how do i obtain a banking license and establish myself and/or my
corporation as a banking entity(either national or in the state of
California)?

Hi there!

According to the California Financial code, to establish a bank in the
State of California, you must submit an application to the California
Superintendent of Banks:


"360.  The request for authority to organize and establish a
corporation to engage in the banking or trust business shall be set
forth in an application in such form and containing such information
as the commissioner may require and shall be accompanied by a fee of
five thousand dollars ($5,000)."

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=fin&group=00001-01000&file=360-363

You can find the entire California Financial Code here:

[ http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/calawquery?codesection=fin&codebody=
]

...as well as here, including some commentary:

[ http://www.weblocator.com/attorney/ca/law/b10.html ]

For forms and instructions, contact the California Superintendent of
Banks:

California Superintendent of Banks 
111 Pine Street #1100 
San Francisco, CA 94111-5613 
(415) 288-8811. 

I've also managed to track down an article discussing "de novo"
banking":

"So You Want To Start A Bank? - James M. Rockett
[http://www.mccutchen.com/are/fs/start_bank_rockett.PDF ]

...as well as a short (and very sassy) Q&A here:

"How do you start a bank?"
[ http://www.sdreader.com/php/ma_show.php3?id=062801A ]


Good luck!

missy-ga

---

Request for Answer Clarification by highplainsgrifter-ga on 20 May 2002 15:30 PDT

quite helpful.  however, i failed to specify exactly what i am getting
at so hopefully this will help.

what i seek to do is establish myself/my business as a bank with a
transit number/ABA#/routing# so that i may participate in ACH/Direct
deposit activities and issue ATM(or equivalent) cards to customers so
they can access their funds(withdrawal only).

i do not seek to perform 'traditional' banking activities such as
establishing physical branches for my customers, deposits, loans,
credit, checking accounts, etc.

basically, i want to function as a 'scaled-down' bank that offers one
service, we receive direct deposit of money due to you which you can
access with an ATM card that i issue.

is there a way to establish myself as a bank in this manner or is this
something that would have to be dealt with on a specific case basis
via the State Bank Commissioner?

---

Clarification of Answer by missy-ga on 20 May 2002 15:39 PDT

Hello again!

To the best of my understanding, this sort of specialized "banking"
would need to be addressed by the California Superintendent of
Banking, as ATMs and Depositories are still handled through that
office.

I would suggest you write a detailed letter of inquiry, explaining
exactly what you propose, to the CSoB, and send it to the address
above.  That office will be better equipped to respond to your query.

Regards,

missy-ga