Which department primarily regulates a mortgage loan originator who originates a line of credit secured by residential Utah property?

The regulation of mortgage loan originators, especially in relation to lines of credit secured by residential property in Utah, falls primarily under the auspices of the Department of Financial Institutions. This department is dedicated to overseeing financial institutions, including those involved in the lending processes, ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations that govern mortgage lending activities.

It's important to note that the Department of Commerce oversees a broader range of business and professional licensing, but it’s not specifically focused on financial institutions. The Division of Real Estate monitors real estate practices but is not the primary regulator for mortgage loan originators. Likewise, the Department of Finance does not exist as a separate regulatory body in Utah; hence it wouldn’t oversee mortgage lending activities. Therefore, the Department of Financial Institutions is rightly identified as the appropriate regulatory authority for mortgage loan originators in this context.