Maryland Financial Institutions Section 11-501

      (a)      In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

      (b)      "Borrower" means a person who makes a loan application for or receives a loan or other extension of credit that is or is intended to be secured in whole or in part by any interest in residential real property located in Maryland.

      (c)      (1)      "Independent evidence of commercial purpose" means, where a mortgage loan is made for a commercial purpose to an individual, any and all documentation by which the mortgage lender, prior to the making or procurement of the loan, establishes that the borrower is seeking funds for a legitimate commercial enterprise.

            (2)      "Independent evidence of commercial purpose" does not include an affidavit of the borrower without supporting evidence, except where:

                  (i)      The borrower is seeking funds to start a business and has not yet incorporated or prepared documentation or proof of ownership of a commercial enterprise; and

                  (ii)      The affidavit states the purpose for which the proceeds of the mortgage loan are to be used and the nature of the business conducted or to be conducted by the borrower.

      (d)      "Interest in real property" includes:

            (1)      A confessed judgment note or consent judgment required or obtained by any person acting as a mortgage lender for the purpose of acquiring a lien on residential real property;

            (2)      A sale and leaseback required or obtained by any person acting as a mortgage lender for the purpose of creating a lien on residential real property;

            (3)      A mortgage, deed of trust or lien other than a judgment lien, on residential real property; and

            (4)      Any other security interest that has the effect of creating a lien on residential real property in Maryland.

      (e)      "License" means a license issued by the Commissioner under this subtitle to authorize a person to engage in business as a mortgage lender.

      (f)      "Licensee" means a person who is licensed under the Maryland Mortgage Lender Law.

      (g)      (1)      "Loan application" means any oral or written request for an extension of credit that is made in accordance with procedures established by a mortgage lender for the purpose of inducing the lender to seek to procure or make a mortgage loan.

            (2)      A loan application does not include the use of an account or line of credit to obtain a loan within a previously established credit limit.

      (h)      "Mortgage broker" means a person who:

            (1)      For a fee or other valuable consideration, whether received directly or indirectly, aids or assists a borrower in obtaining a mortgage loan; and

            (2)      Is not named as a lender in the agreement, note, deed of trust, or other evidence of the indebtedness.

      (i)      (1)      "Mortgage lender" means any person who:

                  (i)      Is a mortgage broker;

                  (ii)      Makes a mortgage loan to any person; or

                  (iii)      1.      Engages in whole or in part in the business of servicing mortgage loans for others; or

                        2.      Collects or otherwise receives payments on mortgage loans directly from borrowers for distribution to any other person.

            (2)      "Mortgage lender" does not include:

                  (i)      A financial institution that accepts deposits and is regulated under Title 3, Title 4, Title 5, or Title 6 of this article;

                  (ii)      The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation;

                  (iii)      The Federal National Mortgage Association;

                  (iv)      The Government National Mortgage Association; or

                  (v)      Any person engaged exclusively in the acquisition of all or any portion of a mortgage loan under any federal, State, or local governmental program of mortgage loan purchases.

      (j)      (1)      "Mortgage lending business" means the activities set forth in the definition of "mortgage lender" in subsection (i) of this section which require that person to be licensed under this subtitle.

            (2)      "Mortgage lending business" includes the making or procuring of mortgage loans secured by residential real property located outside Maryland.

      (k)      (1)      "Mortgage loan" means any loan or other extension of credit that is:

                  (i)      Secured, in whole or in part, by any interest in residential real property in Maryland; and

                  (ii)      1.      If for personal, household, or family purposes, in any amount; or

                        2.      If for commercial purposes, not in excess of $75,000.

            (2)      "Mortgage loan" does not include any loan for commercial purposes that is:

                  (i)      Secured, in whole or in part, by any interest in residential real property in Maryland;

                  (ii)      In excess of $75,000; and

                  (iii)      Supported by independent evidence of the commercial purpose.

      (l)      "Person" includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, 2 or more persons having a joint or common interest, or any other legal or commercial entity.

      (m)      "Residential real property" means any owner-occupied real property located in Maryland, which property has a dwelling on it designed principally as a residence with accommodations for not more than 4 families, but does not include any real property held primarily for rental, investment, or the generation of income through any commercial or industrial enterprise.

      (n)      "State" means the State of Maryland.