Escrow services: authorization to transact business.

Existing law authorizes an underwritten title company to engage in the escrow business and to act as an escrow agent if the company satisfies specified requirements, including maintenance of specified records, and the deposit of a specified sum of money with the commissioner. Existing law specifies the conditions under which the commissioner may release or return those deposits to the company. This bill would expand the requirements for a company to be authorized to conduct escrow services, to engage in the escrow business, and to act as an escrow agent. The bill would authorize a company that is a stock corporation to conduct escrow services through a business location, as defined, if the company receives approval of its name from the commissioner, maintains a minimum net worth, obtains a license to transact its business from the commissioner, and furnishes audits to the commissioner, as specified. The bill would require a company, on and after July 1, 2016, as a condition of engaging in the escrow business or acting as an escrow agent, to maintain a bond or deposit in a specified amount. The bill would authorize a company to, with the approval of the commissioner, obtain an irrevocable letter of credit in lieu of that bond. The bill would specify conditions for the issuance of that bond or letters of credit or use of that cash deposit. The bill would require the commissioner to promptly release all escrow-related deposits made with the commissioner before July 1, 2016, under specified conditions, including the deposit of the bond, letter of credit, or cash deposit described above.