Rule · OFI · 10 Mar 2023
The Louisiana Department of Insurance promulgates Title 10 to govern financial institutions, consumer credit, and investment securities throughout the state. The regulations establish standardized application procedures, fee assessments, and operational powers for banks, thrifts, savings banks, credit unions, and subsidiary mortgage corporations. Furthermore, the code mandates comprehensive records retention, directors' examinations, legal lending limit exceptions for real estate and loan pools, and detailed conversion protocols for mutual-to-stock transitions.
Table of Contents
Title 10
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC
Part I. Financial Institutions
Chapter 1. General Provisions (Reserved) ....................................................................................................1
Chapter 3. Fees and Assessments..................................................................................................................1
§301. General Provisions.......................................................................................................................1
§303. Establishment of Fees and Assessments......................................................................................1
§305. Administration .............................................................................................................................2
Chapter 5. Applications.................................................................................................................................2
Subchapter A. Certificate of Authority for New Financial Institutions; Branches; or Relocation of
Main Office or Branch Office................................................................................................2
§501. Definitions....................................................................................................................................2
§503. Application for Certificate of Authority ......................................................................................3
§505. Application to Relocate a Main Office or Branch Office ............................................................3
Subchapter B. Loan Production Offices, Deposit Production Offices, and Electronic Financial
Terminals; Notice, Activities and Requirements...................................................................3
§509. Application for Loan Production Office (LPO)...........................................................................3
§511. Deposit Production Office ...........................................................................................................6
§513. Combination of Loan Production Office, Deposit Production Office, and Electronic
Financial Terminal .......................................................................................................................8
Chapter 7. Powers..........................................................................................................................................9
§701. Financial Institution Agency Activities .......................................................................................9
§703. Variable Rate Loans...................................................................................................................10
Chapter 9. Records Retention......................................................................................................................11
§901. Records Retention Schedule ......................................................................................................11
Chapter 11. Premises...................................................................................................................................12
§1101. Holding of Property for Premises Purposes...............................................................................12
Chapter 13. Powers of Homesteads and Building and Loan Associations..............................................12
§1301. Corporate Title ...........................................................................................................................12
Chapter 15. Louisiana Trust Company........................................................................................................12
§1501. General Provisions.....................................................................................................................12
§1503. Fees and Assessments................................................................................................................12
Part III. Banking
Chapter 1. General Provisions (Reserved) ..................................................................................................15
Chapter 3. Powers........................................................................................................................................15
Subchapter A. Miscellaneous Lending Activities.......................................................................................15
§301. Direct Lease-Financing Transactions.........................................................................................15
§303. Banker's Acceptances.................................................................................................................15
§305. Loans Secured by Bank or Bank Holding Company Stock.......................................................15
§307. Agreement Corporations............................................................................................................16
Subchapter B. Legal Lending Limit Exception―Real Estate Financing....................................................16
§311. Authority and Purpose ...............................................................................................................16
§313. Definitions..................................................................................................................................16
§315. Regulation ..................................................................................................................................17
Table of Contents
Subchapter C. Exchange of Other Real Estate ............................................................................................17
§321. Authority and Purpose ...............................................................................................................17
§323. Definitions..................................................................................................................................18
§325. Regulation ..................................................................................................................................18
Subchapter D. Legal Lending Limit Exception―Acquisition of Loan Pools.............................................18
§331. Authority and Purpose ...............................................................................................................18
§333. Definitions..................................................................................................................................19
§335. Review of Representative Portion .............................................................................................19
§337. Pool Treated as Individual Loans for Lending Limit Purposes.................................................20
§339. Other ..........................................................................................................................................20
Subchapter E. Sale of Annuities..................................................................................................................20
§341. Definitions..................................................................................................................................20
§343. General Provisions.....................................................................................................................21
Subchapter F. Sale of Insurance ..................................................................................................................21
§351. Bank Insurance Activities..........................................................................................................21
Chapter 5. Subsidiary Mortgage Corporation .............................................................................................24
§501. General; Considerations for Approval .......................................................................................24
§503. Powers........................................................................................................................................24
§505. Regulation by Commissioner.....................................................................................................24
§507. Separate Records and Funds......................................................................................................24
§509. Prohibited Stock Ownership ......................................................................................................24
§511. Transactions between Parent and Subsidiary.............................................................................24
§513. Branching...................................................................................................................................25
§515. Automated Teller Machines Prohibited .....................................................................................25
§517. Name ..........................................................................................................................................25
Chapter 7. Directors' Examination Requirements.......................................................................................25
§701. General Provisions.....................................................................................................................25
§702. Definitions..................................................................................................................................27
§705. Audit Program............................................................................................................................28
Chapter 11. Louisiana International Banking..........................................................................................32
§1101. General Provisions.....................................................................................................................32
§1103. Fees and Assessments................................................................................................................32
Part V. Thrifts
Chapter 1. Reserved.....................................................................................................................................33
Chapter 5. Mutual to Stock Conversion ......................................................................................................33
§501. Introduction................................................................................................................................33
§503. Definitions..................................................................................................................................33
§505. Application to Commissioner ....................................................................................................33
§507. Content of Proposed Stock Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws .........................................33
§509. Content of Applicant's Plan of Conversion................................................................................33
§511. Standard for Approval of Application .......................................................................................34
§513. Vote by Applicant's Members on Plan of Conversion...............................................................34
§515. Filing of Offering Circulars .......................................................................................................34
§517. Effective Date of Conversion.....................................................................................................34
Chapter 15. Related Organizations and Services ........................................................................................35
Subchapter A. Service Organizations..........................................................................................................35
§1501. Generally....................................................................................................................................35
§1503. Definitions..................................................................................................................................35
§1505. Application.................................................................................................................................35
Table of Contents
§1507. Pre-Authorized Subsidiary Investments.....................................................................................35
§1509. Operations..................................................................................................................................36
§1511. Investments and Debt Limitation...............................................................................................36
Part VII. Savings Banks
Chapter 1. General Provisions (Reserved) ..................................................................................................39
Chapter 3. Conversions ...............................................................................................................................39
§301. Scope..........................................................................................................................................39
§303. Definitions..................................................................................................................................39
§305. Contents of Plan of Conversion .................................................................................................41
§307. Optional Provisions in Plan of Conversion................................................................................43
§309. Determination of Amount of Qualifying Deposits ....................................................................44
§311. Prohibited Stock Transfers, Offers, and Post-Conversion Acquisition Limit;
Stock Options and Insider Benefits............................................................................................44
§313. Manipulative and Deceptive Devices Prohibited.......................................................................46
§315. Liquidation Account ..................................................................................................................46
§317. Grounds for Denial of Application for Conversion ...................................................................47
§319. Prohibition on Repurchases of Stock and Restrictions on Payment of Dividends ....................47
§321. Statements Prior to Approval of Plan of Conversion.................................................................47
§323. Actions after Board Approves Conversion ................................................................................47
§325. Notice of Filing ..........................................................................................................................48
§327. Requirements as to Proxies........................................................................................................49
§329. Vote by Members.......................................................................................................................51
§331. Pricing and Sale of Securities ....................................................................................................51
§333. Procedural Requirements for Filing Application.......................................................................53
§335. Conversion of a Savings Bank in Connection with the Formation of a Stock Holding
Company....................................................................................................................................53
§337. Conversion of a Savings Bank Involving Acquisition by an Existing Stock Holding
Company....................................................................................................................................54
§339. Merger with an Existing Stock Savings Bank ...........................................................................54
§341. Merger with an Existing Stock Savings Bank Owned by a Stock Holding Company ..............54
§343. Penalties.....................................................................................................................................54
Chapter 5. Mutual Holding Company Reorganizations..............................................................................54
§501. Scope..........................................................................................................................................54
§503. Definitions..................................................................................................................................54
§505. Procedural Requirements for Reorganizations ..........................................................................55
§507. Grounds for Disapproval of Reorganizations ............................................................................56
§509. Membership Rights....................................................................................................................57
§511. Contents of Reorganization Plans..............................................................................................57
§513. Stock Issuance Plans..................................................................................................................58
§515. Full Disclosure Required ...........................................................................................................60
§517. Activities of Mutual Holding Companies..................................................................................60
§519. Registration, Reports, and Examinations...................................................................................61
§521. Conversion or Liquidation of Mutual Holding Companies.......................................................61
§523. Procedural Requirements for Filing Applications .....................................................................61
Table of Contents
Part IX. Credit Unions
Chapter 1. General Provisions.....................................................................................................................63
§101. Assessments...............................................................................................................................63
Chapter 3. Credit Union Service Organizations..........................................................................................63
§301. Credit Union Service Contracts .................................................................................................63
§303. Investments in and Loans to Credit Union Service Organizations............................................64
Chapter 5. Criteria to Organize within Residential Groups, and Add Associational Groups .....................65
§501. Definitions..................................................................................................................................65
§503. Well-Defined Neighborhood, Small Community, and Rural District .......................................66
§505. Residential Group Common Bond.............................................................................................67
§507. Applications...............................................................................................................................68
§509. Public Policy ..............................................................................................................................68
§511. Mergers ......................................................................................................................................68
§513. Adding Associational Groups....................................................................................................69
§515. Public Notification .....................................................................................................................69
§517. Exceptions..................................................................................................................................69
§519. Effective Date ............................................................................................................................69
§521. Severability ................................................................................................................................69
Part XI. Consumer Credit
Chapter 1. Reserved.....................................................................................................................................71
Chapter 7. Powers........................................................................................................................................71
§701. Sale of Thrift Club Membership ................................................................................................71
Chapter 9. Additional Fees and Charges.....................................................................................................71
§901. Definitions..................................................................................................................................71
§903. Procedure for Requesting Approval of an Additional Fee or Charge........................................71
§905. Procedure for Consumers of Financial Services to Comment on Petitioner's Request for
Approval of Additional Fees and Charges.................................................................................71
Chapter 11. Lender Education .................................................................................................................72
§1101. Application.................................................................................................................................72
§1103. Definitions..................................................................................................................................72
§1105. Required Education....................................................................................................................72
§1107. Administration ...........................................................................................................................73
§1109. Severability ................................................................................................................................73
Part XIII. Investment Securities
Subpart 1. Securities
Chapter 1. General Requirements................................................................................................................75
§101. Application of Regulations ........................................................................................................75
§103. Definitions..................................................................................................................................75
§105. Filing an Application; Requirements as to Proper Form ...........................................................76
§107. Date of Filing .............................................................................................................................77
§109. Number of Copies; Signatures...................................................................................................77
§111. Requirements as to Paper, Printing and Language ....................................................................77
§113. Preparation of Application for Registration...............................................................................77
§115. Registration by Notification; Filing Fees...................................................................................78
§117. Registration by Qualification; Filing Fees.................................................................................78
§119. Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference ..................................................................78
Table of Contents
§121. Disclaimer of Control ................................................................................................................78
§123. Title of Securities.......................................................................................................................78
§125. Written Consents; Formal Requirements as to Consents...........................................................79
§127. Consents Required in Special Cases..........................................................................................79
§129. Application to Dispense with Consent.......................................................................................79
§131. Consent to Use of Material Incorporated by Reference.............................................................79
§133. Additional Exhibits....................................................................................................................79
§135. Omission of Substantially Identical Documents........................................................................79
§137. Incorporation of Exhibits by Reference .....................................................................................79
§139. Place of Filing ............................................................................................................................80
§141. Formal Requirements for Amendments.....................................................................................80
§143. Delaying Amendments...............................................................................................................80
§145. Withdrawal of Registration Statement or Amendment..............................................................80
§147. Powers to Amend or Withdraw Registration Statement ............................................................80
§149. Registration of Additional Securities.........................................................................................80
§151. Reports Subsequent to Registration ...........................................................................................80
§153. Severability ................................................................................................................................81
Chapter 3. Form and Content of Prospectus................................................................................................81
§301. Scope of Rule.............................................................................................................................81
§303. Registration by Qualification and Notification..........................................................................81
§305. Legibility of Prospectus.............................................................................................................81
§307. Presentation of Representation of Prospectus............................................................................81
§309. Date of Prospectus .....................................................................................................................81
§311. Exchange Offers.........................................................................................................................81
§313. Use of Prospectus.......................................................................................................................82
§315. Circulation of Preliminary Prospectuses....................................................................................82
§317. Amendments to Prospectus........................................................................................................82
§319. Prohibition of Use of Certain Financial Statements ..................................................................82
§321. Pooling of Interests ....................................................................................................................82
§323. Requirements as to Appraisals...................................................................................................83
Chapter 5. Standards of Qualification .........................................................................................................83
§501. Application of Standards............................................................................................................83
§503. Promoters Equity Investment.....................................................................................................83
§505. Commissions and Expenses.......................................................................................................83
§507. Options, Warrants and Convertible Debenture ..........................................................................84
§509. Promotional Securities of "Cheap Stock" ..................................................................................86
§511. Impoundment of Proceeds .........................................................................................................87
§513. Offering Price.............................................................................................................................88
§515. Rights of Security Holders.........................................................................................................89
Chapter 7. Private Offering Exemptions.....................................................................................................90
§701. Preliminary Notes ......................................................................................................................90
§703. Uniform Limited Offering Exemption.......................................................................................91
§705. Private Offering Exemption.......................................................................................................92
§707. Effective Date of Chapter 7 .......................................................................................................93
Chapter 8. Compensatory Benefit Plans......................................................................................................94
§801. Compensatory Benefit Plan Exemption.....................................................................................94
Chapter 9. Oil and Gas Auction ..................................................................................................................94
§901. Oil and Gas Auction Exemption ................................................................................................94
Table of Contents
Chapter 11. Stock Exchanges......................................................................................................................94
§1101. Stock Exchanges Exemption......................................................................................................94
§1103. Form A. Schedule A―Outline of Prospectus............................................................................95
Chapter 12. Dishonest or Unethical Practices .......................................................................................103
§1201. General.....................................................................................................................................103
§1203. Dealers and Salesmen ..............................................................................................................103
§1205. Investment Advisers and Investment Adviser Representatives...............................................104
Chapter 13. Investment Adviser Registration Procedure ..........................................................................106
§1301. Definitions................................................................................................................................106
§1303. Examination Requirements......................................................................................................106
§1305. Waivers....................................................................................................................................106
§1307. Continuing Education ..............................................................................................................106
§1311. Exemption................................................................................................................................106
Chapter 17. Dealer and Investment Adviser Recordkeeping Requirements .........................................106
§1701. Broker-Dealer Requirements...................................................................................................106
§1703. Investment Adviser Requirements...........................................................................................107
§1705. Cessation of Business ..............................................................................................................107
Chapter 19. Supervision of Salesmen and Investment Adviser Representatives ..................................107
§1901. Supervision of Salesmen and Investment Adviser Representatives ........................................107
Part XV. Other Regulated Entities
Chapter 1. Business and Industrial Development Corporations................................................................109
§101. Declaration of Policy ...............................................................................................................109
§103. Definitions................................................................................................................................109
§105. General Provisions...................................................................................................................109
§107. Reports.....................................................................................................................................110
§109. Licensing Procedures, Instructions and Guidelines.................................................................110
§111. Small Business Administration................................................................................................111
Chapter 3. Capital Companies Tax Credit Program..................................................................................111
§301. Description of Program............................................................................................................111
§303. Definitions Provided by Rule...................................................................................................111
§305. Income and Premium Tax Credits ...........................................................................................117
§307. Application Fees; Other Fees...................................................................................................118
§309. Application Process .................................................................................................................119
§311. Conditions of Certification ......................................................................................................119
§313. Requirements for Continuance of Certification and Decertification .......................................120
§315. Information Required from Qualified Louisiana Businesses...................................................121
§317. CAPCO Report and Record Requirements..............................................................................121
§319. Change of Control....................................................................................................................121
§320. Investment in Approved Funds................................................................................................122
§321. Severability ..............................................................................................................................123
§323. Fees and Assessments..............................................................................................................123
§325. Notes Receivable .....................................................................................................................124
§327. Louisiana-Based Economic Development Infrastructure Projects ..........................................125
§331. Qualified Technology Funds....................................................................................................126
Chapter 5. Debt Collection Agencies........................................................................................................129
Subchapter A. Defunct Collection Agencies.............................................................................................129
§501. Reserved...................................................................................................................................129
Table of Contents
Subchapter B. Examinations .....................................................................................................................129
§505. Parameters................................................................................................................................129
