years, or at any time the Director requires, the
Division must examine the affairs of each associa-
tion to determine compliance with the Act.

Provisions are made in the law with respect to
investments, withdrawal of accounts, taxation,
promotional activities, management, and functions
of such businesses, including class and type of
securities, and allocation of profits, reserves, and
dividends. Provisions are also outlined for new
charters, branching, consolidation, merger, and
dissolution of associations.

The Director of the Division is appointed by the
Secretary of Licensing and Regulation with the
approval of the Governor. With the approval of the
Secretary of Licensing and Regulation, the Direc-
tor appoints the Deputy Director, the examiners,
and additional employees.

Authorization for the Division continues until
July 1, 1988 (Code Financial Institutions Article,
secs. 8-101 through 10-117).

COMMISSIONER OF CONSUMER
CREDIT

Alan T. Fell, Commissioner

501 St. Paul Place
Baltimore 21202 Telephone: 659-6340
Toll Free: 1-800-492-7521

The office of the Commissioner of Consumer
Credit was originally established as the Adminis-
trator of Loan Laws by Chapter 289, Acts of 1941,
superseding a similar office established under the
jurisdiction of the Bank Commissioner (Chapter
741, Acts of 1939). It adopted the name of
Commissioner of Small Loans by Chapter 402,
Acts of 1970, and its present name by Chapter 457,
Acts of 1974. The Commissioner is appointed by
the Secretary of Licensing and Regulation with the
approval of the Governor (Code Financial Institu-
tions Article, sec. 11-103).

The Commissioner is responsible for licensing
consumer loan companies, sales finance compa-
nies, installment lenders, and second mortgage
lenders. The agency conducts regular investiga-
tions and audits of these companies to discover
violations of the law. Following a formal hearing,
the Commissioner may suspend or revoke a license
upon a finding of illegal activity (Code Financial
Institutions Article, secs. 11-101 through 11-419).

Upon the filing of a written complaint and after
a formal hearing, the Commissioner has the au-
thority to protect the consumer (under the Retail
Credit Accounts Law, the Retail Installment Sales

Licensing and Regulation/255

Act, and the Credit Deregulation Act of 1983) by
the issuance of an order against a seller or credit
grantor to cease and desist from a practice in
violation of these laws (Code Commercial Law
Article, secs. 12-514, 12-631, 12-916, 12-1016).

The office also administers the Maryland Fair
Credit Reporting Act and the Maryland Equal
Credit Opportunity Act, except that the office of
the State Banking Commission has sole jurisdic-
tion for administration of banking institutions
(Code Commercial Law Article, secs. 12-701
through 12-708, 14-1201 through 14-1218).

Authorization for the Commissioner of Consum-
er Credit continues until July 1, 1988 (Chapter
367, Acts of 1981).

COLLECTION AGENCY LICENSING
BOARD

Chairperson: Alan T. Fell

Paul E. Hartman; James J. Jones; Noelia Miller;
Leon I. Snyder. Terms expire 1986.

501 St. Paul Place
Baltimore 21202 Telephone: 659-6340
Toll Free: 1-800-492-7521

The Collection Agency Licensing Board, which
is part of the office of the Commissioner of
Consumer Credit, was created by Chapter 319,
Acts of 1977. The Board issues, suspends, and
revokes licenses; reprimands licensees; and receives
written complaints from consumers. It holds hear-
ings on allegations of violations of the Consumer
Debt Collection Act by a debt collection agency,
and mediates disputes between consumers and debt
collection agencies, including suggesting monetary
compensation to the consumer. It mpy subpoena
witnesses for attendance and testimony.

The Board consists of five members appointed to
four-year terms by the Governor with the advice
and consent of the Senate. One member is the
Commissioner of Consumer Credit who serves as
chairperson. Two members represent debt collec-
tion agencies. Two members represent consumers
and must be either an officer or board member of a
recognized consumer group or an employee of a
county or other local consumer protection agency
of the State. The Board serves without compensa-
tion.

Authorization for the Board continues until July
1, 1992 (Code 1957, Art. 56, secs. 323-329C).