Loan Laws in 1941 (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 Com-
missioner of Small Loans in 1970 (Chapter 402,
Acts of 1970) and its present name in 1974 (Chap-
ter 457, Acts of 1974).

The Commissioner of Consumer Credit licenses
consumer loan companies, sales finance companies,
installment loan lenders, and second mortgage
lenders. The office conducts regular investigations
and audits of these companies to discover violations
of the law. Following a formal hearing, the Com-
missioner may suspend or revoke a license upon a
finding of illegal activity (Code Financial Institu-
tions Article, secs. 11-101 through 11-419).

Upon the filing of a written complaint and after
a formal hearing, the Commissioner has authority
to protect the consumer (under the Retail Credit
Accounts Law, the Retail Installment Sales Act, and
the Credit Deregulation Act of 1983) by issuing a
cease and desist order against a seller or credit
grantor in violation of these laws (Code Commer-
cial Law Article, secs. 12-514, 12-631, 12-916,
12-1016).

The office also administers the Maryland Fair
Credit Reporting Act, the Maryland Credit Services
Business Act, and the Maryland Equal Credit Op-
portunity Act, except that the State Bank Commis-
sioner has sole jurisdiction for administration of
banking institutions. The office also investigates
complaints made under these Acts (Code Commer-
cial Law Article, secs. 12-701 through 12-708,
14-1201 through 14-1218,14-1901 through 14-
1916).

The Commissioner is appointed by the Secretary
of Licensing and Regulation wirli the approval of
the Governor. Authorization for the Commissioner
of Consumer Credit continues until July 1, 1992
(Code Financial Institutions Article, secs. 11-103,
11-106).

COLLECTION AGENCT LICENSING BOARD
Chairperson: Alan T. Fell

Appointed by Governor with Senate advice &
consent: Donna F. Crocker; Stephen D. Hannan;
Paul E. Hartman; Leon I. Snyder. Terms expire
1990.

Department of Licensing & Regulation/327

agencies. It issues, suspends, and revokes licenses;
reprimands licensees; and receives and investigates
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. The Board may subpoena
witnesses for attendance and testimony In the me-
diation process, it may recommend monetary com-
pensation to the consumer.

The Board consists of five members appointed
to four-year terms by the Governor with Senate
advice and consent. One member is the Commis-
sioner of Consumer Credit who serves as chairper-
son. Two members represent debt collection
agencies. Two members represent consumers and
must be either officers or board members of a
recognized consumer group or employees 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).

FINANCIAL AUDIT SERVICES TEAM (FAST)

Alan T. Fell, Director
William L. Foster, Deputy Director

The Brokerage, Suite 800
34 Market Place
Baltimore, MD 21202 333-6800
toll free: 1-800-492-7521

In 1987, the financial Audit Services Team
(FAST) was created by executive order to promote
efficient use of manpower and provide flexibility in
addressing special concerns of the agencies under
the Division of Financial Regulation. FAST consol-
idates a majority of the merit system examiners and
support staff from the Division of Savings and Loan
Associations, the Office of the Bank Commissioner,
and the Office of the Commissioner of Consumer
Credit. Its function is to examine, investigate, and
handle complaints for those three agencies.

The Director is appointed by the Secretary of
Licensing and Regulation with the Governor's con-
sent.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY