The Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) in Tallahassee, Florida, has announced the availability of resources for residents affected by Hurricane Helene. These resources aim to assist Floridians in accessing information about their financial service providers, including state-chartered banks, credit unions, mortgage servicers, and other financial entities.
OFR Commissioner Russell C. Weigel III emphasized the importance of these resources: "I want to ensure that Floridians have these important resources at their fingertips as they respond to the financial impacts of Hurricane Helene," he said. He further encouraged consumers and businesses to reach out to their providers promptly regarding any available assistance programs or services.
The OFR has compiled a list of consumer resources for various financial services:
For banking needs:
- Contact information for state-chartered financial institutions
- Tools to find FDIC-insured banking institutions and credit unions
- Disaster resources from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
- Resources from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)
Regarding mortgages and loans:
- A list of mortgage services resources
- The National Multistate Licensing System Lender Search
- Disaster resources from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
In securities:
- Information on brokers or investment advisers
- Disaster resources from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
- The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's response to Hurricane Helene
Floridians who suspect any questionable business practices are advised to file a complaint online at www.flofr.gov or call (850) 487-9687.