§ 597. Books and records; reports and electronic filing. Each licensee, servicer, registrant and exempt organization shall keep and use in its business such books, accounts and records as will enable the superintendent to determine whether such licensee, servicer, registrant or exempt organization is complying with the provisions of this article and with the rules and regulations lawfully made by the superintendent and the superintendent of financial services. Every licensee, servicer, registrant and exempt organization shall preserve such books, accounts, and records, for at least three years; provided, however, that preservation by photographic reproduction thereof or records in photographic form, including an optical disk storage system and the use of electronic data processing equipment that provides comparable records to those otherwise required and which are available for examination upon request shall constitute compliance with the requirements of this section.

Each licensee and registrant shall annually, on or before a date to be determined by the superintendent, file a report with the superintendent giving such information as the superintendent may require concerning the business and operations during the preceding calendar year of such licensee or registrant under authority of this article. Such report shall be subscribed and affirmed as true by the licensee or registrant under the penalties of perjury and shall be in the form prescribed by the superintendent. In addition to annual reports, the superintendent may require such additional regular or special reports as he or she may deem necessary to the proper supervision of licensees and registrants under this article. Such additional reports shall be in the form prescribed by the superintendent and shall be subscribed and affirmed as true under the penalties of perjury.

Notwithstanding article three of the state technology law or any other law to the contrary, the superintendent may require that any application for, or renewal of, any license or registration or any other submission or approval as may be required by the superintendent be made or executed by electronic means if he or she deems it necessary to ensure the efficient administration of this article.

The superintendent may require servicers to file annual reports or other regular or special reports, including reports with respect to mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures. Such reports shall be in the form prescribed by the superintendent and shall be subscribed and affirmed as true under the penalties of perjury.