Bulletin 3245 - May 1, 2026

Bulletin 3245 - May 1, 2026

The Department of Banking News Bulletin

Bulletin # 3245 - Week Ending May 1, 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

New Branch Office

On April 28, 2026, DR Bank, headquartered in Darien, submitted an application pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 36a-145(j) to open a new branch at 199 Main Street, 4th Floor, White Plains, New York, 10601. The proposed opening date is June 1, 2026.

CREDIT UNION ACTIVITY

Merger

On April 29, 2026, the Commissioner approved an application from America's First Credit Union, a Connecticut Credit Union headquartered in East Hartford, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 36a-468a allowing Waterbury Postal Employees Federal Credit Union to merge with and into America's First Credit Union. The proposed date for the merger is the second quarter 2026.

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTION ACTIVITY

Out-Of-State Trust Company

On April 26, 2026, First American Trust Company, LLC, a New Hampshire-chartered non-depository trust company with a principal office in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, filed an application pursuant to Connecticut General Statues Section 36a-434a to establish a trust office at 80 Field Road, Greenwich, Connecticut. The anticipated opening date is second quarter 2026.

Foreign Bank Representative Office

On April 24, 2026, National Westminster Bank Plc (NatWest Bank), a United Kingdom based bank, filed an application pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 36a-428g to establish a representative office in Stamford, Connecticut. The anticipated opening date is September 2026.

CONSUMER CREDIT ACTIVITY

Lendah LLC

On April 27, 2026, the Commissioner entered into a Consent Order ("Consent Order") with Lendah LLC (NMLS # 1929464), ("Lendah"), Beverly, Massachusetts. The Consent Order resolved allegations made by the Commissioner in an Amended and Restated Temporary Order to Cease and Desist, Order to Make Restitution, Amended and Restated Notice of Intent to Issue Order to Cease and Desist, Amended and Restated Notice of Intent to Impose Civil Penalty and Notice of Right to Hearing (collectively, "Notice") against Lendah, among others, issued on October 31, 2022. The Commissioner alleged in the Notice that Lendah: (1) offered debt negotiation programs in Connecticut without obtaining the required license, in violation of Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, in effect at such time; and (2) made false or deceptive statements or representations in connection with debt negotiation or engaged in bait and switch advertising, in violation of Section 36a-671f(8) of the Connecticut General Statutes. As part of the Consent Order, Lendah agreed to pay $8,400 as a civil penalty and $1,600 as back licensing fees.

Dated: Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Jorge L. Perez
Banking Commissioner