EverBright acknowledges that this Consent Order is a public record and is a reportable event for purposes of NMLS, as applicable;
3 - WHEREAS, EverBright herein represents to the Commissioner that it has reviewed and updated its internal policies, procedures and controls for ensuring compliance with sales finance company licensure requirements in Connecticut; AND WHEREAS, EverBright, through its execution of this Consent Order, voluntarily agrees to waive its procedural rights, including a right to a notice and an opportunity for a hearing as it pertains to the allegation set forth herein, and voluntarily waives its right to seek judicial review or otherwise challenge or contest the validity of this Consent Order. CONSENT TO ENTRY OF SANCTIONS WHEREAS, EverBright, through its execution of this Consent Order, consents to the Commissioner’s entry of a Consent Order imposing the following sanctions: