53-369. Administrative orders; penalties for violation; increase of equity capital.

(a) In addition to any other powers conferred by this Chapter, the Commissioner may:

(1) Order any authorized trust institution, or affiliate thereof, or any director, officer, or employee of an authorized trust institution, to cease and desist violating any provision of this Article or any rule issued thereunder.

(2) Order any authorized trust institution, or affiliate thereof, or any director, officer, or employee of an authorized trust institution, to cease and desist from a course of conduct that is unsafe or unsound and which is likely to cause insolvency or dissipation of the assets of an authorized trust institution, or is likely to jeopardize or otherwise seriously prejudice the interests of the clients, creditors, shareholders, or the public in their relationships with the authorized trust institution.

(3) Order any company to cease engaging in unauthorized trust activity.

(4) Enter orders described in G.S. 53-321, 53-327, and 53-343.

(b) The Commissioner may impose a civil money penalty of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of an order issued under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section. The Commissioner may impose a civil money penalty of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) per day for each violation of a cease and desist order issued under subdivision (2) or (3) of subsection (a) or this section. The clear proceeds of civil money penalties imposed pursuant to this section shall be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with G.S. 115C-457.2.

(c) The Commissioner may order that a State trust company in a hazardous condition increase its equity capital to a level that is adequate for the safe and sound conduct of its business. The order shall specify the period of time for meeting the requirement to increase equity capital, which period of time may be extended by further order of the Commissioner.