CONP0151 – Application for a Payday Loans Business Licence

Jurisdiction: Country: Canada | Province or State: Alberta

What is a CONP0151 – Application for a Payday Loans Business Licence?

The CONP0151 is the official provincial application you use to get licensed to offer payday loans in Alberta. You complete it before you open a storefront or start lending to Alberta consumers online. The regulator uses it to confirm who owns and runs the business, where and how you will operate, and whether you meet the licensing requirements set by provincial law.

You use this form if you plan to provide short-term, small-value loans that will be repaid from a future paycheque or similar income. The form is not for general consumer loans, installment loans, or lines of credit. It focuses on the payday loan product class with specific provincial rules. The application lets the regulator assess your financial security, business structure, and compliance controls for this type of lending.

Who typically uses this form?

• Owners and officers of corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships that plan to lend to Alberta residents. Franchise operators and franchisees use it as well if they lend under a brand. Out-of-province lenders with Alberta customers also need this licence. If you only provide software or marketing and you do not lend, you may not need this licence, but many related models still require licensing. If you will handle the loan or arrange it for a fee, you should plan to apply.

Why would you need this form?

• Because you cannot legally offer, advertise, arrange, or enter payday loan agreements in Alberta without a licence. The licence confirms that your business and its leaders meet suitability standards. It also ensures you have posted financial security, understand operational rules, and can protect consumers. The application is your path to legal entry into the payday lending market in Alberta.

Typical usage scenarios include opening a new storefront in Calgary or Edmonton, expanding an existing chain into a new Alberta location, launching an Alberta-focused online lending site, or purchasing a payday lending business from another owner. You also use it when reorganizing your business in a way that changes control, ownership, or legal structure. If you relocate a licensed site, add a trade name, or add a new location, you typically file this form or a related form for amendments. If you are unsure whether your product falls under payday lending rules, you should assume licensing applies until the regulator confirms otherwise.

When Would You Use a CONP0151 – Application for a Payday Loans Business Licence?

You would use this form before you start any payday lending activity directed at Alberta consumers. That includes pre-opening steps like pre-launch advertising, lead generation, and signing lease agreements conditioned on licensing. You should treat licensing as a gate you need to pass before you spend on fit-out, signage, and staffing. The form is also used when you add a new Alberta location to an existing licensed business. Each location requires attention on the application, even if your head office is already licensed.

If you operate online and will lend to Alberta residents, you still complete this application. You identify your online presence, your Alberta nexus, and the policies you will follow for Alberta loans. You would not wait until you book your first Alberta loan. You apply before you launch your Alberta-facing site or campaigns.

If you buy a payday lending business, you file a new application under your own legal entity. Licences are not transferable by default. You do not operate under the seller’s licence. You should align your closing timeline with licensing approval to avoid a gap that would force you to pause operations.

If your company changes control, adds or removes directors, or restructures through an amalgamation, you file a new application or an amendment as required. The regulator needs to reassess suitability and confirm that security and compliance controls remain in place.

If you are a franchise system expanding into Alberta, you complete the application either at the franchisor level (if the franchisor will be the licensee) or at the franchisee level (if the franchisee will be the licensee). The correct applicant is the entity entering loan agreements with consumers. Your franchise agreement does not replace licensing requirements.

Legal Characteristics of the CONP0151 – Application for a Payday Loans Business Licence

The application is a formal request for a statutory licence. Your statements are legal attestations. When you sign the form, you certify that the information is true, complete, and not misleading. This matters. The regulator can refuse, suspend, or cancel a licence if you misstate material facts. It can also impose administrative penalties or take enforcement action. False statements on a statutory application can lead to prosecution.

The licence itself is a legal authorization to engage in payday lending in Alberta, subject to conditions. Those conditions include ongoing obligations to follow provincial consumer protection rules, maintain required financial security, keep prescribed records, and post required notices. The licence often lists locations, trade names, and any specific conditions the regulator imposes. You must display the licence at each location and include required licensing details in your advertising and agreements as directed by the regulator.

What ensures enforceability?

Enforceability flows from provincial legislation and regulation. The regulator verifies corporate status, ownership, and suitability of directors and officers. It can check bankruptcy records, enforcement proceedings, and prior compliance history. It can review your policies, sample loan agreements, and website content. It can also review your surety bond or letter of credit and confirm it remains active for the required amount.

By signing the application, you also consent to the collection and use of personal and business information for licensing and enforcement purposes. This may include background checks on owners, directors, and officers. You must update the regulator if information changes. If you fail to update material changes within required timelines, you risk sanctions. Fees paid with the application are generally non-refundable, even if the licence is refused.

The licence does not replace municipal requirements. You still need local permits and business licences where applicable. You must comply with federal and provincial privacy, anti–money laundering, and employment standards obligations as they apply to your operations. None of those obligations are waived by the provincial payday lending licence.

