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Check Cashers & Sellers (Payday Lenders)

Check Cashers and Sellers doing business in Washington State must be licensed with DFI's Division of Consumer Services.

Call Center Hours
Our call center hours are Monday - Friday 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time). Call us at (877) RING DFI (746-4334). Or email us at dcs@dfi.wa.gov.

Quick Links for Check Cashers & Sellers

What's New

Subscribe To Email Updates

State Bank Regulators Support Bill Restricting Online Payday Lending
The Conference of State Bank Supervisors issued a letter in strong support of the Stopping Abuse and Fraud in Electronic Lending Act of 2013 (the SAFE Lending Act).
- Announcement from CSBS
Winter 2013 Newsletter
The Division of Consumer Services Winter 2013 newsletter is now available.
- Winter 2013 Newsletter
Annual Report And Assessment - Due April 15
The Annual Assessment Report (AAR), Consolidated Annual Report (CAR), and assessment fees must be completed and filed with DFI by close of business Monday, April 15, 2013.

The form is available in two formats:
- Fillable Word or Print Only PDF
Rulemaking Update: Small Loan Agent - Rules Effective March 9
DFI has amended the rules (chapter 208-630 WAC) under the Check Cashers and Sellers Act. Rulemaking was needed to make the rules consistent with the Act and to clarify for the industry which activities of a small loan agent trigger a licensing requirement.
- Rulemaking Documents and Information
2011 Payday Lending Report
The 2011 Payday Lending Report is now available. DFI created this report as an educational tool for policy makers and other interested parties. The statistics presented in this report represent data reported to DFI from all payday lending licensees for calendar year 2011.
- 2011 Payday Lending Report (PDF)*
DFI To Manage Licenses On NMLS Beginning July 30, 2012
Effective July 30, 2012, Washington is introducing NMLS as a new way to maintain your Check Casher or Check Casher with Small Loan Endorsement license. At this time, transitioning to NMLS for existing licensees is optional but has many benefits. NMLS streamlines the application process as well as the maintenance of your company’s license by providing a central location for company information and reducing the items you must mail to DFI.
- Transition Information for Existing Licensees
- Applying for a License via NMLS or DFI

Laws & Rules

Check Cashers and Sellers Laws - (RCW 31.45)
Check Cashers and Sellers Rules - (WAC 208-630)

Newsletters

Resources

Payday Loan Notice (PDF)*
This notice is pursuant to WAC 208-630-560
Washington Small Loan Transaction System (Database)
The Washington Small Loan Database.
English Payday Loan Brochure for Customers
Word Version** or PDF Version*
Spanish Payday Loan Brochure for Customers
Word Version** or PDF Version*
Check Cashers and Sellers Interpretive Letters
Complying With The Red Flags Rule
A "How to Guide for Business" on the rules from the FTC.

Payday Lending Reports

Contact Us

If you have any questions about Check Cashers and Sellers, feel free to contact us by phone at 360-902-8703 or toll free at 1-877 RING DFI (746-4334). You may also email us at dcs@dfi.wa.gov.

* This document is a PDF file, and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it. If you don't already have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, you may download it for free from Adobe.

** This document is a Microsoft Word file, and you will need Microsoft Word to view it.

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