Maryland 2023 2023 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB550 Chaptered / Bill

Filed 05/10/2023

                     	WES MOORE, Governor 	Ch. 433 
 
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Chapter 433 
(Senate Bill 550) 
 
AN ACT concerning 
 
Financial Regulation – Maryland Community Investment Venture Fund – 
Establishment 
(Access to Banking Act) 
 
FOR the purpose of authorizing the establishment of a establishing the Maryland 
Community Investment Venture Fund by the Commissioner of Financial Regulation 
as an instrumentality of the State for certain purposes; providing for certain 
assessment offset credits for certain banking institutions and credit unions that 
establish de novo branches or maintain branches in certain areas; authorizing the 
use of the Banking Institution and Credit Union Regulation Fund for certain 
purposes; and generally relating to financial regulation the Maryland Community 
Investment Venture Fund and the assessment of banking institutions and credit 
unions. 
 
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 
Article – Financial Institutions 
Section 2–118, 5–203, and 6–712 
Annotated Code of Maryland 
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 
 
BY adding to 
Article – Financial Institutions 
Section 2–118.1 
Annotated Code of Maryland 
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 
 
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 
 Article – Financial Institutions 
 Section 5–101(a) and (b) 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 
 (2020 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement)  
 
 SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 
 
Article – Financial Institutions 
 
2–118. 
 
 (a) In this section, “Fund” means the Banking Institution and Credit Union 
Regulation Fund established under this section.  Ch. 433 	2023 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 (b) There is a Banking Institution and Credit Union Regulation Fund that 
consists of: 
 
 (1) All revenue received for the chartering and regulation of persons who 
engage in the business of a banking institution or credit union under this article; and 
 
 (2) Any other fee, assessment, or revenue received by the Commissioner 
from banking institutions and credit unions under this article. 
 
 (c) Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, the Commissioner shall pay all 
fines and penalties collected by the Commissioner from banking institutions and credit 
unions under this article into the General Fund of the State. 
 
 (d) The purpose of the Fund is to pay all the costs and expenses incurred by the 
Commissioner that are related to the regulation of banking institutions and credit unions 
under this article, including: 
 
 (1) Expenditures authorized under this article; [and] 
 
 (2) INVESTMENTS AUTHORIZE D UNDER § 2–118.1 OF THIS SUBTITLE ; 
AND 
 
 [(2)] (3) Any other expense authorized in the State budget. 
 
 (e) (1) All the costs and expenses of the Commissioner relating to the 
regulation of banking institutions and credit unions under this article shall be included in 
the State budget. 
 
 (2) Any expenditures from the Fund to cover costs and expenses of the 
Commissioner may be made only: 
 
 (i) By an appropriation from the Fund approved by the General 
Assembly in the annual State budget; or 
 
 (ii) By the budget amendment procedure provided for in § 7–209 of 
the State Finance and Procurement Article. 
 
 (3) If, in any given fiscal year, the amount of the revenue collected by the 
Commissioner and deposited into the Fund exceeds the actual appropriation for the 
Commissioner to regulate banking institutions and credit unions under this article, the 
excess amount shall be carried forward within the Fund. 
 
 (f) (1) The State Treasurer is the custodian of the Fund. 
   	WES MOORE, Governor 	Ch. 433 
 
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 (2) The State Treasurer shall deposit payments received from the 
Commissioner into the Fund. 
 
 (g) (1) The Fund is a continuing, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to §  
7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article, and may not be deemed a part of the 
General Fund of the State. 
 
 (2) Unless otherwise provided by law, no part of the Fund may revert or be 
credited to: 
 
 (i) The General Fund of the State; or 
 
 (ii) A special fund of the State. 
 
2–118.1. 
 
 (A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 
INDICATED. 
 
 (2) “FUND” MEANS THE MARYLAND COMMUNITY INVESTMENT 
VENTURE FUND.  
 
 (2) (3) “LOW– TO MODERATE –INCOME TRACT ” HAS THE MEANING 
STATED IN § 5–203 OF THIS ARTICLE. 
 
 (3) “PRIVATE VENTURE FUND ” MEANS THE SEPARATE E NTITY OR 
ENTITIES CHARTERED I N ACCORDANCE WITH SU BSECTIONS (B) AND (K) (J) OF THIS 
SECTION. 
 
 (B) (1) THE COMMISSIONER MAY INVE ST IN THERE IS A MARYLAND 
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT VENTURE FUND. 
 
