Bulletin 3271 - October 30, 2026

Bulletin 3271 - October 30, 2026

The Department of Banking News Bulletin

Bulletin # 3271 - Week Ending October 30, 2026

This Bulletin constitutes the only official notification you will receive from this office concerning any of the following applications. Any observations you may have are solicited. Any comments should be directed to Jorge L. Perez, Banking Commissioner. Written comments will be considered only if they are received within ten business days from the date of this bulletin.

BANK ACTIVITY

Loan Production Office

On October 27, 2026, Ascend Bank, headquartered in Guilford, Connecticut, filed an application pursuant to Section 36a-145(o) of the Connecticut General Statutes, seeking approval to establish a loan production office at 187 Main Street, Norwich, CT. The anticipated opening date is March 1, 2027.

CONSUMER CREDIT ACTIVITY

Spire Recovery Solutions LLC d/b/a Spire d/b/a Spire Recovery Solutions

On October 26, 2026, the Commissioner issued a Temporary Order to Cease and Desist, Notice of Intent to Revoke Consumer Collection Agency License, Notice of Intent to Issue Order to Cease and Desist, Notice of Intent to Impose Civil Penalty, and Notice of Right to Hearing ("Order and Notice") against Spire Recovery Solutions LLC d/b/a Spire d/b/a Spire Recovery Solutions (NMLS # 1374673), ("Respondent"), Lockport, New York. The Order and Notice was based on a routine examination and investigation by the Consumer Credit Division. As a result of such investigation, the Commissioner alleged that Respondent: (1) from at least September 1, 2022 and October 22, 2025, engaged in consumer collection activity through an unlicensed branch in Texas, in violation of Section 36a-801(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes, in effect at such time; (2) failed to timely cooperate with the Department and failed to timely produce requested records during the Examination in violation of Section 36a-17(e) of the Connecticut General Statutes; (3) failed to provide a number or title on consumer collection letters in violation of Section 36a-809-9(a) of the Regulations; (4) made false, deceptive or misleading representations in consumer communications in violation of Section 36a-809-11 of the Regulations; (5) failed to provide opt-out notice on text messages in violation of 12 CFR Part 1006.6(e) of Regulation F of FDCPA and Section 36a-812 of the Connecticut General Statutes; (6) failed to identify banking accounts as "Client Funds or Trust" in violation of Section 36a-811(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes; (7) failed to update NMLS with all trust accounts in violation of Section 36a-801(f)(2) of the Connecticut General Statutes; (8) failed to use legal name or fictitious name approved by Commissioner in collection communications in violation of Section 36a-801(i) of the Connecticut General Statutes in effect at such time; (9) failed to send post-dated payment notice as required in violation of Section 36a-809-12(2) of the Regulations; (10) failed to provide required consumer collection disclosures in violation of Section 36a-809-11(11) of the Regulations; (11) failed to obtain required consent to communicate through e-mail in violation of 12 CFR 1006.6(d)(4)(ii) of Regulation F of FDCPA and Section 36a-812 of the Connecticut General Statutes; (12) failed to enforce policies and procedures for supervising employees, agents and office operations that are reasonably designed to achieve compliance with applicable consumer collection laws and regulations in violation of Section 36a 805(a)(16) of the Connecticut General Statutes; (13) engaged in collection activities on behalf of unlicensed third-party debt buyers caused by a failure to establish, enforce and maintain policies and procedures in violation of Section 36a-805(a)(16) of the Connecticut General Statutes in effect at such time; (14) failed to maintain consumer debtor and creditor records in violation of Section 36a 811(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes; and (15) failed to warrant belief that the business will be operated soundly and efficiently, in the public interest and consistent with the purposes of sections 36a-800 to 36a-814 of the Connecticut General Statutes, inclusive, in violation of Section 36a-801(c)(2) of the Connecticut General Statutes. The Commissioner found that the public welfare required immediate action to issue a Temporary Order to Cease and Desist against Respondent. Respondent was afforded an opportunity to request a hearing with regard to the allegations set forth in the Order and Notice.

Dated: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Jorge L. Perez
Banking Commissioner