Small Business

Banking/Finance-Related Business

The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) regulates state-chartered financial institutions which includes banks, credit unions, trust companies, trust divisions and savings and loan associations. They also regulate financial enterprises which includes advance fee loan brokers, collection agencies, commercial mortgage brokers and bankers, consumer lenders, debt management companies, escrow agents, loan originators, money transmitters (includes Check Cashing, Foreign Money Exchanger), mortgage brokers and bankers, premium finance companies, pre-need funeral trusts (licensed by the Arizona Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers) and sales finance companies (Automobile Title Lenders).

Contact: Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI), 602.771.2800 or toll free 800.544.0708

Arizona's FinTech Sandbox

Under Arizona Revised Statutes (“A.R.S.”) §§ 41-5601 to 41-5612, a Regulatory Sandbox (“Sandbox”) for certain types of financial products and services is now available in Arizona. The Sandbox enables a participant to obtain limited access to Arizona’s market to test innovative financial products or services without first obtaining full state licensure or other authorization that otherwise may be required. (21)

Contact: Arizona Attorney General, Arizona's FinTech Sandbox: Frequently Asked Questions, Email: [email protected]

Additional Information:
Prior to filling out the application for a license through the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) or establishing a trade/DBA (doing business as) name, check the proposed business name by contacting the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) and the Arizona Secretary of State or the Arizona Corporation Commission. (21)

Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI), Frequently Asked Questions from Consumers: What happened to the payday lender that AZDFI used to license? (21)

Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Money Services Business (MSB) Information Center: Information regarding the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requirements, forms, publications and other BSA resources. (21)

Arizona Association of Mortgage Professionals (AzAMP): Not-for-profit professional organization established in 1980 to promote the common business interests of those engaged in the mortgage broker industry. AzAMP's membership is comprised of individual members, not mortgage companies. (21)