Monthly Bulletin
California Department of Business Oversight
Volume 5, Number 02 – September 2017
David Scott: May 3, 1949 – August 12, 2017
The DBO lost a longtime colleague, mentor and friend when former Chief State Examiner David Scott passed away on August 12 in Cerritos, California. He was 68.
Dave had a 32-year career that included significant contributions to the success of the Department and the integrity and stability of California’s financial services industry. He joined the California State Banking Department in 1972 as a junior examiner, progressed rapidly and was promoted to Chief State Bank Examiner in 1996. He retired in 2004 and was honored with a “Lifetime Achievement Award” in recognition of his passion for professionalism and expertise in banking. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from California State University, Northridge and graduated from the Pacific Coast Banking School.
Dave was an avid reader, enthusiastic fisherman and a talented bowler. Most important, he was loved by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Florence Scott, who was a Division of Financial Institutions examiner, two stepdaughters, Heather and Joy, and their families. The prayers and thoughts of the entire DBO family go out to all of Dave’s family and friends.
Mike Miller Selected DBO Deputy Commissioner for Administration
Mike Miller has joined the DBO as the new Deputy Commissioner for the Administrative Services Division. Mike comes to the DBO from the Department of Motor Vehicles where he had worked since 2005.
At the DMV, Mike held a number of unique positions, serving in its media relations office, Executive Division, and as a project manager on the DMV’s first Voice over Internet Protocol phone system, a redesign of the department’s intranet and the creation of its YouTube channel.
Most recently, Mike served as the Assistant Division Chief for Registration Operations where he handled the budget, contracts and procurement, HR issues, facilities, and internal training and coaching programs.
Before joining the DMV, Mike was a senior writer and producer for KCRA Channel 3 News in Sacramento and other news stations throughout the West, and ran his own personal chef service business for five years.
Local Agency Security Assessment
Pursuant to Government Code section 53667, the Commissioner annually assesses all California depository institutions that hold deposits of local agencies. The assessments fund the DBO’s administration of the laws relating to the Local Agency Security Program.
Invoices will be mailed to depository institutions on or about Sept. 29.
The assessment base rate was set at 0.0027% of average local agency deposits for fiscal year 2015-16, unchanged from the prior fiscal year.
Depository institutions must pay their assessment no later than Oct. 30. Questions should be directed to Patrick Carroll at 415-263-8559 or patrick.carroll@dbo.ca.gov.
National Preparedness Month: September 2017
Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. has proclaimed September 2017 as National Preparedness Month (NPM).
Disasters don’t plan ahead, but you can. We are all able to help first responders by practicing how to respond during an emergency and what to do when disaster strikes. The goal of NPM is to increase the overall number of individuals, families, and communities that engage in preparedness actions at home, work, business, school, and places of worship.
Visit the National Preparedness Month website at www.ready.gov/september to learn how you can get ahead and stay ahead.
Trinity and Butte Counties Fire Response
On August 31, 2017 and September 1, 2017, Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. proclaimed that states of emergency existed in Trinity and Butte counties as a result of the Helena and Ponderosa fires, which burned thousands of acres, destroyed homes, and forced the evacuation of residents. The fires also damaged and threatened critical infrastructure, including power lines, and forced the closure of roadways.
Consequently, Commissioner of Business Oversight Jan Lynn Owen determined that an extraordinary situation exists in Trinity County and Butte County and issued a proclamation (PDF) authorizing state-chartered banks to close any or all of their offices in affected areas until the Commissioner determines the extraordinary condition has ended.
DBO Commissioner Urges Banks, Credit Unions to Help Fire-Damaged Communities
Department of Business Oversight (DBO) Commissioner Jan Lynn Owen called on state-chartered banks and credit unions to help lead recovery efforts in communities that have been affected by recent wildfires.
The Commissioner urged banks and credit unions to grant appropriate latitude on loan payments to existing customers affected by the wildfires. She also urged financial institutions to ensure customers have ready access to their funds, and to expedite the extension of new credit to help finance cleanup or rebuilding. Finally, the Commissioner asked banks and credit unions to support fundraising efforts to help affected communities recover.
FFIEC Launches Industry Outreach Page
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) has launched a new Industry Outreach website for financial institutions, trade associations, third-party providers, and consultants to share information about current issues related to financial institution supervision, and to provide updates to supervisory guidance and regulations. Federal and state examiners are also welcome to participate in FFIEC Industry Outreach programs.
The website provides access to upcoming FFIEC-sponsored webinars and includes an archive of past webinars.
The Industry Outreach program was developed to enhance communication between the FFIEC and financial institutions, trade associations, third-party service providers, consultants, and other interested parties. To learn more about the program, or sign up for FFIEC email updates, visit https://industryoutreach.ffiec.gov.
Property Tax Postponement Program for Seniors and Disabled Homeowners
The State Controller’s Property Tax Postponement (PTP) program allows homeowners who are seniors, blind or have a disability to defer current-year property taxes on their principal residence. Homeowners must meet certain criteria including having at least 40 percent equity in their home and an annual household income of $35,500 or less to qualify.
Applications are available online and may be filed with the State Controller’s office beginning Oct. 1.
For additional more information, contact Natalie Sidarous of the State Controller’s office at (916) 322-7453 or nsidarous@sco.ca.gov.
Commercial Bank Activity
Merger
Far East National Bank, Los Angeles, to merge with and into Cathay Bank, Los Angeles
Filed: 8/8/17
Ojai Community Bank, Ojai, to merge with and into Bank of the Sierra, Porterville
Approved: 8/24/17
Plaza Bank, Seattle, Washington, to merge with and into United Business Bank, Walnut Creek, California
Filed: 8/9/17
Sale of Partial Business Unit
Opus Bank, Irvine, California, to sell its Clearview, Woodinville, Smokey Point and Lake Stevens branches to First Financial Northwest Bank, Renton, Washington
Effected: 8/25/17
Change of Name
First Community Bank, to change its name to Poppy Bank
Notified: 8/29/17
Trust Company Activity
New Trust Company
Bay Area Trust
Palo Alto, Santa Clara County
Withdrawn: 7/31/17
Credit Union Activity
Merger
Star Harbor Federal Credit Union, Rancho Dominguez, to merge with and into Financial Partners Credit Union, Downey
Effected: 8/23/17
Premium Finance Company Activity
Farralone Financial Corporation
600 West Broadway, San Diego, San Diego County
Approved: 8/30/17
Millennium Finance Corp.
660 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, Orange County
Approved: 8/16/2017
PrimePlan Premium Financing Inc.
601 E. Glenoaks Boulevard, Glendale, Los Angeles County
Opened: 8/15/17
Foreign (Other Nation) Bank Application
New Office
Bank of Taiwan
Vicinity of Santa Clara, Santa Clara County (Representative Office)
Filed: 8/3/17
Money Transmitter Activity
New Money Transmitter
Bannockburn Global Forex, LLC
Approved: 8/17/17
Intercambio Express, Inc.
Approved: 8/14/17
Change of Name
Bancomer Transfer Services, Inc., to change its name to BBVA Transfer Services, Inc.
Effected: 6/13/17
JAN LYNN OWEN
Commissioner of Business Oversight
The September 2017 Monthly Bulletin covers the month ended August 31, 2017. 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