Authority To Conduct Examinations And Investigations

TITLE 26 BANKS AND BANKING CHAPTER 29 MONEY TRANSMISSION 26-2914. Authority to conduct examinations and investigations. (1) For the purpose of discovering violations of this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter, discovering unsafe and unsound practices, or securing information lawfully required under this chapter, the director may at any time, either personally or by designee, investigate or examine the business and wherever located, the books, accounts, records, papers, documents, files and other information used in the business of every applicant, licensee or its authorized representatives, and of every person who is engaged in the business of providing money transmission services, whether the person acts or claims to act under or without the authority of this chapter. For these purposes, the director or designated representative shall have free access to the offices and places of business, books, accounts, papers, documents, other information, records, files, safes and vaults of all such persons. The director or the director’s designee may require the attendance of and examine under oath all persons whose testimony may be required about the business or the subject matter of any investigation, examination or hearing and may require such person to produce books, accounts, papers, documents, records, files and any other information the director or designated person declares is relevant to the inquiry. The director may require the production of original books, accounts, papers, documents, records, files and other information; may require that such original books, accounts, papers, documents, records, files and other information be copied; or may make copies himself or herself or by designee of such original books, accounts, papers, documents, records, files or other information. The director or designated person may issue a subpoena or subpoena duces tecum requiring attendance or compelling production of the books, accounts, papers, documents, records, files or other information. Should the director conclude that an on-site examination of a licensee is necessary, the licensee, subject to the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, shall pay all the actual costs of such examination. If the director determines, based on the licensee’s financial statements and past history of operations in the state, that an on-site examination is unnecessary, the on-site examination may be conducted in conjunction with examinations to be performed by representatives of agencies of another state or states. The director, in lieu of an on-site examination, may accept the examination report of an agency of another state, or a report prepared by an independent accounting firm, and reports so accepted are considered for all purposes as an official report of the director. (2)  In the case of refusal to obey a subpoena issued to any person, any court of competent jurisdiction, upon application by the director, may issue to that person an order requiring him to appear before the director or his designee to produce documentary evidence if so ordered or to give evidence relating to the matter under investigation or in question. Any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt of court. When the director examines a licensee or an authorized representative within this state, the licensee or authorized representative shall pay all the actual costs of such examination, up to a maximum of one thousand dollars ($1,000).