OFR News

03/18/2020

Tallahassee, Fla. - The Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) today provided an update to Florida’s financial institutions regarding the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Update to Florida State-Chartered Financial Institutions Regarding COVID-19 Financial institutions in Florida are working with individuals and businesses to meet their financial needs. OFR will continue to communicate with state and federal agencies and the financial services industry regarding the latest..

03/16/2020

In response to our public health emergency and to help contain the spread of COVID-19, OFR is closing its physical office locations to the public beginning Tuesday, March 17, 2020, until further notice. Our offices are not closed for purposes of continuing state business, but the public will not be permitted to visit OFR offices until further notice. We are still here to serve you! Visit us online at www.flofr.gov or call us at 850-487-9687.

03/12/2020

Tallahassee, Fla. - The Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) today provided informational guidance to Florida’s financial institutions regarding the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Guidance to Florida State-Chartered Financial Institutions Regarding COVID-19 Federal Financial Institution Examination Council (FFIEC) Pandemic Guidance: https://www.ffiec.gov/press/pr030620.htm Financial institutions in Florida remain ready to work with Floridians to meet their financial needs.

03/12/2020

Tallahassee, Fla. - The Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) today provided guidance to Florida’s securities professionals regarding the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Guidance to Florida Securities Professionals Regarding COVID-19 Financial services providers in Florida remain ready to work with Floridians to meet their financial needs. OFR is continuing to work with state and federal agencies to communicate the latest developments regarding COVID-19 to the financial...

03/12/2020

Tallahassee, Fla. - This week, Florida House Bill 813 passed unanimously on the floor of the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate. CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “Since day one, it has been my top priority to protect Florida consumers, and especially our seniors, from fraud, waste and abuse. I applaud the Florida Legislature today for standing up for Florida’s most vulnerable consumers and passing needed protections to stop financial exploitation of our seniors....

03/10/2020

Tallahassee, Fla. – This week, Florida House Bill 1391 passed unanimously on the floor of the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate. OFR Commissioner Russell C. Weigel, III, said, “Promoting innovation in the area of financial technology is one of many exciting initiatives taking place at OFR. I thank Governor Ron DeSantis and CFO Jimmy Patronis for supporting FinTech innovators, embracing new ideas, and ensuring Florida will remain a top destination for companies...

03/03/2020

Tallahassee, Fla. - This week, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation is recognizing National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2020, a movement intended to help people understand their consumer rights and make well-informed decisions about money. CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “At the Department of Financial Services we’re laser focused on protecting consumers, and that’s why this legislative session has been fully focused on fighting for consumers. After Hurricane Michael devastated.

02/24/2020

Tallahassee, Fla. - The Florida Office of Financial Regulation is celebrating America Saves Week 2020, recognized February 24-29. OFR is spreading the message of saving successfully and urging Floridians to make savings automatic. OFR Chief of Staff Abigail L. Vail said, “America Saves Week is a wonderful opportunity for you and your loved ones to set a goal, make a plan, and save automatically. Look out for helpful savings tips and information that we will share this...

02/10/2020

Tallahassee, Fla. - The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that a jury in Pinellas County has found James Harold Hosner guilty of securities fraud, selling unregistered securities, selling securities as an unregistered person, and communications fraud (scheme to defraud) for his role in a promissory note scheme targeting an elderly victim. OFR Acting Chief of Financial Investigations Alex Toledo said, “Fighting financial fraud is our top...

01/10/2020

Santa Rosa Beach Man Arrested in Alleged Advance Fee for Loan Scheme Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that William Earle North was arrested on felony charges of grand theft and collecting an advance fee while acting as a loan broker. North is alleged to have assessed and collected a $15,000 advance fee from two prospective borrowers on the promise of securing a $7.5 million loan for the construction of two marina...

12/02/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that the Financial Services Commission has appointed Russell C. Weigel commissioner of the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. Commissioner Russell C. Weigel said, “I am pleased to be selected to serve this great state as commissioner of the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. I look forward to working with Governor DeSantis, CFO Patronis, Attorney General Moody, and Commissioner Fried to continue to...

11/20/2019

December 3, 2019 Financial Services Commission Meeting - Public Meeting of the Governor and Cabinet Meeting Materials: OFR Agenda

11/18/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – In response to Governor Ron DeSantis’ announcement of his Bolder, Brighter, Better Future budget recommendations for Fiscal Year 2020-2021, Florida Office of Financial Regulation Chief of Staff Abby Vail today issued the following statement: “Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ efforts, Florida is an attractive place for the financial services industry to do business and is poised to become a leader in financial innovation. The Florida Office of Financial Regulation...

11/08/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that Ben A. Handa has been sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a mortgage fraud scheme. He was also ordered to pay $180,000 in restitution. The sentence follows a plea of “no contest” in February 2019. Alex Toledo, OFR Acting Bureau Chief of Financial Investigations, said, “Thank you to our investigators, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, and the Office of the State...

10/11/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that Barry Vigoda has been sentenced to more than two years in prison, followed by 10 years of probation, for his role in a fraudulent advance fee for loan scheme after a plea of “no contest.” He was also ordered to pay more than $151,000 in restitution, as well as associated court costs. Vigoda’s wife, Catherine Vigoda, co-conspirator in the scheme, was sentenced to 10 years of probation and also...

10/11/2019

October 22, 2019 Financial Services Commission Meeting - Public Meeting of the Governor and Cabinet Meeting Materials: OFR Agenda

10/04/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that Jackson St. Lot was arrested on felony charges of engaging in a scheme to defraud and grand theft. Alex Toledo, OFR Acting Bureau Chief of Financial Investigations, said “Thank you to our investigators and our partners at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office for their efforts in stopping this alleged scam. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect Floridians from financial fraud.”..

09/18/2019

September 26, 2019 Notice of Public Hearing Agenda

08/30/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida’s financial services providers stand ready to work with Floridians to meet their financial needs. The Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) has issued two proclamations providing guidance to Florida’s financial institutions and securities professionals across the state in preparation for Hurricane Dorian's impact. Florida Financial Institutions Proclamation Florida Securities Professionals Proclamation OFR is continuing to work with state and..

08/28/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that William Wren surrendered to the Hillsborough County Jail on four felony charges of assessing or collecting advance fees as a loan broker. Alex Toledo, OFR Acting Bureau Chief of Financial Investigations, said “Collecting an advance fee for the promise of a loan is illegal in Florida. Our office will keep fighting to ensure Floridians are protected from these types of financial scams.” William Wren,...