§507. Reserved...................................................................................................................................129
Subchapter C. Nonsufficient Funds...........................................................................................................129
§509. Collection of Nonsufficient Funds Fees ..................................................................................129
Chapter 7. Pawn Brokers (Reserved) ........................................................................................................129
Chapter 9. Bond for Deed Escrow Agents ................................................................................................129
§901. Definitions................................................................................................................................129
§903. License Requirement, Ownership Change, Location Change, Name Change,
Ceasing to do Business ............................................................................................................130
§905. Application for License and Renewal, Forms, Contents, Fees................................................130
§907. Escrow Deposit Account..........................................................................................................130
§909. Irrevocable Letter of Credit, Surety Bond, Other Security......................................................131
§911. Record Keeping and Retention, Examination..........................................................................131
§913. Significant Developments........................................................................................................132
§915. Suspension or Revocation of License ......................................................................................132
§917. Enforcement Powers of the Commissioner..............................................................................132
Chapter 11. Money Transmitters...............................................................................................................132
§1101. Examinations and Visitations ..................................................................................................132
Chapter 13. Repossession Agents..............................................................................................................133
§1301. Definitions................................................................................................................................133
§1303. Licensing Requirements and Qualifications............................................................................134
§1305. Renewal Application; Change of Control; Change of Location; Change of Name.................136
§1307. Fees ..........................................................................................................................................136
§1309. Conduct of Business ................................................................................................................137
§1311. Personal Effects .......................................................................................................................137
§1313. Examination and Record Keeping ...........................................................................................138
§1315. Prohibitions..............................................................................................................................138
§1317. Powers of the Commissioner ...................................................................................................139
§1319. Notification or Service .............................................................................................................139
§1321. Severability ..............................................................................................................................140
Chapter 15. Licensure................................................................................................................................140
§1501. Definitions................................................................................................................................140
§1503. Licensure of Loan Brokers.......................................................................................................140
§1505. Prohibition................................................................................................................................140
§1507. Civil Money Penalties..............................................................................................................140
§1509. Administrative Procedure ........................................................................................................140
Chapter 17. Louisiana Community Development Financial Institution Program.....................................141
§1701. Description of Program............................................................................................................141
§1702. Definitions................................................................................................................................141
§1703. Applications.............................................................................................................................144
§1704. Certification Instructions and Guidelines ................................................................................145
§1705. Conditions of Certification ......................................................................................................145
§1706. Requirements for Continuance of Certification and Decertification .......................................146
§1707. Change of Control....................................................................................................................147
§1708. Information Required from Louisiana Entrepreneurial Businesses.........................................147
§1709. General Provisions...................................................................................................................147
§1710. Directors and Officers..............................................................................................................148
§1711. Income Tax Credits..................................................................................................................148
§1712. Fees and Assessments..............................................................................................................149
Table of Contents
Chapter 19. Virtual Currency ................................................................................................................150
§1901. Definitions................................................................................................................................150
§1905. Application for License or Notice of Registration...................................................................150
§1913. Renewal of License or Notice of Registration.........................................................................151
§1915. Net Worth/Tangible Net Worth ...............................................................................................151
§1917. Examination .............................................................................................................................151
§1923. Records ....................................................................................................................................152
§1927. Consent Agreements................................................................................................................152
§1929. Civil Penalties..........................................................................................................................152
§1931. Miscellaneous Provisions.........................................................................................................152
§1933. Fees ..........................................................................................................................................152
§1935. Exceptions................................................................................................................................152
§1937. Severability ..............................................................................................................................152
Part XVII. Miscellaneous Provisions
Chapter 1. Reserved...................................................................................................................................155
Chapter 5. Procedures................................................................................................................................155
§501. Informal Opportunity to Show Compliance ............................................................................155
§503. Interested Party Petitions .........................................................................................................155
Chapter 7. College Campus Credit Card Solicitation................................................................................156
§701. Form for Registration of Intent to Solicit Students..................................................................156
Chapter 9. Records Retention....................................................................................................................156
§901. Non-Depository Records Retention.........................................................................................156
Part XIX. Uniform Commercial Code
Chapter 1. Secured Transactions...............................................................................................................157
§101. Policy .......................................................................................................................................157
§103. Place of Filing―When Filing Is Required in Louisiana..........................................................157
§105. Formal Requisites of Financing Statement ..............................................................................157
§107. Forms to be Used in Filing.......................................................................................................158
§109. Presentation of Filing...............................................................................................................158
§111. Indexing ...................................................................................................................................159
§113. Duration ...................................................................................................................................159
§115. Subsequent Filings...................................................................................................................159
§117. Procedure for Filing Form UCC-3...........................................................................................159
§119. Place of Filing Form UCC-3....................................................................................................159
§121. Preparation of Form UCC-3 Filing ..........................................................................................159
§123. Additional Specific Requirements for Filings Changing the Status of an Initial
UCC Filing...............................................................................................................................160
§125. Request for Information or Copies...........................................................................................161
§127. Schedule of Fees for Filing and Information Requests............................................................162
Chapter 2. Internal Revenue Service Tax Liens..................................................................................162
§201. Place of Filing ..........................................................................................................................162
§203. Forms to be used in Filing .......................................................................................................162
§205. Filing Fees................................................................................................................................162
Chapter 3. Central Registry .................................................................................................................162
§301. Definitions................................................................................................................................162
§303. Administration .........................................................................................................................164
§305. Formal Requisites of an Effective Financing Statement (EFS)...............................................164
§307. Filing Procedures .....................................................................................................................164
Table of Contents
§309. Procedures for Filing Amendments, Assignments, Releases, Continuations and
Terminations of EFS ................................................................................................................165
§311. Registrations ............................................................................................................................165
§313. Master List ...............................................................................................................................166
§315. Requests for Information from Non-registrants.......................................................................166
§317. Encumbrance Certificates........................................................................................................166
§319. Farm Products List and Codes.................................................................................................167
§321. Schedules of Fees for Filing and Encumbrance Certificates ...................................................167
§323. Filing Officers..........................................................................................................................167
1 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 Title 10 FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC
Part I. Financial Institutions
Chapter 1. General Provisions
(Reserved)
Chapter 3. Fees and Assessments
§301. General Provisions
A. The Depository Institutions Section of the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions ("OFI") is funded entirely through assessments and fees levied on state-chartered banks, savings and loan associations, savings banks and credit unions for services rendered. All fees detailed in this rule are nonrefundable and must be paid at the time the application is filed with this office. An applicant may request that a reduced fee be charged for the simultaneous filing of multiple applications. This privilege will not be afforded to applications that will not be expected to be consummated within 12 months of the filing date. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:121(B)(1) and 6:126(A). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 23:706 (June 1997). §303. Establishment of Fees and Assessments Description Fee A. Application for a de novo state bank, savings and loan association or savings bank charter, or the merger or consolidation of two banks, savings and loan associations, or savings banks. The fee for a merger or consolidation may be reduced based on certain factors including, but not limited to: the date of each institution's most recent examination, the financial condition of the applicant, the structure of the institutions, the complexity of the transaction, the number of similar transactions contemplated, and any other factor(s) as determined by the commissioner of Financial Institutions. $10,000; $5,000 for each additional institution affected. B. The conversion from a national or federallychartered depository institution to a statechartered depository institution. $1,500
C. Application for a state bank, savings and loan
association or savings bank for a branch office. Standard Form: $1,000 Short Form:
$250
D. Processing fee for an application to acquire a failing or failed institution. If the applicant is the successful bidder, the processing fee will be applied to the application fee(s) as set forth in A. and C. above:
1. existing state-chartered financial institution; $500
per branch
2. de novo state-chartered financial institution. $5,000
Description Fee
E. Application for a conversion or merger of a statechartered bank, savings and loan association, or savings bank into a national bank, a federal savings and loan association, or a federal savings bank. $1,500 F. Application for the organization and/or merger of a stock or mutual holding company for an already existing bank, savings and loan association, or savings bank (phantom). $2,000 G. Special examination fee for a state bank, savings and loan association, or savings bank. Fee per examiner. $50/hour H. Semi-annual assessment of each state-chartered bank, savings and loan association, and savings bank at a floating rate to be assessed no later than June 30 and December 31, to be based on the total consolidated average assets, for the preceding quarter. Not applicable to Trust Banks. Any amounts collected in excess of actual expenditures of the OFI shall be credited or refunded on a pro-rata basis. Any shortages in assessments to cover actual operating expenses of OFI shall be added to the next variable assessment or billed on a pro-rata basis. Variable
I. Annual assessment of each holding company
domiciled in and/or operating in Louisiana, to be assessed no later than September 30 of each year to be based upon the holding company's total consolidated assets as of the previous June 30, in accordance with the following schedule:
1. assets less than $100,000,000 $350
2. assets of $100,000,000 to $149,999,999 $500
3. assets of $150,000,000 or greater $650
J. Examination fee for holding companies of each bank, savings and loan association, or savings bank domiciled in and/or operating in Louisiana. Fee per examiner. $50/hour K. Semi-annual assessment for each bank limited to the exercise of trust powers only and domiciled and operating in Louisiana to be assessed no later than June 30 and December 31. $500
L. Examination fee for each trust bank domiciled
and operating in Louisiana. Fee per examiner. $50/hour M. Examination fee for a trust department of a statechartered bank, savings and loan association, or savings bank. Fee per examiner. $50/hour N. Examination of the registered transfer agent activities of a state-chartered bank, savings and loan association, or savings bank. Fee per examiner. $50/hour O. Review of a restatement and/or amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of a state-chartered bank, savings and loan association or savings bank. $250 P. Application by a state-chartered bank, /savings and loan association, or savings bank to exercise trust powers and/or re-institute trust powers formerly surrendered. $1,000 Q. Application by a state-chartered bank, savings and loan association, or savings bank to establish or acquire a subsidiary or service corporation. $500
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 2 Description Fee R. Application by an in-state or out-of-state holding company to acquire a Louisiana bank, savings and loan association, or savings bank, or a holding company thereof, or an out-of-state holding company with a Louisiana bank, savings and loan or savings bank subsidiary(-ies). $1,000; $11,000 if de novo charter also required. S. Corporate Credit Union Examination Fee $5,000 plus $400 per day per examiner. T. Application by a state-chartered bank, savings and loan association, or savings bank to merge with its parent holding company. $1,000 U. Processing fee for a certificate of authority filed by a state-chartered savings and loan association or savings bank not domiciled in Louisiana to operate a branch in Louisiana. $1,000
V. Application for conversion by any state-chartered
depository institution to another state charter. $1,500 W. Application for the voluntary conversion of a depository institution from a mutual to a stock form (equity ownership). $1,500 AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:126(A), 6:212 and 6:646(B)(5). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 19:1546 (December 1993), amended LR 21:1069 (October 1995), LR 23:706 (June 1997), amended by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 31:2894 (November 2005). §305. Administration A. The commissioner may increase any of the fees in §303 when a combination of two or more of the transactions described in that Section occur, said fee not to exceed the lesser of $50 per hour, or the combined fees as stated above. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:121(B)(1) and 6:126(A). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 19:1546 (December 1993), amended LR 23:707 (June 1997).
Chapter 5. Applications
Subchapter A. Certificate of
Authority for New Financial
Institutions; Branches; or Relocation of Main Office or Branch Office §501. Definitions Applicant―one or more natural persons or a statechartered financial institution seeking a certificate of authority from the commissioner to transact business as a financial institution, or a branch thereof, as defined below. Application―shall consist of forms provided by the commissioner, submitted in a form acceptable to the commissioner, along with all supporting documents, requesting that a certificate of authority be granted. Branch or Branch Office―for the purpose of making application to this Office means any manned office of a bank. This excludes off-site electronic financial terminals and loan production offices which are owned or leased by the financial institution. Commissioner―the Commissioner of Financial Institutions. Deposit Production Office—a physically manned location, in the State of Louisiana, in another state, or the District of Columbia, other than the main office or branch office of a financial institution, from which the financial institution intends to provide information about deposit products offered by such financial institution, solicit deposits, and assist persons in completing application forms and related documents to open deposit accounts. A deposit production office may be a wholly-owned operating subsidiary of a financial institution. A deposit production office may also be referred to in this rule as a “DPO”. Electronic Financial Terminal (EFT)―
Title 10, Part I
3 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 19:1414 (November 1993), amended by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 31:2894 (November 2005), amended by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 31:2894 (November 2005), LR 46:1387 (October 2020). §503. Application for Certificate of Authority A. Scope. This rule applies to applications for a certificate of authority under R.S. 6:101 et seq. B. Application Filing and Notice
1. Applications shall be in such form and contain such
information as the commissioner may from time to time prescribe. Application forms may be obtained from the office of the commissioner. The application shall contain a public section and a confidential section. The public section shall include comments and information submitted by interested persons in favor of or in opposition to such application.
2. The original and one copy of the application must
be submitted in completed form to the commissioner. Applicants seeking a certificate of authority to operate as a savings bank must also submit a business plan as required by R.S. 6:1125. Any application not substantially complete will not be accepted for filing and will be returned to the applicant resulting in processing delay.
3. Within 30 days prior to receipt of application by the
commissioner, applicant must publish a one-time notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the community in which the institution/branch is to be located. The published notice will contain such information as deemed necessary by the commissioner. A sample notice will be provided together with the application forms.
4. Proof of publication must be submitted to the
commissioner before processing of the application can be completed. In the case of an acquisition of a failed or failing financial institution, requirement for publishing a notice will be waived.
5. Upon acceptance of the application for filing,
notice in writing will be given to financial institutions in the community in which the institution/branch office is to be located. This notice will allow for a reasonable comment period, normally 14 calendar days.
6. Upon acceptance of the application for filing, the
commissioner or any examiner or examiners designated by the commissioner will conduct an investigation. Information not included in the application, which is necessary to determine the six factors described below, will be requested from the applicant. Processing of an application will not be completed until the satisfactory conclusion of the investigation.
C. Factors to be Considered. Six factors within the
application are to be considered:
1. financial history and condition;
2. distribution and adequacy of capital;
3. future earnings prospects;
4. management;
5. convenience and needs of the community;
6. corporate powers.
D. Acquisition of a Failed or Failing Financial Institution. The commissioner may waive any provision of this rule which is not required by statute. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:121(B)(1). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 19:1415 (November 1993). §505. Application to Relocate a Main Office or Branch Office A. A financial institution desiring to relocate its main office or an existing branch office must make application to the commissioner. Five of the above factors to be considered for a new branch office will also be considered for a relocation. Convenience and needs of the community will not be considered for a branch office relocation since a relocation does not substantially affect the nature of business or customers served. An application to relocate a main office must address the convenience and needs of the community unless the relocation does not substantially affect the nature of business or customers served. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:121(B)(1). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 19:1415 (November 1993). Subchapter B. Loan Production Offices, Deposit Production Offices, and Electronic Financial Terminals; Notice, Activities and Requirements §509. Application for Loan Production Office (LPO) A. Definitions Commissioner—the commissioner of the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions. Federal Financial Institution—any national bank, federal savings association, or other depository institution chartered by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Financial Institution—any federal financial institution, Louisiana financial institution, or out-of-state financial institution. Letter of Notification—written notice submitted to the commissioner by a financial institution indicating its intent to establish one or more loan production office(s). The Letter of Notification shall identify the financial institution and provide the municipal address of the proposed LPO location. If the ratio of premises and fixed assets to Tier 1 capital plus the allowance for loan and lease losses will, at any time, exceed 50 percent, or 45 percent for a new institution, the financial institution must also provide supporting
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 4 documentation and a request to exceed this threshold pursuant to LAC X:I.1101. Loan Production Office―a physically manned location, in the state of Louisiana, in another state or the District of Columbia, other than the main office or branch office of a financial institution from which the financial institution intends to provide information about, and solicit and/or originate applications for, loans, by such financial institution. A loan production office may be a wholly-owned operating subsidiary of a financial institution. A loan production office may also be referred to in this rule as an “LPO”. Louisiana Financial Institution—any Louisiana statechartered bank, savings bank, homestead association, building and loan association, or savings and loan association. Out-of-State Financial Institution—any state-chartered bank, savings bank, homestead association, building and loan association, or savings and loan association, chartered in a state other than Louisiana or chartered in the District of Columbia. B. Prior Notification
1. In accordance with R.S. 6:452, a Louisiana
financial institution seeking to open a loan production office shall provide written prior notification, to the commissioner, of the planned loan production office. The notification shall be sent to the commissioner at least 45 days prior to the proposed opening date of the LPO.
2. Notification to the commissioner may be delivered
by U.S. Mail, private commercial courier, hand-delivered, or by electronic mail.
3. If at the time of the notification to the
commissioner, a Louisiana financial institution plans to share the location of an LPO with one or more other financial institutions, the name and domicile of each such other financial institution shall be included in the written prior notice to the commissioner.
C. Objection by Commissioner
1. In accordance with R.S. 6:452, after a Louisiana
financial institution sends notification of its intent to open an LPO, the commissioner may object to the proposed loan production office based on any of the reasons set forth in Paragraph C.2. The commissioner may timely object by notifying the Louisiana financial institution within 45 days of receiving the Louisiana financial institution’s notification of its intent to open an LPO. If the commissioner timely objects to the proposed LPO, the Louisiana financial institution shall refrain from opening the proposed LPO.
2. Reasons for Objection. The following factors may
form the basis for the commissioner’s objection to a loan production office as well as any additional factors deemed necessary and appropriate:
a. financial history and condition; b. adequacy of capital;
c. future earnings prospects;
d. management; e. convenience and needs of the community; f. concentration risk.
3. Written Reasons for Objection by Commissioner.
Following an objection by the commissioner to a Louisiana financial institution’s proposed loan production office, a Louisiana financial institution may request written reasons for the objection.
4. Out-of-State Financial Institutions. An out-of-state
financial institution may establish one or more LPOs in Louisiana as allowed by, and in compliance with, the laws, regulations, rulings, and pronouncements of the state or district where such financial institution is chartered that apply to the establishment of an LPO by such out-of-state financial institution and may conduct at, or from, any of its LPOs in Louisiana such activities as are authorized by the laws, regulations, rulings, and pronouncements of the state or district where such out-of-state financial institution is chartered. Except for the requirements of this Paragraph, out-of-state financial institutions are not subject to the requirements of this Section or §511 of this Chapter.
5. Federal Financial Institutions. A federal financial
institution may establish one or more LPOs in Louisiana as allowed by, and in compliance with the federal laws, regulations, rulings, and pronouncements that apply to the establishment of an LPO by a federal financial institution. Except for the requirements of this Paragraph, federal financial institutions are not subject to the requirements of this Section or §511 of this Chapter. D. Activities
1. Permissible Activities. A loan production office of a
Louisiana financial institution is limited to the following activities:
a. soliciting, and originating, loans on behalf of the Louisiana financial institution; b. providing information on loan rates and terms;
c. interviewing and counseling loan applicants
regarding loans and any provisions for disclosure required by various regulation; d. aiding customers in the loan application process, including the completing of loan applications, the obtaining of credit investigations, obtaining title insurance premiums, attorney’s fees, title abstract fees, mortgage certificate fees, hazard insurance premiums, flood insurance premiums, survey costs, recording costs, and any other information needed to prepare a good faith estimate, to complete a loan application, or to prepare a loan for closing; e. making credit decisions and approving or declining loans, in accordance with the Louisiana financial institution’s lending policies; and f. signing any and all loan documents and disclosures, including but not limited to promissory notes,
Title 10, Part I
5 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 line of credit agreements, mortgages, security agreements, guarantee agreements, any other agreement establishing collateral to secure the repayment of the loan, and other instruments obligating the loan customer to the Louisiana financial institution.
2. Activities Parity. In addition to the permissible
activities set forth above, a Louisiana financial institution may conduct at, or from, any of its loan production offices any other activity that is a permissible for an LPO of a national bank or other federal financial institution by complying with R.S. 6:242(C).
3. Electronic Financial Terminals. In addition to the
permissible activities set forth above, a Louisiana financial institution may operate an electronic financial terminal (EFT) facility within, adjacent to, or in close proximity to, any of its loan production offices, provided that it complies with the notice requirements contained in §511 of this
Chapter. An EFT is defined in R.S. 6:2(7).
4. Prohibited Activities. The following activities may
not be conducted at a loan production office of a Louisiana financial institution unless the Louisiana financial institution has established a combined loan production office and deposit production office in accordance with R.S. 6:454, and with §511 of this Chapter:
a. providing forms which enable the customer to open deposit accounts directly or by mail; b. counseling customers regarding savings accounts, checking accounts or any other services except loan origination services;
c. advertising, stating or implying that the loan
production office provides services other than loan origination services;
5. Loan Payments. A loan production office of a
Louisiana financial institution shall not accept loan payments; however, the occasional acceptance of loan payments is permissible in the event borrowers fail to follow established loan payment procedures.
6. Loan proceeds shall not be physically disbursed inperson to the borrower at an LPO of a Louisiana financial
institution. However, this does not restrict the disbursement of loan proceeds electronically. E. Closure or Change of Location of Loan Production Office
1. Prior to closing or relocating a loan production
office of a Louisiana financial institution, the Louisiana financial institution shall give prior written notice to the commissioner for approval at least 45 days prior to closing or relocating the LPO. The notification of a relocation shall contain the current physical address of the loan production office, the proposed new address and the anticipated date of relocation. The notification of a closure shall include the current location of the loan production office, the reason for the closure and the anticipated date of the closure. Approval will be deemed to have been granted if the commissioner does not respond to the notice within 45 days of receipt. This provision may be waived by the commissioner.
2. At least 30 days prior to the closure date or
relocation date, the Louisiana financial institution shall post a notice in a conspicuous location in the loan production office to be closed or relocated, that the LPO will be closed or relocated. If the LPO is to be closed, the notice shall state the closing date and the nearest location where a customer may obtain access to services. If the LPO is to be relocated, the notice shall state the relocation date and the address of the new location.
3. The requirements contained in Paragraph E.2 of
this Subsection may be waived by the commissioner to prevent or alleviate any condition which he or she may reasonably expect to create an emergency relative to that Louisiana financial institution, its employees, or its customers. F. Other
1. Emergency Acquisition of a Louisiana Loan
Production Office. In the case of the acquisition of a failed or failing Louisiana financial institution, the commissioner may waive any provision of this rule which is not required by statute for the purpose of allowing an acquiring financial institution to operate a loan production office of the failed or failing financial institution.
2. Name. Each loan production office of a Louisiana
financial institution shall include the words “Loan Production Office” on one primary exterior sign at the loan production office and all other signage shall include the words “Loan Production Office” or the initials “LPO.” The words “Loan Production Office” and the initials “LPO” must be reproduced in at least one-half as large a font size as the font size used for the name of the Louisiana financial institution on signage at the loan production office.
