75A - PH 230 W WARNER AVE #102 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Conditional Use Permit No. 2007-21 March 3, 2008 Page 4 Commercial banking establishments, such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Washington Mutual typically require two forms of identification for those wishing to open new accounts. These banks accept Consular Identification cards issued by foreign governments, such as the Matricula Consular issued by the Government of Mexico, as one form of valid identification. This practice was authorized by the United States Treasury Department as part of the requirement that banking establishments must require valid identification from those wishing to open new accounts pursuant to the provisions of the U.S. Patriot Act. Once an account is established, the bank customer is eligible for all check cashing services provided by the bank. Consular Identification cards are also issued by the governments of Guatemala, Argentina, Columbia and E1 Salvador. There are currently three commercial banks within a one-mile radius of the subject site (Exhibit 4) that accept Consular Identification cards as a form of valid identification. The check cashing industry is regulated by the State of California and permits are issued from the Check Casher Permit Program through the Attorney General's Department of Justice. A permit is required for each check cashing establishment and is valid for one year. A permit can be renewed; however, the permit can be revoked if the applicant violates the provisions or regulations of the check Casher permit. A condition of approval has been added by staff to ensure that the business obtains a Check Casher Permit prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. The City Council also requested information on consumer protections available to patrons of check cashing facilities. California Civic Code Section 1789.35 regulates the fee amounts that can be charged for the cashing of a check. Up to a 3 percent fee can be charged to cash a payroll or government check if identification is provided by the customer, or 3.5 percent without identification, or $3, which ever is greater. In addition, a check cashing business may charge up to a 12 percent fee for cashing a personal check. If a customer feels that he or she has been charged fees in excess of those allowed by law, they may contact the California Department of Justice. CEQA Compliance In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, the recommended action is exempt from further review per Section 15301. This Class 1 exemption allows the licensing of existing facilities with no expansion of the existing use. Categorical Exemption Environmental Review No. 2006-100 will be filed for this project. 7 5A-4