(a)        Effective April 1, 2011, and quadrennially thereafter, the Governor shall appoint a Commissioner, which appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the General Assembly by joint resolution. The name of the individual appointed to be Commissioner shall be submitted to the General Assembly on or before February 1 of the year in which the individual’s term of office begins. The term of office for the Commissioner shall be four years. In case of a vacancy in the office of Commissioner, the Governor shall appoint an individual to serve as Commissioner on an interim basis pending confirmation of a nominee by the General Assembly.

(b)        The Commissioner has the powers enumerated in this Chapter and otherwise provided by North Carolina law and such other powers as may be necessary for the proper discharge of the Commissioner’s duties, including the power to enter into contracts. The Commissioner shall act as the executive officer of the Commission.

(c)        The Commissioner is authorized to subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance, require the production of evidence, administer oaths, and examine any person under oath in connection with any subject related to any power vested or duty imposed on the Commissioner under this Chapter.

(d)       The Commissioner may sue and prosecute or defend in any action or proceeding in any courts of this State or any other state and in any court of the United States for the enforcement or protection of any right or pursuit of any remedy necessary or proper in connection with the subjects committed to the Commissioner for administration or in connection with any bank or the rights, liabilities, property, or assets thereof under the Commissioner’s supervision. Nothing herein shall be construed to render the Commissioner liable to be sued except as other departments and agencies of the State may be liable under the general law. The Commissioner may exercise any jurisdiction, supervise, regulate, examine, or enforce any banking law and any State consumer protection laws or federal laws with respect to which the Commissioner has enforcement jurisdiction.

(e)        The Commissioner shall have a seal of office bearing the legend “State of North Carolina – Commissioner of Banks.” The Commissioner may adopt other symbols or marks of office. ?(2012-56, s. 4; 2013-29, s. 3.)