3. Sharing of Loan Production Office Locations
a. Loan production office locations may be shared by one or more financial institutions provided that each Louisiana financial institution complies with the provisions of this rule. In addition, any written agreement related to the sharing of a loan production office shall accompany, or be included in, the prior notice submitted to the commissioner as required by §509.B. Further, when engaging in the sharing of a loan production office location, the Louisiana financial institution shall ensure that:
i. each financial institution is conspicuously,
accurately, and separately identified;
ii. each financial institution provides its own
employee(s) and their affiliation with the financial institution by which they are employed is clearly and fully disclosed to customers so that customers will know the identity of the financial institution that is providing the product or service;
iii. the arrangement does not constitute a joint
venture or partnership with the other financial institution under applicable state law;
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 6
iv. all aspects of the relationship between the
financial institutions are conducted at arm's length;
vi. security issues arising from the activities of the
other financial institution on the premises are addressed;
vi. the activities of the other financial institution
do not adversely affect the safety and soundness of such financial institution; and
vii. the assets and records of the financial
institutions are segregated. b. An LPO location sharing agreement involving a Louisiana financial institution should outline the manner in which:
i. the operations of each of the financial
institutions will be separately identified and maintained within the loan production office location;
ii. the assets and records of the financial
institutions will be segregated;
iii. expenses will be shared;
iv. confidentiality of each of the financial
institution’s records will be maintained; and
v. any additional provisions deemed applicable.
4. Any an exception and/or waiver of any provision of
this rule requires the written approval of the commissioner.
5. Effective Date. This rule shall become effective
upon final publication.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:452. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1217 (November 1995), amended by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 46:1387 (October 2020). §511. Deposit Production Office A. Definitions Commissioner—the commissioner of the Louisiana Office of financial institutions. Deposit Production Office—a physically manned location, in the State of Louisiana, in another state, or the District of Columbia, other than the main office or branch office of a financial institution, from which the financial institution intends to provide information about deposit products offered by such financial institution, solicit deposits, and assist persons in completing application forms and related documents to open deposit accounts. A deposit production office may be a wholly-owned operating subsidiary of a financial institution. A deposit production office may also be referred to in this rule as a “DPO”. Federal Financial Institution—any national bank or federal savings association, or other depository institution chartered by the Office of the comptroller of the currency. Financial Institution—any federal financial institution, Louisiana financial institution, or out-of-state financial institution. Letter of Notification—written notice submitted to the commissioner by a Louisiana financial institution indicating its intent to establish a deposit production office. The letter of notification shall identify the Louisiana financial institution and provide the municipal address of the proposed DPO location. If the ratio of premises and fixed assets to Tier 1 Capital plus the allowance for loan and lease losses will, at any time, exceed 50 percent, or 45 percent for a new institution, the financial institution must also provide supporting documentation with a request to exceed this threshold pursuant to LAC X:I.1101. Louisiana Financial Institution—any Louisiana statechartered bank, savings bank, homestead association, building and loan association, or savings and loan association. Out-of-State Financial Institution—any state-chartered bank, savings bank, homestead association, building and loan association, or savings and loan association chartered in a state other than Louisiana or in the District of Columbia. B. Prior Notification
1. In accordance with R.S. 6:453, a Louisiana
financial institution seeking to open a deposit production office shall provide written prior notification, to the commissioner, of the planned deposit production office. The notification shall be sent to the commissioner at least 45 days prior to the proposed opening date of the DPO.
2. Notification to the commissioner may be delivered
by U.S. Mail, private commercial courier, hand-delivered, or by electronic mail.
3. If at the time of the notification to the
commissioner, the Louisiana financial institution plans to share the location of the DPO with another financial institution, the name and domicile of each such other financial institution shall be included in the written prior notice to the commissioner.
C. Objection by Commissioner
1. In accordance with R.S. 6:453, after a Louisiana
financial institution sends notification of its intent to open an DPO, the commissioner may object to the proposed deposit production office based on any of the reasons set forth in Paragraph C.2. The commissioner may timely object by notifying the Louisiana financial institution within 45 days of receiving the Louisiana financial institution’s notification of its intent to open a DPO. If the commissioner timely objects to the proposed DPO, the Louisiana financial institution shall refrain from opening the proposed DPO.
2. Reasons for Objection. The following factors may
form the basis of the commissioner’s objection to a deposit production office as well as any additional factors deemed necessary and appropriate:
Title 10, Part I
7 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 a. financial history and condition; b. adequacy of capital;
c. future earnings prospects;
d. management; e. convenience and needs of the community; f. concentration risk.
3. Written Reasons for Objection by Commissioner.
Following an objection by the commissioner to a Louisiana financial institution’s proposed deposit production office, a Louisiana financial institution may request written reasons for the objection.
4. Out-of-State Financial Institutions. An out-of-state
financial institution may establish a one or more DPOs in Louisiana as allowed by, and in compliance with, the laws, regulations, rulings, and pronouncements of the state or district where the out-of-state financial institution is chartered that apply to the establishment of a DPO by such out-of-state financial institution and may conduct at, or from any of its DPOs in Louisiana such activities as are authorized by the laws, regulations, rulings, and pronouncements of the state or district where such out-ofstate financial institution is chartered. Except for the requirements of this Paragraph, out-of-state financial institutions are not subject to the requirements of this
Section or §511 of this Chapter.
5. Federal Financial Institutions. A federal financial
institution may establish one or more DPOs in Louisiana as allowed by, and in compliance with, the federal laws, regulations, rulings, and pronouncements that apply to the establishment of a DPO by a federal financial institution. Except for the requirements of this Paragraph, federal financial institutions are not subject to the requirements of this Section or §511 of this Chapter. D. Activities
1. Permissible Activities. A deposit production office
of a Louisiana financial institution is limited to the following activities:
a. providing information about deposit products; b. assisting persons in completing application forms and related documents to open deposit accounts;
c. providing forms which enable the customer to
open deposit accounts directly, online, or by mail; d. counseling customers regarding savings accounts, checking accounts or any other deposit products; and e. advertising or promoting deposit products.
2. Activities Parity. In addition to the permissible
activities set forth above, a Louisiana financial institution may conduct at, or from, any of its deposit production offices any activity that is permissible for a DPO of a national bank or other federal financial institution by complying with R.S. 6:242(C).
3. Electronic Financial Terminals. In addition to the
permissible activities set forth above, a Louisiana financial institution may operate an electronic financial terminal (EFT) facility within, adjacent to, or in close proximity to, any of its deposit production offices, provided that it complies with the notice requirements contained in §511 of this Chapter. An EFT is defined in R.S. 6:2(7).
4. Prohibited Activities. The following activities may
not be conducted at a deposit production office of a Louisiana financial institution unless the Louisiana financial institution has established a combined loan production office and deposit production office in accordance with R.S. 6:454, and with Section 511 of this Chapter:
a. soliciting loans on behalf of the Louisiana financial institution or one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries; b. providing information on loan rates and terms;
c. interviewing and counseling loan applicants
regarding loans and any provisions for disclosure required by various regulation; or d. aiding customers in the completion of loan applications, including the obtaining of credit investigations, obtaining title insurance premiums, attorneys fees, title abstract fees, mortgage certificates, hazard insurance premiums, flood insurance premiums, survey costs, recording costs, and any other information needed to prepare a good faith estimate, to complete a loan application, or to prepare a loan for closing. E. Closure or Change of Location of Deposit Production Office
1. Prior to closing or relocating a deposit production
office of a Louisiana financial institution, the Louisiana financial institution shall give prior written notice to the commissioner for approval at least 45 days prior to closing or relocating the DPO. The notification of a relocation shall contain the current physical address of the deposit production office, the proposed new address and the anticipated date of relocation. The notification of a closure shall include the current location of the deposit production office, the reason for the closure and the anticipated date of the closure. Approval will be deemed to have been granted if the commissioner does not respond to the notice within 45 days of receipt. This provision may be waived by the commissioner.
2. At least 30 days prior to the closure date or
relocation date, the Louisiana financial institution shall post a notice in a conspicuous location in the deposit production office to be closed or relocated, that the DPO will be closed or relocated. If the DPO is to be closed, the notice shall state the closing date. If the DPO is to be relocated, the notice shall state the relocation date and the address of the new location.
3. The requirements contained in Paragraph E.2 of
this Subsection may be waived by the commissioner to prevent or alleviate any condition which he or she may reasonably expect to create an emergency relative to that
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 8 Louisiana financial institution, its employees, or its customers. F. Other
1. Emergency Acquisition of a Deposit Production
Office. In the case of the acquisition of a failed or failing Louisiana financial institution, the commissioner may waive any provision of this rule which is not required by statute for the purpose of allowing an acquiring financial institution to operate a deposit production office of the failed or failing financial institution.
2. Name. Deposit production offices of Louisiana
financial institutions shall include the words "Deposit Production Office" on one primary exterior sign at the deposit production office and all other signage shall include the words “Deposit Production Office” or the initials “DPO.” The words "Deposit Production Office" and the initials “DPO” must be reproduced in at least one-half as large a font size as the font size used for the name of the Louisiana financial institution on signage at the deposit production office.
3. Sharing of Deposit Production Office Locations
a. Deposit production office locations may be shared by one or more financial institutions provided that each Louisiana financial institution complies with the provisions of this rule. In addition, any written agreement related to the sharing of a deposit production office shall accompany, or be included in, the Prior Notice submitted to the commissioner as required by §510.B, a brief explanation of such written agreement, including the names of the financial institutions that will share the same location, shall accompany, or be included in, the prior notice submitted to the commissioner as required by §510.B. Further, when engaging in the sharing of a deposit production office, the Louisiana financial institution shall ensure that:
i. each other financial institution is
conspicuously, accurately, and separately identified;
ii. each financial institution provides its own
employee(s) and their affiliation with the other financial institution is clearly and fully disclosed to customers so that customers will know the identity of the financial institution that is providing the product or service;
iii. the arrangement does not constitute a joint
venture or partnership with the other financial institution under applicable state law;
iv. all aspects of the relationship between the
financial institutions are conducted at arm's length;
v. security issues arising from the activities of the
other financial institution on the premises are addressed;
vi. the activities of the other financial institutions
do not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the Louisiana financial institution; and
vii. the assets and records of the financial
institutions are segregated. b. A DPO location sharing agreement involving a Louisiana financial institution should outline the manner in which:
i. the operations of each financial institution will
be separately identified and maintained within the deposit production office location;
ii. the assets and records of the financial
institutions will be segregated;
iii. expenses will be shared;
iv. confidentiality of each of the financial
institution’s records will be maintained; and
v. any additional provisions deemed applicable.
4. Any exception and/or waiver of any provision of
this rule requires the written approval of the commissioner.
5. Effective Date. This rule shall become effective
upon final publication.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:453. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 46:1389 (October 2020). §513. Combination of Loan Production Office, Deposit Production Office, and Electronic Financial Terminal A. Definitions. For purposes of this Section, the definitions provided in §§509 and 510 are applicable. B. Combined Prior Notification
1. Any Louisiana financial institution seeking to
operate at the same location, a loan production office, a deposit production office, and an electronic financial terminal, or any combination of these facilities, shall provide written notice to the commissioner at least 45 days prior to the proposed opening date.
2. A Louisiana financial institution may satisfy the
notice requirements of R.S. 6:452 and 453 by submitting one combined written notice to the commissioner pursuant to this Section.
C. Upon receiving the written notice, the commissioner
has 45 days to object. If the commissioner does not raise a timely objection, the Louisiana financial institution may proceed with opening the combined facility. If the commissioner raises an objection, the commissioner shall, upon request, notify the Louisiana financial institution in writing as to the nature of the objection. The commissioner may consider the reasons for objection set forth in §§509.C and 510.C of this Chapter. E. Effective Date. This rule shall become effective upon final publication. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:454. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 46:1392 (October 2020).
Title 10, Part I
9 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023
Chapter 7. Powers
§701. Financial Institution Agency Activities A. Definitions Agency Agreement―the document which establishes the agency relationship between the Louisiana state-chartered financial institution and any other financial institution. Applicant―a Louisiana state-chartered financial institution seeking the prior approval of the commissioner to engage in agency activities as principal or as agent. Close Loans―the authority to provide loan applications, review documentation, provide loan account information, service loans and receive payments. Commissioner―the Commissioner of Financial Institutions. Financial Institution―any bank, savings bank, homestead association, building and loan association or savings and loan association. Notification―consists of all forms prescribed by the commissioner, submitted in a completed form, along with all supporting documents and other information required by this rule. Receive Deposits―the taking of any additional deposit. This does not include the acceptance of a deposit which will result in the opening of a new deposit account. B. Notification
1. Filing. All notifications filed in accordance with
this rule shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee as prescribed by the commissioner and shall be in such form and contain such information as the commissioner may from time to time prescribe. The notification shall be filed at least 30 days prior to the effective date of the agreement. When the notification is submitted, an original and one copy must be provided. The commissioner may approve a substantially complete notification after consideration of the factors set forth in the following Sections. A reasonable amount of time may be utilized in the analysis of these factors and additional information may be requested. The prior approval of the applicant's board of directors is required before filing the notification. Substantially incomplete notifications will not be accepted for filing and will be returned to the applicant resulting in a processing delay.
2. Form. The applicant shall, at least 30 days prior to
the effective date of the agency agreement, provide notification to the commissioner which includes:
a. the name, address and phone number of the applicant as well as the name of a contact person to which questions regarding the application and notification may be directed; b. the name, address and phone number of the financial institution which is entering the agency relationship with the applicant;
c. a description of the services proposed to be
performed under the agency agreement including, but not limited to, those permissible activities as enumerated in §701.C.1; d. a copy of the agency agreement; e. evidence that the applicant's bonding company has been notified; f. a copy of a resolution of the board of directors authorizing the establishment of the agency relationship; and g. if applicable, a "No Objection Letter" from the appropriate chartering authority for the financial institution providing the agency services for the Louisiana statechartered financial institution. This provision is only applicable when a Louisiana state-chartered financial institution enters into a relationship with a financial institution in which the out-of-state financial institution will act as agent for the Louisiana state-chartered financial institution.
3. Approval Process. The commissioner may approve
any request to establish an agency relationship unless he finds that the proposed operation violates the provisions of this rule or any other pertinent provision of law. The commissioner may, in his sole discretion, provide written reasons for his decision, which shall be released only to the applicant.
C. Activities
1. Permissible Activities. Any Louisiana statechartered financial institution may, upon compliance with
the requirements of this rule:
a. as agent for any financial institution, agree to receive deposits, renew time deposits, close loans, service loans, receive payments on loans and other obligations, and perform other services with the prior approval of the commissioner; and/or b. enter into an agency relationship with any other financial institution to allow the other financial institution to receive deposits, renew time deposits, close loans, service loans, receive payments on loans and other obligations, and perform other services with the prior approval of the commissioner.
2. Prohibited Activities. A Louisiana state-chartered
financial institution, operating under the authority of an agency agreement, may not:
a. conduct any activity as agent that it would be prohibited from conducting as principal under applicable state or federal law; b. have an agent conduct any activities that the financial institution as principal would be prohibited from conducting under applicable state or federal law;
c. as agent for another financial institution, make a
credit decision on a loan. Only the principal may make the decision to extend credit; or d. as agent for another financial institution, open a deposit account.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 10
3. Other Activities. If any proposed activity is not
specifically designated in §701.C.1 and has not been previously approved in a regulation issued by the commissioner, the commissioner shall decide whether the performance of such activity would be consistent with applicable state and federal law and the safety and soundness of the Louisiana state-chartered financial institution.
4. Additional Activities
a. If a Louisiana state-chartered financial institution which has an established agency relationship desires to expand its activities to include activities not already approved, the applicant shall notify the commissioner of the change. The notification shall provide a complete description of the proposed new activity and shall also include a copy of the new agency agreement. If only a section of the existing agreement is required to be amended, the institution may submit a copy of the amendment in lieu of the entire agreement. The commissioner shall decide if this activity is consistent with applicable state and federal laws and the safety and soundness of the Louisiana state-chartered financial institution. The financial institution will be given written notice as to the permissibility of the proposed activity by the commissioner. b. Should a financial institution, as an agent, close loans at a location other than its main office or any branch facility, a loan production office application may be required. D. Cessation of an Agency Relationship
1. Voluntary Cessation
a. Written notification to the commissioner is required upon the cancellation of an agency relationship. b. The financial institution shall post a notice at least 30 days prior to the effective date of termination of the financial institution's intention to cease the agency relationship. The notice shall be posted at its main office and at any other location where business was conducted under an agency capacity.
2. Involuntary Cessation. The commissioner may
order a Louisiana state-chartered financial institution or any other financial institution subject to the commissioner's enforcement powers to cease acting as agent or principal under any agency agreement with a financial institution that the commissioner finds to be inconsistent with safe and sound banking practices. E. Other
1. Any request for an exception and/or waiver of any
provision of this rule requires the written approval of the commissioner.
2. By no means shall any Louisiana state-chartered
financial institution serving as agent for another financial institution be deemed to be a branch of the other financial institution.
3. The commissioner shall impose a fee for this
notification in accordance with this office's fees and assessments rule.
4. This rule shall become effective upon final
publication.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:539. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1215 (November 1995). §703. Variable Rate Loans A. Pursuant to R.S. 6:25.1 (Act 640 of 1981) and R.S. 9:3554(B), banks, savings and loan associations, other supervised financial organizations, and licensed lenders are hereby authorized to make, purchase or participate in loans bearing simple interest from date on a variable rate basis consistent with the following regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of Financial Institutions.
1. Purpose. This regulation is issued by the
commissioner of Financial Institutions under authority granted by R.S. 6:25.1 (Act 640 of 1981) and R.S. 9:3554(B).
2. Scope. This regulation shall apply to all loans or
other extensions of credit which are made, purchased, or participated in by banks, savings and loan associations, other supervised financial organizations and licensed lenders, and which bear simple interest from date on a variable rate basis.
3. Definitions. As used herein, the following
definitions shall apply.
Bank―any bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or of any state or foreign nation, and any subsidiary or parent holding company of a bank. (Nonbank subsidiaries of bank holding companies are considered to be banks or other supervised financial organizations for the purposes of this regulation.) Index―any basis on which the interest rate charged on a loan may vary in accordance with the agreement of the parties. Licensed Lender―shall have the same meaning as defined under R.S. 9:3516(19), that is, a person, other than a supervised financial organization, engaged in the business of making supervised loans. Prime Rate or Base Rate―the interest rate established from time to time, one or more times, by the board of directors and/or management of a bank, savings and loan association, or any supervised financial organization as its "prime" or "base" lending rate, whether or not that interest rate is published or otherwise made known to the general public. Savings and Loan Association―any savings and loan association, thrift institution, or savings bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or of any state, and any wholly-owned subsidiary or parent holding company of a savings and loan association. Supervised Financial Organization―shall have the same meaning as defined under R.S. 9:3516 (26), that is, a banking or similar organization organized, certified and
Title 10, Part I
11 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 supervised by an agency of either the United States of America or of the state of Louisiana pursuant to the banking, currency, and related laws of the United States of America or of the State of Louisiana. Variable Rate―the manner of computing simple interest on a loan whereby the rate of simple interest varies from time to time, one or more times, over the term of the extension of credit with changes in a contractual index rate or is adjusted in accordance with a formula specified in the promissory note or credit agreement governing the loan.
4. General Rule. Banks, savings and loan associations,
other supervised financial organizations, and licensed lenders are authorized to make, purchase or participate in loans bearing simple interest from date on a variable rate basis.
5. Calculation of and Basis for Change in Rate
a. The simple rate of interest on a variable rate loan may vary with changes in an index or may be adjusted in accordance with a formula specified in the promissory note or credit agreement governing the loan. b. It shall be permissible for a supervised financial organization to charge and collect simple interest on a variable rate basis indexed to the institution's own "prime" or "base" lending rate.
