California Department of Financial Institutions - California Department of Financial Institutions

California’s financial institutions are symbols of safety and soundness. Their role in business and industry is important to the economy and to our own personal well-being. Maintaining the integrity of financial services through safety and soundness examinations remains our primary mission as the industry continues to grow. During 2006, assets for our financial institution licensees grew from $290 billion to $315 billion. In 2007, assets for state financial institutions rose to $331 billion.

The Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) oversees the secure operation of approximately 700 state-licensed financial institutions, including about 200 state banks and 200 state credit unions (see DFI Financial Institutions Overview).

DFI is responsible for administering state laws regulating: banks, credit unions, industrial banks, trust companies, offices of foreign banks, issuers of travelers checks and payment instruments (money orders), money transmitters and premium finance companies. The Department also administers the Local Agency Security program, which ensures that public deposits in California financial institutions that exceed the federal deposit insurance limit are secured by pledged assets.

The Department reports to Dale E. Bonner, Secretary of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Department of Financial Institutions has four offices. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding State Holidays (Adobe PDF):

* 45 Fremont Street, Suite 1700, San Francisco, CA 94105-2219
Tel: (415) 263-8500
Fax: (415) 288-8830
* 300 S. Spring Street, Suite 15513, Los Angeles, CA 90013-1204
Tel: (213) 897-2085
Fax: (213) 897-8860
* 1810 13th Street, Sacramento, CA 95811
Tel: (916) 322-5966
Fax: (916) 445-2123
* 7575 Metropolitan Drive, Suite 108, San Diego, CA 92108
Tel: (619) 682-7227
Fax: (619) 682-7217
consumer@dfi.ca.gov