Commissioner Downing Announces the Protecting the Big Sky Tour

12 Stops Through Eastern Montana August 21-25 Helena, Mont.- On August 21, Commissioner Troy Downing kicks off the Protecting the Big Sky educational tour in eastern Montana to educate investors, Montana families, seniors, and consumers on safeguarding their finances. The Commissioner and CSI staff are hosting 12 events across eastern Montana over five days. These educational … Read more

Commissioner Troy Downing Obtains Court Order Prohibiting Kileen Hagadone from Conducting Insurance Business

Rosebud County Insurance and Hagadone’s License Revoked Helena, Mont.-On July 12, 2023, Commissioner Troy Downing secured an Order of Final Injunction permanently barring Kileen Hagadone and her business, Rosebud County Insurance, Inc. (RCII), from conducting any type of insurance business in Montana. The Order of Final Injunction further prohibits Hagadone and RCII from any banking … Read more

Commissioner Downing Announces $13 Million Settlement Against Raymond James Financial

Helena, Mont.-Today, State Auditor and Securities Commissioner Troy Downing announced a $13 million settlement with Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., resulting from an investigation into the company’s practices of charging unreasonable commissions to retail customers on small-dollar transactions. The multi-state investigation, spearheaded by the Montana Commissioner of Securities and … Read more

Troy Downing Offers Advice to Seniors on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Helena, Mont.- In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15, Commissioner Troy Downing reminds Montanans to be vigilant of investment scams targeting seniors. The Commissioner of Securities and Insurance is charged with protecting Montana investors from financial scams – the majority of these are perpetrated against our senior population. “Nearly every senior … Read more

Governor Gianforte Signs HB836 Paving Way for Innovative Insurance Products

‘Regulatory Sandbox’ Allows Insurers to Offer New Products or Services FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  CONTACT: Ethan Heverlyeheverly@safemt.gov or (406) 544-8287 HELENA, MT—Montana State Fund (MSF), the state’s largest and leading workers’ compensation insurance company, announced the signing of House Bill 836 (Rep. K. Zolnikov—Billings) on Wednesday. HB836, creates a ‘regulatory sandbox’ in which property and casualty … Read more

Commissioner Troy Downing’s Bill Reining in Bounty Hunters Signed into Law

Helena, Mont.- Following a string of high-profile crimes committed by bounty hunters in Montana, Commissioner Troy Downing’s legislation to protect Montanans by putting sideboards around fugitive recovery agents is now law.  House Bill 62, carried by Representative Bill Mercer (R-Billings), creates standards and qualifications for bounty hunters requiring them to license as surety insurance producers.  “Bounty … Read more

Commissioner Troy Downing Warns of Phishing Scam

Scam Affecting Senior Citizens in Montana Helena, Mont.- Commissioner Troy Downing released the following statement regarding a phishing scam affecting senior citizens in Montana: “In the past five days, CSI’s Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST) received multiple complaints regarding a phishing and cryptocurrency scam targeting senior citizens in the Bozeman area. The victims receive a pop-up … Read more

Commissioner Troy Downing’s Cabin Site Sale Bill Signed into Law

SB49 Facilitates Competitive Bidding in Cabin Site Sales Helena, Mont.- On Monday, Senate Bill 49, sponsored by Commissioner Troy Downing and carried by Senator Mike Cuffe was signed into law by Governor Greg Gianforte. This bill revises the sale of cabin sites on state trust lands to facilitate competitive bidding. “As a member of the … Read more

Insurance may not cover a hail damaged roof

By Troy Downing When it comes to insuring your home it is important to know there is a significant difference between “Replacement Cost” and “Actual Cash Value” coverage. We’ll get to that shortly. You can’t watch TV without seeing an insurance commercial. Whether it’s Progressive’s Flo, Allstate’s Mayhem, or Jake from State Farm, there is a … Read more

NASAA Highlights Top Investor Threats for 2023

NASAA NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NASAA Highlights Top Investor Threats for 2023 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) today released its annual list of top threats to retail investors. This year, the most critical threats include financial scams tied to emerging technologies, marketing tactics designed to play on emotions, and further … Read more