Georgia Department of Banking & Finance ~ Non-Depository Financial Institutions Division QuarteMrolnythSluyfomSrummthmaearryyPoeoffriMMoodrotngEaengyde iASncegtrivvJiuitcineeseBfo3ur0st,hin2ee0Ps1esr3ieosd AEncdtiinvgitAipersil 2007 Inside this Issue: Kevin Hagler 3 Appointed Commissioner Semi-Annual 3 Reporting: Check Sellers and Money Transmitters Upcoming Check 4 Cashing Classes MSB Outreach and 4 Upcoming Speaking Engagements Administrative 4 Actions Check Casher 5 Activity for the 2nd Quarter Check Seller / 6 Money Transmitter Activity for the 2nd Quarter Customer Service 7 Stars FY2014 Check Casher License / Registration Renewal On June 28, 2013, the Department sent out check casher renewal notices VIA E-MAIL to existing licensees and registrants. You must renew your license or registration online via the Department's secure website: https://bkgfin.dbf.state.ga.us/CCRenewal.html. The due date for filing for renewal of your check cashing license or registration for FY2014 (October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014) without incurring a late fee is July 31, 2013. Licensees and registrants that DO NOT wish to renew their license or registration can record this decision via the online renewal process. Reminder regarding forms of payment: The Department accepts online renewal fee payment either by credit card or ACH. If you have a checking account, you can choose the ACH payment option. You will need the bank routing number and your checking account number to pay by ACH (see sample below): Upcoming State 8 Holidays Contact Information 8 If your renewal application is approved, you will receive an e-mail directing you to log in to the following secure website in order to retrieve and print your check cashing license or registration certificate: https://bkgfin.dbf.state.ga.us/CCCERT2014.html. (Continued on page 2) "Safeguarding Georgia's Financial Services" Page 2 2nd Quarter 2013 FY2014 Check Casher License / Registration Renewal (Continued from page 1) Approvals are subject to the actual receipt by the Department of all fines and fees. Should an online payment be rejected by your financial institution or the card issuer, your application will be considered as NOT FILED. You will be e-mailed by the Department and must provide a different means of payment. If not paid before August 1, 2013, a late fee will be assessed. If you did not receive the online renewal requirements that the Department sent via e-mail on June 28th, please be sure that your e-mail account does not divert Department e-mail to your spam or junk folder and that you have the correct e-mail address on file with our Department. NOTE: If you have forgotten your password, you may retrieve it from: https://bkgfin.dbf.state.ga.us/MSBForgotPassword.html. You may update your contact information online at: https://bkgfin.dbf.state.ga.us/MSBUpdate.html. If you have questions regarding the license / registration renewal process, please contact Applications Analyst Susan Nelson via e-mail at nelson@dbf.state.ga.us. IMPORTANT NOTE--VERIFICATION OF LAWFUL PRESENCE: Pursuant to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated 50-36-1, the Department is required to verify the lawful presence of every individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity submitting a new or renewal application. Individuals/Sole Proprietorships seeking to obtain licensure or registration in their own names will provide affidavit testimony regarding their legal presence in the United States. For company applicants (corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies or other business entities), only one individual, an owner or officer with the authority to act on behalf of the company, must complete and submit a signed, notarized affidavit regarding his or her legal presence in the United States. Please note that if the individual applicant, or the designated individual for a company, is not a United States citizen, this Department is required by O.C.G.A. 50-36-1 to verify their immigration status through the Federal Systematic Alien Verification of Entitlement (SAVE) program. Existing company licensees and registrants that have not yet submitted a citizenship affidavit will be prevented from renewing their licenses and registrations. The form and instructions can be found on the Department's website at: http://dbf.georgia.gov/sites/ dbf.georgia.gov/files/related_files/document/2013GADBFCitizenshipAffidavitMSBNewApp.pdf 2nd Quarter 2013 Page 3 Kevin Hagler Appointed Commissioner of Department of Banking and Finance On June 28, 2013, Governor Nathan Deal announced the appointment of Kevin Hagler as the new Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance effective July 1, 2013. Prior to his appointment as Commissioner, Kevin served as Deputy Commissioner for Supervision since August 1, 2008, where he was directly responsible for the supervision of depository financial institutions (state-chartered banks and trust companies; statechartered credit unions; and bank holding companies and foreign banking organizations conducting business in Georgia). Kevin began his career as an Assistant Financial Examiner with the Department in 1997. He progressed through the examiner ranks and became a Supervisory Examiner Kevin Hagler in 2002 in District 1 (Northwest Georgia). In 2003, Kevin was appointed to the position of District Director in District 1, where he assumed field regulatory and supervisory responsibilities for the financial institutions in the District. Prior to joining the Department, Kevin started his career by working for Altus Bank before taking a position with The Bank of Mobile. In 1994, he moved to Atlanta to work for SunTrust Bank in the Factoring Division and later worked in Retail Banking. Kevin is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Finance and is a Certified Examination Manager. Semi-Annual Reporting: Check Sellers and Money Transmitters Semi-annual reports covering the period of January 1, 2013 through June 30, 2013, are now due for Check Seller and Money Transmitter licensees. These reports must be made by the licensee through the Department's on-line reporting system. Passwords for accessing the online reporting system are e-mailed to the licensee's primary contact, per the Department's records. Please make certain that the e-mail we have on file for your company is correct. You may update your contact information online at: https://bkgfin.dbf.state.ga.us/MSBUpdate.html. The online system for Check Seller Semi-Annual Reporting is found at: https://bkgfin.dbf.state.ga.us/CSSemiAnnualReport.html The online system for Money Transmitter Semi-Annual Reporting is found at: https://bkgfin.dbf.state.ga.us/MTSemiAnnualReport.html Licensees should ensure that the average outstanding checks and outstanding transactions are