Money Service Businesses
The Department has regulatory and/or licensing authority over money services businesses (check cashers, check sellers and money transmitters - collectively referred to as MSBs) conducting business in Georgia. Click on the links below to determine the licensing/registration status of a company.
Search Options - Note: Data is updated nightly (Monday - Friday)
Administrative Actions - (Includes Ineligible for Hire Information)
Licensee Semi-Annual Reporting Options
Renewals-Check Cashers
Renewals-Money Transmitters and Sellers of Checks
Adopted Rules - Effective September 7, 2009
FINCEN BSA/AML Information
The FinCEN publication "Money Laundering Prevention-An MSB Guide" is available in several languages. Quick Reference Guides on Bank Secrecy Act requirements and reporting suspicious activity are also available in these languages. The products can be ordered from the internet at: http://www.fincen.gov/financial_institutions/msb/materials.html.
Note the links below for the specific language for the "Money Laundering Prevention-An MSB Guide"
The IRS also has valuable information for MSB companies on the IRS internet site at BSA Compliance - IRS. Scroll down the page for specific information for MSB companies. One important publication provides information on common errors in SAR reports. Please see the publication Suspicious Activity Reporting Errors.
DBF Policy Statement - Definition of "agents"
Based upon questions recently received in response to the Department of Banking and Finance (Department) Final Regulations adopted August 14, 2007, this Policy Statement provides a Department definition for the term “agents” for purposes of Rule 80-3-1-.07(2)(e).
Federal link for MSBs (FinCEN.gov)
This link takes you to the Financial Crimes and Enforcement Network's (FinCEN) website for Money Service Businesses. FinCEN is designated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as one of the primary agencies to establish, oversee and implement policies to detect and prevent money laundering and terrorist financing, and it serves as the Financial Intelligence Unit of the United States.
MSB Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Money Service Businesses (MSB) FAQs page is designed to assist potential and existing MSB licensees/registrants with common questions about the various Georgia laws and Department regulations and policies applicable to the MSB industry.