Administration and Powers of the CommissionerEnforcement
Section § 14300
This law defines key terms related to credit unions and other financial institutions in California. An 'officer with a subject institution' includes directors, officers, or employees of these institutions. 'Subject institution' covers California credit unions, their subsidiaries, and foreign credit unions with California offices, excluding federal credit unions. 'Subject person' refers to individuals involved with a subject institution, like directors or employees, and also includes independent contractors who might cause financial harm, such as through law violations, breaches of duty, or unsafe acts. A 'violation' is any act causing or helping others to breach laws or agreements linked to subject institutions or persons.
Section § 14301
This law allows a person to give up their right to receive a notice or have a hearing before a commissioner makes a decision on an order concerning them. Essentially, they can choose to skip these steps if they agree to do so.
Section § 14302
This law allows the commissioner to take legal action to stop violations, enforce rules, or collect penalties related to financial regulations. The court can issue orders to stop illegal activities and appoint a special officer to manage the wrongdoer’s assets or operations.
The appointed officer can take control over the company’s management with court approval, and they are protected from legal actions against them for performing their duties.
If beneficial for the public, the commissioner can ask the court for extra help, like restitution or damages for affected individuals. However, these processes don’t apply to California or foreign credit unions operating legally in the state.
Additionally, this section doesn't prevent other people from bringing similar legal actions if they choose to do so.
Section § 14303
This law lets the commissioner order someone to stop breaking Section 14150 without any warning or hearing if the commissioner is sure they have broken the rule or are likely to do so soon. After receiving such an order, the person has 30 days to request a hearing. If the commissioner doesn't start the hearing within 15 business days of the request, the order is automatically canceled. Once the hearing happens, the commissioner has 30 days to decide whether to stand by the order, change it, or cancel it, or else it gets canceled automatically. Even if a person doesn't ask for a hearing, they can still challenge the order in court.
Section § 14304
This law allows a commissioner to issue a stop order, known as a cease and desist, to an institution or person involved in unsafe business practices or legal violations. If there's evidence or reasonable belief that such practices are happening or about to happen, the commissioner can intervene. The order can apply when the practices threaten the institution's business or if there's a breach of legal obligations or agreements.
Section § 14305
The commissioner can order a financial institution or person to stop an action immediately if certain factors indicate the action could lead to serious negative consequences, like insolvency or significant asset loss. No prior notice or hearing is needed for this order.
If the institution or person wants to challenge the order, they can request a hearing within 30 days. If the hearing doesn't start within 15 business days of the request, the order is automatically canceled. After the hearing, the commissioner has 30 days to decide on the order; if no decision is made, the order is canceled.
Even if the institution or person doesn't ask for a hearing, they still have the right to seek judicial review of the order.
Section § 14306
This law section describes actions that can be mandated by an order related to financial institutions or individuals who may have violated laws or guidelines. The order can require corrective actions such as paying back gains from wrongful actions, addressing any illegal acts, or hiring qualified staff. It might also limit the activities of the institution or individual involved.
Orders can include the requirement to return profits gained unjustly, manage rapid growth, dispose of problematic assets, and rectify legal breaches. They may also dictate operations changes or personnel decisions, all of which should align with the commissioner's approval if necessary.
Section § 14307
This law allows a commissioner to take immediate action if a financial institution's records are so bad that the commissioner can't figure out the institution's financial health or transactions. The commissioner can order the institution to stop practices causing the bad records or fix them. Institutions have 30 days to ask for a hearing about this order. If the commissioner doesn't start the hearing in 15 business days, the order disappears. After the hearing, the commissioner has 30 days to make a final decision on the order. Even if an institution doesn't ask for a hearing, they can still request a court review.
Section § 14308
This law allows a commissioner to suspend or remove a person from their position in a financial institution if certain conditions are met after a notice and hearing. The person can be dismissed if they have violated laws or agreements, engaged in unsafe practices, or breached their fiduciary duty.
If these actions result in financial loss, risk to members' interests, or personal gain from dishonest behavior, removal can be ordered. The commissioner must find that the actions involve dishonesty or disregard for the institution's safety before proceeding.
Section § 14309
This law says that if a financial commissioner believes there are issues with a person in a financial institution, they can immediately suspend or restrict that person’s involvement without prior notice. This is to protect the institution and its members. The affected individual can request a hearing within 30 days to challenge the order.
If the commissioner doesn't start the hearing within 15 business days or doesn't make a decision within 30 days after the hearing, the order automatically cancels. Even without requesting a hearing, the person can seek a court review of the order later on.
Section § 14310
This law allows a commissioner to immediately suspend a person from their role at a financial institution and prohibit their involvement in the institution's affairs if they've been charged with certain serious crimes, like those involving dishonesty or breach of trust, or if their presence threatens the institution's integrity or public confidence. The suspension lasts until the legal matter is resolved or the commissioner decides otherwise. If convicted, the person may be permanently removed from their position without prior notice. These individuals have the right to request a hearing within 30 days of the order. The commissioner must start the hearing within 15 days or the order is canceled. The law also clarifies that even if someone isn't convicted, the commissioner can still take action based on other laws.
Section § 14311
This section allows a financial institution or its current or former employees to ask the commissioner to change or cancel an order issued under earlier laws (Sections 14308 to 14310). The commissioner will decide based on public interest and whether it's likely they'll follow all rules if they become involved with the institution again.
Additionally, even if they don't make this request to change or rescind an order, they can still ask a court to review the order without affecting their right to do so.
Section § 14312
This law applies to certain financial institutions like credit unions in California. It makes it illegal for certain people connected to these institutions, who have received a specific order, to perform certain actions without the commissioner's approval. These actions include taking on roles within the institution, voting for directors, handling shares or securities with voting rights, and participating in the management or affairs of the institution.
Section § 14313
This law states that the commissioner has the power to take control of a California credit union's property and business without giving prior notice or holding a hearing if certain conditions are met. These conditions include the credit union violating laws or orders, conducting business unsafely, being in a poor financial condition, having insufficient net worth or insolvency, failing to meet its financial obligations, stopping business operations, or requesting assistance themselves.
Section § 14314
If a state official takes control of a California credit union's assets and operations, that credit union has 10 days to ask a local court to stop these actions. The court can either dismiss the request or stop the official's actions and return control to the credit union. Either party can appeal the court's decision.
Additionally, a credit union can restart its operations if the official agrees to certain conditions after taking control.
Section § 14315
This law discusses what happens when the commissioner takes control of a credit union's business and assets in California. The commissioner can start to liquidate the credit union like a state commercial bank, appoint a liquidating agent or committee to handle the process, or work with the National Credit Union Administration as a conservator or receiver. The liquidation process is similar to that used for other financial institutions, with specific steps to file necessary certificates and involve external parties if needed. The liquidating agent does not need to be a member of the credit union.
Section § 14316
This law states that the commissioner oversees the actions of the liquidating agent or committee. The commissioner has the authority to remove them if deemed necessary.
Section § 14317
This law states that if the commissioner requires it, the person or group handling the closure of a credit union must show proof of having a bond. This bond must protect against fraud, dishonesty, and poor performance by the agent or committee members. The cost of this bond is paid from the credit union's assets.
Section § 14318
If the commissioner is in charge of liquidating a credit union's assets, they must use their office's civil service employees, and legal support will be provided by either the commissioner's own attorneys or those from the Department of Justice when needed.
Section § 14319
This section states that if the commissioner takes control of a financial institution or takes action against a person without giving them prior notice or a hearing, they must provide a written order immediately. This order must explain the reasons for the commissioner's actions. Additionally, when taking over an institution, the commissioner must have clear evidence for doing so.