(1) It is a violation of this chapter for any person to:
(a) Advertise that an applicant shall have unqualified access to credit without disclosing the material limitations on the availability of such credit. Material limitations include, but are not limited to, the percentage of down payment required, that a higher rate or points could be required, or that restrictions on the maximum principal amount of the loan offered could apply.
(b) Advertise a mortgage loan at an expressed interest rate unless the advertisement specifically states that the expressed rate could change or not be available at commitment or closing.
(c) Advertise mortgage loans, including rates, margins, discounts, points, fees, commissions, or other material information, including material limitations on such loans, unless the person is able to make such mortgage loans available to a reasonable number of qualified applicants.
(d) Falsely advertise or misuse names indicating a federal agency pursuant to 18 U.S.C. s. 709.
(e) Engage in unfair, deceptive, or misleading advertising regarding mortgage loans, brokering services, or lending services.
(2) Each person required to be licensed under this chapter must maintain a record of samples of each of its advertisements, including commercial scripts of each radio or television broadcast, for examination by the office for 2 years after the date of publication or broadcast.
History.—s. 6, ch. 99-213; s. 520, ch. 2003-261; s. 7, ch. 2009-241.
Structure Florida Statutes
Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations
Chapter 494 - Loan Originators and Mortgage Brokers
Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 494.001-494.00296)
494.0011 - Powers and duties of the commission and office.
494.0012 - Investigations; complaints; examinations.
494.00125 - Public records exemptions.
494.0013 - Injunction to restrain violations.
494.0014 - Cease and desist orders; refund orders.
494.0015 - Evidence; examiner’s worksheets, investigative reports, other related documents.
494.0016 - Books, accounts, and records; maintenance; examinations by the office.
494.00165 - Prohibited advertising; record requirements.
494.00172 - Mortgage Guaranty Trust Fund; payment of fees and claims.
494.00173 - Mortgage Guaranty Trust Fund; creation.
494.0019 - Liability in case of unlawful transaction.
494.002 - Statutory or common-law remedies.
494.0022 - Applicability of act.
494.0023 - Conflicting interest.
494.0025 - Prohibited practices.
494.00255 - Administrative penalties and fines; license violations.