Laws and Regulations
This section of the Department's website provides links to various Georgia Laws and Department Rules and Regulations governing institutions/licensees under the regulatory authority of the Department.
Since establishment of the Department in 1919, additional responsibilities, beyond bank supervision and regulation, have been assigned to the agency in the form of the Georgia Credit Union Act (1925); Trust Company Laws of Georgia (1927); Georgia Sale of Checks Act (1965); The Fiduciary Investment Company Act (1970); International Bank Agency Act (1972); Georgia Business Development Corporation Act (1972); Regulation of Check Cashers (1990); and the Georgia Residential Mortgage Act (1993). The Georgia Fair Lending Act (GAFLA) was signed into law on April 22, 2002 and became effective on October 1, 2002, and was subsequently amended effective March 7, 2003. This law has a significant impact on Georgia residential mortgage lending and brokering activities.
The Department continues to make changes to the Code to streamline the application process, reduce regulatory burden on regulated entities, and coordinate its procedures with federal requirements.
Bills of interest passed by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2009-2010 legislative session:
HB 141 - Financial institutions; update definitions; provisions (signed by the Governor n 4/21/2009)
HB 312 - Financial institutions; S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (signed by the Governor on 4/29/2009)
SB 141 - Property; foreclosures and deficiency judgements; change provisions (signed by the Governor on 5/4/2009)
HB 126 - Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; enact (signed by the Governor on 5/5/2009)
HB 127 - Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act; adopt; provisions (signed by the Governor on 5/5/2009)
Other Useful Links (Federal Laws & Regulations):
FDIC Laws, Regulations and Related Acts
NCUA Laws, Regulations, and Legal Opinions
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
Order now! Get your complete, searchable copy of the Georgia Banking Laws & Commercial Code Book
No bank or legal library is complete without its own, comprehensive and up-to-date copy of Georgia’s banking laws, especially in today’s environment.
The Georgia Bankers Association (GBA), working with the Department of Banking and Finance, is the official source for printed copies and searchable CDs of the Georgia Banking Laws and Commercial Code Book published by LexisNexis. The book contains the current version available of the state’s banking laws, rules of the Banking Department and the Uniform Commercial Code.
Members may order online by clicking here. Non-members must click here to order your copy. Please email GBA’s Kenyetta
2009 DBF Proposed Rulemaking: 7-13-2009
The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance hereby gives notice of its intent to adopt new and amended rules. A synopsis and purpose precedes each proposed rule change, with background information and explanation where applicable.
2009 DBF Final Rulemaking: 8-17-2009
These Rules of the Department of Banking and Finance have been finally adopted on August 17, 2009. They were filed with the Secretary of State on August 17, 2009, and will be effective 20 days following or September 7, 2009.
DBF Policy Statement - Definition of "agents"
Based upon questions recently received in response to the Department of Banking and Finance (Department) Final Regulations adopted August 14, 2007, this Policy Statement provides a Department definition for the term “agents” for purposes of Rule 80-3-1-.07(2)(e).