Welcome to the Illinois Division of Financial Institutions (DFI). Created in 1957, DFI is a regulatory agency serving the people of Illinois under the express control and administrative jurisdiction of the Governor. The Financial Institutions Code provides the authority to regulate, license, examine and investigate currency exchanges, credit unions, consumer finance companies, title insurance companies and money transmitters.

Public input is a vital part of DFI's regulatory efforts. If you have a complaint about a financial institution, please click here to download a complaint form or to file a complaint online. If you have a general question or comment, feel free to contact us by calling our Chicago or Springfield offices. I and the rest of the DFI staff are grateful for the opportunity to serve you.

Robert E. Meza
Division Director

The Section provides licenses to non-bank financial institutions that provide consumer loans, finance retail purchases, rent safe deposit boxes, exchange foreign currency, issue negotiable instruments, and provide financial planning and management services.  Licensees are examined on an annual basis to insure they are in compliance with all applicable Illinois rules, regulations and statutes.  Revenues generated are deposited into the Financial Institution Fund – 0021.  Revenues generated in excess of the cost to run the Division are deposited into the State’s General Revenue Fund for general State government programs.

The Section certifies, registers and regulates title insurance companies and their registered title agents that guarantee or insure titles to real estate in the state of Illinois.  Title insurance companies are examined annually by the Section to ensure compliance with the Title Insurance Act, acceptable management practices and to verify their financial stability and that there is no financial impairment.  Title insurance agents are examined only upon the showing of good cause and with the cooperation of the title insurance company.  The Act also requires the certification of Independent Escrowees which are companies that receive deposits, in trust, of funds or documents, or both, for the purpose of effecting the sale, transfer, encumbrance or lease of property located in Illinois.  Revenues generated are deposited into the Financial Institutions Fund – 0021.

The Section is responsible for regulating and supervising all Illinois state-chartered credit unions according to the Illinois Credit Union Act.  This Act provides the authority for the Section to conduct biennial examinations of all credit unions.  The Section uses the AIRES and CAMEL examination process.  The AIRES system allows the examiners to use sophisticated computer hardware and software to improve the manner that information is collected, analyzed and evaluated, allowing examiners to spend more time on the analysis and interpretation of data.  The CAMEL system is a basic exam that emphasizes essential or core areas.  Five key operational areas are evaluated.  These include capital adequacy, asset quality, management, earnings, and liquidity.  Revenues are deposited into the Credit Union Fund – 0243.

The Currency Exchange Act gives the Division its authority to license and regulate currency exchanges.  Community currency exchanges provide various financial services to citizens.  These include check cashing, money order sales, motor vehicle and title registration form processing, license plate sales, distribution of public aid checks and food stamps, utility bill payments, and cable TV payments.  Ambulatory currency exchanges provide payroll check cashing services for employees on the premises of the employer.  Revenues are deposited into the Financial Institution Fund – 0021.