About the Department of Business Oversight - Education and Outreach

DBO

Description

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 .