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Consumer Services Office
The DFI Consumer Services Office facilitates communication between consumers and the various financial institutions that DFI regulates to assist in the dispute resolution process. It is not an advocate for the individual consumer or the licensee. We do not have the statutory authority to award damages, overturn fines or other charges, etc.
DFI licensees include California state-licensed banks, state-licensed credit unions, state-licensed trust companies, state-licensed industrial loan companies, state-licensed offices of foreign banks, issuers of travelers checks and payment instruments (money orders) and money transmitters. The DFI also receives complaints regarding the California Fair Lending Law for investigation.
Having an issue with a financial institution can be very frustrating. The best way to receive help and advice is to take a moment to find out which resource is the most appropriate for you to use. See the links included on this page and the description below to find the appropriate resource for your needs.
Because you and your bank, credit union, or money transmitter are most familiar with your account(s), please contact them directly to try to resolve any issue you may have. You may wish to contact senior management or the entity's consumer affairs representative for further assistance.
Important Note: The Consumer Services Office is not an advocate for the individual consumer or the licensee. The Consumer Services Office facilitates communication between the consumers and the financial institution to assist in the dispute resolution process. We do not have the statutory authority to award damages, overturn fines or other charges, etc.
I WANT TO...
- Look at a list of DFI licensees
- Ask us a question
- Find a Consumer Events
- File a complaint (English/Spanish)
- Learn about California Financial Literacy Month (CFLM)
- Find information for Seniors
- Review the Financial Education Directory - "Financial topics from A-Z"
- Find Out if My Account Fully Insured?
- Read DFI consumer brochures in English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin/Cantonese), Korean, Russian, Tagalog and Vietnamese
- Search for a DFI licensee
- Find Out Who Regulates My Financial Institution?
FDIC Information
- FDIC Failed bank information - Learn how accounts and loans are affected when a bank fails, how to seek unclaimed funds, and how to obtain a lien release
- Information for Mirae Bank Customers - Q&A Guide from the FDIC
- Information for MetroPacific Bank Customers - Q&A Guide from the FDIC
- Information for First Bank of Beverly Hills Customers - Q&A Guide from the FDIC
- Information for County Bank Customers - Q&A Guide from the FDIC
- Information for Alliance Bank Customers - Q&A Guide from the FDIC
- Information for 1st Centennial Bank Customers - Q&A Guide from the FDIC
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Check a license status - Look up license information for CA Real Estate and Financial Services including lenders and mortgage companies
- Check Out a Credit Counseling Agency
- DFI Home Preservation Outreach Program - California has been impacted more than any other state by the national home foreclosure crisis, and the state has taken aggressive steps to help homeowners facing problems with their mortgages.
- A Borrower's Guide to an FDIC Insured Bank Failure - FDIC Announces Expansion of Ombudsman's Office to Assist Customers With Loans at Failed Banks. Also Provides Additional Resources to Help Borrowers Understand Bank Failures.
- Get a lien satisfy - Listing to help you locate the legal owner/lien holder on a vehicle or other property
- Get legal help
- Read about Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) - PMI is extra insurance that lenders require from homebuyers who obtain loans that are more than 80 percent of their home's value.
- Search for consumer information on the California Consumer Services Center Web site
- Search for Unclaimed Property - From inactive bank accounts, safe deposit boxes, CDs, escrow accounts, etc.
- Support Services & Resources for Military Families
Consumer Tips and Other Information
- 8 Tips for Financial Success - A solid grounding in fiscal responsibility is basic self-defense. Taking the time to learn and practice saving and budgeting, managing credit — controlling our personal finances rather than vice versa — will pay off in the long term. The following tips are reminders of how we can control our finances and improve our financial success. (CCEE, Dept. of Corporations, Dept. of Financial Institutions)
- DFI Consumer Tip: Prepare Now for ARM Interest Rate Resets!
- DFI Urges Consumers to Take Action Now Before they have Mortgage-related Problems
- Money Smart News and Information
- FDIC Issues Tips on Shopping for and Negotiating a Good Mortgage in the New, Tougher Climate for Loans
- National Consumer Protection Week, " Nuts and Bolts: Tools for Today’s Economy is March 1 – 7, 2009! Check it out, at: http://www.consumer.gov/ncpw/
- Tips and resources to help consumers avoid becoming victimized by foreclosure scams (FRB, March 2009)
Consumer Calculators
Find out how much can you save if you divide your monthly mortgage payment from one payment to two bi-monthly payments. How much interest will you pay overtime if you make only the minimum required payment on your credit card bill. Forecast the real cost of buying and owning a car. And other calculators to help you make informed financial decisions.
Department of Corporation - Education and Outreach - Calculators
Important Contact Information
- Toll-free Hot Line - (888) 995-HOPE: Provides immediate foreclosure counseling to borrowers who are having a hard time keeping up with their mortgages.
- FDIC Customer Assistance Form, submit questions and complaints about FDIC-regulated financial institutions. FDIC Call Center 1-877-ASK-FDIC (877-275-3342) or TDD: 800-925-4618.
- Federal Reserve Consumer Help, ConsumerHelp@FederalReserve.gov, 888-851-1920. If you have a problem with a bank or other financial institution.
- Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) Consumer Complaints and Assistance. Customer Assistance Line 1-800-613-6743.
- Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) consumer response hot line. Consumer Complaint Line 1-800-842-6929.