 (2) THE MARYLAND COMMUNITY INVESTMENT VENTURE FUND IS A 
PRIVATE VENTURE FUND THAT IS A SEPARATELY CHAR TERED EQUITY FUND US ING 
BOTH: 
 
 (I) IS AN INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE STATE; AND 
 
 (II) USES PUBLIC AND PRIVATE I NVESTMENT FUNDS . 
 
 (3) (C) (1) THE SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS 
SUBSECTION, THE PURPOSE OF THE PRIVATE VENTURE FUND FUND IS TO DEVELOP 
OPPORTUNITIES FOR BA NKING INSTITUTIONS A ND CREDIT UNIONS TO BETTER 
SERVE THE NEEDS OF L OW– TO MODERATE –INCOME TRACTS BY : 
  Ch. 433 	2023 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 (I) INVESTING IN THE DEVE LOPMENT OF F INANCIAL PRODUCT 
OR FINANCIAL PRODUCT UNDERWRITING INNOVAT IONS THAT WILL ENHANCE 
ACCESS TO CAPITAL , FUNDING, AND OTHER FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR BUSINES SES 
IN LOW– TO MODERATE –INCOME TRACTS IN MARYLAND THE STATE; 
 
 (II) DEPLOYING, TESTING, AND EVALUATING THESE THE 
INNOVATIONS FOR PROV IDING CAPITAL AND FU NDING TO BUSINESSES IN LOW– TO 
MODERATE–INCOME TRACTS IN MARYLAND THE STATE; AND 
 
 (III) PROMOTING AND MAKING THESE THE INNOVATIONS 
AVAILABLE TO A VARIETY OF BANKING INSTITUTIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS FO R USE 
IN ENHANCING ACCESS TO CAPITAL, FUNDING, AND OTHER FINANCIAL SERVICES 
FOR BUSINESSES IN LO W– TO MODERATE –INCOME TRACTS IN MARYLAND THE 
STATE. 
 
 (2) WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER , THE PURPOSE OF 
THE FUND MAY BE ALTERED I N A MANNER THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT 
AND REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION. 
 
 (D) (1) (I) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ES TABLISH A GOVERNANCE 
STRUCTURE FOR THE FUND. 
 
 (II) THE COMMISSIONER MAY COLL ABORATE WITH INVESTO RS 
IN THE FUND WHEN ESTABLISHIN G THE GOVERNANCE STR UCTURE. 
 
 (2) THE COMMISSIONER , OR THE COMMISSIONER ’S DESIGNEE, SHALL 
SERVE ON THE GOVERNI NG BODY OF THE FUND.  
 
 (C) (E) (1) THE COMMISSIONER MAY EXPEND USE UP TO $250,000 
FROM THE BANKING INSTITUTION AND CREDIT UNION REGULATION FUND 
ESTABLISHED UNDER § 2–118 OF THIS SUBTITLE TO COVER THE EXPENSES 
ASSOCIATED WITH CHARTERING AND ORGANIZING THE PRIVA TE VENTURE FUND 
ESTABLISHING THE FUND, INCLUDING ACCOUNTING , ADVISORY, THIRD–PARTY 
SERVICE PROVIDER , MARKETING, AND OTHER NECESSARY EXPENSES. 
 
 (D) (2) TO ENCOURAGE PRIVATE INVESTMENT, THE COMMISSIONER MAY 
PROVIDE THE AN INITIAL EQUITY CAPIT AL INVESTMENT IN THE PRIVATE VENTURE 
FUND FUND IN AN AMOUNT UP TO $2,500,000 FROM THE BANKING INSTITUTION 
AND CREDIT UNION REGULATION FUND. 
 
 (E) (F) (1) THROUGH JUNE 30, 2028, THE COMMISSIONER MAY MATC H 
ANY AN INVESTMENT MADE IN T HE PRIVATE VENTURE FUND FUND BY A BANKING 
INSTITUTION OR CREDI T UNION UP TO THE AM OUNT OF THE ASSESSME NT CREDIT   	WES MOORE, Governor 	Ch. 433 
 
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EARNED BY THAT THE BANKING INSTITUTION OR CREDIT UNION UNDER IN 
ACCORDANCE WITH § 5–203(C) § 5–203(D) OR § 6–712(C)(4) OF THIS ARTICLE. 
 
