A.  A savings bank may acquire and hold real estate in full ownership, or leaseholds on which a building or buildings exist or are to be erected, suitable for the transaction of the savings bank’s business, and from portions of which, not required for the savings bank’s own use, revenue may be derived; or may own all or part of the capital stock, shares, or interest in any corporation, association, or trust engaged solely in holding all or part of such real estate.

B.  Unless prior written approval of the commissioner is obtained, no savings bank may purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire a site for an office building or interest in real estate from any officer, director, employee, or stockholder holding more than ten percent of the aggregate capital stock of the savings bank or any firm, corporation, entity, or family in which any officer, director, employee, or stockholder holding more than ten percent of the aggregate capital stock of a savings bank has any direct or indirect interest.

C.  An acquisition prohibited by this Part includes the purchase, lease, or acquisition of property in which any of the persons described in this Part held any interest during a period of ten years preceding the purchase, lease, or acquisition, but does not include the acquisition of an option for such a site or real estate where the option is assignable and exercised by the savings bank in its own name and for its own benefit.

Acts 1990, No. 816, §1, eff. Sept. 1, 1990; Acts 2001, No. 544, §1, eff. June 21, 2001.