DFPI Licenses and Regulates | The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (2024)

• Banks
• Broker-Dealers Investment Advisers
• Business and Industrial Development Corporations (BIDCO)
• California Finance Lenders
• California Deferred Deposit Transactions – Payday Lenders
• California Residential Mortgage Lenders
• Capital Access Companies
• Check Sellers, Bill Payers and Proraters
• Corporate Securities Law of 1968
• Credit Unions
• Debt Collectors
• Escrow Agents/ Escrow Laws
• Foreign (Other Nation) Banks
• Foreign (Other State) Banks
• Franchise Investment Law
• Industrial Banks
• Local Agency Security Program (LASP)
• Money Transmitters
• Mortgage Loan Originators
• New Covered Persons
• Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program Administrators
• Premium Finance Companies
• Public Banks
• Responsible Small Dollar Loans (Pilot Program)
• Student Loan Servicers
• Trust Companies and Departments

Other State and National Financial Institution Regulators

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)

The OCC is responsible for national banks. National banks are distinguished by the words “national” or “national association” or the initials “N.A.”

Examples: Bank of America, N.A. Citibank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Union Bank, N.A., U.S. Bank, N.A., and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

National banks sometimes omit the words “national association” or the initials “N.A.” in their advertising. To determine if your bank is a national bank, you may wish to check your official bank documents, checks, loan documents, deposit agreement, etc.

Note: On July 21, 2011, supervisory responsibility for federal savings associations transferred from the OTS to the OCC.

National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)

The National Credit Union Administration is responsible for Federal credit unions. Federal credit unions are distinguished by the words “federal” or the initials “F.C.U.”

Examples: First Technology Federal Credit Union, Kinecta Federal Credit Union, Lockheed Federal Credit Union, Mission Federal Credit Union, Navy Federal Credit Union and Schools First Federal Credit Union (fka Orange County Teachers FCU)

Federal credit unions sometimes omit the word “federal credit union” or the initials “F.C.U.” in their advertising. To determine if your credit union is a Federal credit union, you may wish to check your official documents, checks, loan documents, deposit agreement, etc. for the exact legal title.

Other California Financial Service Regulators

California Department of Real Estate (DRE)

The DRE is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Real Estate Law and Subdivided Lands Law. Licensees include real estate brokers and salespersons, prepaid rental listing services and mineral, oil and gas brokers. Real estate brokers may also act as mortgage brokers.

California Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers (BREA)

BREA safeguards public trust by promoting professionalism in the real estate appraisal industry through licensing, education, and enforcement.

Additional State Financial Service Contacts

Office of the Attorney General (AG) – Department of Justice

The AG administers the Check Casher Permit Program. Every owner of a check cashing business in California is required by law to obtain a permit from the Attorney General’s Department of Justice.

Department of Insurance (CDI)

CDI licenses and regulates the rates and practices of insurance companies, agents, and brokers in California including title insurance companies and title insurance controlled escrows.