In addition to this web site, a wealth of consumer oriented banking and financial information is available on the Internet. Many of the resources and links provided here can help you take control of your finances, find in-depth information about financial institutions, determine which institution meets your financial needs, and become more familiar with the US financial system.
Need help understanding complex financial laws and regulations, or seeking advice regarding your rights as a consumer? Check these sources:
The West Virginia Office of the Attorney General is responsible for enforcing the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act, the West Virginia Antitrust Act, and the Preneed Funeral Contracts Act.
The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) provides support on issues involving consumer fraud, debt collection, consumer finance law, energy assistance programs, and sustainable homeownership programs.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) attempts to balance the sometimes differing goals of consumer protection and maintaining a competitive marketplace.
Looking for banking news, public information, consumer news, or information on federal banking laws and regulations? Need some guidance on filing consumer complaints related to financial institutions? Check out the following sites:
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was created in 1933 to provide insurance protection for depositors if their bank fails. Included on this site is an electronic deposit insurance estimator (find out if your bank deposits are fully insured).
The Federal Reserve, the central bank of the United States, was founded by Congress in 1913 to provide the nation with a safer, more flexible, and more stable monetary and financial system. The Federal Reserve Board of Governors has broad monetary, supervisory, and consumer protection responsibilities.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) charters, regulates, and supervises national banks.
Also regulates federal savings and loans and federal thrift banks.
The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is an independent federal agency that supervises and insures federal credit unions and insures state-chartered credit unions.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is an independent, nonpartisan, quasijudicial regulatory agency with responsibility for administering federal securities laws to protect investors in securities markets that operate fairly and to ensure that investors have access to disclosure of all material information concerning publicly traded securities. The Commission also regulates firms engaged in the purchase or sale of securities, people who provide investment advice, and investment companies.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) the federal agency that holds primary responsibility for regulating consumer protection in the United States.
Who do I contact to get customer assistance from federal banking agencies, or obtain advice on filing a consumer complaint related to a financial institution? Try:
OCC (regulates banks with national in the name or N.A. after the name)
(also regulates federal savings and loans and federal thrift banks)
E-mail:customer.assistance@occ.treas.gov
Compliance Management
250 E Street, S.W., Mail Stop 7-7
Washington, DC 20219
(202) 874-4820
FDIC (regulates state chartered banks that are not members of the Federal Reserve System)
Office of Consumer Affairs
550 17th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20456
(202) 898-3536 or 1 (800) 934-3342
FRS (regulates state chartered banks that are members of the Federal Reserve System)
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Division of Consumer and Community Affairs
20th and C Streets, N.W., Stop 198
Washington, DC 20551
(202) 452-3693
NCUA (regulates federally chartered credit unions)
Office of Public and Congressional Affairs
1775 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-3428
(703) 518-6330
FTC (regulates finance companies, stores, auto dealers, mortgage companies, and credit bureaus)
668 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
(216)522-4210
Want to know about your local institutions’ efforts to invest in the community where you live? The information you seek is available here:
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) provides a comprehensive source of information regarding the Community Reinvestment Act as well as an
Interagency Search for public CRA ratings.
Interested in the legislative process with regard to financially related laws and regulations? Visit these sites for starters:
The U.S. Senate Banking Committee
The U.S. House of Representatives Banking Committee
Need to find information about housing related issues? Try this site:
The mission of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is to provide a decent, safe, and sanitary home and suitable living environment for every American. This site contains lots of information and includes consumer and consumer complaint resources.
Looking for some advice or help with regard to your business? Maybe these sites can assist you:
The
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), established in 1953, provides financial, technical and management assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow their businesses.
The
U.S. Business Advisor exists to provide business with one-stop access to federal government information, services, and transactions. This goal of this site is to make the relationship between business and government more productive.
Other useful financially related or consumer oriented links:
The
Bureau of the Public Debt provides a substantial volume of information related to United States Savings Bonds, the total public debt, and U.S. Treasury auctions.
Kiplinger.com provides a wealth of personal financial information and services.
Bloomberg.com also provides a great deal of personal financial news and services as well as financial resources for business concerns.