2150 Department of Financial Institutions
Program Descriptions

10 LICENSING AND SUPERVISION OF BANKS AND TRUST COMPANIES

The objective of this program is to promote the integrity and stability of state-licensed banks and trust companies through the regulation and supervision of these institutions. Program activities include examinations at least once every two years to ensure that business is conducted in a safe and sound manner, and investigation of new bank and trust company applications.

20 MONEY TRANSMITTERS

The objective of this program is to promote the integrity and stability of businesses selling payment instruments (money orders), traveler's checks, and those licensed to transmit money abroad, through the regulation and supervision of these institutions. Examinations are conducted at any time to ensure the licensees are complying with the provisions of the law and operating in a safe and sound manner. In order to protect the public, a thorough examination of each new applicant is conducted before the license is issued.

40 ADMINISTRATION OF LOCAL AGENCY SECURITY

As the Administrator of the Local Agency Security Program, the Commissioner monitors the amount and quality of collateral pledged to secure deposits of public funds made by approximately 1,500 local agencies. The Commissioner also administers local agency security for banks, savings and loans, credit unions, and industrial banks as well as federally-chartered financial institutions.

50 SUPERVISION OF CALIFORNIA BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS

This program licenses and regulates non-fiduciary businesses and industrial development corporations. The program ensures that business is conducted in a financially sound manner through both periodic examinations and analyses of required reports.

60 CREDIT UNIONS

The primary object of this program is to promote the integrity and stability of credit unions through the regulation and supervision of these institutions, including examinations to ensure they are operating in a safe and sound manner and complying with the appropriate provisions of the Financial Code relating to their operation.

70 SAVINGS AND LOAN

The Savings and Loan Program ensures that savings associations comply with applicable laws and regulations.

80 INDUSTRIAL BANKS

The Industrial Banks Program administers and enforces the provisions of the Financial Code relating to industrial loan companies. This includes processing applications for new companies and conducting examinations to determine compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

90 ADMINISTRATION

The Administration Program provides services essential for the administration of the Department and its programs, including executive, administrative, legal, legislative, policy, and information support.