Associate Commissioner for Banking Howard Amer goes through the checklist designed to expedite the licensing procedure.

Seventeen members of the District’s Asian and Pacific Islander community attended a meeting that DISB hosted to address concerns about licensing requirements for check cashers and non-bank ATM machine owners. At the January 8 meeting, which was organized by the Mayor’s Office of Asian and Pacific Islanders Affairs, the merchants asked questions on the licensing process and made several suggestions for DISB to consider. 

Although some of their suggestions would require new legislation before they could be implemented, DISB is examining the feasibility of other improvements, according to Commissioner Thomas E. Hampton, who addressed the audience. 

“DISB is happy to work with you to bring about desired change, but we take our tasks seriously as regulators to ensure consumer protection processes are in place,” Commissioner Hampton said. He also discussed the ATM registration process and issues DISB would be working on in the near future such as enforcement of ATM registrations.

To prepare for the meeting, the Banking Bureau put together a checklist to help expedite the processing of license applications for check cashers and other non-depository institutions. Associate Commissioner for Banking Howard Amer discussed the checklist, answering questions and highlighting critical points. 

This was the second meeting for the Asian Pacific Islander merchants, where DISB has  addressed concerns and discussed significant issues to this community. The group expressed its understanding and gratitude for the agency’s work, and the procedures in place for consumer protection.  More follow up is expected later this year.