This chapter does not apply to several listed persons and entities, including certain financial institutions, licensed persons, attorneys in limited circumstances, court-ordered actors, some employees and solicitors acting within scope, and some real estate licensees.
The following persons are not subject to the provisions of this chapter: (1) Any depository institution as defined in Section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, any subsidiary institution that is owned and controlled by a depository institution, and employees of any of the foregoing. Bank holding companies and subsidiaries of bank holding companies, thrift holding companies and subsidiaries of thrift holding companies, trust companies, savings or building and loan associations, savings banks and other thrift institutions, credit unions, and all other affiliates of each of the above persons if more than 50 percent of the affiliate’s shares or other ownership interests are owned or controlled by such person, and federally or state constituted agencies and employees of any of the foregoing. (2) Any person licensed under Section 5-19-22. (3) An attorney licensed to practice law in Alabama who is not principally engaged in negotiating mortgage loans when the attorney renders services in the course of his or her practice as an attorney. (4) Any person performing any act relating to mortgage loans under order of any court. (5) A natural person: a. Who is employed by a licensed mortgage broker or any person exempted from the licensing requirements of this chapter when acting within the scope of employment with the licensee or exempted person; however, mortgage loan originators must be licensed or registered in accordance with the Alabama Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act; or b. Who solicits mortgage loans exclusively on behalf of a licensed mortgage broker or any person exempted from the licensing requirements of this chapter when the natural person is acting within the scope of the agency of the licensee or exempted person; however, independent contractors that originate, process, or underwrite mortgage loans shall not originate, process, or underwrite mortgage loans unless they are licensed or registered in accordance with the Alabama Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act. (6) Any licensed real estate salesperson or broker who provides mortgage loan assistance in the course of doing business unless the real estate salesperson or broker is compensated for providing mortgage loan assistance.