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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">I am interested in what constitutes a “Florida banking institution” for holding security deposits under section 83.49, Florida Statutes.  I understand that there
 are national chartered banks and state chartered banks.  My assumption is that either type of bank must be registered with the Office of Financial Regulation or other state agency responsible, in order to conduct banking in the state of Florida.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">I note from Westlaw that virtually every bank that brings an action in Florida is designated a Florida Banking Institution in their pleadings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">What is the definition of a Florida banking institution.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">David D. Eastman, Esq.</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Lutz, Bobo, Telfair, Eastman, Gabel & Lee</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">2155 Delta Boulevard, Suite 210-B</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Tallahassee, Florida 32303</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">(850) 521-0890</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">(850) 521-0891 Facsimile</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">The information contained in this transmission is intended only for the personal and confidential use of the designated recipient(s) named above.  This transmission
 may be attorney-client work product or communication and as such is privileged and confidential.  If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this document in error, and any review, dissemination,
 distribution, or copying of the contents of this information is strictly prohibited.  If you received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by telephone and e-mail the original transmission to us.  Thank you.</span><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F4E79">Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, it is required that we state the following to you: This is a communication from a debt collector. This may be an attempt
 to collect a debt and any information obtained may be used for that purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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