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DBO Banks and Mortgage Regulatory Programs Accredited by CSBS

The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) on Sept. 12 notified the DBO its banks and mortgage regulatory programs satisfy the CSBS’ accreditation criteria. The Banks Division received re-accreditation, and the Mortgage Division won accreditation for the first time on its first try.

Accreditation involves a comprehensive review of critical program elements to ensure the ability of the banking and mortgage programs to discharge their responsibilities. The review assesses: administration and finances; personnel policies and practices; training programs; examination policies and practices; supervisory procedures; and statutory powers.

A review team of four highly-experienced former regulators and the CSBS Director of Accreditation performed an on-site review at the DBO’s Sacramento office during a recent five-day visit. The Review Team conducted a thorough review of the DBO’s Self-Evaluation Questionnaire, and interviewed key personnel and a cross-section of examiners. The CSBS Performance Standards Committee made the accreditation decisions, based on the reports of the Accreditation Review Team and the Audit Team.

DBO, Commissioner Owen Named as American Banker Lists Leading Regulators in Online Lending Sector

The California Department of Business Oversight (DBO) recently was named by American Banker as one of eight state and federal regulators to watch in the online lending arena. From the American Banker:

California officials are conducting an inquiry into 14 firms’ compliance with laws and regulations dealing with referral fees, bank partnerships and fair lending. The Bay Area is to home to numerous large U.S. online lenders, including Lending Club, Prosper Marketplace, Social Finance and more. California’s probe could result in enforcement actions against particular firms; it could also lead to new regulations.

The article included this quote from Commissioner of Business Oversight Jan Lynn Owen: “These online lenders are filling a need in today’s economy, and we have no desire to squelch the industry or innovation.  We have a duty, however, to protect consumers and businesses, and they have more and more at stake as this industry grows.”  Read the full list at the American Banker (subscription required).

Jim Sweeney Appointed Deputy Commissioner for Consumer Services and Strategic Support

Jim Sweeney will be the new Deputy Commissioner for Consumer Services and Strategic Support effective Sept. 15.  This is a new position for the DBO and will have responsibility for the Consumer Services Office, Education and Outreach and Strategic Support.

Jim currently serves as a special consultant to the Commissioner, and his duties have focused on legislation and speechwriting.  Jim came to the DBO earlier this year by way of the State Legislature, where he worked for the previous five years.  He focused on government oversight during his Capitol tenure, holding consultant positions with the Assembly Committee on Accountability and Administrative Review from 2011-12 and the Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes from 2012-2014.  In his last legislative job, Jim worked as a consultant to the Assembly Speaker’s Office of Research and Analysis.

Department of Defense Issues New Guidance on Military Lending Act

The Department of Defense on Aug. 26 published in the Federal Register an interpretive rule governing limitations on terms of consumer credit extended to service members and dependents.

Published under the Military Lending Act, the interpretive rule provides guidance on certain questions the Department received regarding compliance with the July 2015 Final Rule.  That rule extended the protections of the Military Lending Act to a broader range of closed-end and open-end credit products, including credit cards, lines of credit, installment loans and deposit advances.  The changes are set to take effect in October.

Banking Regulators Seek Comment on Small Institutions Call Report

Recently, state and federal regulators on Aug. 5 issued a press release seeking comment on the proposed new and streamlined Call Report for small financial institutions.  Interested parties are encouraged to review this proposal closely and take time to submit comments via the Federal Register for the agencies to consider.

Acting as members of the Federal Financial Institutions Examinations Council (FFIEC), the regulators issued for public comment a new and streamlined Call Report for small financial institutions.  The new Call Report would apply to financial institutions with less than $1 billion in total assets and domestic offices only.  This represents approximately 90 percent of all institutions required to file Call Reports.

The new Call Report will lessen the reporting burden for community banks by removing about 40 percent of the nearly 2,400 data items now required.

In addition to the new streamlined small institution Call Report proposal, regulators are requesting comments on proposed revisions to the two versions of the existing Call Report for larger institutions.

Comments are requested on all aspects of the proposals, given the potentially significant changes.  Often, the most helpful comments provide specific examples of how a proposal will affect the institution.

The agencies request comments on the proposed changes be submitted no later than Oct. 14.  The proposal is available online at: http://www.ffiec.gov/press/PDF/FRN-Small_Bank_Call_Report.pdf.

DBO Reminds Financial Institution Licensees to Complete Post Exam Survey

To ensure the DBO examination process is thorough, effective, efficient, and provides value, DBO provides banks, credit unions and money transmitters access to an online Post Examination Satisfaction Survey.

This survey allows licensees to rate the pre-examination process, examiners, the examination process and the examination report.  It also includes space for comments as well as the option to be contacted by a DBO official.

