BANKING & FINANCE LAW attorney in Los Angeles and Orange Counties
We have been legal counsel for several independent commercial banks in the Los Angeles and Orange County
areas over the years. Our representation of these institutions extends to a large variety of matters ranging from
corporate and regulatory areas to collection and civil litigation.

400 Oceangate, Suite 700 Long Beach, CA  90802-4517 (562) 435-6008 (562) 216-2970 fax

A major part of our litigation department's practice is banking-related, including the protection of creditor's rights in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Our corporate and business law sections include an emphasis on areas in which banks are prone to become involved (such as loan documentation, real property financing, and foreclosures). One area in which we specialize is conducting non-judicial foreclosures on delinquent real estate loans. We will substitute in as trustee under the deed of trust and conduct the foreclosure. We find this to be of benefit to our banking clients because we are poised to immediately protect the bank's interests if the borrower files a bankruptcy, which saves time and expense. Links to Manuals, Guides for Bankers, and Banking Regulations from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation... Compliance Examination Manual Job performance aid for field examiners conducting Compliance and CRA examinations and Regional Office and Washington Office Staffs processing examination reports and related documents. FFIEC Information Technology Examination Handbook Interagency guide to assist regulatory examiners in examining information systems operations in financial institutions and independent service bureaus. Manual of Examination Policies Developed primarily for the benefit of the field examiner. Sets forth in a concise, understandable and usable format those policies and examination objectives of the Corporation and the Division of Supervision. Financial Institution Employees Guide to Deposit Insurance Periodically revised manual of current FDIC deposit insurance rules for financial institution staff. (1177Kb PDF file) Financial Institution Letters (FILs) Guidance for banks on new and updated policy statements, and proposed and final regulations. FILs from 1995 to present on Internet. International Directory of Deposit Insurers Provides information on how to contact deposit insurers, central banks and other entities involved in deposit insurance functions in over 70 countries. (213Kb PDF File) Pocket Guide for Directors Pamphlet designed to provide directors of financial institutions with accessible and practical guidance in meeting their duties and responsibilities in a changing environment. Side by Side: A Guide to Fair Lending Alternative means that an institution may use to discover uneven customer service or inconsistent lending practices that may be discriminatory. Uninsured Investment Products: A Pocket Guide for Financial Institutions Pamphlet designed to help managers and supervisors of financial institutions structure nondeposit investment products sales programs, and to assist bank customers in making informed decisions about how best to manage their money. FDIC Law, Regulations, Related Acts Federal Register Citations Text of FDIC's final and proposed rules and regulations and statement of policy.

FROM THE FDIC: GUIDANCE ON SAFEGUARDING CUSTOMERS AGAINST E-MAIL AND INTERNET-RELATED FRAUDULENT SCHEMES TO: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Chief Information Officer) SUBJECT: Guidance on Safeguarding Customers Against E-Mail and Internet-Related Fraudulent Schemes Summary: The FDIC is alerting financial institutions to the increasing prevalence of e-mail and Internet-related fraudulent schemes targeting financial institution customers. The attached guidance provides financial institutions with background information on these schemes and describes how institutions can assist in protecting their customers. In view of the recent increased outpouring of e-mail and Internet-related fraudulent schemes, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has prepared the attached guidance to assist financial institutions in helping their customers avoid becoming victims. These schemes are being perpetrated with mounting frequency, intensity and creativity. They typically involve the use of seemingly legitimate e-mail messages and Web sites to deceive consumers into disclosing sensitive information, such as bank account information, with the ultimate goal of gaining access to financial accounts or committing identity theft and other illegal acts. Many of the schemes reported recently have targeted financial institution customers. Financial institution customers who provide confidential information to criminals engaging in e-mail and Internet-related fraudulent schemes face immediate risk. Criminals will normally act quickly to gain unauthorized access to financial accounts, commit identity theft or engage in other illegal acts before the victim realizes the fraud has occurred and takes actions to stop it. In addition, a financial institution that has been impersonated is subject to risk to its reputation, as customers and potential customers may attribute the activity to a perceived weakness in the institution's ability to conduct business securely and responsibly. Financial institutions should promptly notify their FDIC Regional Office and the appropriate authorities if an e-mail or Internet-related fraudulent scheme is detected. Financial institutions should also report the incident to the appropriate law enforcement agencies and file a Suspicious Activity Report. Any information about possible fraudulent schemes may also be forwarded to the FDIC's Special Activities Section, 550 17th Street, N.W., Room F-4040, Washington, D.C. 20429, or transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov. For more information about safeguarding customers from e-mail and Internet-related fraudulent schemes, please contact your FDIC Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection Regional Office or William H. Henley, Jr., Examination Specialist, at (202) 898-6513.