The Department of Banking News Bulletin 

Bulletin # 2217
Week Ending August 18, 2006

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 John P. Burke, Banking Commissioner, at the Connecticut Department of Banking, 260 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, CT 06103-1800 or via E-mail to john.burke@ct.gov. Written comments will be considered only if they are received within ten days from the date of this bulletin.


BRANCH ACTIVITY
State Bank Activity

Section 36a-145 of the Connecticut General Statutes requires that each application 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
7/10/06
Connecticut Bank and
  Trust Company, Hartford
66 Cedar Street
Newington, CT 06111
opening
date
8/15/06
Valley Bank
Bristol
888 Farmington Avenue
Bristol, CT 06010
filed


CONSUMER CREDIT DIVISION ACTIVITY
Notice of Intent to Issue Order to Cease and Desist, Notice of Intent to Impose
Civil Penalty and Notice of Right to Hearing Issued
On August 15, 2006, the Commissioner issued a Notice of Intent to Issue Order to Cease and Desist, Notice of intent to Impose Civil Penalty and Notice of Right to Hearing (“Notice”) with respect to Elsayed Hassan d/b/a Hot Dog Plus (“Hot Dog Plus”).  The Notice was based on the allegation that Hot Dog Plus, which is located in Norwalk, Connecticut, engaged in the business of cashing checks, drafts or money orders for consideration without a license in violation of Section 36a-581(a) of the 2006 Supplement to the General Statutes and that Hot Dog Plus charged a sum in excess of what is allowed under Section 36a-585-1(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.  The Notice also states that the Commissioner intends to impose a civil penalty upon Hot Dog Plus not to exceed $200,000.  Hot Dog Plus was afforded an opportunity to request a hearing with regard to the allegations set forth in the Notice.

SECURITIES FORUM
The department's annual Securities Forum will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2006 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center in Cromwell, Connecticut.  To sign up for the event and to view the final program schedule, go to https://www.ct.gov/dob/lib/dob/securities_nonhtml/securities_forum_2006-web.pdf.   The keynote speaker will be Zachary J. Bagdon, Executive Director of the International Center for Finance at Yale School of Management.
New York Firm Fined $200,000 in Conjunction with Promissory Note Sales
On August 14, 2006, the Commissioner entered an Order Imposing Fine with respect to Charter One Capital Holding, Inc. of 11 Broadway, Suite 1015, New York, New York.  The action had been preceded by an April 27, 2006 Order to Cease and Desist, Notice of Intent to Fine and Notice of Right to Hearing alleging that the respondent issued and sold unregistered promissory notes from January 2003 to October 2005 in violation of Section 36b-16 of the Connecticut Uniform Securities Act, and violated the antifraud provisions of the Act by 1) failing to disclose to investors the risks associated with the investment in light of the issuer’s precarious financial position and the fact that the issuer had not been paying interest on the notes; and 2) misrepresenting that certain individuals were associated with the respondent when, in actuality, those individuals had declined the respondent’s request for them to become officers or directors.   Since the respondent did not request a hearing on the Order to Cease and Desist, the Order to Cease and Desist had become permanent on June 1, 2006.
In fining the firm $200,000, the Commissioner found that the respondent had committed one violation of Section 36b-16 of the Act and one violation of Section 36b-4 of the Act.  The respondent did not contest the imposition of the fine.

New York Man Fined $100,000 For Engaging in Private Securities Transaction
On August 14, 2006, the Commissioner entered an Order Imposing Fine with respect to Stephen Roy Desiderio of Staten Island, New York.  The respondent was formerly a broker-dealer agent of Independent Securities Investors Corporation.  The action had been preceded by an April 27, 2006 Order to Cease and Desist, Notice of Intent to Fine and Notice of Right to Hearing alleging that the respondent engaged in a private securities transaction in violation of Section 36b-31-6e of the Regulations under the Connecticut Uniform Securities Act.   Since the respondent did not request a hearing on the Order to Cease and Desist, the Order to Cease and Desist had become permanent on June 14, 2006.  In fining the respondent $100,000, the Commissioner found that the respondent had committed one violation of Section 36b-31-6e of the Regulations.  The respondent did not contest the imposition of the fine.
       Dated:  Tuesday, August 22, 2006
       John P. Burke
       Commissioner