Consumer and Industry Links

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) - AARP is a United States based non-governmental organization and interest group for people age 50 and over. This site provides useful information about financial matters such as mortgages, credit cards, investing, retirement and insurance. Additionally, it provides informative information regarding numerous financial scams and frauds (i.e. identify theft, investor fraud).

Consumer Federation of America (CFA) - CFA is a consumer advocacy association of non-profit consumer organizations. The site has a considerable amount of information about financial matters and credit such as credit cards, credit counseling, debt collection, mortgages, installment loans, auto loans, payday loans, title loans and regulation of these industries, investing and insurance.

Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals (FAMP) - The Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals is the oldest mortgage brokerage association in the United States and plays an important part in the legislative process both statewide and nationally. The site provides important information regarding financial services (i.e. credit score, home buying process, mortgages, closing costs, and tips to avoid abusive lending practices). The site also provides a direct link to the Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) for consumers to verify the license status of individuals they are doing business with and to file a complaint against companies regulated by OFR.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - The purpose of this governmental agency is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality, affordable homes for all. Link to housing news; information about home owning, buying, renting and financing.

National Association of Consumer Credit Administrators (NACCA) - This organization was established in 1935 to improve the supervision of consumer credit agencies and to facilitate the administration of laws governing these agencies. This site provides consumers with information pertaining to credit cards, fair credit reporting, shopping for credit, credit repair scams, mortgage loans, financing vehicles and payday loans.

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) - FinCEN was established by the U.S. Department of the treasury in 1990 to provide a government-wide source of financial intelligence and analysis network. The organization has regulatory responsibilities for administering the Bank Secrecy Act. All money services businesses are required to register with FinCEN, and file CTRS and SARS.

Money Transmitters Regulatory Association (MTRA) - MTRA is a national non-profit organization dedicated to the efficient and effective regulation of money transmission industry in the United States of America. The MTRA membership consists of state regulatory authorities in charge of regulating money transmitters and sellers of traveler's checks, money orders, drafts and other money instruments.

Financial Service Centers of America (FiSCA) - FiSCA is a national trade association for the check cashing industry.

Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA) - CFSA is a national trade group for deferred presentment providers, aka payday loans.

Board of Governors of The Federal Reserve - The Federal Reserve System is the central bank of the United States.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) - Provides information of interest to the banking industry, statistical information about banks and banking, laws and regulations applicable to financial institutions. Also provides information relating to savings and loan associations and savings banks.

Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) - A formal interagency body empowered to prescribe uniform principles, standards, and report forms for the federal examination of financial institutions by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Office of Thrift Supervision, and to make recommendations to promote uniformity in the supervision of financial institutions.

National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) - An independent federal agency that supervises federal credit union and insures all credit unions. Provides a variety of information about credit unions.

National Information Center of Banking Information - Provides comprehensive information on banks and other institutions for which the Federal Reserve has a supervisory, regulatory, or research interest including both domestic and foreign banking organizations operating in the United States.

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) - An independent bureau of the treasury department that regulates national banks and thrifts.

State Bank Supervisors Web Sites - Links to web sites of state banking regulators.

American Bankers Association (ABA) - A national banking trade association based in Washington, D.C.

Conference Of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) - A national organization dedicated to enhancing the value of the state charter and strengthening the dual banking system.

Credit Union National Association - A national trade association serving America's credit unions.

Florida Bankers Association (FBA) - A trade organization representing all national and state chartered banks in Florida.

League of Southeastern Credit Unions (LSCU) - A statewide trade association offering information and services related to Florida and Alabama credit unions, their members, and the public in general.

Florida International Bankers Association (FIBA) - A trade association that represents international and foreign banks from different countries as well as other entities whose activities are closely related to international banking. Its purpose is to promote international banking and commerce in Florida, and to actively develop trade and finance.

Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) - A trade association representing more than 7,000 community banks of all sizes and charter types, is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership through effective advocacy, education and quality products and services.

