Section 1163.03. Cease-and-desist orders

(A)

(1) If, in the opinion of the superintendent of savings banks, a savings bank or a person has failed to comply with a supervisory agreement, is engaging or has engaged or the superintendent has reasonable cause to believe that the savings bank or person is about to engage in any unsafe or unsound practice in conducting the business of the savings bank, or has knowingly participated in or consented to or the superintendent has reasonable cause to believe that the savings bank or person is about to participate in or consent to a violation of this chapter or Chapter 1161. or 1165. of the Revised Code, he may serve the savings bank or person notice that he is considering issuing an order on the savings bank pursuant to division (A)(2) or (3) of this section. As used in this section, "person" means a director, officer, employee, or controlling person of a savings bank.

(2) A notice served under division (A)(1) of this section that relates to matters other than an alleged violation of a supervisory agreement shall contain a statement of the alleged facts constituting the basis for an order and fix a time and place for a hearing. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with section 119.09 of the Revised Code, except that, notwithstanding division (E) of section 119.01 of the Revised Code, the hearing shall not be a public hearing. The date for the hearing shall be not less than thirty nor more than forty-five days after the notice has been made by the superintendent on the savings bank or person.

If, after conducting the hearing, the superintendent determines that the savings bank or person has knowingly participated in or consented to or is about to participate in or consent to a violation of this chapter or Chapter 1161. or 1165. of the Revised Code, is engaging or has engaged or is about to engage in an unsafe or unsound practice, he may issue a final cease-and-desist order. The final cease-and-desist order may direct the savings bank or person to remedy the violation of this chapter or Chapter 1161. or 1165. of the Revised Code, or the unsafe or unsound practice, in addition to refraining from the violations or unsafe or unsound practices in the future.

The final order becomes effective upon service on the savings bank or person and remains effective and enforceable as provided in the order, except to the extent as it is stayed, modified, terminated, or set aside by action of the superintendent or a reviewing court pursuant to section 119.12 of the Revised Code.

(3) If the superintendent proposes to issue a cease-and-desist order based on the violation of a supervisory agreement, he shall serve the savings bank or person with a notice of noncompliance. The notice shall specify the actions that are alleged to be in violation of the supervisory agreement. The notice also shall set a time and place for a hearing, which shall occur not less than thirty nor more than forty-five days after the notice has been served on the savings bank or person. The hearing shall be conducted in the manner prescribed in section 119.09 of the Revised Code, except that, notwithstanding division (E) of section 119.01 of the Revised Code, the hearing shall not be a public hearing.

If, after the hearing, the superintendent determines that the savings bank or person has knowingly violated the supervisory agreement, he may issue a final cease-and-desist order.

If, after the hearing, the superintendent determines that the savings bank or person has violated the supervisory agreement but that the conduct in question does not constitute a knowing violation, the superintendent shall give the savings bank or person an opportunity to remedy the violation. The superintendent shall issue a statement of specific actions that must be taken by the savings bank or person, and establish a time frame in which the savings bank or person must take the corrective action to comply with the supervisory agreement. If, by the end of the time frame, the savings bank or person has failed to implement the corrective actions required by the superintendent, the superintendent may issue a final cease-and-desist order.

Nothing in this division shall be construed to prevent the superintendent from issuing a cease-and-desist order pursuant to divisions (A)(1) and (2) of this section or division (B) of this section based on the violation of this chapter or Chapter 1161. or 1165. of the Revised Code, or on an unsafe or unsound practice of the savings bank or person, even though the violation or practice also may constitute a violation of an outstanding supervisory agreement.

(B) If, in the opinion of the superintendent, a savings bank or person is engaging or has engaged in any unsafe or unsound practice, or has participated in or consented to a violation of this chapter or Chapter 1161. or 1165. of the Revised Code, or if the superintendent has reasonable cause to believe that the savings bank or person is about to engage in an unsafe or unsound practice or has consented to a violation of this chapter or Chapter 1161. or 1165. of the Revised Code, he may issue a summary order requiring the savings bank or person to cease and desist from any such violation or practice.

The summary cease-and-desist order, which shall contain a statement of the facts allegedly constituting the grounds for the order, shall be served upon the savings bank or person and shall become effective upon receipt. The order shall include notification of the time and place of a hearing which shall be held pursuant to division (A)(2) of this section. Unless the superintendent issues a final order within ten days after conclusion of the hearing, the summary order issued pursuant to this division becomes void. Otherwise, the summary order remains effective and enforceable until replaced by the final order, except to the extent that it is stayed, modified, terminated, or set aside by action of the superintendent.

(C) A savings bank or person who is adversely affected by a final cease-and-desist order may appeal from the order to the court of common pleas in accordance with section 119.12 of the Revised Code.

(D) In lieu of a hearing pursuant to division (A) or (B) of this section, a savings bank or person may consent to the issuance of an order requiring the savings bank or person to cease and desist from engaging in any activity or practice as specified in the order. A consent cease-and-desist order has the full force and effect of a final cease-and-desist order issued pursuant to division (A)(2) of this section and is enforceable in accordance with division (E) of this section. Any savings bank or person that fails to attend a hearing set pursuant to division (A) or (B) of this section is deemed to have consented to the issuance of a final cease-and-desist order.

(E) If, in the opinion of the superintendent, he has reasonable cause to believe that a lawful summary or final order issued pursuant to this section has been violated, he may request the attorney general to commence and prosecute any appropriate action or proceeding. A court of competent jurisdiction shall enforce a lawful summary or final order issued pursuant to this section and may grant such other relief as the facts warrant.

(F) Service on any savings bank or person as provided for in this section shall be by actual written notice or certified mail to the person or, in the case of a savings bank, to the managing officer of the savings bank.

Effective Date: 10-23-1991