 (F) (2) THE COMMISSIONER MAY NOT 	MAKE ANY FURTHER 
INVESTMENTS AN INVESTMENT IN THE PRIVATE VENTURE FUND FUND AFTER JUNE 
30, 2028. 
 
 (G) ANY AND ALL ALL INVESTMENT RETURNS O R RETURN OF CAPITAL 
FROM THE PRIVATE VENTURE FUND FUND WITH RESPECT TO ANY AN INVESTMENT 
AUTHORIZED BY THE COMMISSIONER SHALL BE THE PROPERTY OF CREDITED TO 
THE BANKING INSTITUTION AND CREDIT UNION REGULATION FUND. 
 
 (H) (1) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE 
COMMISSIONER MAY NEGO TIATE APPROPRIATE GO VERNANCE STRUCTURES FOR 
THE PRIVATE VENTURE FUND WITH OTHER INVE STORS. 
 
 (2) THE COMMISSIONER OR A REP	RESENTATIVE OF THE 
COMMISSIONER SHALL AL WAYS SERVE ON THE BO DY GOVERNING T HE PRIVATE 
VENTURE FUND . 
 
 (3) (I) THE PURPOSE OF THE PR IVATE VENTURE FUND M AY NOT BE 
ALTERED OR AMENDED W ITHOUT THE CONSENT O F THE COMMISSIONER . 
 
 (II) ANY ALTERED OR AMENDE D PURPOSE MUST REMAI N 
CONSISTENT WITH THIS SECTION. 
 
 (I) (H) AT THE DIRECTION OF T HE COMMISSIONER , AND IN ADDITION TO 
ANY CUSTOMARY AND AP PROPRIATE AUDITS OF THE FUND FUND, THE PRIVATE 
VENTURE FUND GOVERNING BODY OF TH E FUND SHALL BE REQUIRED TO ENGAG E 
OBTAIN THE SERVICES OF AN INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY DESIGNATED BY THE 
COMMISSIONER ON AN AN NUAL BASIS TO EVALUA TE WHETHER ALL THE 
INVESTMENTS MEET THE CRITERIA ES TABLISHED BY MADE TO THE FUND COMPLY 
WITH THIS SECTION. 
 
 (J) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 
DIVISION II OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE DOES NOT 
APPLY TO A SERVICE T HAT THE COMMISSIONER OBTAINS UNDER THIS SECTION . 
 
 (2) THE COMMISSIONER IS SUBJE CT TO TITLE 12, SUBTITLE 4 OF 
THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE FOR SERVICES CONTRACTED 
UNDER SUBSE CTION (C) OR (K) OF THIS SECTION. 
 
 (K) (J) (I) (1) TO THE EXTENT IF THE COMMISSIONER DETERMIN ES THAT 
SEPARATE PRIVATE VEN TURE FUNDS ARE NECES SARY TO ACCOMPLISH T HE  Ch. 433 	2023 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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PURPOSE OF THE PRIVATE VENTURE FUND FUND, THE COMMISSIONER MAY EXPEND 
FUNDS USE MONEY FROM THE FUND TO CHARTER AND ORGANIZE ESTABLISH 
ADDITIONAL PRIVATE V ENTURE FUNDS. 
 
 (2) ANY AN ADDITIONAL PRIVATE V ENTURE FUNDS CHARTERED AND 
ORGANIZED UNDER FUND ESTABLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBSECTION 
ARE SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS SECTION ON THE 
MARYLAND COMMUNITY INVESTMENT VENTURE FUND UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF 
THIS SECTION , INCLUDING THE AGGREGATE EXPENSE AN D INVESTMENT 
LIMITATIONS STATED I N SUBSECTIONS (C) THROUGH (F) OF THIS SECTION SHALL 
COMPLY WITH THE REQU IREMENTS OF SUB SECTIONS (B) THROUGH (F) OF THIS 
SECTION. 
 
5–101. 
 
 (a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 
 
 (b) “CAMELS” means the composite rating adopted by the federal Financial 
Institutions Examination Council to evaluate the adequacy of capital, quality of assets, 
capability of management, quality and level of earnings, adequacy of liquidity, and 
sensitivity to market risk.  
 
5–203. 
 
 (a) (1) IN THIS SECTION , UNLESS THE CONTEXT C LEARLY REQUIRES 
OTHERWISE, THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS IN DICATED. 
 
 (2) “BRANCH” MEANS A DEPOSIT –TAKING OFFICE OF A B ANKING 
INSTITUTION IN MARYLAND OTHER THAN THE MAIN OFFICE AS DEFINED BY THE 
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION . 
 
