Any state or federal thrift institution or state or national bank may apply for conversion into a state-chartered savings bank upon the affirmative vote of fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the total number of votes of the members eligible to be cast or an affirmative vote of sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-⅔%) or more of all the issued and outstanding stock of such institution, at an annual meeting or at any special meeting of the members or stockholders called to consider such action. Upon such affirmative vote, the institution may apply for a certificate of authority by filing with the commissioner a certificate signed by its president or cashier and secretary which sets forth the corporate action herein prescribed and asserts that the institution has complied with the provisions of the laws of the United States. The institution shall also file with the commissioner the plan of conversion and the proposed amendments to its articles of incorporation or articles of association as approved by the members or stockholders for the operation of the institution as a state-chartered savings bank. Upon receipt of the prescribed application, the commissioner shall examine all facts associated with the conversion. The expenses and cost incurred for such special examination shall be paid by the institution applying for permission to convert. The commissioner shall present his findings and recommendations to the State Board of Banking Review for consideration. Upon approval by the State Board of Banking Review, the commissioner shall issue a certificate of authority to the applicant allowing the conversion to proceed.