6. Rate Adjustment. This regulation sets no limitations
on the frequency of interest rate adjustments or on the amount of any incremental change in the interest rate in variable rate loans.
7. Relationship to Other Laws
a. This regulation shall not be construed to limit the manner or method of contracting for interest in connection with any loan or other extension of credit. b. Banks, savings and loan associations, other supervised financial organizations and licensed lenders are permitted to enter into variable rate loan transactions pursuant to this regulation which are governed by any applicable Louisiana or federal credit laws and regulations, including but not limited to:
i. Article 2924 of the Louisiana Civil Code;
ii. the Louisiana Consumer Credit Law (R.S.
9:3510, et seq.);
iii. the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act
(R.S. 6:951, et seq.);
iv. R.S. 9:3503, et seq.;
v. R.S. 6:654;
vi. R.S. 9:3509;
vii. R.S. 12:703.
c. This regulation shall not supersede the
requirements of R.S. 6:957(F) as added by Act 580 of 1981 with regard to variable rate retail installment contracts for the purchase of a residential mobile home. d. This regulation shall additionally not supersede the adjustable rate mortgage regulations promulgated by the Office of Financial Institutions for state banks as published in Volume 7, Number 7, Louisiana Register, July 20, 1981, as well as the adjustable rate mortgage regulations promulgated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for National banks (12 CFR §29.1 et seq.). e. This regulation shall additionally not supersede the adjustable mortgage loan regulations promulgated by the Office of Financial Institutions for state savings and loan associations as published in Volume 7, Number 7, Louisiana Register, July 20, 1981, as well as the adjustable mortgage loan regulations promulgated by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board for federal savings and loan associations (12 CFR §545.6-4a). f. Notwithstanding any other laws to the contrary, particularly Article 1939 of the Louisiana Civil Code, loans subject to these regulations shall be exempt from the application of the prohibition against interest on interest.
8. Effect on Other Variable Rate Loans. The
promulgation of this regulation shall not be construed to raise questions as to, or provide a basis for any challenge to, the validity or enforceability of variable rate loans which may have been entered into prior to the promulgation hereof or as to the validity or enforceability of variable rate loans or other extensions of credit by creditors not subject to this regulation.
9. ARM/AML Regulations
a. The Office of Financial Institutions does hereby reissue and re-promulgate the adjustable-rate mortgage regulations promulgated by the Office of Financial Institutions for state banks as published in Volume 7, Number 7, Louisiana Register, July 20, 1981, said regulations to be promulgated under authority granted by R.S. 6:237(B). b. The Office of Financial Institutions does hereby reissue and repromulgate the adjustable mortgage loan regulations promulgated by the Office of Financial Institutions for state savings and loan associations as published in Volume 7, Number 7, Louisiana Register, July 20, 1981, said regulations to be promulgated under the authority granted by R.S. 6:902(B).
10. Effective Date. This regulation shall take effect on
the date of final publication.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:25.1 and R.S. 9:3554(B). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 8:232 (May 1982).
Chapter 9. Records Retention
§901. Records Retention Schedule A. Each depository institution subject to the regulation and supervision of the Office of Financial Institutions shall retain such minimum records which are deemed necessary for the examination and supervision of such institutions by
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 12 this office and for such minimum retention periods as determined by the commissioner and set forth in a "record retention schedule." This rule does not replace the institution's responsibility to create, implement, and maintain its own comprehensive record retention program, consistent with the institution's strategic goals and objectives. Such records may be retained in various forms including but not limited to hard copies, photocopies, computer printouts or microfilm, microfiche, imaging, or other types of electronic media storage that can be readily reproduced into hard copies. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:127. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 23:705 (June 1997).
Chapter 11. Premises
§1101. Holding of Property for Premises Purposes A. Definitions New Institution―any bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union that has been chartered by this office for less than three years. Premises and Fixed Assets―the net book value of all land, buildings, leasehold improvements, and furniture, fixtures, and equipment used by the institution to conduct its business or held for future expansion. Additionally, this amount shall include any assets related to a capital lease and shall not include other real estate owned. Tier 1 Capital―as defined in Part 325 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's Rules and Regulations for banks and savings banks and Part 567 of the Office of Thrift Supervision's Rules and Regulations for savings and loan associations. Net Worth―as defined in Section 702.2(f) of the National Credit Union Administration's rules and regulations for credit unions. B. Limitation
Title 10, Part I
13 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 Description Fee F. Semi-annual assessment for each public trust company domiciled in Louisiana to be assessed no later than June 30th and December 31st. $2,500 G. Semi-annual assessment for each private trust company domiciled in Louisiana to be assessed no later than June 30th and December 31st. $1,000 H. Examination fee for each trust company domiciled in Louisiana. Fee per examiner. $50 per hour
I. Review of a restatement and/or
amendment to the Articles of
Incorporation of a state-chartered Louisiana trust company. $250 J. Application by a state-chartered trust company to establish or acquire a subsidiary. $500 K. Annual certification for each private trust company $500
L. The conversion from a private trust
company to a public trust company. $5,000 Description Fee M. Examination fee for each out-of-state branch, administrative office, trust production office, or representative office of any trust company domiciled in Louisiana. Any fees assessed pursuant to this rule plus any amounts assessed by the host state regulator for participating in the examination of the Louisiana entity. N. Examination fee for each branch, administrative office, or representative office of any out-of-state trust company operating in Louisiana in the absence of a sharing agreement between OFI and the host state that establishes fees for examinations and other administrative cost. This fee shall be billed to the primary regulator of the out-of-state entity being examined, and due upon receipt of the OFI invoice. $50/hour per examiner plus the actual expenses incurred by this office to conduct or assist in conducting such examinations. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:121; 6:576; 6:592; and 6:613. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 34:871 (May 2008).
15 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 Title 10 FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC
Part III. Banking
Chapter 1. General Provisions
(Reserved)
Chapter 3. Powers
Subchapter A. Miscellaneous Lending Activities §301. Direct Lease-Financing Transactions A. Direct lease-financing transactions are valid and proper activities that Louisiana state banks may engage in, in their course of business under the following.
1. A Louisiana state bank may become the owner and
lessor of personal and real property upon the specific request of and for the use of a lessee-customer.
2. The leasing agreement is to serve as the functional
equivalent of an extension of credit to the lessee while preserving to the banks such lessor's rights as are contained in the lease.
3. The lease must provide for definite monthly
payments, the total of which, together with a reasonable "residual," will return to the lessor bank its full investment in the property, its cost of financing and a reasonable profit.
4. The lease must be on a nonoperating basis whereby
the lessee assumes all expenses of maintaining the property.
5. The term of the lease shall in no event exceed 10
years.
6. The total investment by a bank for the benefit of
any customer engaged in a lease-financing transaction shall at no time exceed 10 percent of the capital and surplus of such bank.
7. The total investment by a bank in leasing shall not
exceed 3 percent of total assets.
8. The commissioner may at any time inspect and
review any and all lease-financing transactions engaged in by state banks in Louisiana. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:237. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 3:475 (December 1977). §303. Banker's Acceptances A. A state bank may participate in total eligible bankers' acceptances to any one bank in an amount not to exceed 200 per centum of the paid-up and unimpaired capital stock and surplus of the purchasing bank. Eligible acceptances shall be those defined in Title 12 of the United States Code, Sections 372 and 373. A state bank may participate in total ineligible bankers' acceptances subject to the legal loan limits prescribed by R.S. 6:259. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:237(B) and R.S. 6:259. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 9:314 (May 1983). §305. Loans Secured by Bank or Bank Holding Company Stock A. Definitions Bank―Louisiana state-chartered banks and statechartered savings banks. Commissioner―the Commissioner of Financial Institutions. Executive Officer―an employee who participates or has authority to participate in major policy-making functions of the bank but does not include a director who is not also employed as an officer of the bank. Holding Company―any company that directly or indirectly controls a bank. B. General Provisions
1. If holding company stock is used as collateral,
provisions of Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act may apply. The bank should review this Section of the law and ensure compliance with its provisions.
2. The total dollar volume of all loans secured by own
bank or holding company stock (hereinafter collectively referred to as "stock"), when aggregated with the total dollar amount of stock acquired for debts previously contracted, shall not exceed 10 percent of the bank's Tier 1 leverage capital. For the purposes of this calculation, any stock held as a result of debts previously contracted shall be valued at fair market value. For a loan which is partially secured by such stock, the amount of the loan to be included in this calculation shall be the loan amount less the collateral value of the nonstock collateral.
3. The bank shall maintain a list of all loans which are
secured by its stock. The list shall, at a minimum, contain the borrower's name, the account number of the loan, the original amount of the loan and the certificate number(s) of the shares pledged as collateral.
4. Any loan made to a director or executive officer
under the provisions of this rule must be fully disclosed to the bank's board of directors and approved by a majority of
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 16 the directors in advance, with the interested party not present or participating in the discussion or approval process. Loans made to directors and executive officers under provisions of this rule must be made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral margins, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions by the bank with other persons who are not employed by or associated with the bank. Loans made to directors and executive officers for the purpose of disposition of stock acquired for debts previously contracted must have an adequate, well supported assessment of the stock value documented within the file.
5. Loans secured by a bank's stock made prior to the
effective date of R.S. 6:416(A), as amended by Act Number 371 of 1991, effective July 6, 1991, shall not be subject to the requirements of this rule provided:
a. there have been no changes in terms of the loan; b. no additional funds have been advanced;
c. subsequent renewals were made with full board
approval and are fully documented in the board's meeting minutes; and d. the loan is amortized over a reasonable period.
C. Regulation. A bank may have loans secured by its
own stock under any of the following circumstances.
1. The stock is taken as additional collateral on an
existing credit in order to minimize potential loss exposure to the bank, provided all of the following conditions are met. a. The original terms of the loan and its initial collateral margin were consistent with the bank's lending policy. b. The bank can demonstrate that a loss is probable because the borrower no longer has the ability to perform or collateral protection is inadequate or may soon become inadequate.
c. The taking of the stock as collateral is not used as
a means of circumventing other provisions of this rule.
2. The loan is made to facilitate the disposition of
stock acquired through debts previously contracted, provided there is no significant deviation from the bank's lending policy with regard to amortization and borrower credit worthiness.
3. The stock of the bank or its holding company is
publicly traded by a nationally recognized stock exchange. D. Other
1. Any exception and/or waiver of any provision of
this rule requires the written approval of the commissioner.
2. This rule shall be effective upon final publication.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:416(A). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1219 (November 1995). §307. Agreement Corporations A. Activities engaged in by a corporation ("agreement corporation") (under an agreement with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve"), including an agreement under Section 25 of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. §§601-604(a)), pursuant to which agreement such corporation's activities are limited to those which may be performed by a corporation ("edge corporation") organized under Section 25(a) of such act (12 U.S.C. §§611-613), shall be deemed not to constitute a banking business and an agreement corporation engaging in such activities shall be deemed not to be a bank, so long as its activities are at all times subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve and limited to those activities which may be performed in accordance with any regulations issued by or agreements with the Federal Reserve applicable to such agreement corporation. The Commissioner of Financial Institutions may, however, visit and examine an agreement corporation engaging in such activities in Louisiana whenever in his judgment an examination of its affairs is necessary or expedient. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:237(B). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 10:4 (January 1984). Subchapter B. Legal Lending Limit Exception―Real Estate Financing §311. Authority and Purpose A. This regulation is issued pursuant to the authority provided by §415(7) of Title 6 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (R.S.). B. It is the purpose of this regulation to provide a method by which a state bank may exceed lending limit restrictions, imposed by R.S. 6:415(A), when financing the sale of other real estate. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with Act 1129 of 1992. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 19:36 (January 1993). §313. Definitions A. For purposes of these regulations, the following terms shall have these meanings. Commissioner―the Commissioner of Financial Institutions. Directors, Executive Officers, and Principal Shareholders of the Originating Bank―persons so defined under the Federal Reserve Board's Regulation O, Title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 215.2, and shall apply with respect to every director, executive officer, and principal shareholder of a non-member bank in the same manner and to the same extent as if the non-member bank were a member bank.
Title 10, Part III
17 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 Lending Limit(s)―lending restrictions imposed by R.S. 6:415(A). Other Real Estate―an identified parcel or tract of land with or without improvements, and including easements, rights of way, undivided or future interests, and any accessory rights or interests involving the associated parcel or tract of land. Other real estate shall include property acquired in accordance with R.S. 6:243(A). State Bank or Bank―for purposes of this regulation state bank or bank means any corporation organized under the provisions of Chapter 3 of R.S. Title 6, as a state commercial bank. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with Act 1129 of 1992. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 19:36 (January 1993). §315. Regulation A. Any state bank may provide financing to facilitate the sale of other real estate, in excess of lending limits as established in R.S. 6:415(A), provided prior written approval of the commissioner has been obtained and, subject to compliance with provisions of this regulation, the extension of credit will be in accordance with all other applicable state or federal laws. B. Submission of requests for the commissioner's approval must be in writing. Requests must have the prior approval of, and be detailed in the minutes of a meeting held by, the bank's board of directors. Approved transactions shall apply only to purchase money mortgages taken by a state bank in consideration for the sale of other real estate owned by the bank.
C. Approval of requests will be based on all relevant
factors surrounding individual transactions; however, the following shall be required and will receive consideration.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 18 AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:243(B)(5). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 19:35 (January 1993). §323. Definitions A. For purposes of these regulations, the following terms shall have these meanings. Commissioner―the Commissioner of Financial Institutions. Current Appraisal―an appraisal which has been obtained within 12 months prior to the exchange, provided there has been no significant change to the property. Exchanged Property―property lawfully acquired by a bank pursuant to R.S. 6:243(A) which is exchanged for property in compliance with this regulation. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:243(B)(5). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 19:35 (January 1993). §325. Regulation A. A bank, solely for the purpose of minimizing potential loss, may exchange property which is complex (including an undivided interest), difficult and/or uneconomical to maintain for property which is less complex, less difficult and/or more economical to maintain. This would include residential property exchanged for residential property of a lesser value.
1. Any such exchange must have prior approval of the
bank's board of directors. The approval must be documented in the board minutes and contain the rationale to support the exchange.
2. The exchange must be supported by current
appraisals of both the exchanged property and the property acquired in the exchange. The appraisals must be performed by an independent appraiser and contain sufficient documentation to support the value derived.
3. The bank must maintain on file for examiner
review, supporting documentation of any exchange made since the previous examination, including the bank's marketing efforts to dispose of the previously held and exchanged parcel of real estate.
4. The 10-year divestiture period as required by R.S.
6:243(B)(1) shall begin on the original date of acquisition of the exchanged property, not the date of exchange. As allowed by R.S. 6:243(B)(2), a bank may choose to reduce the value of immovable property by at least one-tenth of the original book value each year that the property is held. If the bank has chosen this option for the exchanged property, the property acquired from the exchange must be reduced by at least an equal rate each year to insure a zero balance at the end of the divestiture period.
5. The book value of the property acquired in the
exchange cannot exceed either the book value of the exchanged property or appraised value, whichever is less. B. In an attempt to achieve its strategic plan, a bank may exchange property held in another real estate account for property to be used as premises or for future expansion. However, the approval of the commissioner must be obtained prior to the exchange of the properties. Also, the exchange must comply with the provisions of §325.A.1 and 2.
C. All requests for prior written approval of the
commissioner must contain sufficient documentation to support the bank's request. Transactions requiring prior written approval of the commissioner include:
1. transactions which directly or indirectly involve
insiders, affiliates, or their related interests, as defined by Federal Reserve Board's Regulation O and Section 23 A of the Federal Reserve Act. A request for approval must include documentation to show the transaction is an arms-length transaction and will not violate state or federal laws, rules or regulations;
2. transactions which include any additional cash
investment made by the bank to facilitate the exchange;
3. transactions which include the exchange of other
real estate for property which is not in the bank's normal trade area, as defined by the bank's board of directors policy. D. Property exchanged in violation of this rule, in addition to any other actions authorized by law or regulation, may result in the following:
1. a requirement that the bank remove the exchanged
real estate from its books and the citation of violation of R.S. 6:243 until such time as the bank disposes of the exchanged real estate;
2. a requirement that the directors directly responsible
for the exchange in violation of this rule be required to purchase or otherwise dispose of the property and be responsible for any loss sustained by the bank. E. The commissioner has the authority to either waive or grant an exception to any provision of this rule provided a request is first made in writing. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:243(B)(5). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 19:35 (January 1993), amended LR 21:675 (July 1995). Subchapter D. Legal Lending Limit Exception―Acquisition of Loan Pools §331. Authority and Purpose A. This rule provides an exception to a state bank's legal lending limit based on the treatment of a loan pool acquisition under R.S. 6:415(A)(6). AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with Act 1129 of 1992.
Title 10, Part III
19 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 19:37 (January 1993). §333. Definitions Creditworthy―meeting established standards which are positive assessments of a borrower's ability to repay debt. Executive Officer―an officer of the bank selected by the board of directors at the level of vice president or above possessing sufficient technical knowledge of and experience in the lending and collection functions of the bank. Legal Lending Limit―the level of both direct and indirect extensions of credit that a bank may have outstanding at one time to any one individual borrower as established under R.S. 6:415. Loan Pool―a group of individual loans that are packaged by the present owner for sale to another party. Originating Officer―officer of the bank who initiates and/or is involved in negotiation for the bank's consideration of the purchase of a pool of loans. Qualified Third Party―a person contracted by the bank who has prior experience in and technical knowledge of the lending and collection functions of a bank and/or sufficient prior experience in credit analysis. Recourse―the added protection that if a certain event or chain of events occurs, the seller will buy back or reimburse purchaser for loss sustained on those assets previously sold. May include a guaranty and/or reserve placed with bank by the seller. Representative Portion―a sampling of loans included in the pool sufficient in dollar volume and/or number to reasonably assure the bank that the total package complies with all of the bank's internal underwriting guidelines. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with Act 1129 of 1992. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 19:37 (January 1993). §335. Review of Representative Portion A. Designation of Person. The board of directors shall adopt a resolution in writing designating an executive officer of the bank or qualified third party to conduct a review of a representative portion of the pool of loans to determine that the individual borrowers appear creditworthy. If the board designates an officer of the bank to conduct the review, the person designated shall be someone other than the originating officer. B. Documentation of Sample. The person designated by the board shall document the method by which the bank selected a representative portion of loans from the pool for review. The board shall document both its review of the method chosen and its reasons for acceptance of the method of selection.
C. Board Discussion of Initial Review. Prior to purchase,
the board should discuss all aspects of the purchase, including the initial review of sampling of loans within the pool, agreements to be entered into between the bank and the seller, and any additional information that is necessary for the board to make a fully informed decision. This discussion shall be fully noted within the board minutes. D. Loan Review
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 20 H. Retention of Initial Review. If the board approves and the bank purchases the pool, it shall maintain the initial review of the selected representative portion of the pool for inspection at subsequent regulatory examinations. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with Act 1129 of 1992. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 19:37 (January 1993). §337. Pool Treated as Individual Loans for Lending Limit Purposes A.1. For treatment of the pool as individual loans for legal lending limit calculations, the bank must maintain an affidavit signed by the person or persons conducting the review and countersigned by the board of directors stating that:
a. a representative portion of the individual loans contained within the pool were reviewed to determine that the individual borrowers appear creditworthy; and b. the bank is relying primarily on the individual maker's responsibility for payment of the loans.
2. Without the above affidavit, the pool will be
deemed a direct borrowing of the seller for purposes of determining compliance with the bank's legal lending limit. B. The bank shall maintain a listing of all loans included in the pool at the time of purchase.
