The commissioner may impose civil penalties on any savings association, and any institution-affiliated party as follows:
(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b) or in subdivisions (c) and (d), any savings association which, and any institution-affiliated party who, commits any of the following violations shall forfeit and pay a civil penalty of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each day during which the violation continues: (1) Violation of any statute or regulation.(2) Violation of any order issued by the commissioner.(3) Violation of any condition imposed in writing by the commissioner in connection with the grant of any application or other request by the savings association.(4) Violation of any written agreement between the savings association and the commissioner.(b) Any savings association which, and any institution-affiliated party who, (1) commits any violation specified in subdivision (a), (2) recklessly engages in an unsafe or unsound practice in conducting the affairs of the savings association, or (3) breaches any fiduciary duty shall forfeit and pay a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for each day during which the violation, practice, or breach continues if the violation, practice, or breach (1) is part of a pattern of misconduct, (2) causes or is likely to cause more than a minimal loss to the savings association, or (3), was committed by an institution-affiliated party and results in pecuniary gain or other benefit to that institution-affiliated party.(c) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) and (b), any savings association which, and any institution-affiliated party who, (1) knowingly commits any violation specified in subdivision (a), engages in any unsafe or unsound practice in conducting the affairs of the savings association, or breaches any fiduciary duty, and (2) knowingly or recklessly causes a substantial loss to the savings association or, in the case of an institution-related party, a substantial pecuniary gain or other benefit to the institution-related party results by reason of violation, practice or breach, shall forfeit and pay a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed the maximum amount determined under this subdivision for each day during which the violation, practice, or breach continues. The maximum daily amount of any civil penalty which may be assessed pursuant to this subdivision for any violation, practice, or breach described in the subdivision is as follows: (1) In the case of any person other than a savings association, an amount not to exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000).(2) In the case of any savings institution, an amount not to exceed the lesser of one million dollars ($1,000,000) or 1 percent of the total assets of the association.(d)(1) Any penalty imposed under subdivisions (a), (b), or (c) may be assessed and collected by the commissioner by written notice.(2) If, with respect to any assessment under paragraph (1) a hearing is not requested pursuant to subdivision (g) within the period of time allowed under subdivision (g), the assessment shall constitute a final and unappealable order.(e) The commissioner may compromise, modify or remit any penalty which may be assessed or which has been assessed pursuant to subdivision (a), (b), or (c).(f) In determining the amount of any penalty imposed under subdivision (a), (b), or (c), the commissioner shall take into account the appropriateness of the penalty with respect to all of the following:(1) The size of financial resources and good faith of the savings association or other person charged.(2) The gravity of the violation, practice, or breach.(3) The history of previous violations, unsafe or unsound practices, or breaches of fiduciary duty.(4) Such other matters as justice may require.(g) The savings association or other person against whom any penalty is assessed under this section shall be afforded a departmental hearing if the association or person submits a request for a hearing within 20 days after the issuance of the notice of assessment.(h)(1) If any savings association or institution-related party fails to pay an assessment after any civil monetary penalty assessed under this section has become final, the department shall recover the amount assessed by action in superior court.(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, review under Section 8055 of the validity or appropriateness of any civil penalty assessed under this section shall be conducted solely pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure.(i) All penalties collected under authority of this section shall be deposited in the Savings and Loan Account in the Financial Institutions Fund.Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1064, Sec. 550. Effective January 1, 1997. Operative July 1, 1997.