This survey is an important tool to help DBO improve its examination processes.  Survey responses are confidential, and controls are in place that limit access to authorized DBO personnel.

Local Agency Security Assessment

Pursuant to Government Code section 53667, the Commissioner annually assesses all depository institutions in California in which local public agencies deposit securities.  The assessments fund the DBO’s administration of the laws relating to local agency securities.

Invoices will be mailed to depository institutions on or about Sept. 30.

The base rate for the assessment was set at 0.0027% of average local agency deposits for fiscal year 2015-16, an increase from the 0.0021% base rate in the prior fiscal year.

Depository institutions must pay their assessment no later than Oct. 31.  Questions regarding the assessment should be directed to Patrick Carroll at 415-263-8559 or patrick.carroll@dbo.ca.gov.

Registration Renewal Season for Broker-Dealer Firms Set to Begin

Renewal season is approaching, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is in the process of resetting the system in preparation for the 2017 Renewal Program.  Please review the 2017 renewal calendar for payment and filing deadlines (http://www.finra.org/sites/default/files/crd-renewal-program-calendar.pdf).

Most Water Agencies to Avoid State-Mandated Conservation Standards

The State Water Resources Control Board (Board) on Aug. 16 posted “stress tests” submitted by water suppliers to demonstrate whether they have adequate supplies to withstand three additional dry years.  Water suppliers that pass their “stress test” will not face a state-mandated conservation standard through Jan. 2017, but are expected to keep conserving water to build long-term drought resilience.

The Board reported that of the 379 suppliers that had submitted stress tests, 36 indicated that they would face a supply shortage in 2019 and will be required to meet a conservation standard equal to the shortage amount.  Thirty-two suppliers did not submit stress tests and will retain their March 2016 conservation standards through Jan.  2017.  For more information on the drought and conservation programs, go to www.drought.ca.gov/ .

 

Commercial Bank Activity

New Bank

SoCal Bank
6 Hutton Centre Drive, Santa Ana, Orange County
Correspondent: Maryam Hamzeh
Carpenter & Company
5 Park Plaza, Suite 950, Irvine, CA  92614
Filed: 7/7/16

Merger

Delta Bank, National Association, Manteca, to merge with and into Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California, Lodi
Filed: 8/1/16
Approved: 8/30/16

Conversion to State Charter

Luther Burbank Savings, to convert to state-chartered bank under the same name
Filed: 4/5/16
Approved: 8/2/16

Acquisition of Control

Mohamed Ahmar, to acquire control of Partners Bank of California
Approved: 8/5/16

Valley Republic Bancorp, to acquire control of Valley Republic Bank
Approved: 6/2/16

Sale of Partial Business Unit

Opus Bank, Irvine, to sell the banking business of the La Quinta branch to Bank of Southern California, N.A., San Diego
Effected: 8/19/16

Industrial Bank Activity

Merger

Richard J. Green to acquire control of Rancho Santa Fe Thrift and Loan Association
Filed: 8/12/16

Premium Finance Company Activity

New Premium Finance Company

PrimePlan Premium Financing Inc.
601 E. Glenoaks Boulevard, Glendale, Los Angeles County
Filed: 8/15/16

TAFS Premium Finance, Inc.
818 West Seventh Street, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County
Withdrawn: 8/25/16

Credit Union Activity

Merger

Cherry Employees Federal Credit Union, Santa Ana, to merge with and into Orange County’s Credit Union, Santa Ana
Filed: 8/16/16

Chevron Valley Credit Union, Bakersfield, to merge with and into Safe 1 Credit Union, Bakersfield
Filed: 8/4/16

Sierra Point Credit Union, South San Francisco, to merge with and into Financial Partners Credit Union, Downey
Approved: 8/1/16
Effected: 8/1/16

Foreign (Other Nation) Bank Activity

New Office

BNP Paribas
300 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County (Representative Office)
Filed: 8/3/16

Foreign (Other State) Bank Activity

New Facility

Bridgeview Bank Group

• 40 Pacifica, Irvine, Orange County (Facility – Insured Bank)
• 1917 Palomar Oaks Way, Carlsbad, San Diego County (Facility – Insured Bank)

Opened: 5/11/16

Money Transmitter Activity

New Money Transmitter

Adyen, Inc.
Opened: 8/26/16

Microsoft Payments, Inc.
Withdrawn: 8/1/16

Pangea USA, LLC
Opened: 8/26/16

Swanson Services Corporation
Opened: 8/22/16

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JAN LYNN OWEN
Commissioner of Business Oversight

The August 2016 Monthly Bulletin covers the month ended July 31, 2016. It is issued pursuant to Financial Code section 376.

The Monthly Bulletin is available without charge via e-mail. To subscribe, go to: https://dfpi.ca.gov/Resources/subscription.asp