53C-6-9. Accounts opened by adults for minors.

(a) One or more adults may open and maintain a custodial deposit account for or in the name of a minor and using the minor's taxpayer identification number. Unless otherwise provided in the agreement governing the account the following terms apply:

(1) Beneficial ownership of the account vests exclusively in the minor. All interest credited to the account shall belong to the minor and shall be reported to the appropriate taxing authorities in the name of the minor using the minor's taxpayer identification number.

(2) Except as otherwise provided, control of the account vests exclusively in the custodian whose name appears on the bank's records for the account. If there is more than one custodian named on the bank's account records, each may act independently. Any one or more of the custodians named on the bank's records may turn over control of the account to the minor at any time, either before or after the minor reaches the age of majority.

(3) If the custodian has not already transferred control, then after the minor beneficiary reaches the age of majority, the beneficiary may instruct the bank to transfer control to the beneficiary and remove the named custodian.

(4) If the custodian or, if more than one custodian is on the account, the last of the custodians to survive dies before the minor reaches the age of majority, the minor's parent or the minor's legal guardian may act as custodian or name another custodian on the account.

(b) This section shall not be deemed exclusive. Accounts not conforming to this section shall be governed by other applicable provisions of the General Statutes, including Chapter 33A, the North Carolina Uniform Transfers to Minors Act, or the common law, as appropriate.