Privacy Policy

The Commissioner of Financial Institutions (the "Commissioner") is authorized by the Financial Code to gather and maintain information regarding individuals who file applications or who are involved in other matters which require the submission of personal information on that individual. If the information is submitted in connection any application or other matter before the Commissioner, and the information is requested in writing or through the use of a form, the requested information is deemed necessary to process that application or other matter pursuant to the Financial Code. If the requested information is not accurately and completely provided, the application may be denied, or the other matter may be resolved against the individual.

If the Department of Financial Institutions (the "Department") requests that an individual provide his or her social security account number in connection with an application or other matter, submission of that social security account number to the Department is voluntary. The social security account number is intended to be used as an identifier, and may be used to verify information that the individual has provided the Department. Failure to provide the social security account number may require the Department to use other methods to verify information on the individual, which may cause delays in processing the information and any related application or other matter. If the information provided by an individual cannot be verified, the Department may reject the filing and deny any related application or cause any other matter to be resolved against the interest of the individual. Additionally, the Department may request additional information or clarification of any information submitted by the individual.

An individual may be required to provide his or her fingerprints in conjunction with an application or other matter. If an individual is required to provide his or her fingerprints, the Department will provide the necessary instructions and, if applicable, forms upon which the fingerprints will be submitted.

In processing the information that an individual provides the Department, the Department may cause a consumer credit report to be prepared in accordance with the provisions of Title 1.6, Part 4, Division Third, of the Civil Code (commencing at Section 1785.5), or an investigative consumer report to be prepared in accordance with the provisions of Title 1.6A, Part 4, Division Third, of the Financial Code (commencing at Section 1786), or their respective successor statutes.

The information that an individual provides the Department will be held in confidence as required by the Information Practices Act (Civil Code Section 1798, et seq.). The Information Practices Act provides that the Department may share personal information provided by individuals with the Department of Insurance, the Department of Corporations, other federal and state financial institution regulators, law enforcement agencies, or any other governmental entity if the disclosure is required under state or federal law. In addition, the Department may share the information an individual provides with any such agency if the disclosure assists the agency in discharging its duties.

Each individual has the right to review information maintained by the Department regarding him or herself, unless access to some or all of the information is exempt from disclosure by law. The official responsible for maintaining information gathered by the Department is as follows:

For all matters relating to credit unions;

Deputy Commissioner of Financial Institutions for the Division of Credit Unions, Department of Financial Institutions, 300 South Spring Street, Suite 15513, Los Angeles, California 90013-1204.

For all other matters;

Chief State Examiner, Department of Financial Institutions, 7575 Metropolitan Drive, Suite 108, San Diego, CA 92108.