C. On all payments received, the bank shall procure a
breakdown of such payments by borrower name and the amount of payment applicable to principal and interest. D. Delinquent Loans
Title 10, Part III
21 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:121, 6:242 and 6:5. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 19:611 (May 1993). §343. General Provisions A. Upon approval of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions, a state-chartered bank and/or its subsidiary and employees may engage in the sale of fixed or variable annuities and earn commissions thereon. B. A state-chartered bank and/or its subsidiary and employees shall obtain any license(s) as may be required by and available from the Louisiana Department of Insurance before engaging in the sale of fixed or variable annuities.
C. In order to obtain approval, a state-chartered bank that
desires to engage in the sale of fixed or variable annuities pursuant to this rule shall submit a written proposal covering the following items to the Commissioner of Financial Institutions:
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 22
c. any insurance product sold by a bank which was
engaged as a general insurance agent or broker on January 1, 1984, and continues to be so engaged, when sold by such bank. Insurance Agent―a person appointed in writing by an insurer to submit applications for a policy of insurance or to negotiate a policy of insurance on its behalf. As used herein, the term shall also include insurance brokers, surplus lines insurance brokers, and insurance solicitors. Insurer―any domestic, foreign, or alien insurer possessing a certificate of authority to transact any fire, life, or other insurance business in Louisiana. Location or Located―in reference to a state bank means any place in Louisiana in which the state bank maintains an office at which money is lent, or deposits received, or checks paid. Office of an ECB―the main office, or any branch, loan production office, or other manned physical facility of the bank or of any subsidiary or affiliate thereof. Person―a natural or juridical person. Subsidiary―a corporation owned or controlled by a bank, including but not limited to a service corporation governed by the provisions of LAC 10:I.501-509. B. Authority
1. An ECB shall have and possess the rights, powers,
privileges and immunities of a national bank or national bank branch domiciled in this state to engage in insurance activities.
2. An ECB may act as agent for any domestic,
foreign, or alien insurer approved by the department to transact business in Louisiana.
3. An ECB may solicit and sell any insurance, may
collect premiums on policies issued, and may receive such fees and commissions from the sale of such insurance as may be agreed upon between the bank and the insurer for which the bank is acting as agent.
4. An ECB may engage in the insurance activities
covered by this rule directly, through its own officers, directors or employees, or through the officers, directors or employees of its subsidiary, or affiliate.
5. An ECB may also engage in the insurance activities
covered by this rule indirectly by contracting with a third party, through officers, directors, or employees of a third party acting on behalf of the bank, or through persons acting as employee of both the ECB and the third party. The agreement between the bank and the third party shall be in writing and approved by the bank's board of directors.
6. The persons who act as insurance agents on behalf
of the ECB shall operate from an office located within an eligible community as listed on the agents' license applications submitted to the department. The ECB's insurance agents shall have the same authority to solicit, negotiate, and sell insurance subject to the same restrictions applicable to Louisiana licensed insurance agents in general engaged in the sale of similar kinds of insurance.
C. Licensing
1. An ECB wishing to engage in insurance sales
activities, or any third party wishing to engage in insurance sales activities on behalf of the ECB, shall obtain a license from the department to act as an insurance agent, insurance broker, surplus lines insurance broker or insurance solicitor.
2. The person applying on behalf of the ECB for a
license as an insurance agent shall comply with the department's requirements, including continuing education requirements, applicable to insurance agents in general engaged in the sale of similar kinds of insurance.
3. Insurance agent services shall be provided only by
licensed insurance agents. Unlicensed employees of the ECB or its subsidiary may provide clerical assistance in connection with the solicitation, negotiation, and sale of insurance, may collect premiums when so authorized by a licensed agent, and may refer customers to the ECB's licensed insurance agents.
4. As part of his regular examination of the ECB and
of its subsidiary, the commissioner shall determine whether all persons engaged in insurance sales activities as insurance agents have been licensed by the department. If any person has failed to comply with the department's nondiscriminatory licensing requirements applicable to all insurance agents selling the same kinds of insurance, the commissioner may institute any enforcement action authorized by the Louisiana Banking Law in addition to referring the violations to the department, pursuant to the authority of R.S. 6:103 B(8)(b). D. Disposition of Income from Sale of Insurance
1. Pursuant to the requirements of R.S. 22:1113(D), no
unlicensed employee, officer, or director of an ECB may receive, directly or indirectly, commissions, brokerage, or other valuable consideration, for services as an insurance agent performed in connection with the sale of insurance authorized herein.
2. Compensation based upon commissions is a
common method of selling insurance, and can increase customer awareness of the availability of insurance products offered by the ECB.
3. Compensation programs for ECB personnel
engaged in insurance sales activities must be structured in such a way as to assist the customer in making informed product selections.
4. The ECB should receive compensation in
recognition of the role played by its personnel, premises, and good will in connection with the ECB's insurance sales activities. E. Consumer Protection
1. The way in which insurance products are sold
within a bank can assist customers to distinguish between deposits that are insured or are obligations of the bank and uninsured products offered by the bank or a third party.
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23 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023
2. The commissioner shall review measures taken by
an ECB with regard to the setting and circumstances of its insurance sales activities designed to minimize potential customer confusion over the nature of the product sold. Sales of insurance should take place in a location that is distinct from the teller window setting in which retail deposits are taken.
3. The ECB should give the customer the disclosures
provided in Clause E.4.a.iv when it first informs the customer that required insurance is available from the ECB if:
a. insurance is required in order to obtain a loan; or b. loan approval is contingent on the customer obtaining acceptable insurance; or
c. the customer obtained insurance required in
connection with the loan from another insurance provider and the ECB is soliciting the sale of insurance to replace the customer's existing coverage. 4.a. At the time a written application for insurance is made, the insurance agent shall obtain a separate written statement, signed by the customer, acknowledging that the customer has received and understands the following disclosures:
i. the insurance policy is not insured by the
FDIC;
ii. the insurance policy is not a deposit or other
obligation of, or guaranteed by, the bank;
iii. the bank does not guarantee performance by
the insurer issuing the policy;
iv. the customer is not required to purchase
insurance through the bank, and the customer's choice of another insurance provider will not affect the bank's credit decision or credit terms in any way. b. These disclosures should be conspicuous and presented in a clear and concise manner.
5. All advertisements, sales literature, and other
materials which relate to the marketing of insurance sold through the ECB shall clearly state that the insurance is not insured by a federal agency or guaranteed by the bank, shall indicate whether the insurance agent is employed by the bank or by a third party, and shall indicate that an insurance company, not the bank, is underwriting the insurance product.
6. Any ECB engaging in the insurance agency
activities described herein shall establish an orderly process for responding to consumer complaints arising from the sales of insurance. Whether the ECB engages in insurance activities through its own employees, employees of its subsidiary, or those of a third party, the ECB shall maintain a file describing complaints lodged against the ECB, and steps taken by the ECB to resolve the complaints. 7.a. An ECB shall not in any manner extend credit, lease or sell property of any kind, or furnish any service, or fix or vary the consideration for any of the foregoing, on the condition or requirement that the customer shall obtain insurance from the bank or its subsidiary. b. The following activities shall not violate this anti-tying provision.
i. A bank may cross-sell or cross-market products
or services. A bank cross-sells when it informs a customer that insurance is available from the bank, its subsidiary, or through a third party.
ii. A bank which requires a customer to obtain
insurance coverage in connection with a loan or other extension of credit may provide the insurance if the bank discloses in writing that coverage may be obtained from a person of the customer's choice, and the transaction is not conditioned upon the customer obtaining insurance from the bank.
8. An ECB shall establish compliance programs to
promote compliance with this provision.
9. Bank activities which conform to the requirements
of 12 U.S.C. §1972(1), or 12 CFR §225.7, as these provisions from time to time may be amended or revised, shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this Subsection, and any state statutes applicable to this aspect of bank insurance sales. F. Disclosure of Financial Records. In connection with the insurance sales activities authorized herein, an ECB may disclose a customer's records to any person as authorized in R.S. 6:333. G. Enforcement by Commissioner
1. The commissioner is committed to ensuring that
ECBs conduct their insurance sales activities in a safe and sound manner. Adequate consumer protections, qualified employees, and responsible sales practices are essential for this result.
2. The commissioner may enforce compliance with
the provisions of this rule by using any regulatory, investigative, examination or enforcement authority given the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions by the provisions of the Louisiana Banking Law, including, but not limited to, R.S. 6:121 et seq.
3. Nothing contained herein shall limit the authority or
responsibility of the department to regulate insurance in conformity with all applicable laws and regulations. H. Continuing Parity
1. The provisions of this rule are to be construed
liberally in order to promote and maintain competitive equality between state and national banks, preserve the dual banking system, and serve the public interest in the business of banking.
2. In addition to the authority conferred by this rule,
an ECB shall have and possess, and may exercise, such rights, powers, privileges, and immunities of a national bank or national bank branch engaged in insurance sales activities in the state pursuant to the authority of 12 U.S.C. §92 as interpreted and applied by the Comptroller of the Currency, upon complying with the requirements of R.S. 6:242(C)(1). Upon receipt of the ECB's Notice of Intent, the commissioner shall transmit a copy thereof to the department.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 24
I. Insurance Sales Exempted from Rule
1. The provisions of this Part shall be subject to the
provisions of R.S. 6:242(A)(6) relative to banks which were engaged as general insurance agents or brokers on January 1, 1984.
2. The provisions of this Part shall not apply to any
insurance sales activities in which banks were authorized to engage prior to the adoption of this rule, including, but not limited to, the sale of credit insurance and the sale of annuities. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:121 and 6:242 A(6)(a). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 23:47 (January 1997).
Chapter 5. Subsidiary Mortgage
Corporation
§501. General; Considerations for Approval A. A state bank or a bank holding company may establish or acquire a subsidiary mortgage corporation upon the prior written approval of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions and subject to the provisions of this rule. The ownership of a subsidiary mortgage corporation shall be deemed to be incidental to the exercise of powers enumerated in R.S. 6:241 and 242. Each location of the subsidiary mortgage corporation must obtain the prior written approval of the commissioner prior to its establishment. B. To determine whether or not he shall approve the formation or acquisition of a subsidiary mortgage corporation. or the opening of an additional location, the commissioner shall consider the following:
1. the financial condition of the parent state bank or
the state bank subsidiary of the parent holding company;
2. the economic impact on the parent of the operation
of the proposed subsidiary mortgage corporation;
3. the proposed method of funding the operations of
the subsidiary mortgage corporation;
4. the needs of the community to be served by the
subsidiary mortgage corporation.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:237 and R.S. 6:322. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 7:484 (October 1981), amended LR 13:739 (December 1987). §503. Powers A. A subsidiary mortgage corporation may originate first mortgage loans, make first mortgage loans, service first mortgage loans, act as an agent in the warehousing and servicing of first mortgage loans, and, in general, engage in activities permitted mortgage company subsidiaries of national banks. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:237(B). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 13:740 (December 1987). §505. Regulation by Commissioner A. Each subsidiary mortgage corporation shall be subject to examination by the commissioner. If upon examination, the commissioner shall ascertain that the subsidiary is created or operated in violation of law or regulation, or that the manner of operation is detrimental to the business of the parent bank or its depositors, he may order the subsidiary to cease and desist from such violation or practice. In addition, if the mortgage corporation is a subsidiary of a state bank or a holding company owning a state bank, he may order the bank or holding company to divest itself of the subsidiary mortgage corporation. If the mortgage corporation is a subsidiary of a holding company that owns only national banks, he shall report his findings to the comptroller of the currency and the appropriate federal reserve bank. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:237(B). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 7:484 (October 1981), amended LR 13:739 (December 1987). §507. Separate Records and Funds A. The books and records of the mortgage corporation subsidiary shall be kept separate and distinct from those of the parent or other subsidiaries and funds of the parent or other subsidiaries shall not be commingled with those of the subsidiary mortgage corporation. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:237(B). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 13:740 (December 1987). §509. Prohibited Stock Ownership A. Under no circumstance shall the parent of the subsidiary mortgage corporation own any assessable stock of the subsidiary mortgage corporation. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:237(B). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 7:484 (October 1981), amended LR 13:740 (December 1987). §511. Transactions between Parent and Subsidiary A. Transactions between a parent state bank or subsidiary state bank of a parent bank holding company and the subsidiary mortgage corporation shall, with respect to the state bank, be governed by all laws and regulations applicable to transactions between the state bank and
any other borrower, customer or depositor of the state bank, including but not limited to provisions of law governing the state bank's lending limit. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:237(B).
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25 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 13:740 (December 1987). §513. Branching A. An approved office of the subsidiary mortgage corporation shall not be considered a branch of a parent bank if no banking functions other than those listed in §503 are performed by the subsidiary mortgage corporation at that location. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:237(B). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 7:484 (October 1981), amended LR 13:740 (December 1987). §515. Automated Teller Machines Prohibited A. No automated teller machine or similar electronic financial terminal whether owned by a parent bank or any other entity shall be located on the premises of any office of the subsidiary mortgage corporation. This prohibition shall not apply if the subsidiary mortgage corporation is located on the premises of a duly approved branch or main office of a parent bank. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:237(B). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 13:740 (December 1987). §517. Name A. The name of the subsidiary mortgage corporation shall not contain the word "bank" nor shall the subsidiary's operations, logo, advertising or marketing suggest that the subsidiary is an agent of the parent bank or bank holding company or that the parent is responsible for the liabilities of the subsidiary. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:237(B). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 7:484 (October 1981), amended LR 13:740 (December 1987).
Chapter 7. Directors' Examination
Requirements
§701. General Provisions
A. Introduction. R.S. 6:290, 6:793, and 6:1310, amended by Act Number 530 of the 2001 Legislative Session, requires at least once in each year every state bank, savings bank, and savings and loan association (each hereafter referred to as "institution") to cause its books, records, and accounts to be examined in accordance with a regulation promulgated by the Commissioner of the Office of Financial Institutions. This examination is called the annual directors' examination and constitutes the institution's annual external audit program. The annual external audit program must be conducted in accordance with the requirements prescribed in this rule. B. Board of Directors Responsibilities. The board of directors of an institution is responsible for determining how to best obtain reasonable assurance that the institution's financial statements and regulatory reports are prepared in accordance with appropriate accounting and regulatory standards. In this regard, the board is also responsible for ensuring that its annual external auditing program is appropriate based on the size and complexity of the institution and includes an evaluation of all significant risk. To help ensure the adequacy of internal controls and accuracy of financial reporting, the board of directors is required to establish and elect an audit committee of not less than three members, a majority of which should be outside directors.
C. Audit Committee Responsibilities. The audit
committee shall secure and oversee the annual external audit program required by this rule. The committee shall require that a written report be presented to the board of directors and documented in the board minutes. D. Scope. This rule does not apply to all institutions regulated by the Office of Financial Institutions.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 26
1. a financial statement audit performed by an
independent public accountant;
2. a balance sheet audit performed by an independent
public accountant;
3. a report by an independent public accountant on an
institution's internal control structure over financial reporting;
4. an agreed-upon procedures or state-required
examination report.
F. Auditor Qualifications
1. If an institution's audit committee secures any of
the types of annual external audit programs listed in Paragraphs E.1-3, the annual external audit program, as well as reports issued, must be performed by independent public accountants that have experience with financial institution accounting and auditing or similar expertise, are knowledgeable about relevant laws and regulations, and comply with the accounting, auditing, and other professional standards referred to in the Policy Statement.
2. If an audit committee selects the type of annual
external audit program listed in Paragraph E.4, the annual external audit program, as well as reports issued, must be performed by either independent public accountants or qualified independent auditors. These individuals must have experience with financial institution accounting and auditing or similar expertise, are knowledgeable about relevant laws and regulations, and comply with the accounting, auditing, and other professional standards established for the professional designations they hold. G. Annual Reporting Period. The annual external audit program shall cover a maximum of a 12-month period of operations. Each subsequent annual report shall have the same ending period as the prior year report for comparison purposes, unless the institution obtains prior written permission from the commissioner to change its reporting date. The preferable time to schedule the performance of an annual external audit program is as of an institution's fiscal year-end. However, a quarter-end that coincides with a regulatory report date provides similar benefits. Therefore, an institution may choose either alternative as an acceptable reporting period for the annual external audit program, provided that same reporting date is used for future filings. H. Due Date and Reporting Requirements. Within 120 days after the end of its fiscal year or quarter-end date that coincides with a regulatory report date for which the institution chooses as its annual reporting date, unless the institution obtains prior written permission from the commissioner to extend this date, each institution shall file with the commissioner two copies of the following:
1. the report, including all opinions and footnotes, if
applicable, presented in connection with the type of annual external audit program selected by the audit committee and presented to the board of directors;
2. any management letters issued by the individual or
firm that conducted the annual external audit services; and
3. management's response to any management letters
issued.
I. Holding Company Subsidiaries. If an institution is
owned by another entity such as a holding company and the group's consolidated financial statements for the same period are audited, the subsidiary institution is not required to obtain a separate audit of its financial statements provided the audit scope includes substantive testing of the subsidiary's financial records and activities. If the auditing firm considers the subsidiary institution's activities to be immaterial to the financial statements of the consolidated entity, the audit committee of the subsidiary institution shall obtain additional audit coverage that meets one of the four alternative annual external audit programs listed in Subsection E. J. Due Date and Reporting Requirements for Consolidated Financial Statements. If an institution is included in an audited consolidated financial statement and the audit scope for the consolidated statement meets the requirements of Subsection I, within 120 days after the end of its fiscal year or period for which the consolidated financial statements are presented, unless the institution obtains prior written permission from the commissioner to extend this date, the institution shall submit two copies of the following:
1. the consolidated audited financial statements,
which shall include the accountant's report, financial statements, and all footnotes;
2. consolidating worksheets for the balance sheet and
statement of income that separately break out all entities within the consolidation on a separate basis;
3. any management letters issued by the individual or
firm that conducted the annual external audit services; and
4. management's response to any management letters
issued.
K. Multiple Institutions Included in a Consolidated Audited Financial Statement. If more than one institution is included in a consolidated audited financial statement, only two copies of the information listed in Subsection J should be submitted, with a cover letter identifying all institutions covered by the reports submitted. This information must be submitted to the Commissioner of Financial Institutions within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year or period for which the consolidated financial statements are presented, unless the institution obtains prior written permission from the commissioner to extend this date.
L. Requirements for a Written Engagement Letter. The
audit committee shall obtain a written engagement letter from an independent accountant or individual performing services, before such services are performed. The engagement letter shall include a description of all services to be performed, as well as any additional contractual conditions agreed to between the institution and the provider of the services.
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27 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 M. Access to Examination Workpapers
1. Management shall provide the independent public
accountant or other individuals that perform the annual external audit program access to all examination reports and written communication between the institution and the federal agencies or state bank commissioner since the last annual external auditing activity.
2. All independent public accountants and
independent internal auditors that perform any of the types of annual external audit programs listed in Subsection E shall agree in the engagement letter to grant all authorized state and federal examiners access to all workpapers and other materials pertaining to the institution prepared in the course of performing the annual external audit program. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:290, 6:793 and 6:1310. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 16:17 (January 1990), amended by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 28:481 (March 2002). §702. Definitions Agreed-Upon Procedures/State Required Examination Report―the fourth type of annual external audit program allowable under the Federal Regulatory Agencies' Interagency Policy Statement on External Auditing Programs of Banks and Savings Associations. If an audit committee chooses this type of annual external audit program, the audit program must be performed in compliance with a policy statement issued by the commissioner. Annual Directors' Examination―an annual examination of an institution's books, records, and accounts that must be:
1. the responsibility of and performed under the
direction of the audit committee of the board of directors;
2. one of the types of audit programs permitted in this
rule;
3. performed by individuals that meet the
requirements stated in this rule;
4. summarized in a written report that is presented to
the board of directors; and
5. submitted to the Commissioner of the Office of
Financial Institutions and the FDIC, along with copies of management letters and management's response, within the time frames established in this rule. Federal Regulatory Agencies―the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS). These agencies cooperatively issue interagency policy statements. Immediate Family Members―an individual's spouse, minor children and any children, including adult children, residing in the individual's home. Independent Internal Auditor―a qualified internal auditor that is, in fact, independent as defined in the Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing by the Institute of Internal Auditors and/or the Statements of Principle and Standards for Internal Auditing in the Banking Industry by the Bank Administration Institute.
