Georgia Department of Banking and Finance Enforces Mortgage Loan Originator Licensing Requirement; Order to Cease and Desist Issued to Anthony Ruffolo aka Ronnie Tony Ruffolo Becomes Final

Atlanta, GA – January 19, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — an Order to Cease and Desist issued by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (“Department”) to Anthony Ruffolo aka Ronnie Tony Ruffolo of Roswell, Georgia became final.

This Order to Cease and Desist was issued by the Department after it obtained evidence during an examination of Georgia Southern Mortgage Group, Inc. (NMLS No. 168165) that Anthony Ruffolo aka Ronnie Tony Ruffolo engaged in mortgage loan origination activities without a license or under an applicable exemption in violation of O.C.G.A. § 7-1-1002.

As of August 1, 2010, all mortgage loan origination in Georgia must be performed by a licensed mortgage loan originator unless performed pursuant to an applicable exemption to licensing. Specifically, it is prohibited by Georgia law for any person to transact business as a mortgage loan originator for compensation or gain, or in the expectation of compensation or gain, to take mortgage loan applications, or offer or negotiate terms of mortgage loans without a mortgage loan originator’s license or pursuant to an exemption from licensure.

Contact:
Rod Carnes
Deputy Commissioner for Non-Depository Financial Institutions
Phone: (770) 986-1371
E-mail:

The Department has regulatory and/or licensing authority over state-chartered banks, credit unions, trust companies, mortgage loan originators, mortgage brokers, mortgage lenders, mortgage processors, check cashers, sale of check companies, money transmitters, international banking organizations, and bank holding companies conducting business in Georgia. Visit us on the Web at: http://dbf.georgia.gov/