The Banking Board, established in 1935, is composed of the Comp-
troller of the Treasury, and three members appointed by the Governor
from lists of nominees submitted by (1) the Baltimore Clearing House,
(2) the Associated Mutual Savings Banks of Baltimore, and (3) the
Maryland State Bankers' Association. Members hold office for six
years, one term expiring every two years. The Board meets at the call
of the Bank Commissioner to consult with him in matters pertaining
to the banking business or banking institutions in Maryland (Code
1957, Art. II, sec. 27).

STATE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT

F. Douglass Sears, Insurance Commissioner, 1963
John H. Coppage, Deputy Commissioner
Ernest J. Meredith, Chief Examiner
Sidney A. Green, Actuary
Howard E. Gates, Chief, Rating Bureau
Lewis W. O'Brien, Chief, Liability-Surety Bureau
Joseph F. Mannion, Auditor and Examiner
Andrew A. Melgar, Insurance Education Supervisor
John J. Meyers, Chief Fire Investigator
Ellen L. M. Conway, Principal Account Clerk I
W. Cardon Jimeson, Insurance Adviser

301 W. Preston Street, Baltimore I Telephone: 837-9000

The State Insurance Department was first created by Chapter 388,
Acts of 1872 as a part of the office of the Comptroller of the Treas-
ury. The Department became an independent agency by Chapter 106,
Acts of 1878. It is under the direction of the Insurance Commissioner,
who is appointed by the Governor for a term. of four years (Code
1957, Art. 48A, sees. 2, 3).

The Commissioner sees that all the laws of the State governing
insurance companies or relating to the business of insurance are faith-
fully executed.

The Commissioner authorizes and licenses insurance companies,
agents, solicitors, brokers, and brokers' solicitors to do business in the
State. The Department examines all applicants for licenses as agents
and solicitors for fire and casualty lines and for some classes of life
and accident and health insurance as well. It conducts periodic exami-
nations of all companies organized under the laws of Maryland and
from time to time participates in the examination of nonresident com-
panies doing business in the State. The Commissioner approves all
policies for life, accident, and sickness insurance offered for sale in the
State by authorized companies; licenses rating bureaus and advisory
organizations; and approves or disapproves the rates for most classes
of property insurance filed by rating bureaus on behalf of their mem-
bers and subscribers (Code 1957, Art. 48A, sees. 12, 83-40, 48, 50, 53-71,
108-334,346-65).

The Insurance Commissioner also performs the duties of a State
Fire Marshall. He investigates suspicious fires in most counties of the
State and inspects all buildings used by the general public, such as
schools, theaters, hotels, nursing homes, etc., to see that they have
proper exits and other safety features for the prevention of fire (Code
1967, Art. 48A, sees. 87-100).

The Commissioner licenses manufacturers of, dealers in, and users
of explosives. He also issues permits for all displays of fireworks
within the State (Code 1957, Art. 48A, sees. 101-04, 334-45).