calculated correctly. Licensees must complete the semi-annual reporting by September 1, 2013. Any licensee not filing a report by that date may be subject to a fine, administrative action, or both. Page 4 2nd Quarter 2013 Upcoming Check Cashing Classes During 2013, the Department will continue to hold a class at its main office every other month that is open to all check cashers. The class benefits first-time check cashers and veteran check cashers. Classes are scheduled on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. and generally last about an hour and a half. There is no cost for the class and it is a great way to learn about Georgia law, Department regulations, the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and Anti-Money Laundering requirements. During examinations, those who have attended the class have stated that the knowledge and information they gained helped prevent violations and avoid the imposition of fines. As a further benefit, the Department provides a certificate of attendance that licensees may use as evidence of training received on BSA and Anti-Money Laundering. Upcoming 2013 Check Casher Class Dates and Times* Tuesday, July 16th, 10:00 AM Tuesday, September 17th, 10:00 AM Tuesday, November 19th, 10:00 AM The classes are limited to a maximum of seven attendees, so you must make an advance reservation for a seat by calling 770-986-1639 or emailing tkoeppel@dbf.state.ga.us at least five days before the class is held. Reserve your seat NOW! We look forward to seeing you. * Please note that the class schedule is subject to change. MSB Outreach AND UPCOMING SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS Senior Financial Examiner Joel Byers will be speaking at the Money Service Business of Georgia annual meeting at Sonesta Gwinnett Place on July 11th. Director for Non-Depository Financial Institutions Felicia Faison-Holmes will also be in attendance. Sign up for the event at: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/6635295347 ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS Xpress Money Services, Inc., Princeton, NJ (license# 36095) - Consent Order issued 04/16/2013 became final 04/16/2013. 2nd Quarter 2013 Page 5 Page 6 2nd Quarter 2013 2nd Quarter 2013 Page 7 CUSTOMER SERVICE STARS It is the Department's goal to provide excellent customer service by meeting and exceeding the expectations of our customers. Along those lines, we would like to recognize the following individuals and/or teams for going above and beyond in serving our customers: Financial Examiner Teresa Koeppel The Department received comments about Teresa stating: "The person who processed our application, Teresa Koeppel, was knowledgeable, reasonable, responsive, and efficient." and "Ms. Koeppel was very knowledgeable and helpful during the application process. She reviewed our application in a very timely manner, contacted us with follow-up questions, and was always responsive in answering any questions we may have. We are applying for money transmitter licenses in all U.S. states (having submitted applications in about half now) and our experience in Georgia is so far the best. I have absolutely no complaints about our experience and have only good things to say." Senior Financial Examiner Joel Byers The Department received comments about Joel stating: "I want to express my great appreciation for Senior Financial Examiner Joel Byer's participation on our recent review. Joel's contribution was valuable and aided in our review of money services businesses activities. I thank Joel for sharing his knowledge and skills." Applications Analyst Susan Nelson The Department received comments about Susan stating: "We really appreciate your help. You are one of the few who gave us a quick reply back and also took care of it quickly. Thank you so much." and "It was nice meeting you today in your office. Thank you for your courteous welcome and the help that you provided." CONGRATULATIONS AND GREAT JOB TO OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE STARS!! Page 8 Holiday Name Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans' Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day 2nd Quarter 2013 Upcoming State Holidays Date Observed September 2nd Monday October 14th Monday November 11th Monday November 28th Thursday Lee's Birthday will be observed on Friday, November 29th December 25th Wednesday Washington's Birthday will be observed on Tuesday, December 24th Department Contact Information NAME Teresa Koeppel, Administrative Examiner (Check Sellers/Money Transmitters, MSB Exams) E-MAIL ADDRESS tkoeppel@dbf.state.ga.us Susan Nelson, Applications Analyst (Check Cashers) nelson@dbf.state.ga.us PHONE# (770) 986-1639 (770) 986-1652 Corresponding with the Department When corresponding with the Department, e-mail communication is preferred. Providing written details in the email regarding any questions or concerns you may have allows the Department to forward the request to the appropriate person who handles that area, and if sufficient details are included in the request, that person can then more efficiently provide you with an answer. The main Division e-mail address is msb@dbf.state.ga.us. Since the Department's main method of communicating with licensees/registrants is via e-mail, it is very important that you supply the Department with a valid e-mail address and that you keep us informed if your email address changes. Please be sure that your e-mail account does not divert Department e-mail to your spam or junk folder. 2nd Quarter 2013 Georgia Department of Banking and Finance 2990 Brandywine Road Suite 200 Atlanta, Georgia 30341-5565 Phone: (770) 986-1633 Fax: (770) 986-1655 or 1029 Email: msb@dbf.state.ga.us We're on the Web! dbf.georgia.gov Page 9 The Department is the state agency that regulates and examines banks, credit unions, and trust companies chartered by the State. The Department also has regulatory and/or licensing authority over mortgage brokers/processors, lenders and loan originators, money service businesses, internaonal banking organizaons, and bank holding companies conducng business in Georgia. Our MISSION is to promote safe, sound, compeve financial services in Georgia through innovave, responsive regulaon and supervision. Our VISION is to be the best financial services industry regulator in the country Progressive. Proacve. Service-Oriented. Sign-up to Receive this Publication This quarterly publication is delivered to interested parties via e-mail and is also available from the Department's website at: http://dbf.georgia.gov under Publications, MSB Newsletter. If you would like to be added to our distribution list, send an email to dbfpress@dbf.state.ga.us stating your name and e-mail address. Please be sure to include "Subscribe to MSB Newsletter" in the Subject line.