(a) In lieu of requiring the filing of a surety bond, the Attorney General may, at the Attorney General's discretion, accept from a licensed provider an irrevocable letter of credit. Such irrevocable letters of credit shall be provided by an insured depository institution (as defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(c)) acceptable to the Attorney General, in a form satisfactory to the Attorney General in the principal sum to be determined by the Attorney General, except that the irrevocable letter of credit amount shall not be less than $50,000. In determining the amount of the irrevocable letter of credit required for a licensed provider, the Attorney General shall consider, among other things:
(1) The dollar value of the licensed provider's Delaware business;
(2) The dollar value of all trust accounts; and
(3) Such other and further criteria as the Attorney General may deem necessary and appropriate.
(b) No irrevocable letter of credit shall be accepted unless the following requirements are satisfied:
(1) The aggregate value of the irrevocable letter of credit shall be equal to or greater than the amount determined by subsection (a) of this section;
(2) The irrevocable letter of credit shall run to the State for the benefit of Attorney General, for the credit of the State Consumer Protection Fund created under § 2527 of this title, and for the benefit of all consumers injured by the wrongful act, omission, default, fraud or misrepresentation by a licensed provider in the course of its activity as a licensed provider. Compensation under the irrevocable letter of credit shall be for amounts which represent actual losses and shall not be payable for claims made by business creditors, third-party service providers, agents or persons otherwise in the employ of the licensed provider. The aggregate liability of the insured depository institution issuing the irrevocable letter of credit shall in no event exceed the amount of such irrevocable letter of credit; and
(3) Draws upon such irrevocable letters of credit shall be available by sight drafts thereunder, in amounts determined by the Attorney General, up to the aggregate amount of the irrevocable letter of credit.
(c) The Attorney General may require potential claimants to provide such documentation and affirmations as the Attorney General may determine to be necessary and appropriate. In the event the Attorney General determines that multiple consumers have been injured by a licensed provider, the Attorney General shall cause a notice to be published for the purpose of identifying all relevant claims.
(d) The Attorney General may refuse release of an irrevocable letter of credit, following the surrender of a license, up to 2 years after the effective date of such termination of licensure.
Structure Delaware Code
Chapter 24A. DEBT-MANAGEMENT SERVICES
§ 2403A. Exempt agreements and persons.
§ 2405A. Application for license — Form, fee, and accompanying documents.
§ 2406A. Application for license — Required information.
§ 2407A. Application for license — Obligation to update information.
§ 2408A. Application for license — Public information.
§ 2409A. License — Issuance or denial.
§ 2412A. License in another state.
§ 2414A. Bond required — Substitute.
§ 2415A. Requirement of good faith.
§ 2417A. Prerequisites for providing debt-management services.
§ 2418A. Communication by electronic or other means.
§ 2419A. Form and contents of agreement.
§ 2420A. Cancellation of agreement; waiver.
§ 2423A. Fees and other charges.
§ 2424A. Voluntary contributions.
§ 2426A. Termination of agreements.
§ 2427A. Periodic reports and retention of records.
§ 2428A. Prohibited acts and practices.
§ 2429A. Notice of litigation.
§ 2431A. Liability for the conduct of other persons.
§ 2432A. Powers of Attorney General.
§ 2433A. Administrative remedies.
§ 2434A. Suspension, revocation, or nonrenewal of license.
§ 2436A. Violation of unfair or deceptive practices statute.
§ 2437A. Statute of limitations.
§ 2438A. Uniformity of application and construction.
§ 2439A. Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.