How to Fill Out a CONP0151 – Application for a Payday Loans Business Licence

Follow these steps to complete the application accurately and avoid delays.

1) Prepare your business foundation

• Decide on your legal structure. Choose corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship.
• Register your legal entity and any Alberta trade names. Ensure your names match across documents.
• If your entity is formed outside Alberta, complete extra-provincial registration.
• Secure your locations or finalize your online platform plan. You need actual addresses or a clear online operations description.
• Confirm municipal permissions for each storefront, if needed.

2) Assemble required documents

• Corporate registry documents: certificate of incorporation or formation, and any amendments or amalgamations.
• Partnership or sole proprietorship registrations and trade name registrations, if applicable.
• Ownership chart showing all direct and indirect owners up to individuals with control.
• Government-issued ID for each directing mind listed on the form, as required.
• A surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit in the amount the regulator requires. Obtain it from an acceptable issuer. Confirm the beneficiary and wording match provincial standards.
• A bank letter if the regulator requires designated trust or operating account information.
• Sample payday loan agreement and disclosure forms you will use in Alberta.
• Compliance policies covering underwriting, eligibility checks, cost-of-credit disclosure, receipt issuance, repayment plan processes, complaint handling, collections practices, and record retention.
• Lease or proof of control for each location, or a clear online operations description including domains and hosting arrangements.
• Any municipal business licence or development permit required for your premises.

3) Complete applicant identification

• Enter the full legal name of the applicant entity. Do not use a trade name here.
• List all trade names you will use in Alberta.
• Provide your registered office address and head office address. Use physical addresses, not only a PO box.
• Include your primary contact person, title, phone, and email. This person must be able to answer compliance questions.

4) Describe your business structure and ownership

• Indicate your legal form: corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship.
• Provide your Alberta registration number, if applicable.
• List all directors and officers. Include full legal names, titles, residential addresses, and contact details.
• List all owners with voting or control rights. Show percentage ownership for each.
• If another company owns part of you, attach an ownership chart and provide that company’s details. Continue until you identify the individuals who ultimately control the business.
• Disclose any service companies or franchisors involved. Clarify who will be the licensee and who will contract with consumers.

5) Provide location and operations details

• For each storefront, list the physical address, phone number, and location manager’s name. Note expected opening date.
• Indicate whether the location is new, existing, or acquired from a prior licensee. If acquired, provide the prior business name and your closing date.
• If you operate online, list your website domains and describe how Alberta consumers will access your service.
• Describe your hours of operation for storefronts. Confirm you will post required consumer notices on-site and online as applicable.

6) Disclose background and suitability information

• Answer questions about criminal convictions, regulatory findings, licence refusals, bankruptcies, receiverships, or similar events for the applicant and for each owner, director, and officer.
• If you answer “yes” to any disclosure question, provide full details. Include dates, jurisdictions, case numbers if available, and outcomes.
• Be complete and candid. A well-explained past issue is usually better than an omission.

7) Confirm financial security and banking

• Enter the details of your surety bond or letter of credit: amount, instrument number, issuer, and effective date.
• Attach the original or a certified copy as directed.
• Identify any required trust or designated accounts. Provide bank name, branch address, and account numbers if the form requires them.
• Attach a bank letter confirming the account type and status if asked.

8) Attach compliance documents

• Attach your sample payday loan agreement and disclosure statements. Ensure they reflect Alberta requirements on plain language, cost of borrowing, and repayment terms.
• Attach your collections and complaint-handling policies. Show how consumers can contact you and how you track and resolve complaints.
• Attach your training program outline for front-line staff and managers. Show coverage of affordability checks, prohibited practices, and disclosure standards.
• Attach your recordkeeping policy. Confirm how long you will retain records and how you will secure them.

9) Calculate and pay fees

• Confirm the application and licence fees. Fees may differ for each location or line of business.
• Use the accepted payment methods listed on the form. Keep your proof of payment.

10) Review and sign

• Review each section for consistency. Names, addresses, and corporate numbers should match across the form and attachments.
• Ensure dates align. Your security instrument should be effective on or before the licence issue date.
• Have an authorized signing officer sign the declaration. The signatory must have authority to bind the applicant.
• If the form requires a statutory declaration, sign in front of a commissioner of oaths or other authorized official.
• Initial any changes and avoid blanks. If a question does not apply, write “Not applicable.”

11) Submit the application

• Submit using the method allowed by the form. Options may include online submission, mail, or in-person delivery.
• Keep a complete copy of the package and a submission confirmation.
• Do not start lending or advertising until you receive your licence.

