A newly chartered savings bank shall commence business within one year after the date upon which its corporate existence began. A savings bank that does not commence business within this time, shall forfeit its corporate existence, unless the Commissioner of Banks, before the expiration of the one year period, approves an extension of the time within which the association may commence business, upon a written request stating the reasons for the request. Upon forfeiture, the certificate of incorporation shall expire, and any and all action taken in connection with the incorporation and chartering of the savings bank, with the exception of fees paid to the Division, shall become null and void. The Commissioner of Banks shall determine if a savings bank has failed to commence business within one year, without extension as provided in this section, and shall notify the Secretary of State and the register of deeds in the county in which the savings bank is located that the certificate of incorporation has expired. (1991, c. 680, s. 1; 2001-193, s. 16.)