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HomeFinancial CodeDiv. 5Ch. 12Art. 3§ 16550 Foreign Credit Union Operations

§ 16550 Foreign Credit Union Operations

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

§ 16550 Foreign Credit Union Operations

This law says a foreign (outside the U.S.) credit union can only do business in the state if it has a licensed branch or agency, but it can still advertise, solicit deposits, and accept loan applications through agents under certain conditions.

Key Takeaways

  • •A foreign credit union needs a licensed branch or agency in the state to do business there.
  • •Advertising or soliciting deposits is allowed even without a branch, as long as the deposits aren’t actually taken in the state.
  • •Loan applications can be taken by agents in the state, but the loan decision and funding must happen outside the state.
  • •A majority‑owned subsidiary doing business in the state does not count as the foreign credit union itself transacting business.

Example

A credit union from Canada wants to offer savings accounts to people in California.

The Canadian credit union must open a licensed branch or agency in California to actually take deposits. It can still run TV ads in California and let California agents collect loan applications, as long as the loans are approved and funded outside California.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 16550 Foreign Credit Union Operations

(a) No foreign (other nation) credit union shall transact business in this state except at a branch office or agency that it is licensed to maintain and at which it is permitted by this chapter to transact the business transacted. (b) Subdivision (a) shall not be deemed to prohibit any of the following: (1) Any foreign (other nation) credit union from carrying on the activities described in subdivision (d) of Section 191 of the Corporations Code. (2) The advertising or solicitation of shares or deposits in this state by a foreign (other nation) credit union made through the media of the mail, radio, television, magazines, newspapers, the Internet, or similar media, provided that shares or deposits are not accepted or received in this state. (3) The acceptance of loan applications through agents in this state, provided the loan applications are approved or rejected, and the loans are funded, outside of this state. (c) For the purposes of subdivision (a), no foreign (other nation) credit union shall be deemed to be transacting business in this state merely because a majority-owned subsidiary transacts business in this state. (Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 612, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2001.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

foreign (other nation) credit uniontransact businessbranch office or agencyadvertising or solicitationloan applications

Related Statutes

  • § 16554 Foreign Credit Union Relocation
  • § 16555 Foreign Credit Union Closure
  • § 16553 Foreign Credit Union Branches
  • § 16603 Foreign Credit Union Exemption
  • § 1440 Bank Liability For Unclaimed Deposits

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Financial Code. Section 16550.
View Official Source