12) After you submit

• Respond promptly to any follow-up requests. The regulator may ask for clarifications or additional documents.
• Processing times vary. Plan for several weeks. Build that into your launch timeline.
• If your information changes while the application is pending, update the regulator in writing.

Practical tips to avoid delays

• Use the exact legal names from your corporate registry records. Typos and name mismatches cause rework.
• Make sure your surety bond or letter of credit uses the correct beneficiary language. Issuers often need a specific template. Ask for the required wording before they draft it.
• If you have layered ownership, provide a clear chart. Label percentages and control rights. Ambiguity slows the review.
• Your sample agreements should match your policies. If your policy promises a right, your agreement should show it as well.
• If you are acquiring a business, plan a clean cutover. Have your new licence effective for closing day. Do not rely on the seller’s licence.

Common reasons for refusals or holds

• Incomplete disclosure of directors or owners. Omitting a minority owner with control rights is a red flag.
• Security instrument problems. Missing amounts, the wrong beneficiary, or an issuer that is not acceptable.
• Unclear online operations. Failing to show how you identify Alberta customers and apply Alberta rules.
• Gaps in compliance controls. Missing training, weak complaint handling, or noncompliant sample forms.

What happens after approval

• You receive your licence certificate. Post it at each licensed location and follow any posting requirements online.
• Include licensing details in your advertising and on your website as required.
• Keep your financial security current. Do not allow it to lapse.
• Maintain records for the period required by provincial rules. Be prepared for inspections or audits.
• Notify the regulator of material changes. For example, new directors, changes in ownership, location moves, added trade names, or a change in your security instrument.
• Renew your licence before it expires. Plan for renewal well ahead of the expiry date, especially if your security instrument also renews.

If you operate multiple locations

• Each location must be listed and covered. Some fees and security requirements scale by location.
• Keep a central compliance program and local procedures. Train each location manager on Alberta rules and your licence conditions.
• When adding a new site, file the application or amendment before you open.

If you operate online

• Use geo-controls and clear processes to identify Alberta customers. Show how you apply Alberta disclosures and repayment terms to them.
• Display required notices on your site. Make them conspicuous and easy to read before the consumer applies.
• Provide a simple way for Alberta consumers to contact you and access complaint processes.

If you are out-of-province

• Complete extra-provincial registration before applying. Appoint an agent for service in Alberta if required.
• Be ready to provide documents in English and to show that your security instrument is enforceable in Alberta.

Your goal with this application is simple: prove you are fit, properly secured, and ready to follow Alberta’s payday lending rules. If you prepare your corporate documents, security, and compliance materials in advance, the form itself is straightforward. Complete it carefully, support your answers with clear attachments, and sign with authority. Then wait for approval before you trade.

Legal Terms You Might Encounter

• Applicant means the person or business applying for the licence. On CONP0151, this is the legal name that appears on your registration or incorporation. If you use a trade name, you still list the legal entity as the applicant.
• Payday loan refers to a short-term, small-value loan generally due on your next payday. On the form, you confirm you will conduct this specific activity under the licence. This helps the regulator classify your business.
• Payday lender is the licensed business that offers payday loans. On CONP0151, you identify the lender, not the individual staff. The licence covers the business entity and each approved location.
• Trade name is the name you use with customers if it differs from your legal name. The form asks you to list every trade name you will use. This ensures your licence covers the name on your storefront and website.
• Beneficial owner is anyone who owns or controls a significant part of the business. On CONP0151, you disclose these owners and their details. This supports background checks and transparency.
• Control person is an individual who directs or influences the business. Directors and key managers often fall into this group. The form asks for their information and declarations.
• Branch location is each address where you offer payday loans. CONP0151 requires a list of all locations where you will operate. You usually need to add locations when they change.
• Authorized representative is the person who completes and signs the form for the applicant. This person must have authority to bind the business. The form includes a declaration confirming this authority.
• Trust account is a dedicated bank account for holding client or business funds as required. Some regulators ask for trust account details for specific activities. CONP0151 may ask whether you maintain any required accounts and where they are held.
• Licence term and renewal refer to the period your licence remains valid and when you must renew. CONP0151 collects information to set up your initial term. Renewal often requires updated details and a fee.

FAQs

Do you need a separate licence for each location?

Yes, you generally need to list each physical location on CONP0151. If you open a new location later, you must update your licence. Do not start lending at a new site until the location is approved.

Do you need to provide owner and director details?

Yes. You must disclose all beneficial owners and control persons. You also include their contact information and role. Missing a person can delay approval.

Do you need background checks or consent forms?

You usually must authorize background checks for owners and control persons. CONP0151 includes consent and declaration sections. Ensure every listed person signs where required.

Do you need a trust account before you apply?

If a trust account is required for your operations, you should have the setup ready. The form may ask for bank details or a confirmation. Confirm the status of any required account before filing.

Do you need to submit your loan documents?

