Bulletin 2536 - September 28, 2012

State of Connecticut
Department of Banking

The Department of Banking News Bulletin
Bulletin # 2536

Week Ending September 28, 2012

This bulletin constitutes the only official notification you will receive from this office concerning any of the following applications. Any observations you may have are solicited. Any comments should be in writing to Howard F. Pitkin, Banking Commissioner, at the Connecticut Department of Banking, 260 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, CT 06103-1800 or via E-mail . Written comments will be considered only if they are received within ten days from the date of this bulletin.

STATE BANK ACTIVITY

Branch Activity

Section 36a-145 of the Connecticut General Statutes requires certain applications for a branch, or for a limited branch at which loans will be made, be accompanied by a plan detailing how adequate services to meet the banking needs of all community residents will be provided. Plans are submitted when such applications are filed and are available for public inspection and comment at this Department for a period of 30 days. Questions concerning branch activity should be directed to the Financial Institutions Division, (860) 240-8180.

Date

Bank

Location

Activity

10/01/12

Savings Bank of Danbury

Danbury

• 1200 Summer Street

Stamford, CT 06905

Opening

Date

• Loan Production Office

CREDIT UNION ACTIVITY
Merger

On September 26, 2012, pursuant to Section 36a-468a(b)(1) of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Commissioner approved the merger of Hartford Postal Employees Credit Union, Inc.
, Wethersfield, Connecticut, with and into
American Eagle Federal Credit Union
, East Hartford, Connecticut.

CONSUMER CREDIT DIVISION ACTIVITY
Consent Orders

On September 6, 2012, the Commissioner entered into a Consent Order with Evans Law Associates, P.C.
(“Respondent”), Cheektowaga, New York. The Consent Order was based on an investigation by the Consumer Credit Division. As a result of such investigation, the Commissioner alleged that Respondent acted as a consumer collection agency in Connecticut without a license, in violation of Section 36a-801(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes. Pursuant to the Consent Order, Respondent paid $3,000 as a civil penalty and agreed to cease and desist from acting as a consumer collection agency in Connecticut without a license in violation of Section 36a-801(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes.

On September 6, 2012, the Commissioner entered into a Consent Order with New Era Group, Inc. d/b/a New Era Debt Solutions (“Respondent”), Camarillo, California. The Consent Order was based on an investigation by the Consumer Credit Division. As a result of such investigation, the Commissioner alleged that from at least October 2009 to May 2010 Respondent engaged in debt negotiation in Connecticut without a license, in violation of Section 36a-671(b) of the then applicable Connecticut General Statutes. Pursuant to the Consent Order, Respondent paid $3,000 as a civil penalty, agreed to cease and desist from engaging or offering to engage in unlicensed debt negotiation activity in violation of Section 36a-671(b) of the applicable Connecticut General Statutes and refunded all fees paid by Connecticut residents for debt negotiation services since October 2009.

Orders to Cease and Desist and Orders Imposing Civil Penalties

On September 12, 2012, the Commissioner issued an Order to Cease and Desist and Order Imposing Civil Penalty (“Order”) In the Matter of:
Cardinal Management, LLC
(“Respondent”), Carson City, Nevada. The basis of the Order was that Respondent offered and made at least one loan in this state without obtaining the required license, in violation of Section 36a-555 of the Connecticut General Statutes, and charged a Connecticut resident an interest rate of greater than 12% on a loan in the amount of less than $15,000, in violation of Section 36a-573(a) of the 2012 Supplement to the General Statutes. Respondent was ordered to cease and desist from violating such provisions and to pay a civil penalty in the amount of $100,000.

On September 12, 2012, the Commissioner issued an Order to Cease and Desist and Order Imposing Civil Penalty (“Order”) In the Matter of:
National Creditline, Inc. a/k/a NationalCreditLine.com (“Respondent”), Wilmington, Delaware. The basis of the Order was that Respondent offered and made at least one loan in this state without obtaining the required license, in violation of Section 36a-555 of the Connecticut General Statutes, and charged a Connecticut resident an interest rate of greater than 12% on a loan in the amount of less than $15,000, in violation of Section 36a-573(a) of the 2012 Supplement to the General Statutes. Respondent was ordered to cease and desist from violating such provisions and to pay a civil penalty in the amount of $100,000.

Temporary Order to Cease and Desist, Notice of Intent to Issue Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Intent to Impose Civil Penalty

On September 12, 2012, the Commissioner issued a Temporary Order to Cease and Desist, Notice of Intent to Issue Order to Cease and Desist, Notice of Intent to Impose Civil Penalty and Notice of Right to Hearing (“Notice”) in the Matter of:
Law Offices Of Drew Alia, P.C., A Professional Law Corporation d/b/a The Alia Law Group (“Alia Law Group”) and GMK Solutions, LLC (“GMK Solutions”) (collectively, “Respondents”), both of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Notice was the result of an investigation by the Consumer Credit Division. The Notice alleged that: (1) Alia Law Group’s engaging in debt negotiation in this state without obtaining the required license constitutes a violation of Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, in effect prior to October 1, 2011, and (2) GMK Solutions’ engaging in debt negotiation in this state without obtaining the required license constitutes a violation of Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, in effect prior to October 1, 2011. The Commissioner also found that public welfare required the issuance of a Temporary Order to Cease and Desist against Respondents. Respondents were afforded an opportunity to request a hearing with regard to the allegations set forth in the Notice.

Dated: Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Howard F. Pitkin

Banking Commissioner