The Department of Banking News Bulletin 

Bulletin # 2541
Week Ending November 2, 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
11/01/12
Essex Savings Bank
Essex
203 Middlesex Avenue
Chester, CT  06412
Approved
02/28/13
Fairfield County Bank
Ridgefield
720 Branchville Road
Ridgefield, CT  06877
Closing
Date

CONSUMER CREDIT DIVISION ACTIVITY
Order to Cease and Desist, Order of Repayment of Fees
and Order Imposing Civil Penalty
On October 22, 2012, the Commissioner issued an Order to Cease and Desist, Order of Repayment of Fees and Order Imposing Civil Penalty (“Order”) In the Matter of:  Bruce S. Weiner Attorney At Law d/b/a Consult Legal Group (“Respondent”), Cerritos, Newport Beach and Santa Ana, California.  The basis of the Order was that Respondent engaged in debt negotiation in this state without obtaining the required license, in violation of Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes in effect prior to October 1, 2011, and that the fees charged by Respondent for debt negotiation services were excessive.  Respondent was ordered to cease and desist from violating Section 36a 671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes in effect prior to October 1, 2011, to pay a civil penalty in the amount of $100,000, and to repay fees to identified Connecticut residents.
Order Revoking Consumer Collection Agency License
and Order to Cease and Desist
On October 22, 2012, the Commissioner issued an Order Revoking Consumer Collection Agency License and Order to Cease and Desist (“Order”) in the Matter of:  National Credit Solutions, L.L.C. (“Respondent”), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  The Order was based on Respondent’s failure to maintain a surety bond that runs concurrent with the period of its consumer collection agency license for 3680 E. I 240 Service Road, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in violation of Section 36a-802(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes.  The Order revokes Respondent’s license to act as a consumer collection agency in Connecticut from such location and orders Respondent to cease and desist from violating Section 36a 802(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes.
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 October 22, 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:  Elite Financial Solutions Inc. a/k/a E. F. Solutions Inc. (“Respondent”), Pompano Beach and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  The Notice was the result of an investigation by the Consumer Credit Division.  The Notice alleges that Respondent offered to engage in debt negotiation in this state without the required license, in violation of Section 36a-671(b) of 2012 Supplement to the General Statutes, and engaged in debt negotiation in this state without the required license, in violation of Section 36a-671(b) of the 2012 Supplement to the General Statutes.  The Commissioner also found that the public welfare required the issuance of a Temporary Order to Cease and Desist against Respondent.  Respondent was afforded an opportunity to request a hearing with regard to the allegations set forth in the Notice.
     Dated:  Tuesday, November 6, 2012
       Howard F. Pitkin
       Banking Commissioner