(a) A licensed bill payer, general prorater, or special prorater who does not qualify to make use of agencies in the conduct of its business at all times shall maintain a surety bond in an amount as required by subdivision (a) of Section 12206 and assets of at least ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in excess of its liabilities, of which assets at least five thousand dollars ($5,000) shall be liquid assets. A licensed bill payer, general prorater, or special prorater is qualified to make use of agencies in the conduct of its business if at all times it shall have capital of at least one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) and maintain a surety bond in an amount as required by subdivision (a) of Section 12206 and assets, excluding goodwill and other intangible assets, of at least one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in excess of its liabilities, of which assets at least twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) shall be liquid assets.

(b) A licensed check seller, whether or not qualified to make use of agencies in the conduct of its business, shall at all times have capital of at least five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) and maintain a surety bond in an amount as required by subdivision (b) of Section 12206 and assets, excluding goodwill and other intangible assets, of at least five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in excess of its liabilities, of which assets at least one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) are liquid assets. In the alternative, a licensed check seller may satisfy the assets and surety bond requirements of this subdivision by assets, excluding goodwill and other intangible assets, of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000) in excess of liabilities, of which assets at least one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) are liquid assets, and a surety bond, approved by the commissioner, in an amount of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000).

(c) The commissioner may determine by rule or order what assets are liquid assets within the meaning of this section and may determine by specific ruling that a particular asset is or is not a liquid asset within the meaning of this section.

(d) The commissioner may by order increase the net asset and liquid asset requirements of subdivision (b) for any licensed check seller when, as a result of any examination or report under Section 12307.3, it appears to the commissioner that it is necessary for the safety and soundness of that licensed check seller.

(Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 869, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1993.)