Electronic Surety Bonds

Starting September 1, 2025, the Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection will begin receiving new and converted Electronic Surety Bonds (ESBs) through NMLS for the following license types:

• Debt Collectors (including Repo Companies and Debt Buyers)
• Debt Management Service Providers
• Loan Brokers (including Refund Anticipation Loan Facilitators)
• Money Transmitters
• Full-Service Payroll Processors
• Supervised Lenders (including Payday Lenders and Insurance Premium Finance Companies)

Please Note: Existing licensees are required replace or convert their existing surety bond on file with the Bureau to an electronic surety bond through NMLS by December 31, 2025. This requirement does not apply to full-service payroll processor licensees that provide alternative surety coverage via a letter of credit and an annual contribution to the Payroll Processor Recovery Fund.

See the ESB Adoption Table (PDF) (Trusted Partner Link) for a list of state agencies who have also adopted ESB and required ESB conversion dates. For bond coverage requirements, visit the NMLS Checklist Compiler (Trusted Partner Link). For more information regarding NMLS electronic surety bonds, including step-by-step guides and frequently asked questions, please visit the NMLS Resource Center (Trusted Partner Link).

Important ESB Facts

1. ESBs can only be submitted for individual and company licenses in NMLS. NMLS does not support Branch bonds at this time. If your company has branches that are required to provide bond coverage, you will need to submit a single bond for the company license in the aggregate amount of coverage needed.
2. An ESB can only be submitted for and associated to one company license. If your business holds multiple company licenses that require bond coverage (for instance, a supervised lender license and a debt collector license), you will need to submit separate bonds for each license.
3. Cancellations and riders are accommodated in NMLS. Cancellation notice provisions are fully supported in NMLS.