2014-12-01
The Idaho Department of Finance issued an order defining Automated Clearing House, debit card, and credit card receivables as permissible investments for money transmitter licensees. This classification addresses modern business models where customer funds are collected electronically directly from customers rather than through authorized delegates. The order imposes strict limits, capping these receivables at 50% of total permissible investments and excluding any items outstanding for more than five business days.
BEFORE THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO In re: Permissible Investments Pursuant to The Idaho Money Transmitters Act ) ) ) ) ) Docket No. 2014-12-1 ORDER
I. BACKGROUND
1. The Department of Finance is charged with the administration and
enforcement of Chapter 29, Title 26, Idaho Code commonly known as the Idaho Money
Transmitters Act.
2. Pursuant to the Idaho Money Transmitters Act, licensees under the act
are required to hold "permissible investments" in an aggregate value not less than the outstanding
money transmitter obligations owed by the money transmitter in the United States.
3. Idaho Code§ 26-2902(14) defines categories of permissible investments
which can be counted for the purpose of compliance with the Idaho Money Transmitters Act.
One such definition includes "receivables which are due to a licensee from its authorized
representatives .... which are not past due or doubtful of collection, or any other investments
approved by the Director" of the Department of Finance.
II. CONSIDERATION AS TO RECIEV ABLES
4. For the purposes of this Order, "Automated Clearing House (ACH)
Receivables" are amounts due from a customer's depositmy account or ACH credits initiated by
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the customer through ACH, which are used to fund, purchase or pay for money transmission
products and services.
5. For the purposes of this Order, "Debit Card Receivables" and "Credit
Card Receivables" are amounts due from issuers of debit cards and credit cards, respectively,
which are used to fund, purchase or pay for money transmission products and services.
6. The evolving nature of money transmitter business models causes some
money transmitters licensed under the Idaho Money Transmitters Act to operate through various
electronic means and without the benefit of authorized delegates as defined under the Idaho
Money Transmitters Act. In this regard, customer funds do not flow through authorized
delegates. Rather, some customers fund their instructions to transmit money through electronic
means as a direct payment through the licensed money transmitter via A CH, as well as debit
and/or credit card transactions.
III. ORDER
WHEREAS, Pursuant to Idaho Code § 26-2902(14)(h), The Director has
the authority to approve other types of investments as permissible investments,
NOW THEREFORE, the Director of the Department of Finance hereby
ORDERS:
That ACH Receivables, Debit Card Receivables, and Credit Card Receivables (collectively
referred to as "Receivables") are permissible investments subject to the following conditions:
1. The aggregate value of the Receivables that qualify as permissible pursuant to this
Order cannot exceed 50% of the aggregate value of all permissible investments owned by
a Licensee;
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2. The value of receivables that qualify as permissible pursuant to this Order that are due
from any one person and affiliates of that person cannot exceed 10% of the aggregate
value of all permissible receivables owned by the Licensee;
3. The value of Receivables that have been outstanding for more than 5 business days are
excluded from the aggregate value of permissible receivables owned by the Licensee;
4. ACH Receivables must be due from U.S. national or state chartered depository
institutions, and;
5. Debit Card Receivables and Credit Card Receivables must be due from debit and
credit cards issued by U.S. national or state chartered depository institutions.
IT IS SO ORDERE a(M T. is _-_r day o y 2014.
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