(a) General rule.--The articles of incorporation and two copies of the proposed bylaws for the general governance of the credit union shall be presented to the department, together with such reasonable fees as shall be established by the department, including an application fee and other fees for such examination and such investigation as it may deem necessary to ascertain:

(1) Whether the character and general fitness of the incorporators, directors and the treasurer named in the articles of incorporation is satisfactory.

(2) Whether the character and number of the group proposed to be served affords reasonable promise of sufficient support for the enterprise so as to make the establishment of the proposed credit union economically advisable.

(3) Whether the incorporators, directors and group proposed to be served have a common bond of association as provided in section 701 (relating to membership).

(4) Whether the proposed credit union unduly encroaches upon the field of membership of any other credit union.

(5) Whether the application is in proper form and within the purpose of this title.

(6) Whether the savings of members paid for shares will be insured by the National Credit Union Administration or other share insurance fund approved by the department. Nonprofit corporations created by specific legislation of any state to insure share accounts or depository accounts of credit unions shall not be subject to regulation by the Department of Insurance or to the laws of this Commonwealth concerning insurance.

Within 60 days after receipt of the articles, the department shall, upon the basis of the facts disclosed by the application and its investigation, either approve or disapprove the articles.

(b) Approval action.--If the department approves the articles, it shall endorse its approval thereon and forward the articles to the Department of State. The Department of State shall, upon the receipt of the articles and the required filing fee, file the same. Upon the filing of the article of incorporation, the corporate existence of the credit union shall begin. The articles of incorporation as filed in the Department of State are conclusive evidence of the fact that the credit union has been incorporated.

(c) Disapproval action.--If the department disapproves the articles, it shall return them to the incorporators, stating in detail its reasons for doing so.

(d) Cross reference.--See 15 Pa.C.S. § 134 (relating to docketing statement).

(Dec. 9, 2002, P.L.1572, No.207, eff. 60 days; June 18, 2014, P.L.754, No.62, eff. 60 days)

2014 Amendment. Act 62 amended the section heading.

2002 Amendment. Act 207 amended subsecs. (a), (b) and (c).