1. An internal auditor will not be considered
independent if, for example:
a. he/she is employed by or accountable to anyone other than the board of directors of the institution or holding company, if applicable; b. his/her performance is evaluated by, and salary and annual bonus are set by anyone other than the board of directors of the institution, or holding company if applicable;
c. his/her duties consist of non-audit responsibilities
within the institution or holding company; d. he/she has any proprietary interest in any partnership, firm or corporation which controls the institution, directly or indirectly, except that he or she may own and/or have a beneficial interest (including any shares of a retirement and/or incentive plan) of up to a maximum of 1 percent of the total outstanding shares of the institution or holding company which employs the internal auditor; e. he/she has any loan (including any overdrafts, cash items, unposted items, drawing against uncollected funds, or any other such items) to or from the institution or holding company or any officer, director, or principal stockholder thereof. This latter prescription does not apply to the following loans from a financial institution, if they are free from classification by bank regulatory authorities, and made under normal lending procedures, terms and requirements:
i. automobile loans and leases collateralized by
the automobile;
ii. loans secured by the surrender value of an
insurance policy;
iii. loans fully collateralized by cash deposits at
the same institution;
iv. credit cards and cash advances on checking
accounts with an aggregate unpaid balance of $5,000 or less, provided that these are obtained from a financial institution under its normal lending procedures, terms, and requirements and are at all times kept current as to all terms; f. he/she is a member of the immediate family of an officer, director, attorney, or employee of the institution or holding company.
2. The aforementioned examples are not to be
construed as all-inclusive criteria in judging the independence of an internal auditor, as other conditions may also contribute to the lack of independence. It is the responsibility of the board of directors to determine if there are any unusual relationships or affiliations, which the internal auditor may have with the institution and to have any questions as to his or her independence resolved before
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 28 he or she proceeds with the examination. Any unusual relationships shall be disclosed to the Commissioner of the Office of Financial Institutions. Independent Public Accountant―an accountant who is independent of the institution and registered or licensed to practice, and holds himself or herself out as a public accountant, and who is in good standing under the laws of the state or political subdivision of the United States in which the home office of the institution is located. The independent public accountant must comply with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' (AICPA) Code of Professional Conduct and any related guidance adopted by the Independence Standards Board and the agencies. No certified public accountant or public accountant will be recognized as independent if he/she is not independent both in fact and in appearance. Outside Director―members of an institution's board of directors who:
1. are not officers, employees, or principal
stockholders (as defined below) of the institution, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates; or
2. are not immediate family members of officers,
employees, principal stockholders of the institution, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates; or
3. do not have any material business dealings with the
institution, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates. Policy Statement―the Interagency Policy Statement on External Auditing Programs of Banks and Savings Associations issued by the Federal Regulatory Agencies. Principal Stockholder―any person that, directly or indirectly or acting through or in concert with one or more persons, owns, controls, or has the authority to vote more than 20 percent of any class of voting securities of the financial institution or its parent company. Voting securities owned or controlled by a member of a person's immediate family are considered held by that person. Qualified Independent Internal Auditor―an internal auditor that meets the independent internal auditor definition in this Subsection who is a duly registered certified public accountant in good standing under the laws of this state, a certified internal auditor, a chartered bank auditor, or an individual that has functioned as an internal auditor in financial institutions for a minimum period of two years that recognizes and adheres to the rules of conduct and personal standards established for the professional designation(s) he or she holds. Any certified public accountant functioning as an internal auditor must adhere to the rules of conduct and standards applicable to the CPA in practice. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:290, 6:793 and 6:1310. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR. 28:483 (March 2002). §705. Audit Program A. Asset Accounts
1. Cash, Cash Items, Clearings, and Exchanges
(Including Automatic Teller Machines and Related Settlement Accounts) a. Count cash on a test basis and reconcile totals with the general ledger account. b. Balance all categories of cash items and reconcile totals to the general ledger account; investigate any unusual or noncurrent items; trace disposition of selected amounts.
c. Confirm totals of clearings and exchanges direct
with drawee banks or paying agents; trace disposition of selected incoming and outgoing return items. d. Review and test the following:
i. procedures for safeguarding teller's cash during
operating hours and relief and vacation scheduling;
ii. procedures for quarterly internal surprise cash
counts. If the internal cash counts are performed adequately on a quarterly basis, the examiner need not count cash as a
part of this examination;
iii. adequacy of dual control procedures over vault
items;
iv. adequacy of review tellers' over and short
activity.
2. Due from Banks
a. Obtain confirmation of balances as of the examination date. b. Reconcile bank statements to the related general ledger accounts as of the examination date. Use subsequent statements to identify items that clear in a normal time period. Investigate all items still outstanding after that. Obtain a special cut-off statement as considered necessary.
c. Trace disposition of selected incoming and
outgoing return items recorded by correspondents on examination date and at least two days thereafter. d. Review control procedures for the origination of entries (i.e., incoming and outgoing wire transfers, IACHA items, etc.) and safeguarding of unissued drafts.
3. Investment Securities (and other assets considered
as investment securities, plus Federal Funds Sold, Securities Purchased under Agreement to Resell, and Banker's Acceptances) a. Reconcile subsidiary records for investments to the general ledger account and test significant reconciling items. Confirm with safekeeping agent, or if held in-house, physically inspect and check for proper safeguards. b. On a test basis, verify correctness and authorization of original entries by references to minutes of investment committee or board of directors' and to purchase, sale, and maturity advices.
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29 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023
c. Reconcile accrued interest receivable subsidiary
records to general ledger accounts and test significant reconciling items. Test the reasonableness of the individual balances by recalculating the accrued interest for a sample from each category of investment securities. d. Test income recorded by investment category through comparison to average asset balances and investigate unusual fluctuations between balances and/or calculated rates. e. For all securities, excluding marketable equity and trading account securities, reconcile unamortized premium and discount subsidiary records to general ledger accounts and test significant reconciling items. Test the reasonableness of the balances by recalculating the unamortized portion and comparing the recalculation to the bank's recorded unamortized premium/discount for a sample of investment securities. f. Determine that the lower of cost or market values were appropriately applied to marketable equity securities, as well as assets held in trading accounts.
4. Commercial, Agricultural, Installment, Real Estate,
Student, Credit Card Loans, and Discounts and Commercial Paper (and other assets considered as loans) a. Reconcile subsidiary records for each loan category to the general ledger account and test significant reconciling items. b. Reconcile accrued interest receivable subsidiary records to general ledger accounts and test significant reconciling items. Test the reasonableness of the individual balances by reviewing the accrual rates, recalculating the accrued interest, and comparing the recalculation to the bank's recorded accrued interest for a sample from each category of loans.
c. Test income recorded by loan category through
comparison to average asset balances and investigate unusual fluctuations between balances and/or calculated rates. d. Review and test the accrual procedures for manual systems by:
i. recalculating outstanding principal balances
from loan rate records to the general ledger account for the date of the accrual;
ii. recalculating daily accruals on a test basis;
iii. reviewing related journal entries;
iv. reviewing the most recent note-by-note
calculation of accrued interest and the related adjustment to the general ledger;
v. other steps as considered necessary.
e. Reconcile unearned income subsidiary records to general ledger accounts and test significant reconciling items. Test the reasonableness of the individual balances by recalculating the unearned income and comparing the recalculation to the bank's recorded unearned income for a sample of loans. f. Direct confirmation with borrowers.
i. Mail negative confirmation requests to at least
10 percent number and dollar of each loan category, excluding participation loans purchased and sold.
ii. Confirm all participation loans purchased and
sold. For participation loans purchased, secure a 100 percent positive confirmation with the selling bank. For participation loans sold, secure a 100 percent positive confirmation with the purchasing bank; negatively confirm 10 percent of the total balances with the borrower.
iii. Any positive confirmation request not
acknowledged shall be followed by a second confirmation request. A listing of significant positive confirmation requests not acknowledged after mailing of both a first and second request shall be included in the report. g. Review the allowance for loan losses.
i. Reconcile subsidiary records for charged-off
loans to control record and test significant reconciling items.
ii. Check all significant charge-offs for proper
authorization by the board of directors.
iii. Review test control procedures for loan chargeoffs and recoveries.
iv. Mail confirmation requests to a selected
number of customers whose loans have been charged-off, including some from prior years.
v. Trace details of activity recorded on individual
charged-off loan records to the allowance for loan loss general ledger account on a test basis. h. Compare the following information, where applicable, from subsidiary records to the loan document for all categories of loans on a test basis:
i. name(s) of borrower(s);
ii. original amount of loan (and current balance, if
applicable);
iii. original interest rate (if interest rate has
changed, trace to appropriate supporting documentation for the change);
iv. note date.
i. Schedule loans to officers, directors and their
related interests and notate if any are on the institution's watch list.
5. Fixed Assets
a. Reconcile cost and accumulated depreciation subsidiary records to the related general ledger accounts and test significant reconciling items. b. Test significant purchases and dispositions since the previous examination for proper authorization, classification. and recording, by reference to supporting documentation.
c. Review and test procedures for recording
depreciation expense and related allowance for depreciation.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 30
6. Other Assets
a. Reconcile pre-paid expense subsidiary records to the general ledger accounts and test significant reconciling items. Determine the reasonableness of the balances by comparing the original cost to supporting documentation, reviewing the amortization rate, recalculating the prepaid expense, and comparing the recalculation to the bank's recorded pre-paid expense on a test basis. b. Reconcile the subsidiary records for other real estate and other tangible property to the general ledger accounts and test significant reconciling items. Review and test the accounting procedures for the recording of other real estate or other tangible property, including income and expense attributable to such property.
c. Evaluate transactions concerning the sale and
financing of other real estate. Have transactions involving 100 percent financing or financing at less than market interest rates been properly booked in conformity with current accounting standards? d. Review procedures for recording commercial and standby letters of credit issued to third parties and balance to the control record. Confirm on a test basis with the customer. e. Review the calculations and propriety of deferred income tax charges as of the prior fiscal year-end and compare to the recorded amount. f. Determine if the bank is involved in one or more of the following activities and, if so, perform the procedures indicated below.
i. Lease Financing. Test for compliance with
generally accepted accounting principles.
ii. Discount Brokerage. Review and test
procedures (including segregation of duties) over the execution of trades.
iii. Insurance and/or Real Estate Agency.
Determine how the agency is owned. If the bank owns the agency, review and test significant assets and liabilities as considered appropriate. Review the adequacy of the accounting system.
iv. Real Estate Subsidiary
g. Review and test the propriety of any other asset accounts. Confirm and/or trace to supporting documentation as appropriate. B. Liability Accounts
Title 10, Part III
31 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023
2. Mail confirmation requests to a selected number of
deposit customers whose accounts have been closed since last examination.
3. Official Checks
a. Balance all categories and reconcile totals to the general ledger accounts. b. For at least two days subsequent to examination date, prove the total of all checks paid by day. Review selected paid checks for authored signatures and endorsements and for any unusual payees. Trace to the listing of official checks outstanding as of examination date to test for timely recording.
c. Review procedures for control of unissued
checks and test for compliance. d. Obtain a list of all outstanding official checks payable to the bank. Review the nature and propriety of the checks as considered necessary. e. Review procedures for classification of dormant official checks; method of control over the checks; and test for compliance.
4. Other Liabilities
a. Review and test the accounting procedures for recording income taxes and determine the reasonableness of the balances by:
i. determining that the prior fiscal year's income
tax liabilities were properly recorded;
ii. reviewing the calculation and propriety of
deferred income taxes as of the prior fiscal year-end and comparing it to the recorded amount;
iii. recalculating the current fiscal year's provision
for income taxes (through the prior month end) and comparing to the recorded amount. b. Confirm all federal funds purchased by positive verification.
c. Reconcile subsidiary records for other
borrowings (including items such as securities sold under agreement to repurchase, notes and mortgages payable, and capitalized leases) to the general ledger account and test significant reconciling items. Confirm each borrowing by positive verification. Test related interest accrual and expense accounts as considered necessary. d. Reconcile subsidiary records for accrued expenses and deferred revenue accounts to the general ledger accounts. Determine the reasonableness of the balances by reviewing the accrual rate, recalculating the balance and comparing the recalculation to the bank's recorded accrued expense and deferred revenue accounts on a test basis. e. Review and test any other liability accounts as to reasonableness and consistency. Confirm and trace to supporting documentation as considered appropriate.
C. Capital Accounts
1. Capital Stock. Reconcile subsidiary records for
capital stock to general ledger account. If applicable, request a listing from transfer agent/registrar and reconcile to general ledger. Ascertain that there is adequate control of unissued certificates.
2. Capital Notes and Debentures
a. Reconcile subsidiary records to the general ledger. b. Review all entries for compliance with terms of the agreement.
c. Test interest paid and interest accrued as
applicable. Check sinking fund payments, if any, for compliance with terms of the agreement. d. Confirm balances with holders on a test basis.
3. Surplus. Review all entries since last examination
for proper authorization by the board of directors.
4. Undivided Profits
a. Review the prior year-end closing entries for propriety on a test basis. b. Review all interim entries for proper authorization and accuracy.
c. Recompute the last dividend paid and agree to
authorization in the board of directors minutes. D. Other Income and Expense
1. Review other income and expense accounts not
tested in connection with balance sheet accounts by comparison with prior periods and investigate unusual fluctuations.
2. Review salary and benefit expenses for
comparability with prior periods and overall reasonableness, considering the number of employees and various pay classifications. E. Other Customer Services
1. Collection Items
a. Schedule selected outstanding items at the examination date; inspect items or confirm with holders. b. Examine credit or remittance advices, checks, or other evidence of payment applicable to scheduled items paid subsequent to examination date.
2. Safekeeping Department
a. Review accounting procedures for recording items held in safekeeping for customers. b. Inspect selected items on hand and confirm items held in custody by other banks.
c. Mail negative confirmation requests on a sample
of the customer safekeeping accounts.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 32
3. Loan Collateral
a. Inspect selected items on hand and confirm items held in custody by other banks. b. Mail negative confirmation requests on a sample of the loan collateral accounts.
c. Compare loan collateral with collateral receipts
outstanding on a test basis. d. Review the bank's procedures for receipt, custody, substitution, and release of that collateral.
4. Consignment Items. Determine the adequacy of
inventory records and control procedures over the unissued reserve supply of travelers checks, United States Savings Bonds, and other consignment items. If no quarterly internal surprise counts are performed or if they are not adequate, count all consignment items and confirm with the issuer(s). F. Trust Department
33 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 Title 10 FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC
Part V. Thrifts
Chapter 1. Reserved
Chapter 5. Mutual to Stock
Conversion
§501. Introduction
A. These rules govern the conversion of state-chartered savings and loan associations from mutual to stock form under the provisions of Sections 950 and 950.1 of Chapter 9 of Title 6 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:939 and R.S. 6:948. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 6:714 (December 1980). §503. Definitions A. As used in these rules:
Applicant―a mutual savings and loan association incorporated under the laws of the state of Louisiana which is applying to the Louisiana Commissioner of Financial Institutions, in his capacity as supervisor of Louisianachartered savings and loan associations, to convert to a capital stock savings and loan association. Capital Stock Association―an association incorporated under the provisions of the Louisiana Capital Stock Association Law. Commissioner―the Louisiana Commissioner of Financial Institutions in his capacity as supervisor of Louisiana-chartered savings and loan associations, or his successor. FSLIC―the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. Mutual Association―a savings and loan association organized and operated on a mutual basis under the provisions of Parts I through XVI of Chapter 9 of Title 6 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:948. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 6:714 (December 1980). §505. Application to Commissioner A. An applicant shall file with the commissioner five copies of an application for Approval of Conversion, with supporting exhibits, in the form required by the FSLIC, including Forms AC, PS and OC. The applicant shall also furnish to the commissioner such additional information as the commissioner may request which is not included in the applicant's filings with the FSLIC. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:948. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 6:714 (December 1980). §507. Content of Proposed Stock Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws A. Articles of Incorporation. As part of the application, the applicant shall submit to the commissioner proposed amended articles of incorporation as a capital stock savings and loan association which shall comply with the requirements of R.S. 6:942 with regard to de novo stock articles of incorporation, except that Subsections (5) and (8) of R.S. 6:942 shall not apply to the amended articles of incorporation for a Louisiana-chartered mutual savings and loan association converting to stock form. The proposed amended articles of incorporation shall specify that the name of the applicant, upon conversion, shall contain the wording "corporation," "incorporated," "limited," or "company," an abbreviation of one of such words or other words sufficient to distinguish capital stock associations from mutual associations. The proposed amended articles of incorporation shall also state that the stock savings and loan association resulted from the conversion of the association from mutual form. B. By-Laws. As part of the application, an applicant shall submit to the commissioner proposed stock by-laws which shall be similar as to content and form as the stock by-laws specified by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board for federally-chartered stock savings and loan associations, except
to the extent that such federal stock by-laws are inconsistent with Louisiana law. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:705 and R.S. 6:948. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 6:714 (December 1980). §509. Content of Applicant's Plan of Conversion A. The applicant's plan of conversion shall comply with the requirements of the FSLIC, including the determination of the eligibility record date and supplemental record date (if applicable) with respect to subscription rights to purchase the applicant's conversion stock, and provides that the total number of shares which officers and directors of the converting insured institution and their associates may purchase in the conversion shall not exceed 35 percent of the
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 34 total offering of shares in the case of a converting insured institution with total assets of less than $50 million, or 25 percent of the total offering of shares in the case of a converting insured institution with total assets of $500 million or more; in the case of converting insured institutions with total assets in excess of $50 million but less than $500 million, the percentage shall be no more than a correspondingly appropriate number of shares based on total asset size (for example, 30 percent in the case of a converting insured institution with total assets of $275 million). B. The applicant's plan of conversion may also provide for employment contracts for the applicant's officers and employees upon conversion and for a stock option plan (including a management incentive plan providing for stock options), which shall be subject to approval by the commissioner. The commissioner may require provisions in an applicant's plan of conversion in addition to the requirements of the FSLIC if he determines that such additional provisions are necessary for an equitable conversion. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:948. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 6:714 (December 1980), amended LR 8:470 (September 1982). §511. Standard for Approval of Application A. The commissioner will not approve a plan of conversion unless he finds that the plan is fair and equitable to the members of the applicant, that the interests of the applicant's savings account holders and the public are adequately protected, and that the plan conforms to regulatory requirements of the FSLIC. In approving an applicant's plan of conversion, the commissioner will also give preliminary approval by the applicant's proposed amended articles of incorporation and by-laws. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:939. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 6:714 (December 1980). §513. Vote by Applicant's Members on Plan of Conversion A. No plan of conversion shall be implemented unless it is approved at a meeting of the voting members of an applicant called to consider such action by a majority vote of the total number of votes eligible to be cast, in person or by proxy. Notice of the meeting, giving the time, place and purpose thereof, together with a proxy statement and proxy form approved by the commissioner covering all matters to be brought before the meeting, shall be mailed to the commissioner and each voting member of the applicant at such member's last address as shown on the books of the applicant at least 30 days before the date on which the meeting is to be held. B. The applicant shall file with the commissioner promptly after the meeting of the applicant's voting members called to consider the plan of
conversion a certified copy of each resolution adopted at such meeting relating to the plan of conversion, together with the following information:
Title 10, Part V
35 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:938 and R.S. 6:939. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 6:715 (December 1980).
