Effective July 1, 2013, the Department of Corporations
and the Department of Financial Institutions merged
to form the Department of Business Oversight (DBO)
reporting to a newly formed Business, Consumer
Services and Housing Agency.
Licensees and Industries Regulated by
the Department
The DBO works collaboratively with:
• Stock-brokers and investment advisors, including
financial planners offering investment advice
• California State agencies such as Bureau of Real
Estate, Department of Consumer Affairs, Department
of Insurance and California Department of Justice
• Federal agencies: Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Federal
Trade Commission, Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency, Securities and Exchange Commission and
U.S. Department of Justice
• Local agencies (cities, counties, district attorneys)
Mission Statement
The DBO regulates state-licensed financial service
institutions, products and professionals in order to
ensure a fair and secure financial services marketplace.
The DBO serves the state by enforcing the state’s
financial services laws and providing resources to
Californians to help them make informed
financial decisions.
• State-chartered banks and credit unions
• Offer and sale of investments (stocks and bonds),
franchises, and certain commodity transactions
• Finance companies that offer consumer and/or
commercial loans, and the resulting loans
• Residential mortgage lenders (also called mortgage
bankers) and loan servicers, and the resulting loans
secured by family homes
• Payday lenders that defer deposits of checks for a fee,
and payday loan transactions
• Independent escrow companies and escrow
transactions
• Money transmitters
For a complete list of licensees and industries regulated
by the Department, please visit our website at
www.dbo.ca.gov.
Enforcement
The DBO protects the public from fraud and violations
of law committed by investment and financial
service businesses in California. The DBO can issue
administrative orders; deny, censure, suspend, or
revoke licenses of individuals and companies; and file
civil actions against wrongdoers. The DBO works with
district attorneys and law enforcement on
criminal prosecutions.
Help us protect Californians from unlicensed
or fraudulent consumer transactions.
Do you think you have been a victim of financial fraud
or a scam?
Call us toll-free
1-866-275-2677
File a complaint at
www.dbo.ca.gov/Consumers/consumer_services.asp
Website Resources
The DBO’s website contains helpful information
and tools.
• Look up an investment or financial service provider to
see if that individual or business is properly licensed
• Research financial data and other information,
including financial institution profiles and peer group
comparisons
• Look up DBO’s enforcement actions, including civil
actions and administrative orders
.