Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) If,
after notice and hearing, the Commissioner finds that any foreign savings
association has violated any provision of the Savings Association Law or of any
regulation or order issued pursuant to this chapter, the Commissioner may order
the foreign savings association to pay to the Commissioner a penalty in such
amount as the Commissioner may specify, provided that the amount of the penalty
shall not exceed $1,000 per violation, or for a continuing violation, $1,000
for each day or part thereof for which such violation continues.
(b)
(1) If
the Commissioner, as a result of any examination or from any report, finds that
any foreign savings association has violated, is violating, or is about to
violate any provision of this subchapter or of the Savings Association Law or
any law or regulation of this state or of the United States, or is engaging in
an unsafe or unsound business practice, the Commissioner may, by formal written
order delivered to the principal California office of the foreign savings
association, state any alleged violation or practice and the facts supporting
the allegation, and order discontinuance of the violation or practice,
conformance with all requirements of law and regulation, and any remedial
action deemed necessary and appropriate.
(2) Unless otherwise indicated, the order
shall be effective immediately and shall remain in effect until withdrawn by
the Commissioner or terminated by a court order.
(3) The order, upon application made on or
after its effective date by the Commissioner to the superior court of the
county in which the foreign savings association's principal California office
is located, shall be enforced ex parte and without notice by an order to comply
entered by the court. The proceedings shall be given precedence over other
cases pending in court, and shall in every way be expedited.
(4) Any foreign savings association affected
by an order of the Commissioner shall, after its receipt, have the right to
apply within 10 days to the court for a hearing and order suspending the order
of the Commissioner until the hearing has been completed. The hearing shall be
held as provided in a notice to the Commissioner by the court. The Court may
stay or suspend the Commissioner's order only if the foreign savings
association establishes that the order is likely to be reversed after
hearing.
(5) Whether upon
application by the Commissioner or by the foreign savings association, the
court shall have the power to enter and enforce the proper order or orders or
to dismiss the matter. The burden of proof shall be upon the foreign savings
association to establish that the Commissioner's order was issued
unlawfully.
(c)
(1) The Commissioner may require that any
director, officer, or employee of a foreign savings association who has
consented to or participated in a violation of law or regulation or an unsafe
or unsound practice or who has breached his or her fiduciary duty to the
foreign savings association be removed from supervision of or employment at any
California office of the foreign savings association if the action of the
person or persons concerned was knowingly and willfully taken.
(2) Prior to entering an order of removal,
the Commissioner shall deliver a full statement of the objectionable acts and
conduct to the board of directors of the foreign savings association and the
person or persons concerned and notice of the Commissioner's intention to issue
a removal order.
(3) If a hearing
on the matter is requested within 10 days after delivery of the notice to the
foreign savings association, the Commissioner shall hold a public hearing at
which any evidence relating to the matters set forth in the statement may be
presented. After the hearing, the Commissioner, on the basis of the evidence
presented at the hearing, may proceed to enter an order for the immediate
removal of the director, officer, or employee affected, a reprimand to the
individuals and foreign savings association concerned, or a dismissal of the
entire matter. The Commissioner's order may include such conditions as are
deemed appropriate.
(4) If no
hearing is requested within the time specified, the Commissioner may proceed to
enter a final order of removal on the basis of the facts set forth in the
original statement.
(5) No
director, officer, or employee who has been removed from his or her position
pursuant to a removal order that has become final, shall thereafter participate
in any manner in the conduct of the affairs of the California office(s) of the
foreign savings association from which that director, officer, or employee was
removed, or without prior written approval of the Commissioner, serve as a
director, officer, or employee of any association or California office of a
foreign savings association.
(6)
With respect to any officer, director, or employee of a foreign savings
association who is the subject of a statement delivered by the Commissioner
pursuant to subdivision (2), the Commissioner may, if the Commissioner deems it
necessary for the protection of savings account holders, borrowers, or
stockholders resident in this state, by written notice to that effect served
upon the officer, director, or employee, prohibit him or her from further
participation in any manner in the conduct of the affairs of the California
office. The prohibition shall become effective upon service of the notice and,
unless stayed by a court in proceedings authorized by subdivision (7), shall
remain in effect pending completion of the proceedings pursuant to the
statement delivered under subdivision (2) and until the effective date of an
order entered by the Commissioner under subdivision (3) or subdivision (4). A
copy of the notice shall also be served upon the foreign savings association of
which the person is a director, officer, or employee.
(7) Within 10 days after any director,
officer, or employee has become subject to a suspension or prohibition under
subdivision (6), such person may apply to a court having jurisdiction for a
stay of the suspension or prohibition pending completion of the proceedings,
pursuant to subdivisions (3), or (4) and the court shall have power to stay the
prohibition.
1. New
section filed 7-1-87; operative 7-1-87 pursuant to Government Code Section
11346.2(d)
(Register 87, No. 28).
Note: Authority cited: Sections
8053 and
10012,
Financial Code. Reference: Sections
5810,
8200,
8201 and
10012,
Financial Code.