The Department of Banking News Bulletin 

Bulletin # 2220
Week Ending September 8, 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.


CONSUMER CREDIT DIVISION ATIVITY
Check Cashing Service License Activity

Date Check Casher Location Activity
12/02/05
Main Street Check Cashers, LLC
1611 Main Street
Hartford, CT  06120
filed
02/26/06
Crespo Grocery
160 South Main Street
South Norwalk, CT  06854
filed
05/08/06
Envios Gomez, LLC
557 Park Street
Hartford, CT  06106
filed
06/02/06
World Multiservice & Cargo
13 Willow Street
Waterbury, CT  06710
filed
07/19/06
Latino's Travel
d/b/a Eduardo Sarabia-Forero
1697 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT  06604
approved
07/20/06
United Check Cashing
d/b/a Gelt Enterprises, Inc.
757 Wolcott Street
Waterbury, CT  06705
filed
07/24/06
M.L.Financial Services of
  Danbury, LLC
213 White Street
Danbury, CT  06810
approved
07/28/06
Mariana's Bargain Store, Inc.
220 Stillwater Avenue
Stamford, CT  06902
filed
08/14/06
Connecticut State Check
  Cashing Services, Inc.
164 Boston Avenue
Bridgeport, CT  06610
filed
08/14/06
Sam's Deli
153 Highland Avenue
Waterbury, CT  06708
filed
08/14/06
Vasques Check Cashing
  Services, Inc.
399 Main Street
Danbury, CT  06810
filed
08/25/06
Music & Mas
d/b/a Jose Hernandez
56 South Main Street
Norwalk, CT 06850
filed
08/25/06
C&A Market
1088 Boston Post Road
New Haven, CT  06516
filed
09/08/06
World Multiservice & Cargo
13 Willow Street
Waterbury, CT  06710
approved
ACQUISITION AND MERGER
On September 5, 2006, pursuant to Sections 36a-412(b) and 36a-125 of the Connecticut General Statutes, NewAlliance Bank, a Connecticut bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc., and Westbank, a Massachusetts-chartered bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of Westbank Corporation, filed an application for the merger of Westbank with and into New Alliance Bank in connection with the simultaneous merger of their holding companies.  In connection with the application, a community reinvestment plan was filed, which is available for public inspection and comment at the Department of Banking for a period of 30 days.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT REGULATIONS
The Commissioner is issuing a Notice of Intent to Adopt Regulations concerning the payment of interest on funds held in escrow by mortgagees.  A copy of the proposed regulations is attached or can be viewed at the Department’s website, www.ct.gov/dob/.

SECURITIES AND BUSINESS INVESTMENTS DIVISION ACTIVITY
California Firm Assessed $14,450 for Employing Unregistered
Broker-dealer Agents
On September 8, 2006, the Commissioner entered a Consent Order with respect to Jefferies & Company, Inc. of 11100 Santa Monica Boulevard, 11th Floor, Los Angeles, California.  The firm is registered as a broker-dealer under the Connecticut Uniform Securities Act.  The Consent Order alleged that, from 1999 to 2006, the firm employed unregistered broker-dealer agents at its branch office located at One Station Place, Suite Three North, Stamford, Connecticut.  The Consent Order directed the firm to refrain from regulatory violations; implement revised supervisory and compliance procedures; and pay $14,450 to the department.  Of the amount assessed, $10,000 constituted an administrative fine and $4,450 represented reimbursement for past due registration fees.
       Dated:  Wednesday, September 12, 2006
       John P. Burke
       Commissioner