A.  Every state bank shall obtain and maintain a fidelity bond given by a surety company authorized to do business in Louisiana covering each officer and employee who has charge of or who handles cash or securities of the bank, before permitting any of them to enter upon the duties of their offices or employment.  This bond may be in the form of individual bonds on individual persons, a schedule fidelity bond, or a blanket bond covering all such persons.  The bond shall be in an amount determined by the board of directors of the bank, and may be required to be within guidelines set forth by the appropriate examining authority.

B.  In lieu of complying with the provisions of Subsection A, any state bank may establish a reserve fund to cover potential employee defalcations, provide its own fidelity bond from an insurance fund acceptable to the commissioner, or obtain an insurance policy from a surety company approved by the commissioner.

C.  Any state bank may, by resolution of its board of directors, make application to the commissioner of financial institutions to waive, for a stated period of time not to exceed one hundred eighty days, the requirement of obtaining and maintaining a fidelity bond as provided in Subsection A of this Section upon a showing to the commissioner that the bank is unable to pay the premium to purchase the fidelity bond insurance, or that the bank is unable to secure fidelity bond coverage.

Acts 1984, No. 719, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1985; Acts 1985, No. 359, §1, eff. July 9, 1985; Acts 1988, No. 445, §1; Acts 1989, No. 263, §1, eff. June 26, 1989; Acts 1990, No. 608, §1.