You may be asked for sample agreements, disclosures, or fee schedules. CONP0151 can reference attachments. Prepare final or near-final versions to avoid follow-up questions.

Do you need to list online operations?

If you lend online to Alberta consumers, disclose that channel. List the website and the location that supports it. The regulator expects visibility into your delivery model.

Do you need to wait for approval before operating?

Yes. You must receive your licence before lending. Operating without approval risks penalties and an immediate stop order.

Do you need to notify the regulator when something changes?

Yes. Ownership, locations, trade names, and key personnel all matter. Use the proper change process rather than waiting for renewal. Late or missing updates can lead to enforcement.

Checklist: Before, During, and After the CONP0151 – Application for a Payday Loans Business Licence

Before signing

Legal entity details

• Legal name and number from your registration or incorporation.
• Date of formation and jurisdiction.
• Registered office and principal place of business.

Trade names

• All names used with customers, in signage, and online.
• Proof of registration if required in your structure.

Locations

• Full address for each branch or kiosk you will operate.
• Phone and email for customer contact at each location.
• Hours of operation if the form requests them.

Ownership and management

• List of beneficial owners with ownership percentages.
• Directors, officers, and key managers with roles.
• Contact details, birthdates, and addresses as required.

Background checks

• Signed consents from every owner and control person.
• Disclosure responses for criminal, regulatory, or bankruptcy history.

Banking and trust

• Business bank account information.
• Trust account details if required for your operations.
• A void cheque or bank letter if the form requests it.

Business model and documents

• Description of lending channels (in‑person and online).
• Sample loan agreements, disclosures, and fee summaries.
• Compliance policies for affordability, collections, and complaints.

Insurance or financial security

• Proof of insurance if required for your operations.
• Any bond or security details if applicable to your licence class.

Contact and authorization

• Authorized representative information.
• Signing authority resolution if the signer is not a director.
• Emergency and compliance contact details.

Fees

• Payment method for the application fee.
• Any additional location fees if applicable.

During signing

• Verify the legal entity name matches your registration.
• Confirm trade names match your signage and website.
• Check each location address and contact information.
• Ensure all owners and control persons are listed.
• Review each disclosure question for accuracy.
• Confirm consent and declaration signatures for every person.
• Attach all required documents and label them clearly.
• Match the payment amount to the number of locations.
• Reconfirm the authorized representative’s authority.
• Date every signature and initial any corrections.

After signing

• File the form and fee using the accepted method.
• Save proof of submission and a copy of the full package.
• Track your confirmation number or receipt reference.
• Monitor for follow-up requests and respond promptly.
• Do not begin lending until you receive the licence document.
• Post the licence at each location as required.
• Train staff on approved disclosures and fee rules.
• Update your website and signage to match the licence.
• Set calendar reminders for renewal and ongoing obligations.
• Create a change log to record any updates you must report.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Listing the wrong legal name or leaving out a trade name. Applications stall when names do not match records. Don’t forget to confirm your legal entity and every operating name.
• Leaving out a beneficial owner or control person. This triggers background check issues and delays. Don’t forget to include every owner with meaningful control.
• Missing location details or starting to lend at a new site early. Operating at an unlicensed location can lead to penalties. Don’t forget to add and get approval for each branch.
• Skipping consent or leaving disclosure questions blank. The regulator treats this as incomplete. Don’t forget to answer every question and collect each signature.
• Attaching outdated loan documents or policies. Reviewers will ask for updated materials, which slows review. Don’t forget to submit current agreements and disclosures.

What to Do After Filling Out the Form

1. Submit your application. Use the approved filing method and include the fee. Keep a copy of everything you send.
2. Watch for confirmation. Record your receipt or reference number. This helps with status checks.
3. Respond to follow-ups. Provide any extra documents or clarifications quickly. Keep replies short and factual.
4. Prepare for inspection or verification. Organize your agreements, disclosures, training records, and logs. Ensure your fee schedules match your documents.
5. Wait for the licence before lending. Do not advertise or enter loan agreements until approval. Keep your staff informed of the status.
6. Post and distribute the licence. Display it at each approved location. Store a digital copy in your compliance folder.
7. Align your operations. Update website content, in‑store signage, and receipts. Confirm your loan system uses approved disclosures.
8. Train your team. Review affordability checks, disclosure timing, and cooling-off practices. Document attendance and materials.
9. Set up recordkeeping. Keep copies of loan agreements, disclosures, and complaint logs. Retain records for the required period.
10. Track renewals and changes. Calendar the renewal date. Report ownership, location, and trade name changes promptly.
11. Plan amendments. Use the proper process to add a new location or trade name. Wait for approval before any launch.
12. Conduct a quarterly compliance review. Sample recent loans and disclosures. Fix gaps and document improvements.