(a) An applicant applying for licensure as an escrow agent under this division is required to apply for a Fidelity Corporation Certificate, prepared and issued by Fidelity Corporation, for each proposed shareholder, officer, director, trustee, manager, or employee who is to be directly or indirectly compensated by the escrow agent, prior to licensure of the escrow agent by the commissioner. (b) A shareholder, officer, director, trustee, manager, or employee of an escrow agent, directly or indirectly compensated by an escrow agent within this state, is required to complete and execute a Fidelity Corporation Certificate application, prepared and issued by Fidelity Corporation, as a condition of their employment or entitlement to compensation, before the person may continue the regular discharge of their duties, or have access to moneys or negotiable securities belonging to or in the possession of the escrow agent, or draw checks upon the escrow agent or the trust funds of the escrow agent. (c) Fidelity Corporation Certificates may also be known as Escrow Agentâs Fidelity Corporation Certificates or EAFC Certificates. The certificate at all times remains the property of Fidelity Corporation, and is not transferable by either a member or employee. The certificate is not a warranty or guarantee by Fidelity Corporation of the integrity, veracity, or competence of the person. (d) An application for a Fidelity Corporation Certificate shall be in writing and in the form prescribed by Fidelity Corporation. The application may include (1) a fee not to exceed fifty dollars ($50), (2) two passport-size photographs, and (3) a set of fingerprint images and related information using the process established by the Department of Justice for requesting state summary criminal history information, plus the fee charged by the Department of Justice for processing noncriminal applicant fingerprint images and related information, in a manner established by the Department of Justice pursuant to subdivision (l). The Department of Justice shall honor the Fidelity Corporation report request form and issue a report to Fidelity Corporation, notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation to the contrary. Fidelity Corporation is also entitled to submit a set of fingerprint images and related information in the Department of Justice specified noncriminal applicant fingerprint format for the purpose of requesting and obtaining a report from the Department of Justice, for the officers and employees of Fidelity Corporation. A member shall cause the filing of applications for all existing employees as required by this section within 30 days of written notice by Fidelity Corporation to the member. (e) The application form shall include a provision for binding arbitration to allow for arbitration of any appeal or dispute as to a decision by Fidelity Corporation concerning the certificate, as follows: A DISPUTE AS TO WHETHER THE DENIAL OF THIS CERTIFICATE APPLICATION OR ANY SUBSEQUENT SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF THE CERTIFICATE IS UNNECESSARY OR UNAUTHORIZED OR WAS IMPROPERLY, NEGLIGENTLY, OR UNLAWFULLY RENDERED, MAY BE DETERMINED BY SUBMISSION TO ARBITRATION AS PROVIDED BY CALIFORNIA LAW, AND NOT BY A LAWSUIT OR RESORT TO COURT PROCESS EXCEPT AS CALIFORNIA LAW PROVIDES FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW OF ARBITRATION PROCEEDINGS OR EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY SECTION 17331.3 OF THE FINANCIAL CODE. THE APPLICANT MAY, SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT, SUBMIT ANY ISSUE ARISING FROM A DECISION BY FIDELITY CORPORATION TO DENY THIS CERTIFICATE APPLICATION OR TO SUSPEND OR REVOKE THE CERTIFICATE TO BE DECIDED BY BINDING NEUTRAL ARBITRATION. UPON AN AGREEMENT TO SUBMIT TO BINDING NEUTRAL ARBITRATION, THE APPLICANT HAS NO RIGHT TO HAVE ANY DISPUTE CONCERNING THIS CERTIFICATE APPLICATION LITIGATED IN A COURT OR JURY TRIAL NOR ANY JUDICIAL RIGHTS TO DISCOVERY AND APPEAL, EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED IN THE ESCROW LAW. ARBITRATION MAY BE COMPELLED AS PROVIDED BY LAW. (f) There is no liability o
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