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| Pennsylvania - Department of Banking |
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking is organized into three bureaus: Examinations; Supervision and Enforcement; and Licensing, Compliance and Consumer Services. In addition to the three bureaus, other major components of the department include the Office of Chief Counsel, the Administration Services Division, the Information Technology Division, the Human Resources Division, and Fiscal Services.
1. EXAMINATIONS BUREAU
Houses the examination function of the Department under which the records, accounts and policies of state-chartered banks; savings banks; trust companies; private banks; savings and loan associations; bank holding companies; savings and loan holding companies; and credit unions are examined for financial soundness and compliance with statutes and regulations pursuant to several financial institution regulatory laws. The bureau maintains two operating regional offices with staff to oversee all examination activities and to provide coordination with the main office.
2. BUREAU OF SUPERVISION AND ENFORCEMENT
Depository Division
The principal departmental liaison and supervisory agent for state-chartered banks, non-depository trust companies, savings and loan associations and credit unions. It participates in the oversight and regulation of the operations of these institutions to provide for the safe and sound conduct of business.
Applications Division
Implements statutes and regulations for the chartering of commercial banks, savings banks, trust companies, credit unions and savings and loan associations. It is responsible for processing, reviewing and analyzing branch applications; mergers; consolidations; purchases and assumptions; conversions; liquidations; holding company organizations; and interstate and intrastate acquisitions.
3. BUREAU OF LICENSING, COMPLIANCE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
Licensing Division
Implements statutes and regulations for the licensing of money transmitters, consumer discount companies, pawnbrokers, motor vehicle sales finance companies, collector-repossessors, installment sellers, secondary mortgage lenders, brokers and brokers agents, and first mortgage bankers and brokers.
Consumer Compliance Division
Responsible for examining consumer credit companies to ensure compliance with state regulatory and consumer protection statutes and regulations
Consumer Services Division
Acts as the public information and consumer service center of the Department, responding to consumer inquiries relating to state-chartered and licensed financial services companies and is the source for financial institution-related information for the news media and consumers.
Use the attached link to access current information on the Pennsylvania Department of Banking.
http://www.banking.state.pa.us/banking/site/default.asp
Contact and Location Information
U.S. POSTAL MAIL
Department of Banking
333 Market Street, 16th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101-2290
PHONE & FAX
(717) 787-2665 -- General Number (and for outside Pennsylvania)
1-800- PA BANKS -- Special Toll Free Number for Consumer Complaints/Inquiries (Pennsylvania ONLY)
1-717-787-1854 -- Consumer Complaints/Inquiries (inside or outside Pennsylvania)
1-800-679-5070 -- TDD
(717) 787-8773 -- FAX Number
PRESS OFFICE
Members of the media should contact the press secretary directly at:
717-772-2318
Complaints
Whom do I contact if I have a complaint or inquiry?
If you have a complaint and have been unable to resolve the matter after contacting and discussing the issue with the institution, company or individual, you should contact the PA Department of Banking's Consumer Services Division. The Consumer Services Division will ask for background information about your situation and may request that you submit copies of certain documents relative to the matter. The Division's staff will use this information to resolve the complaint and ensure that there have been no legal or regulatory violations.
The Department of Banking's regulatory oversight is limited to state-chartered banks, credit unions, savings associations, trust companies, and various non-depository financial services licensees (first mortgage banker or broker; secondary mortgage lender, broker, and broker's agent; consumer discount company; sales finance company; installment seller; collector-repossessor; pawnbroker; money transmitter; and accelerated mortgage payment provider).
You can contact the Consumer Services Division at the following numbers: 1-800 PA BANKS (1-800-722-2657) (within PA) (Voice) and (717) 787-1854 (Voice), 1-800-679-5070 -- TDD.
Entities Regulated
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking licenses and regulates the following non-depository financial institutions:
- secondary mortgage lenders
- first mortgage bankers
- first and secondary mortgage brokers
- consumer discount companies
- motor vehicle installment sellers
- motor vehicle sales finance companies
- motor vehicle collector/repossessors
- pawnbrokers
- check cashers
- accelerated mortgage payment providers
- money transmitters
- loan correspondents
Laws and Regulations
Use the attached link for current information on the laws the regulations the State Banking Department is responsible for enforcing.
http://www.banking.state.pa.us/banking/cwp/view.asp?a=1302&Q=528048&bankingNav
Identity Theft
When it comes to identity theft, the old adage applies, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The following are useful tips and information for consumers to avoid identity theft:
- Be careful about giving out your personal information. Don’t give out any personal information over the phone unless you initiate the call;
- Pay attention to your billing cycles. If you don’t get your bills in the mail, be suspicious;
- Be cautious about where you leave your information. Think of your bills as cash, don’t leave them lying around;
- Guard your mail from theft. Be vigilant about checking your mail promptly after it has been delivered. Don’t let it pile up while you are away;
- Watch what you throw away. What may be garbage to you can be stolen treasure to an identity thief;
- Travel light. Don’t carry more checks or credit cards than you need. That will minimize the damage if your wallet is lost or stolen; and
- Check your credit report on a regular basis. Order a copy of your credit report from the three major credit reporting agencies at least once a year and make sure that the information they have is correct.
- The agencies are:
- Experian 1-800-397-3742
- Equifax 1-800-525-6285
- Trans Union 1-800-680-7289
If a consumer is a victim of Identity theft, he/she should:
- Contact creditors by phone and by certified mail;
- Stop payment on checks and close bank accounts;
- Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles and your local postal inspector;
- File a report with your local police department; and
- Call the FTC’s fraud hotline at 1-877-IDTHEFT.
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