DIVISION OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Assets	OFR Annual Assessment	OCC Annual Assessment	Savings From Having A State Charter
$10 million	$4,400	$14,683	$10,283
$50 million	$14,000	$29,655	$15,655
$75 million	$19,250	$38,462	$19,212
$150 million	$33,000	$58,719	$25,719
$300 million	$58,500	$89,544	$31,044
$600 million	$108,500	$147,672	$39,172
$1.2 billion	$180,000	$256,882	$76,882
$1.6 billion	$219,000	$320,295	$101,295
$2.2 billion	$271,000	$411,892	$140,892
$3.0 billion	$335,000	$524,626	$189,626

Local Supervision - OFR examiners live in the area in which they work. They know the people and understand their concerns. As a result, they are familiar with the issues affecting local communities.

Outreach - OFR personnel regularly participate in meetings and conferences around the state where bankers can engage in meaningful dialogue with top OFR officials.

State Parity Statute - Florida has a broad parity statute. Section 655.061, Florida Statutes, states:

Subject to the prior approval of OFR pursuant to rule or order of general application, state financial institutions subject to the financial institutions codes may make any loan or investment or exercise any power which they could make or exercise if incorporated or operating in this state as a federally chartered or regulated financial institution of the same type and are entitled to all privileges and protections granted federally chartered or regulated financial institutions of the same type under federal statutes and regulations. The provisions of this section take precedence over, and must be given effect over, any other general or specific provisions of the financial institution's codes to the contrary. In issuing an order under this section, OFR shall consider the importance of maintaining a competitive dual system of financial institutions and whether such order is in the public interest.

Florida state-chartered banks generally may exercise the same powers and privileges as national banks operating in this state. Furthermore, state-chartered banks and their subsidiaries are allowed great flexibility regarding certain investments and activities under Part 362 of the FDIC Rules and Regulations, provided these activities do not present a risk to the insurance fund or pose a safety and soundness concern.

State Governance - Florida state-chartered banks are regulated according to state laws and administrative rules. Like other states, Florida laws are structured to meet the unique needs of the citizens of the state. Federal laws, by their nature, must apply to institutions operating in various regions and many different circumstances. Statutes affecting Florida state-chartered banks are enacted by the state legislature, which is more sensitive to local needs and conditions than the U.S. Congress. Through contacts with the state legislature and the Governor, state bankers have considerably more opportunity to affect banking policy at the state level than at the federal level.

Financial Modernization - As banks expand their products and services, Florida state-chartered banks are in a unique position for the following reason:

Ø     On January 7, 2003, the Department of Banking and Finance and Department of Insurance were merged to form the Department of Financial Services.  As a result of this reorganization of the Florida Cabinet, the regulatory functions of those two departments were placed under the Financial Services Commission, which is comprised of the Governor and the Cabinet.  This new regulatory structure, consisting of the Office of Insurance Regulation and the Office of Financial Regulation, will allow regulators from both the financial institution and insurance industries to interface more closely to enhance the opportunities for the safe, sound and successful operation of the regulated entities.

Multi-State Operations - State-chartered banks in Florida have the authority to operate on a multi-state basis. This allows for consistency of such things as interest rates, lending limits, and corporate governance laws. As "home state" regulator, OFR is the single point of contact for all information on banking issues such as branching, examination issues, governing laws, etc. While some states permit de novo branching into their state, most require the purchase of an existing bank. No bank or bank holding company domiciled outside of Florida may branch into Florida on a de novo basis.

State-Chartered Banks in Florida - As of June 2009, there were 205 state-chartered banks in Florida among the total of 263 Florida banks. Since January 1, 1996, 166 charters for new state banks have been issued in Florida compared to 29 national bank charters.

 

Experience/Training - OFR field examiners have an average experience level of over 13 years.  In addition, a number of them are graduates of the FBA Florida School of Banking.  Personnel from the field and main offices concentrate in specialized areas of examination and attend training programs offered by federal bank regulatory agencies.

Statewide Offices - In addition to the main office in Tallahassee, OFR has regional offices located in key areas across the State.  Personnel in all OFR offices are always available to answer questions and discuss issues.  The locations are depicted on the following map.  Click here for a Regional Office  nearest you.