54C-146. Certain powers granted to State savings banks.

(a) In addition to the powers granted under this Chapter, but subject to any rules that the Commissioner of Banks may prescribe, a savings bank incorporated or operated under this Chapter may:

(1) Establish off the premises of any principal office or branch a customer communications terminal, point of sale terminal, automated teller machine, automated or other direct or remote information processing device or machine, whether manned or unmanned, through or by means of which funds or information relating to any financial service or transaction rendered to the public is stored and transmitted, instantaneously or otherwise to or from a savings bank terminal or terminals controlled or used by or with other parties. The establishment and use of a device or machine is not deemed to constitute a branch office, and the capital requirements and standards for approval of a branch office as set forth in the statutes and regulations are not applicable to the establishment of any off-premises terminal, device or machine. Savings banks may, through mutual consent, share on-premises, unmanned, automated teller machines and cash dispensers.

(2) Issue credit cards, extend credit in connection therewith, and otherwise engage in or participate in credit card operations.

(3) Act as a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, or in any other fiduciary capacity.

(4) Become a member of a clearing house association and pledge assets required for its qualification.

(5) a. Mutual capital certificates may be issued by State-chartered savings banks and sold directly to subscribers or through underwriters, and the certificates shall constitute part of the general reserve and net worth of the issuing savings bank. The Commissioner of Banks, in the rules relating to the issuance and sale of mutual capital certificates, shall provide that the certificates:

1. Are subordinate to all savings accounts, savings certificates, and debt obligations;

2. Constitute a claim in liquidation on the general reserves, surplus and undivided profits of the savings bank remaining after the payment of all savings accounts, savings certificates, and debt obligations;

3. Are entitled to the payment of dividends; and

4. May have a fixed or variable dividend rate.

b. The Commissioner of Banks shall provide in the rules for charging losses to the mutual capital, reserves, and other net worth accounts.

(b) To the extent that the Commissioner of Banks may authorize by rules, a savings bank may issue notes, bonds, debentures, or other obligations or securities.