 (3) “DE NOVO BRANCH ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 5–1001 OF 
THIS TITLE WITH RESPECT TO A BA NKING INSTITUTION . 
 
 (4) “DEPOSIT GROWTH CAP ” MEANS THE YEAR –OVER–YEAR 
PERCENTAGE CHANGE OF DOMES TIC OFFICE DEPOSITS AS REPORTED ON 
DECEMBER 31 EACH YEAR BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION 
IN THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION QUARTERLY BANK PROFILE .  
 
 (5) “DEPOSITS” MEANS DEPOSITS ORIGI NATED AND HOUSED AT A 
BRANCH LOCATED IN A LOW – TO MODERATE –INCOME TRACT AS REPO RTED BY A 
BANKING INSTITUTION TO THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION 
EACH YEAR AS OF JUNE 30. 
   	WES MOORE, Governor 	Ch. 433 
 
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 (6) “LOW– TO MODERATE –INCOME TRACT ” MEANS A CENSUS TRACT 
DELINEATED BY THE U.S. BUREAU OF THE CENSUS IN THE MOST RECENT 
DECENNIAL CENSUS AS PUBLISHED BY THE FEDERAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS 
EXAMINATION COUNCIL THAT CORRESPO NDS TO LOW – TO MODERATE –INCOME 
LEVEL CLASSIFICATION S AS DEFINED BY THE REGULATION OF THE FEDERAL 
RESERVE BOARD IMPLEMENTING TH E FEDERAL COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT, 
12 C.F.R. 228.12. 
 
 (B) The Commissioner shall impose annual assessments on each banking 
institution as provided in this section, to cover the expense of regulating banking 
institutions. 
 
 [(b)] (C) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the 
Commissioner shall assess each banking institution the sum of: 
 
 (i) $8,000; plus 
 
 (ii) 1. 12 cents for each $1,000 of the assets of the institution over 
$50,000,000, but not more than $250,000,000; 
 
 2. 10 cents for each $1,000 of assets over $250,000,000, but 
not more than $500,000,000; 
 
 3. 9 cents for each $1,000 of assets over $500,000,000, but not 
more than $1,000,000,000; 
 
 4. 8 cents for each $1,000 of assets over $1,000,000,000, but 
not more than $10,000,000,000; and 
 
 5. 7 cents for each $1,000 of assets over $10,000,000,000. 
 
 (2) If a banking institution is not in the business of accepting deposits or 
retaining funds in a deposit account as defined in § 5–509 of this title, the Commissioner 
shall assess the banking institution the sum of: 
 
 (i) $5,000; plus 
 
 (ii) 1. 0.3 cents for each $1,000 of managed assets held in a 
fiduciary capacity up to $5,000,000,000; 
 
 2. 0.2 cents for each $1,000 of managed assets held in a 
fiduciary capacity over $5,000,000,000, but not more than $20,000,000,000; 
 
 3. 0.1 cent for each $1,000 of managed assets held in a 
fiduciary capacity over $20,000,000,000 up to $27,500,000,000; 
  Ch. 433 	2023 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 4. 0.2 cents for each $1,000 of nonmanaged and custodial 
assets held in a fiduciary capacity up to $5,000,000,000; and 
 
 5. 0.1 cent for each $1,000 of nonmanaged and custodial 
assets held in a fiduciary capacity over $5,000,000,000 up to $20,000,000,000. 
 
 (3) The assessments shall be based on assets stated in a bankin g 
institution’s most recent financial report. 
 
 (D) A WELL–CAPITALIZED BANKING INSTITUTION WITH A C OMPOSITE 
CAMELS RATING OF 1 OR 2 MAY FILE WITH THE COMMISSIONER A REQUES T FOR 
AN ASSESSMENT OFFSET CREDIT OF: 
 
 (1) 12 CENTS FOR EACH $1,000 OF DEPOSITS IN A DE NOVO BRANCH 
LOCATED IN A LOW – TO MODERATE –INCOME TRACT FOR THE FIRST 5 YEARS AFTER 
THE DATE THE BRANCH OPENED; OR 
 
 (2) 6 CENTS FOR EACH $1,000 OF DEPOSITS IN A BRA NCH LOCATED IN 
A LOW– TO MODERATE –INCOME TRACT NOT TO EXCEED THE DEPOSIT G ROWTH CAP. 
 
