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 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 updated October 15, 2024, and developed by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors in conjunction with state bank examiners, 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