Earned Wage Access Services Provider

2023 Wisconsin Act 131, which became effective on September 1, 2024, requires earned wage access (EWA) services providers to obtain a license from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.   

EWA services providers are businesses that provide consumers with access to their earned but unpaid wages. EWA services providers will be permitted to:

  • impose fees for delivery, or expedited delivery, of proceeds to Wisconsin consumers.  
  • charge a subscription or membership fee for a bona fide group of services that include EWA services. 
  • ask Wisconsin consumers to provide a voluntary tip, gratuity or other donation for their service.

Providers will also be required to provide consumers at least one reasonable option to obtain earned but unpaid wages at no cost and will need to clearly explain how to select that no-cost option to the consumer.  

EWA services providers will be required to maintain their Wisconsin licenses on the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System & Registry (NMLS).   Information about licensing is found in the NMLS Resource Center.

Frequent Links

Common Tasks

Helpful Information

  • Cybersecurity Resources
    • Cybersecurity 101 – ​a resource developed by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors intended to be an easily-digestible, non-technical reference guide to help executives develop a comprehensive, responsive cybersecurity program in line with best practices.
    • Ransomware Self-Assessment Tool – a resource developed by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors in conjunction with the Bankers Electronic Crimes Taskforce and the United States Secret Service which contains important controls that all types of companies should use to assess their efforts to mitigate risks associated with ransomware and to identify opportunities for increasing security.

Contact Us

Phone: (608) 261-7578
Email: DFI_LFS@dfi.wisconsin.gov