(a) (1) For purposes of this section, “foreign bank” means the business in this state of every foreign (other nation) bank licensed under Article 3 (commencing with Section 1800) of Chapter 20 of Division 1.1.

(2) For purposes of this subdivision, an examination made by the commissioner in conjunction with or with assistance from a bank regulatory agency of the United States, of a state of the United States, or of a foreign nation is deemed to be an examination caused by the commissioner.

(3) No provision of this subdivision shall be deemed to require that the commissioner cause an examination to be made onsite at the offices of a bank.

(4) The commissioner shall cause every California state bank and every foreign bank to be examined to the extent and whenever and as often as the commissioner shall deem it advisable, but in no case less frequently than once every 12 months, except that the following banks shall be examined pursuant to federal law no less frequently than state banks and foreign banks that meet the respective federal criteria:

(A) California state banks that meet the criteria set forth in Section 1820(d)(4) of Title 12 of the United States Code.

(B) Foreign banks that meet the criteria set forth in Section 211.26(c)(2) of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(5) The examinations required by paragraph (4) may be conducted in alternate examination periods, as appropriate, if the commissioner determines that an examination of the state bank by the appropriate federal regulator, insuring or guaranteeing corporation during the intervening examination period carries out the purpose of this section. The commissioner may not accept two consecutive examinations, or two consecutive examination reports, made by federal regulators, insuring or guaranteeing corporations, or agencies with respect to the condition of the state bank.

(6) The commissioner shall cause every California state trust company to be examined to the extent and whenever and as often as the commissioner shall deem it advisable, but in no case less frequently than once every 24 months.

(7) The commissioner may examine subsidiaries of every California state bank, state trust company, and foreign (other nation) bank licensed under Article 3 (commencing with Section 1800) of Chapter 20 of Division 1.1 to the extent and whenever and as often as the commissioner shall deem it advisable.

(b) The commissioner may at any time examine any of the following:

(1) Any office of a bank organized under the laws of this state.

(2) Any office of a foreign (other state) bank that maintains an office in this state.

(3) Any office of a foreign (other nation) bank that maintains an office in this state.

(c) The officers and employees of every California state bank, California state trust company, and foreign bank being examined shall exhibit to the examiners, on request, any or all of its securities, books, records, and accounts and shall otherwise facilitate the examination so far as it may be in their power.

(Added by Stats. 2011, Ch. 243, Sec. 2. (SB 664) Effective January 1, 2012.)