Rule 5-2-1.5 - Branch Offices1. Wholesale lending offices only (have no direct contact with a consumer) are not required to be licensed. No origination or modification of a Mississippi residential mortgage loan may occur at this location. The wholesale lending office / branch may accept payments on a residential mortgage loan.2. A branch office will be considered "open" if the signage is in place, a business license has been applied for and approved, advertising has been placed and/or there is an unlocked door or no signage on the door indicating that the branch office is closed or not yet open for business. If the branch is considered "open" without prior approval from the Department, then a civil money penalty will be issued to the company and possible denial of the branch license.Miss. Code Ann. § 81-18-29; Effective date August 30, 2013