Chapter 15. Related Organizations
and Services
Subchapter A. Service Organizations §1501. Generally A. An association or combination of associations may establish a service organization or purchase capital stock, obligations or other securities of such a service organization organized under the laws of the state of Louisiana subject to prior approval in writing of the commissioner. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:902(B). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 6:541 (September 1980). §1503. Definitions A. When used in this rule, the following words shall have the meanings as indicated. Association―a savings association, homestead building and loan association, savings and loan association or society chartered under Chapter 9, Title 6, Louisiana Revised Statutes. Commissioner―the Commissioner of Financial Institutions, State of Louisiana. Service Organizations―an organization substantially all the activities of which consist of making of consumer loans as defined by R.S. 9:3516(13), originating, purchasing, selling and servicing loans upon real estate and participating interests therein, or clerical, bookkeeping, accounting, statistical, appraising, computer or similar functions performed primarily for financial institutions, plus such other activities as the commissioner may approve. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:902(B). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 6:541 (September 1980). §1505. Application A. In order to obtain such approval, the applying association shall file with the commissioner documentation from which the commissioner shall determine that:
1. there are no serious supervisory problems which
would affect its ability to properly supervise and operate such subsidiary corporation;
2. there are adequate income and reserves to support
the proposed investment;
3. operations of the subsidiary corporation will be
clearly distinguishable from those of the parent association;
4. the subsidiary corporation is or will be profitably
operating within a reasonable period of time;
5. an audited financial statement in the event of
acquisition of an existing subsidiary corporation;
6. a certified resolution of the board of directors of the
applying association approving the investment in the subsidiary;
7. a certified copy of the Articles of Incorporation,
Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws of the subsidiary shall be filed with the commissioner. B. The commissioner may require submission of other pertinent information:
1. acquisition terms, cost or investment requirements
of the association;
2. projected operating statements of the proposed
subsidiary for its first three years of operation;
3. attorney's opinion letter as to direct, indirect and/or
contingent association and subsidiary liability;
4. outline of plans for operation of the subsidiary;
5. evidence that the subsidiary corporation will have
adequate management and operating personnel with proper supervision by association management;
6. plans for the safeguarding of subsidiary assets;
7. affidavits from all directors of an association and
subsidiary corporation fully disclosing any interest they may directly or indirectly have in the proposed or existing subsidiary.
C. Records of the subsidiary corporation will be made
available at all times to state and federal supervisory authority for examination and review. D. The subsidiary corporation will keep complete and adequate books and records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles where there are no specific accounting guidelines set forth by Louisiana rules and the regulations of the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:902(B). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 6:541 (September 1980). §1507. Pre-Authorized Subsidiary Investments A. Pre-authorized activities of a subsidiary corporation, performed directly or through one or more wholly owned subsidiaries or joint ventures shall consist of one or more of the following:
1. loan origination, purchasing, selling and servicing;
2. acquisition of unimproved real estate lots and other
unimproved real estate for the purpose of prompt development and subdividing;
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 36
3. development and subdivision of and construction of
improvements, including improvements to be used for commercial or community purposes when incidental to a housing project, for sale or for rental on, real estate referred to in §1507.A.2;
4. acquisition of improved residential real estate and
mobile home lots to be held for sale or rental;
5. acquisition of improved residential real estate for
remodeling, rehabilitation, modernization, renovation, or demolition and rebuilding for sale or for rental;
6. engage in real estate brokerage services if real
estate laws, rules and regulations are complied with;
7. serving as an insurance broker, agent, or
underwriter if insurance law, rules and regulations are complied with;
8. serving as a title insurance company if insurance
laws, rules and regulations are complied with;
9. preparation of state and federal tax returns;
10. acquisition of real estate to be used for association
offices and related facilities;
11. partial or complete ownership of computer center
that provides services for the parent association and others;
12. make consumer loans as outlined in R.S. 9:3510, et
seq;
13. perform debt collection services;
14. issue letters of credit as part of their commercial
lending;
15. operate coin and currency services by contracting
with Federal Reserve banks or commercial banks to make coin and currency available. This includes delivery and security arrangements;
16. engage in the leasing of consumer and business
goods;
17. a subsidiary may act as agent for the parent
association except that it shall not receive payments on new or established savings accounts, nor shall it perform any duties for the association other than those specifically authorized herein;
18. other activities which may be approved by the
commissioner.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:902(B). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 6:541 (September 1980), amended LR 8:471 (September 1982). §1509. Operations A. Each subsidiary corporation main office, branch, agency or any other type facility of the subsidiary corporation shall require prior written approval of the commissioner based on his findings of the facts as presented. B. A verified copy of all contracts, instruments, join ventures and partnership agreements and financing arrangements of the subsidiary investments shall be furnished to the commissioner within 30 days from date of approval.
C. The subsidiary agrees to furnish, at the expense of the
subsidiary or association, an independent appraiser's report or other expert opinion as determined to be necessary by the commissioner for the purpose of establishing the value of any investments made by the subsidiary corporation. D. Each subsidiary shall maintain bond coverage with an acceptable bonding company in an amount to adequately cover each director, officer, employee and agent who has access to cash or securities of the corporation. Such bond amount shall be in an amount equivalent to one percent of total assets but in no event shall be less than $25,000 nor more than $2,000,000. In lieu of a separate surety bond for the subsidiary, the association may obtain an extension rider to the surety bond coverage of the parent association. E. All joint ventures and partnership agreements shall be reviewed by the attorney for the subsidiary, who shall render his opinion to the commissioner stating the obligation and responsibility of the subsidiary, as well as the parent association. F. All directors of the association and subsidiary shall furnish affidavits fully disclosing any direct or indirect interest they may have in each investment made by the subsidiary. G. Each request for approval of an investment by a subsidiary shall include a projected cash flow statement and a projected profit and loss statement setting forth funding requirements of the parent association and/or others. H. An association's wholly owned subsidiary may operate a loan production office within a 100-mile radius of the main office, subject to the approval of the commissioner.
I. An association may invest in the partial ownership of
a service corporation which originates loans and performs other service functions, not only for the investing association, but for other investors as well; also employs and pays its own personnel, and uses its own selected name, then this type service organization could operate statewide, if approved by the commissioner. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:902(B). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 6:541 (September 1980). §1511. Investments and Debt Limitation A. Investments in subsidiary corporations shall include investment in its capital stock, obligations, both secured and unsecured, or other securities of the service corporation, and shall not, in the aggregate, exceed 10 percent of the association's total assets. The limitation does not apply to subsidiaries organized solely as a holding corporation for business property as outlined in R.S. 6:822(F).
Title 10, Part V
37 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 B. The subsidiary corporation engaged solely in the activities specified in §1507.A.1, may incur debt in a ratio of 10:1 of the subsidiary's consolidated net worth.
C. Subsidiary corporations engaged in activities other
than that authorized in §1507.A.1, shall not incur debt in the aggregate in excess of the parent association's net worth less the aggregate investment in all subsidiary capital stock, obligations, both secured and unsecured, and other securities of the subsidiary corporation. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:902(B). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 6:541 (September 1980), amended LR 8:471 (September 1982).
39 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 Title 10 FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC
Part VII. Savings Banks
Chapter 1. General Provisions
(Reserved)
Chapter 3. Conversions
§301. Scope
A. This rule is enacted pursuant to the Louisiana Savings Bank Act of 1990. Except as the commissioner may otherwise determine, the provisions of this rule shall exclusively govern the conversion of Louisiana statechartered savings banks from mutual to capital stock and no state savings bank shall convert to the capital stock form without the prior written approval of the commissioner. The commissioner may grant a waiver in writing from any requirement of this rule for good cause shown. The commissioner may adopt policies and procedures interpreting and implementing this rule. This rule supersedes all inconsistent articles of incorporation and bylaws of mutual savings banks converting to the stock form. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1069 (October 1995). §303. Definitions A. For purposes of this rule, the following terms shall have the following meanings. Acting in Concert― a. knowing participation in a joint activity or interdependent conscious parallel action towards a common goal whether or not pursuant to an express agreement; or a combination or pooling of voting or other interests in the securities of an issuer for a common purpose pursuant to any contract, understanding, relationship, agreement or other arrangement, whether written or otherwise; b. a person who acts in concert with another person ("other party") shall also be acting in concert with any person who is also acting in concert with that other party, except that an employee benefit plan will not be acting in concert with its trustee or a person who serves in a similar capacity solely for the purpose of determining whether stock held by the trustee and stock held by the plan will be aggregated. No officer or director of an applicant shall be deemed acting in concert with its trustee or a person who serves in a similar capacity solely for the purpose of determining whether stock held by the trustee and stock held by the plan will be aggregated. No officer or director of an applicant shall be deemed acting in concert with another officer or director merely by reason of holding those positions. Affiliate of, or a Person Affiliated With, a Specified Person―a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the person specified. Amount―pertaining to securities, means the principal if relating to evidence of indebtedness, the number of shares if relating to shares, or the number of units if relating to any other kind of security. Applicant―includes a Louisiana state-chartered savings bank organized in mutual form which is making an application for conversion under this rule and may also be referred to herein as the "converting savings bank." Associate―when indicating a relationship between persons, means:
a. any corporation or organization (other than the applicant or a majority-owned subsidiary of the applicant) of which the person, or members of the person's immediate family, is an officer, director or partner, or is directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of 10 percent or more of any class of equity securities; b. any trust, as defined in R.S. 9:1731, or other estate in which the person has a substantial beneficial interest or as to which the person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity. Except as otherwise provided, for purposes of §§305 or 307, associate does not include any tax-qualified or non-tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan in which a person has a substantial beneficial interest or serves as a trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity;
c. any relative or spouse of such person, or any
relative of such spouse, who has the same legal residence as or shares living quarters with such person; and d. a director or officer of any of the applicant's parent organizations, holding companies or subsidiaries. Broker-Dealer―a person in the business of effecting transactions in securities as defined in R.S. 51:702(5)(a). Capital Stock or Stock―includes permanent stock, guaranty stock, permanent reserve stock, common stock, preferred stock, convertible preferred stock and any similar certificate evidencing nonwithdrawable capital of an institution, holding company or a subsidiary of the savings bank or savings bank holding company. Commissioner―the Commissioner of Financial Institutions for the state of Louisiana, who is also the Commissioner of Securities.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 40 Control―the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. Deposit Account―part of the liability of the savings bank which is credited to the account of the holder thereof, including certificates of deposit. Deposit Account Holder―a person who holds a deposit account in an applicant and includes an eligible account holder and a supplemental eligible account holder. Eligible Account Holder―any person holding a qualifying deposit as determined in accordance with §309, but shall include only those account holders with savings accounts in place for a minimum of one year prior to the board of directors' adoption of the plan of conversion. Eligibility Record Date―the record date for determining eligible account holders of an applicant. Employee―a person employed by the applicant as specified in the plan of conversion, but does not include a director or officer of the applicant. Equity Security―any stock or similar security; or any security convertible, with or without consideration, into such a security, or carrying any warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase such security; or any such warrant or right. Local Community―all parishes in which the converting savings bank has its home office or a branch office, each parish's standard metropolitan statistical area or the general metropolitan area of each of these parishes and such other similar local area(s) as provided for in the plan of conversion, as approved by OFI. Market Maker―a dealer who, with respect to a particular security:
a. regularly publishes bona fide, competitive bid and offer quotations in a recognized inter-dealer quotation system; or b. furnishes bona fide competitive bid and offer quotations on request; and
c. is ready, willing and able to effect transactions in
reasonable quantities at his or her quoted prices with other broker-dealers. Material―when used to qualify a requirement for the furnishing of information as to any subject, limits the information required to those matters as to which an average prudent investor ought reasonably to be informed before purchasing an equity security of the applicant, or matters as to which an average prudent member of the applicant ought reasonably to be informed in voting upon the plan of conversion of the applicant. Member―any person qualifying as a member of a savings bank pursuant to its articles of incorporation and bylaws. Offer―every attempt or offer to dispose of, or solicitation of an offer to buy, a security or interest in a security, for value. Offer does not include preliminary negotiations or agreements between an applicant, or any person directly or indirectly controlled by an applicant, or under direct or common control with an applicant, and any underwriter or among underwriters who are or are to be in privity of contract with an applicant or any person on whose behalf an offer is to be made. Officer―the chair of the board of directors, president, vice presidents, secretary, treasurer or principal financial officer, comptroller or principal accounting officer, and any other person performing similar functions, whether incorporated or unincorporated. Person―an individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, a partnership, a limited liability partnership, an association, an institution, a joint-stock company, a trust, any unincorporated organization, a government or political subdivision, or any other organization. Proxy―includes every form of authorization by which a person is, or may be deemed to be, designated to act for an applicant's member in the exercise of his or her voting rights in the business of an applicant. An authorization may take the form of failure to dissent or object. Purchase and Buy―shall include every contract to acquire a security or interest in a security for value. Sale―includes every contract to sell or otherwise dispose of a security or interest in a security for value but does not include an exchange of securities in connection with a merger or acquisition approved under this rule. Security―includes any note, stock, treasury stock, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, transferable share, investment contract, voting trust certificate, or any instrument commonly known as a security; or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing. Solicitation and Solicit― a. any request for a proxy whether or not accompanied by or included in a form of proxy; b. any request to execute, not execute, or revoke a proxy; and/or
c. the furnishing of a form of proxy or other
communication to an applicant's members under circumstances reasonably calculated to result in the procurement, withholding or revocation of a proxy. The terms do not apply to the furnishing of a form of proxy to an applicant's member upon the unsolicited request of the member or to the performance of acts required by §327.I, or to the performance by any person of ministerial acts on behalf of a person soliciting a proxy. Subscription Offering―the offering of shares of capital stock, through nontransferable subscription rights issued pursuant to a plan of conversion. Subsidiary―of a specified person is a company or an affiliate controlled by such person, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries.
Title 10, Part VII
41 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 Supplemental Eligibility Record Date―the supplemental record date for determining supplemental eligible account holders of an applicant. Supplemental Eligible Account Holder―any person holding a qualifying deposit, except officers, directors and their associates, as of the supplemental eligibility record date. Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan―any defined benefit plan or defined contribution plan, such as an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), stock bonus plan, profit-sharing plan or other plan which, with its related trust, meets the requirements to be "qualified" under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. A "nontax-qualified employee stock benefit plan" is any defined benefit or defined contribution plan which is not so qualified. Underwriter―any person as defined by R.S. 51:702(20). AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1069 (October 1995). §305. Contents of Plan of Conversion A. Each plan of conversion shall contain all of the following provisions.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 42 shall be allocated on an equitable basis, as may be provided in the plan of conversion in a detailed description.
7. Other Voting Members
a. Savings bank voting members who are not either eligible account holders or supplemental eligible account holders shall receive, without payment, nontransferable subscription rights to purchase conversion stock in an amount equal to the greater of:
i. the maximum purchase limitations established
pursuant to Paragraph A.9 of this Section; or
ii. 1/10 of 1 percent of the total offering of shares.
b. The stock to be offered and sold in the subscription offering shall give a preference to voting members residing in the savings bank's local community or within 100 miles of its home or branch office(s). Subscription rights received under this Subparagraph shall be subordinated to all rights received by eligible account holders, employee benefit plans and supplemental eligible account holders under Paragraphs A.3, 4, 5 and 6 of this
Section. If there is an oversubscription, shares shall be
allocated among the subscribing voting members on such equitable basis as may be provided in the plan of conversion.
8. Public or Community Offering. Any shares of the
converting savings bank not sold to persons with subscription rights shall be sold either in a public offering through an underwriter, or directly by the converting savings bank in a direct community offering, subject to the applicant demonstrating to the commissioner the feasibility of the method of sale, an equitable plan of distribution, and to any conditions as may be provided in the plan of conversion. Those conditions are subject to the prior written approval of the commissioner. In a public offering, the stock should be offered and sold in a manner that will achieve the widest distribution of the stock. A direct community offering by the converting savings bank should give a preference to natural persons residing in the local community or within 100 miles of the savings bank's home or branch office(s). The maximum purchase limitations of Paragraph A.9 of this
Section apply to purchases made in the public and/or
community offerings.
9. Stock Purchase Limits in Conversion. The total of
shares which any person and any associate or group of persons acting in concert may subscribe for or purchase in the conversion, including any public or direct community offering, shall not exceed 5 percent of the total offering of shares, except that any one or more tax-qualified employee stock benefit plans may purchase in the aggregate not more than 10 percent of the total offering of shares. Shares held by one or more tax-qualified plans and attributable to a person shall not be aggregated with shares purchased directly by or otherwise attributable to that person.
10. Insiders' Aggregate Purchase Limits in Conversion.
The officers and directors of the converting savings bank and their associates may purchase in the conversion, in the aggregate, up to 35 percent of the total offering of shares if the applicant has less than $50,000,000 in total assets, and up to 25 percent of the total offering if the applicant has more than $500,000,000 in total assets. If the applicant has between $50 million and $500 million in total assets, the maximum percentage shall be equal to 35 percent minus one percent multiplied by the quotient of the total assets less $50 million divided by $45 million. In calculating the number of shares which may be purchased, any shares attributable to the officers and directors and their associates but held by one or more tax-qualified employee stock benefit plans shall not be included. In the case of merger conversions pursuant to this rule, any shares owned prior to the conversion by officers, directors, and their associates shall not be included in calculating the aggregate amount which may be purchased by such persons.
11. Post-Conversion Restrictions on Insiders' Stock
Purchases. For a period of three years following the conversion, officers, directors and their associates shall not purchase, without the prior written approval of the commissioner, the capital stock of the converted savings bank except from a broker-dealer registered with the Commissioner of Securities for the State of Louisiana and the Securities and Exchange Commission. This Paragraph shall not apply to:
a. purchases of stock made by and held by any one or more tax- or non-tax-qualified employee stock benefit plans which may be attributable to individual officers or directors; or b. negotiated transactions involving more than one percent of the outstanding capital stock of the converted institution.
12. Limits on the Acquisition of Securities. Limits on
the acquisition of securities of converting savings banks pursuant to §311 of this rule shall be described in detail in the plan of conversion.
13. Restrictions on Insiders' Stock Sales. All shares of
capital stock purchased by directors and officers on original issue in the conversion either directly from the savings bank (by subscription or otherwise) or from an underwriter, shall be subject to the restriction that the shares shall not be sold, for a period of at least one year following the date of purchase, except upon the death of the director or officer.
14. Restrictions Stated on Stock Certificate. In
connection with shares of capital stock subject to restriction on sale for a period of time:
a. each certificate of stock shall bear a legend stating the restriction; b. instructions shall be issued to the transfer agent for the converted savings bank's capital stock with respect to applicable restrictions on transfer of any restricted stock; and
c. any shares issued as a stock dividend, stock split
or otherwise relating to any restricted stock shall be subject to the same restrictions as apply to the restricted stock.
15. No Loans to Purchase Stock. The converting
savings bank shall not lend funds or otherwise extend credit on an unsecured basis or upon the security of the savings bank's capital stock to any person to purchase the capital stock of the converting savings bank.
Title 10, Part VII
43 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023
16. Contributions to Employee Benefit Plans. The
savings bank may make scheduled, discretionary contributions to tax-qualified employee benefit plans if the contributions do not cause the savings bank to fail to meet its regulatory capital requirements.
17. Marketing the Stock. The converting savings bank
shall:
a. use its best efforts to encourage and assist a market maker to establish and maintain a market for the securities; and b. use its best efforts to list shares issued in connection with the conversion on a national or regional securities exchange or on the NASDAQ quotation system.