National Association Of State Credit Union Supervisors (NASCUS) - A pro-active organization dedicated exclusively to influencing issues which adversely impact state chartered credit unions and their supervisors.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - A federal agency that holds primary responsibility for regulating consumer protection in the United States.

North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) - NASAA is the oldest international organization devoted to investor protection. NASAA is a voluntary association whose membership consists of 67 state, provincial, and territorial securities administrators in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, and Mexico.

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) - The SEC administers the federal securities laws including the Securities Act of 1933, Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Adviser Act of 1940 and the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) - FINRA is a self-regulatory organization that operates with SEC oversight. FINRA is responsible for overseeing the conduct of its member securities firms and registered persons associated with its member firms. FINRA also provides for the primary forum for securities arbitration.

Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) - SIPC, created by Congress in 1970, acts as trustee or works with an independent court-appointed trustee in a missing asset case to recover funds from brokerage firms closed due to bankruptcy or other financial difficulties.

U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) - The CFTC is a federal agency that regulates the commodities markets and administers the Commodity Exchange Act of related statutes.

National Futures Association (NFA) - NFA is a self-regulatory organization for the U.S. futures industry which oversees the conduct of its members.

North American Securities Administrators Association - Investor Education Section - The NASAA Investor Education Section provides resources for the public to learn about investing wisely, avoiding fraud and how to exercise their rights as investors.

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) - AARP is a United States based non-governmental organization and interest group for people age 50 and over. This site provides useful information about financial matters such as mortgages, credit cards, investing, retirement and insurance. Additionally, it provides informative information regarding numerous financial scams and frauds (i.e. identify theft, investor fraud).

Investor Protection Trust - The Investor Protection Trust is a nonprofit organization that provides grants for investor education projects.

Money Track, A Public Television Series - Money Track is the award-winning public television series about investing that empowers real people of all income levels to become successful investors.

SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy - The SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy is the SEC's investor education web page.

Save And Invest.org - Provides, financial information for Military Families and Older Investors. Save And Invest.org, in Florida is a cooperative partnership of OFR, the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, the SEC and the AARP.

FINRA Investor Education Foundation - The FINRA Investor Education Foundation is FINRA's investor education web page.

Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC) MYMONEY.GOV - MyMoney.gov is the U.S. government website dedicated to teaching all Americans the basics about financial education. Topics covered include, buying a home, balancing your checkbook, and investing in your 401(k), the resources can help you maximize your financial decisions.

American Association of Individual Investors - A non-profit organization founded in 1978 to assist individuals in becoming effective managers of their own assets, through programs of education, information and research.

The Investor's Clearinghouse - Is the website of the Alliance for Investor Education understanding, investing, investments and the financial markets.

Federal Trade Commission
Public Interest Research Group
Federal Bureau of Investigation/National White Collar Crime
Information on Identity Theft

A to Z Guide - This link can help you find the appropriate state agency who might have some regulatory authority over a particular business activity.
Department of Financial Services
Office of Insurance Regulation
Florida Attorney General
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation

Bank Rate Monitor - A source for consumer bank rates and personal finance. Provides more than 1,600 pages of free, timely rates for mortgages, home equity loans, savings, credit cards and checking accounts. Tracks ATM fees and online banking fees. The database is updated Monday through Friday nights.

Bureau of Economics and Business Research (BEBR) - A source of data and analysis for Florida. Information about economic, demographic and business trends in both the public and private sectors of Florida and the nation.

Central Banks - Links to the web sites of central banks in other countries.

Credit Union Web Sites

Currency Converter - View exchange rates among 164 currencies for any day since January 1, 1990. updated daily at 8:00 p.m. est.

Florida Law Online - Search engine for statutes, state legislation, case law, court rules, administrative rules, etc.

Major Banking Laws - The most important laws that have affected the banking industry in the United States.

National Conference of State Legislatures - The electronic network for state legislatures.

State Telephone Directory

Statutory Interest Rates - Official web page for the Florida Chief Financial Officer.

United States Congress - Send e-mail to your congressman or senator and obtain other useful information.

United States Code

Web Sites of the Fifty States - Links to web sites of the fifty states as well as U.S. territories.