 [(c)] (E) Notwithstanding subsection [(b)] (C) of this section, for a banking 
institution with a composite CAMELS rating of 3, 4, or 5 for its most recent examination, 
the annual assessment imposed under this section shall be increased by an additional 25%. 
 
 [(d)] (F) A banking institution shall pay the assessment imposed under this 
section to the Commissioner on or before the April 15 after it is imposed. 
 
 (G) THE COMMISSIONER MAY DESI GNATE A SUCCESSOR IN DEX FOR: 
 
 (1) THE LOW– TO MODERATE –INCOME TRACT IF THE FEDERAL 
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS EXAMINATION COUNCIL TRACT INCOME LEVEL DATA IS 
NO LONGER PUBLISHED ; OR 
 
 (2) THE DEPOSIT GROWTH CA P IF THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT 
INSURANCE CORPORATION REPORT OF DOMESTIC OFFICE DEPO SITS IS NO LONGER 
PUBLISHED. 
 
6–712. 
 
 (a) (1) IN THIS SECTION , UNLESS THE CONTEXT C LEARLY REQUIRES 
OTHERWISE, THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS IN DICATED. 
 
 (2) “DE NOVO BRANCH ” MEANS A BRANCH OF A CREDIT UNION THAT 
WAS ORIGINALLY ESTAB LISHED BY THE CREDIT UNION IN MARYLAND THE STATE.   	WES MOORE, Governor 	Ch. 433 
 
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 (3) “DEPOSIT GROWTH CAP ” MEANS THE YEAR –OVER–YEAR 
PERCENTAGE CHANGE OF TOTAL SHARES AND DEP OSITS REPORTED DECEMBER 31 
EACH YEAR BY FEDERAL LY INSURED CREDIT UN IONS TO THE NATIONAL CREDIT 
UNION ADMINISTRATION AND PU BLISHED IN THE NATIONAL CREDIT UNION 
ADMINISTRATION CALL REPORT AGGREGATE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 
REPORTS. 
 
 (4) “DEPOSITS” MEANS DEPOSITS ORIGI NATED AND HOUSED AT A 
CREDIT UNION BRANCH LOCATED IN A LOW – TO MODERATE –INCOME TRACT AS 
REPORTED BY A CREDIT UNION TO THE COMMISSIONER EACH YEA R AS OF JUNE 30. 
 
 (5) “LOW– TO MODERATE –INCOME TRACT ” HAS THE MEANING 
STATED IN § 5–203 OF THIS ARTICLE. 
 
 (B) This section applies only to a credit union with assets of $300,000 or greater. 
 
 [(b)] (C) (1) The Commissioner shall impose an annual assessment on each 
credit union as provided in this subsection to cover the expense of regulating credit unions. 
 
 (2) The Commissioner shall assess each credit union the sum of: 
 
 (i) $1,000; and 
 
 (ii) 8 cents for each $1,000 of the assets of the credit union over 
$1,000,000. 
 
 (3) The assessment shall be based on assets stated in the credit union’s 
most recent financial report. 
 
 (4) A WELL–CAPITALIZED CREDIT U NION WITH A COMPOSIT E 
CAMELS RATING OF 1 OR 2 MAY FILE WITH THE COMMISSIONER A REQUES T FOR 
AN ASSESSMENT OFFSET CREDIT OF : 
 
 (I) 12 CENTS FOR EACH $1,000 OF DEPOSITS IN A DE NOVO 
BRANCH LOCATED IN A LOW– TO MODERATE –INCOME TRACT FOR THE FIRST 5 YEARS 
AFTER THE DATE THE D E NOVO BRANCH OPENED ; OR 
 
 (II) 6 CENTS FOR EACH $1,000 OF DEPOSITS IN A BRA NCH 
LOCATED IN A LOW– TO MODERATE –INCOME TRACT NOT TO EXCEED THE DEPOSIT 
GROWTH CAP . 
 
 [(c)] (D) A credit union shall pay the assessment imposed under this section to 
the Commissioner on or before the March 1 after the assessment is imposed. 
  Ch. 433 	2023 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 (E) THE COMMISSIONER MAY DESIGNATE A SUCC ESSOR INDEX FOR THE 
DEPOSIT GROWTH CAP I F THE NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION CALL 
REPORT AGGREGATE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORTS IS NO LONGER 
PUBLISHED. 
 
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 
1, 2023. 
 
Approved by the Governor, May 8, 2023.