DAVIS-STIRLING ACT

Civil Code §1363.2.  Managing Agent's Duties in Handling Association Funds

(a) A managing agent of a common interest development who accepts or receives funds belonging to the association shall deposit all such funds that are not placed into an escrow account with a bank, savings association, or credit union or into an account under the control of the association, into a trust fund account maintained by the managing agent in a bank, savings association, or credit union in this state. All funds deposited by the managing agent in the trust fund account shall be kept in this state in a financial institution, as defined in Section 31041 of the Financial Code, which is insured by the federal government, and shall be maintained there until disbursed in accordance with written instructions from the association entitled to the funds.

(b) At the written request of the board of directors of the association, the funds the managing agent accepts or receives on behalf of the association shall be deposited into an interest-bearing account in a bank, savings association, or credit union in this state, provided all of the following requirements are met: 

(1) The account is in the name of the managing agent as trustee for the association or in the name of the association. 

(2) All of the funds in the account are covered by insurance provided by an agency of the federal government. 

(3) The funds in the account are kept separate, distinct, and apart from the funds belonging to the managing agent or to any other person or entity for whom the managing agent holds funds in trust except that the funds of various associations may be commingled as permitted pursuant to subdivision (d). 

(4) The managing agent discloses to the board of directors of the association the nature of the account, how interest will be calculated and paid, whether service charges will be paid to the depository and by whom, and any notice requirements or penalties for withdrawal of funds from the account. 

(5) No interest earned on funds in the account shall inure directly or indirectly to the benefit of the managing agent or his or her employees.

(c) The managing agent shall maintain a separate record of the receipt and disposition of all funds described in this section, including any interest earned on the funds.

(d) The managing agent shall not commingle the funds of the association with his or her own money or with the money of others that he or she receives or accepts, unless all of the following requirements are met: 

(1) The managing agent commingled the funds of various associations on or before February 26, 1990, and has obtained a written agreement with the board of directors of each association that he or she will maintain a fidelity and surety bond in an amount that provides adequate protection to the associations as agreed upon by the managing agent and the board of directors of each association. 

(2) The managing agent discloses in the written agreement whether he or she is deriving benefits from the commingled account or the bank, credit union, or savings institution where the moneys will be on deposit. 

(3) The written agreement provided pursuant to this subdivision includes, but is not limited to, the name and address of the bonding companies, the amount of the bonds, and the expiration dates of the bonds. 

(4) If there are any changes in the bond coverage or the companies providing the coverage, the managing agent discloses that fact to the board of directors of each affected association as soon as practical, but in no event more than 10 days after the change. 

(5) The bonds assure the protection of the association and provide the association at least 10 days' notice prior to cancellation. 

(6) Completed payments on the behalf of the association are deposited within 24 hours or the next business day and do not remain commingled for more than 10 calendar days.

(e) The prevailing party in an action to enforce this section shall be entitled to recover reasonable legal fees and court costs.

(f) As used in this section, a "managing agent" is a person or entity, who for compensation or, in expectation of compensation, exercises control over the assets of the association. However, a "managing agent" does not include a full-time employee of the association or a regulated financial institution operating within the normal course of business, or an attorney at law acting within the scope of his or her license.

(g) As used in this section, "completed payment" means funds received which clearly identify the account to which the funds are to be credited.

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Updated 6/30/2008