(a) In deciding whether to approve an application for a proposed acquisition under this article, the superintendent shall consider whether the acquisition may:

(1) Be detrimental to the safety and soundness of the Alabama state bank or the Alabama bank holding company ;

(2) Result in a substantial reduction of competition in this state; or

(3) Have a significantly adverse effect on the convenience and needs of the community or communities in this state that are served by the Alabama state bank or the Alabama bank holding company to be acquired.

(b) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this section, the superintendent shall not approve an acquisition under this article if upon consummation of the transaction the applicant, including any depository institution affiliated with the applicant, would control 30 percent or more of the total amount of deposits held by depository institutions in this state.

(c) The superintendent may by regulation, with the concurrence of a majority of the members of the Alabama State Banking Board, adopt a procedure whereby the limitation on control of deposits set forth in subsection (b) may be waived for good cause shown.

(d) The superintendent shall not approve an application for an acquisition under this article unless the Alabama bank to be acquired, or all Alabama bank subsidiaries of the bank holding company to be acquired, have as of the proposed date of acquisition been in existence and in continuous operation for five years or more.

(e) The five-year requirement shall be met if the superintendent determines that either the Alabama bank or the subsidiaries of the Alabama bank holding company to be acquired:

(1) Were organized solely for the purpose of facilitating the acquisition of a bank that has been in existence and continuously operating for more than five years, or

(2) Resulted from the merger or consolidation of two or more banks at least one of which had been in existence and continuously operating for more than five years.