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HomeFinancial CodeDiv. 1Ch. 5Art. 1§ 500 Foreign Bank Examination Authority

§ 500 Foreign Bank Examination Authority

Financial Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 500 Foreign Bank Examination Authority

Key Takeaways

  • •Banks in California must be checked at least once a year to make sure they follow the rules.
  • •Some banks might be checked less often if they meet special rules from the federal government.
  • •The person in charge (commissioner) can check any bank office in California, even if the bank is from another state or country.
  • •Banks must show all their records and help during the check.

Example

A bank in California that is doing really well and follows all the rules might get checked by the federal government instead of the state.

If the federal check is good enough, the state might skip their own check for that year. But they can't skip two years in a row.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 500 Foreign Bank Examination Authority

(a) (1) For purposes of this section, “foreign bank” means the business in this state of every foreign (other nation) bank licensed under Article 3 (commencing with Section 1800) of Chapter 20 of Division 1.1. (2) For purposes of this subdivision, an examination made by the commissioner in conjunction with or with assistance from a bank regulatory agency of the United States, of a state of the United States, or of a foreign nation is deemed to be an examination caused by the commissioner. (3) No provision of this subdivision shall be deemed to require that the commissioner cause an examination to be made onsite at the offices of a bank. (4) The commissioner shall cause every California state bank and every foreign bank to be examined to the extent and whenever and as often as the commissioner shall deem it advisable, but in no case less frequently than once every 12 months, except that the following banks shall be examined pursuant to federal law no less frequently than state banks and foreign banks that meet the respective federal criteria: (A) California state banks that meet the criteria set forth in Section 1820(d)(4) of Title 12 of the United States Code. (B) Foreign banks that meet the criteria set forth in Section 211.26(c)(2) of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations. (5) The examinations required by paragraph (4) may be conducted in alternate examination periods, as appropriate, if the commissioner determines that an examination of the state bank by the appropriate federal regulator, insuring or guaranteeing corporation during the intervening examination period carries out the purpose of this section. The commissioner may not accept two consecutive examinations, or two consecutive examination reports, made by federal regulators, insuring or guaranteeing corporations, or agencies with respect to the condition of the state bank. (6) The commissioner shall cause every California state trust company to be examined to the extent and whenever and as often as the commissioner shall deem it advisable, but in no case less frequently than once every 24 months. (7) The commissioner may examine subsidiaries of every California state bank, state trust company, and foreign (other nation) bank licensed under Article 3 (commencing with Section 1800) of Chapter 20 of Division 1.1 to the extent and whenever and as often as the commissioner shall deem it advisable. (b) The commissioner may at any time examine any of the following: (1) Any office of a bank organized under the laws of this state. (2) Any office of a foreign (other state) bank that maintains an office in this state. (3) Any office of a foreign (other nation) bank that maintains an office in this state. (c) The officers and employees of every California state bank, California state trust company, and foreign bank being examined shall exhibit to the examiners, on request, any or all of its securities, books, records, and accounts and shall otherwise facilitate the examination so far as it may be in their power. (Added by Stats. 2011, Ch. 243, Sec. 2. (SB 664) Effective January 1, 2012.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

examinationcorporationlicensecommissionregulationportunited statesthe california department

Related Statutes

  • § 100003 Commissioner Licensing Authority
  • § 28106 Commissioner Licensing Authority
  • § 4928 Bank Conversion Certification Authority
  • § 502 Bank Audit Report Requirements
  • § 50301 Commissioner Licensing Authority

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Financial Code. Section 500.
View Official Source