Bulletin # 2644 - Week Ending October 24, 2014

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, Department of Banking, 260 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, CT 06103-1800.  Written comments will be considered only if they are received within ten days from the date of this bulletin.

STATE BANK ACTIVITY

Change of Name

On October 24, 2014, pursuant to Section 36a-82 of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Commissioner approved the name change of Darien Rowayton Bank to DRB Bank.

CONSUMER CREDIT DIVISION ACTIVITY

Order to Cease and Desist and Order Imposing Civil Penalty

On October 16, 2014, the Commissioner issued an Order to Cease and Desist and Order Imposing Civil Penalty (“Order”) In the Matter of:  US Loan Solutions Company (“Respondent”), Smyrna, Georgia.  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, as amended by Public Act 14-7.  Respondent was ordered to cease and desist from violating Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, and to pay a civil penalty in the amount of $100,000.  In addition, an Order to Make Restitution previously issued against Respondent on July 17, 2014, remains in effect and became permanent on August 8, 2014.

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

On October 16, 2014, the Commissioner issued a Temporary Order to Cease and Desist, Order to Make Restitution (“Order to Make Restitution”), Notice of Intent to Issue Order to Cease and Desist, Notice of Intent to Impose Civil Penalty and Notice of Right to Hearing (collectively “Notice”) in the Matter of:  Transfer Services Inc. d/b/a Resolution Center d/b/a United Law Center d/b/a Trustee Services (“Transfer Services”), Salt Lake City, Utah, Irvine, California, and Costa Mesa, California; Lawson Financial LLC d/b/a Hamp Services (“Lawson Financial“), Salt Lake City, Utah, Irvine, California, and Fountain Valley, California; Sabrina Rafo (“Rafo”); Brian C. Solomon (“Solomon“); and John Ortega (“Ortega”) (collectively “Respondents”).  The Notice was the result of an investigation by the Consumer Credit Division.  The Notice alleges that the Respondents engaged in debt negotiation in this state without obtaining the required license, in violation of Section 36a-671 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended by Public Act 14-7.  As part of the Order to Make Restitution, each Respondent was ordered to repay fees to identified Connecticut residents plus interest, and to repay to any other Connecticut resident who entered into an agreement for debt negotiation services with such Respondent on and after October 1, 2009, any fees paid by such Connecticut resident to any Respondent plus interest.  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 28, 2014

Howard F. Pitkin
Banking Commissioner