18. Time Period for Conversion. A time period must be
established within which the conversion must be completed. The time period shall be not more than 12 months from the date the savings bank's members approve the plan of conversion. This time period may be extended up to an additional 12 months with the prior written approval of the commissioner. Further extensions may be granted for good cause shown.
19. Transfer of Deposit Accounts. Each deposit account
holder of the converting savings bank shall receive, without payment, withdrawable deposit accounts in the converted savings bank equal in withdrawable amount to the withdrawal value of the account holder's deposit accounts in the converting savings bank.
20. Liquidation Accounts. A liquidation account shall
be established and maintained, pursuant to §315, for the benefit of deposit account holders if a complete liquidation of the converted savings bank occurs. A savings bank shall include in its articles of incorporation the following section:
"LIQUIDATION ACCOUNT. The savings bank shall establish and maintain a liquidation account for the benefit of its deposit account holders as of the eligibility and/or supplemental eligibility record date. If there is a complete liquidation, it shall comply with any laws and rules with respect to the amount and the priorities on liquidation of each of the savings bank's (eligible/supplemental eligible) account holder's interest in the liquidation account, to the extent it is still in existence. However, an account holder's interest in the liquidation account shall not entitle that person to any voting rights at meetings of the stockholders."
21. Voting Rights. The holders of the capital stock of
the converted savings bank shall have exclusive voting rights.
22. Reasonable Expenses. The expenses incurred in the
conversion shall be reasonable. The plan of conversion shall state, in approximate amounts, the categories of expenses incurred.
23. Fairness of the Plan. The plan of conversion shall
not contain any provision which the commissioner may determine to be inequitable or detrimental to the applicant, its deposit account holders or any other savings bank, or to be contrary to the public or community interest.
24. Amendments. The plan of conversion may be
amended by the board of directors prior to the solicitation of proxies from members to vote on the plan, and at any time thereafter with the prior written approval of the commissioner. The conversion may be terminated by the board of directors at any time prior to the meeting of members called to consider the plan and at any later time with the commissioner's prior written approval.
25. Additional Info. The application shall include such
additional information as the commissioner directs.
26. Full Disclosure Required. The plan of conversion,
proxy and offering materials must contain thorough disclosures of all material facts and particularly as to all benefits which may be obtained by any person in the conversion. In addition, they shall address in detail:
a. the benefits to officers, directors, their associates, the applicant's employees and nonmembers (including charitable or community organizations) and any compensation agreements that will be entered into, with disclosure in chart form in addition to any textual descriptions; b. the reasons for the conversion, including the relative advantages and disadvantages of undertaking the transaction proposed instead of other types of conversions and a comparison of any competing offers if merger or acquisition by or with another institution is involved;
c. whether management believes the conversion is
in the best interests of the savings bank and its account holders, and the basis of that belief; and d. the fiduciary duties owed to account holders by the savings bank's officers and directors and why the conversion is in accord with those duties and is otherwise equitable to the account holders and the savings bank. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1069 (October 1995). §307. Optional Provisions in Plan of Conversion A. A plan of conversion may provide any of the following, subject to the stated restrictions.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 44 and/or maximum dollar and/or numerical share limits. Such limits shall be reasonable and fair in consideration of factors such as the size of the applicant, the amount of the typical qualifying deposit in the applicant, the reasons for such limitations, and other factors. Such limits are subject to approval by the commissioner.
3. Requirement That Offering Circular Be Requested.
The converting savings bank may require its members and/or eligible account holders and supplemental eligible account holders who are not voting members pursuant to §329.D, (collectively referred to hereafter as "such persons") to return by a reasonable date certain a postage-paid written communication provided by the converting savings bank requesting receipt of a subscription offering circular, or a preliminary or final offering circular in an offering under Paragraph A.4 of this Section, in order to be entitled to receive an offering circular from the converting savings bank, provided that such offering shall not be closed until the expiration of 30 days after the mailing to such members of the postage-paid written communication. If such offering is not commenced within 45 days after the meeting of members, the converting savings bank that has adopted this optional provision shall transmit no more than 30 days prior to the commencement of such offering, to each of such members who had been furnished with either a notice or proxy soliciting materials, written notice of the commencement of the offering, which shall state that the converting savings bank is not required to furnish an offering circular to such members unless they return by a reasonable date certain the postage-paid written communication provided, requesting receipt of an offering circular.
4. Procedure for Exercising Subscription Rights.
Instead of a separate subscription offering, all subscription rights issued in connection with the conversion may be exercisable by delivery of properly completed and executed order forms to the underwriters or selling group for the public offering or pursuant to any other procedure, subject to the applicant demonstrating to the commissioner the feasibility of the method of exercising the rights and the conditions as provided in the plan of conversion.
5. Unsold Shares. Any insignificant residue of shares
of the converting savings bank not sold in the subscription, public or community offering may be sold in another manner as provided in the plan with the commissioner's approval.
6. Sale of Discounted Stock. The plan may require a
six-month holding period prior to the sale of the converted institution's stock which was sold at a discount in connection with the conversion or a merger.
7. Local Community Preference. The plan may give a
preference in the purchase of shares in the subscription offering to eligible and supplemental eligible account holders residing in the savings bank's local community or within 100 miles of the savings bank's home or branch office(s).
8. Other Provisions. The commissioner may approve
other provisions as are reasonable or necessary for the conversion. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1069 (October 1995). §309. Determination of Amount of Qualifying Deposits A. Unless otherwise provided in the plan of conversion, the amount of the qualifying deposit of an eligible account holder or a supplemental eligible account holder shall be the total of the deposit balances in the person's deposit accounts in the converting savings bank as of the close of business on the eligibility record date or the supplemental eligibility record date. However, the plan of conversion may provide that any deposit accounts with total deposit balances of less than $100 shall not constitute a qualifying deposit. In this
Section, "deposit account" includes a predecessor or
successor account of a given deposit account which is held only in the same right and capacity and on substantially the same terms and conditions as the given deposit account. However, the plan of conversion may provide for lesser requirements for consideration as a predecessor or successor account. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1069 (October 1995). §311. Prohibited Stock Transfers, Offers, and PostConversion Acquisition Limit; Stock Options and Insider Benefits A. Prohibited Transfers. Except as provided in Paragraph D.1, 2 or 5 of this Section, prior to the completion of a conversion, no person shall transfer or receive, or enter into any agreement to transfer or receive, the legal or beneficial ownership of conversion subscription rights, or the underlying securities, to or from another. Violations of this Subsection may void the person's subscription rights. B. Prohibition of Offers and Certain Acquisitions. Except as provided in Paragraph D.1, 2 or 5, prior to the completion of a conversion, no person shall offer, or announce an offer, for any security of the converting savings bank issued in connection with the conversion nor shall any person knowingly acquire securities of the converted savings bank issued in connection with the conversion in excess of the maximum purchase limitations established in the applicant's plan of conversion and allowed by this rule.
C. Limitation on Acquisitions of Stock for Three to Five
Years Following Conversion
Title 10, Part VII
45 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 counted as shares entitled to vote and shall not be voted by any person or counted as voting shares in any matter submitted to the stockholders for a vote. Shares held by one or more tax-qualified employee stock benefit plans and attributed to a person shall not be aggregated with shares purchased directly by or otherwise attributable to that person. Shares held by non-tax-qualified employee benefit or similar plans shall be so aggregated. The limitations discussed in this Paragraph shall be contained in the plan of conversion and in the articles of incorporation of the converting institution.
2. A conversion shall be deemed complete on the date
all of the conversion stock was sold.
3. An acquisition of shares shall be presumed to have
been made if the acquirer entered into a binding written agreement for the transfer of shares. An offer shall be deemed made when communicated.
4. The commissioner may deny an application
involving an offer or acquisition of any security or proxies to vote securities of a converted savings bank submitted under this Subsection C if the proposed acquisition:
a. would frustrate the purposes of this rule; b. would be manipulative or deceptive;
c. would subvert the fairness of the conversion;
d. would be likely to result in injury to the savings bank; e. would not be consistent with economical home financing; f. would otherwise violate a law or rule; or g. would not contribute to the prudent deployment of the savings bank's conversion proceeds.
5. Pursuant to R.S. 6:1237, any person acting directly
or indirectly or through or in concert with one or more persons, shall give the commissioner 60 days written notice of intent to acquire control of 10 percent or more of a savings bank or savings bank affiliate. D. Exceptions
1. Subsections A and B of this Section shall not apply
to a transfer, agreement, understanding to transfer, offer, or announcement of an offer or intent to make an offer which:
a. pertains only to securities to be purchased under §305.A.8 (public or community offering), §307.A.5 (unsold shares), or §307.A.8 (other provisions); and b. has the prior written approval of the commissioner.
2. Subsections B and C of this Section shall not apply
to any offer with a view toward public resale made exclusively to the savings bank or to the underwriters or a selling group acting on its behalf.
3. Unless made applicable by the commissioner by
prior notice in writing, Subsection C shall not apply to any offer or announcement of an offer which, if consummated, would result in the acquisition by a person, together with all other acquisitions by the person of the same class of securities during the preceding 12-month period, of not more than one percent of the same class of securities.
4. Subsection C shall not apply to any offer to acquire
or acquisition of the beneficial ownership of more than 10 percent of the common stock of a savings bank by a corporation whose ownership is or will be substantially the same as the ownership of the savings bank if the offer or acquisition is made more than one year following the date of completion of the conversion.
5. Subsections A, B and C shall not apply to the
acquisition of securities of a savings bank or its holding company by any one or more tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan(s) of such savings bank or holding company, provided that, the plan(s) do not have beneficial ownership in the aggregate of more than 25 percent of any class of equity security of the converted savings bank or holding company. E. Use of Stock Option and Management or Employee Stock Benefit Plans. No converted savings bank shall, for a one-year period from the date of the conversion, implement a stock option plan or management or employee stock benefit plan, other than a tax-qualified plan complying with this rule, unless each of the following requirements are met:
1. each of the plans was fully disclosed in the proxy
soliciting and conversion stock offering materials;
2. all such plans, prior to their establishment and
implementation, are approved by the holders of a majority of the total votes eligible to be cast at any duly called annual or special meeting of the shareholders of the savings bank or its holding company, to be held no earlier than six months after completion of the conversion;
3. in the case of a savings bank subsidiary of a mutual
holding company, all such plans, prior to their establishment and implementation, are approved by the holders (other than its parent mutual holding company) of a majority of the total votes eligible to be cast at any duly called annual or special meeting of shareholders, to be held no earlier than six months after completion of the conversion;
4. for stock option plans, stock options are granted at
not less than the market price at which the stock is trading at the time of grant;
5. for management or employee stock benefit plans,
no conversion stock is used to fund the plans;
6. the commissioner may limit the number of shares
or percent of total shares issued in the conversion which may be sold to or granted to particular persons, including management or employee stock benefit plans; and
7. prior to implementation, all such plans are
submitted to the commissioner for review and approval in accordance with the foregoing standards. In connection with such review, the commissioner shall consider all relevant supervisory information, including, among other things, the savings bank's capital level, operating history and size of the savings bank.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 46 AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1069 (October 1995). §313. Manipulative and Deceptive Devices Prohibited A. In the offer, sale or purchase of securities issued incident to its conversion, no savings bank or any director, officer, attorney, agent or employee thereof shall:
1. employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud;
or
2. obtain money or property by means of any untrue
statement of a material fact or any omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or
3. engage in any act, transaction, practice or course of
business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon a purchaser or seller. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1069 (October 1995). §315. Liquidation Account A. Requirement. At the time of conversion, each applicant shall establish a liquidation account in an amount equal to the amount of net worth of the converting savings bank prior to conversion. The applicant shall use the net worth figure no later than that set forth in its latest statement of financial condition contained in the final offering circular. The function of the liquidation account is to establish a priority on liquidation and, except as provided in §319.B, the existence of the liquidation account shall not restrict the use or application of any of the net worth accounts of the converted savings bank. B. Purpose. The liquidation account shall be maintained by the savings bank for the benefit of eligible account holders and supplemental eligible account holders who maintain their deposit accounts in the converted savings bank. Each eligible account holder and supplemental eligible account holder shall, with respect to each deposit account held, have a related inchoate interest in a portion of the liquidation account balance ("subaccount").
C. Distribution. In the event of a complete liquidation of
the converted savings bank, each eligible account holder and supplemental eligible account holder shall be entitled to receive a liquidation distribution from the liquidation account, in the amount of the then current adjusted subaccount balances for deposit accounts held, before any liquidation distribution may be made with respect to capital at the time of the conversion in exchange for the surrender of mutual capital certificates issued by the applicant prior to conversion. A merger, consolidation, sale of bulk assets or similar combination or transaction with another institution is not considered a complete liquidation for these purposes, and in this kind of transaction, the liquidation account shall be assumed by the surviving depository institution. Preferred stock issued in exchange for mutual capital certificates may receive distributions in liquidation prior to distribution from the liquidation account to the holders of the mutual capital certificates that would have been entitled to priority over the residual rights of depositors had the savings bank not been converted as of the date of liquidation. D. Calculating Individual Distributions. The initial subaccount balance for a deposit account held by an eligible account holder and/or supplemental eligible account holder shall be determined by multiplying the opening balance in the liquidation account by a fraction of which the numerator is the amount of qualifying deposits in such savings account on the eligibility record date and the denominator is the total amount of qualifying deposits of all eligible account holders and supplemental eligible account holders in the converting savings bank on such dates. For deposit accounts in existence at both dates, separate subaccounts shall be determined on the basis of the qualifying deposits in such accounts on the record dates. The initial subaccount balances shall not be increased, and it shall be subject to downward adjustment under Subsection E of this Section. E. Account and Subaccount Balances 1.a. If the balance in any deposit account of an eligible account holder or supplemental eligible account holder at the close of business on any annual closing date subsequent to the respective record dates is less than the lesser of:
i. the balance in the deposit account at the close
of business on any other annual closing date subsequent to the eligibility record date or supplemental eligibility record date; or
ii. the amount of qualifying deposit as of the
eligibility record date or the supplemental eligibility record date; b. then the subaccount balance for the deposit account shall be adjusted by reducing the subaccount balance in an amount proportionate to the reduction in the deposit balance.
2. If a downward adjustment is made, the subaccount
balance shall not be subsequently increased, notwithstanding any increase in the deposit balance of the related deposit account. The converted savings bank shall not be required to recompute the liquidation account and subaccount balances provided the converted savings bank maintains records sufficient to make necessary computations in the event of a complete liquidation or any other events requiring a computation of the balance of the liquidation account. The liquidation subaccount of an account holder shall be maintained for as along as the account holder maintains an account with the same Social Security number. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1069 (October 1995).
Title 10, Part VII
47 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 §317. Grounds for Denial of Application for Conversion A. The commissioner may disapprove an application for conversion if:
1. the plan of conversion adopted by the applicant's
board of directors is not in compliance with this rule or policies of OFI, or would violate another law or regulation;
2. the conversion would cause the applicant to fail to
meet the regulatory capital requirements of R.S. 6:1206;
3. the conversion may result in a taxable
reorganization of the applicant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
4. the converted savings bank would not have its
accounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC);
5. the commissioner determines that the application
for conversion is manipulative, deceptive, or subverts the fairness of the conversion; or
6. the commissioner determines that the conversion is
likely to result in injury to the savings bank;
7. the conversion will not meet the convenience and
needs of the communities to be served by the converted savings bank. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1069 (October 1995). §319. Prohibition on Repurchases of Stock and Restrictions on Payment of Dividends A. Stock Repurchases Prohibited. A converted savings bank shall, pursuant to R.S. 6:1341, be subject to the provisions of R.S. 6:416, which prohibits the savings bank from purchasing or owning directly or indirectly any of its own stock or the stock of its parent company unless the stock has been subsequently taken for a debt previously contracted, in which case the stock shall not be held for more than one year. B. Dividend Payment Restrictions. No converted savings bank shall declare or pay a dividend on any of its capital stock, if the effect would cause the regulatory capital of the savings bank to be reduced below the amount required for its liquidation account. Any dividend declared or paid on a converted savings bank's capital stock shall be in compliance with R.S. 6:1207. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1069 (October 1995). §321. Statements Prior to Approval of Plan of Conversion A. Keeping Conversion Plans Confidential. A savings bank considering converting under this rule and its directors, officers and employees shall keep such consideration confidential and shall only discuss the potential conversion as necessary to prepare information for filing an application for conversion. If this confidence is breached, the commissioner may require remedial measures, including:
1. a public statement by the savings bank that its
board of directors is currently considering converting, pursuant to this rule;
2. providing for an eligibility record date so as to
assure the conversion is equitable;
3. limitation of the subscription rights of any person
violating or aiding the violation of this Section; and/or
4. any other actions the commissioner may deem
appropriate and necessary to assure the fairness and equity of the conversion. B. Public Statement. If it should become essential as a result of rumors prior to the adoption of a plan of conversion by the applicant's board of directors, a public statement under Paragraph A.1 of this Section may be made by the applicant. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1069 (October 1995). §323. Actions after Board Approves Conversion A. Promptly after the adoption of a plan of conversion by not less than two-thirds of its board of directors:
1. the savings bank shall:
a. notify its members of the action by publishing notice in a newspaper having general circulation in each community in which the home office and a branch office of the savings bank is located and/or by mailing a letter to each member. Copies of the published statement with publisher's affidavit of publication and any letter shall be filed with the commissioner as part of the application for conversion; and b. have copies of the plan of conversion available for inspection by its members at each office;
2. the savings bank may also issue a press release with
respect to the action. Copies of the press release shall be filed with the commissioner as part of the application for conversion;
3. the statement, letter, and press release, unless
otherwise authorized by the commissioner upon a showing that the fairness or accuracy requires additional disclosures, shall be limited to, but need not contain all of, the following:
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 48 a. a statement that at least two-thirds of the board of directors has adopted a proposed plan to convert the savings bank from mutual to stock ownership; b. a statement that the proposed plan of conversion must be approved by at least a majority of the votes eligible to be cast either in person or by proxy by members at a meeting at which the plan will be submitted for their approval;
c. a statement that existing proxies held with
respect to voting rights in the institution will not be voted regarding the conversion, and that new proxies will be solicited for voting on the proposed plan of conversion; d. a statement that a proxy statement setting forth more detailed information with respect to the proposed plan of conversion will be sent to members prior to the meeting of members; e. a statement that the proposed plan of conversion is subject to approval by the commissioner and, if applicable, by appropriate (named) federal regulatory authorities before such plan can become effective, and that members of the applicant will have an opportunity to file written comments with the commissioner, including any objections and materials supporting such objections; f. a statement that the proposed plan is contingent upon obtaining favorable tax rulings or opinions; g. a statement that there is no assurance that the approval of the commissioner or of federal authorities (named) will be obtained, and also no assurance that favorable tax rulings or tax opinions will be received; h. the proposed record date for determining the eligible account holders entitled to receive nontransferable subscription rights to purchase capital stock of the applicant;
i. a brief statement describing the circumstances
that would require supplemental eligible account holders to receive nontransferable subscription rights to purchase capital stock of the applicant; j. a brief statement as to the extent to which voting members will participate in the conversion; k. a brief description of the proposed plan of conversion;
l. the par value (if any) and approximate number of
shares of capital stock to be issued and sold under the proposed plan of conversion; m. a brief statement as to the extent to which directors, officers, employees, their associates and associates of the applicant will participate in the conversion; n. a statement that deposit account holders will continue to hold accounts in the converted savings bank identical as to dollar amount, rate of return, and general terms, and that their accounts will continue to be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); o. a statement that borrower's loans will be unaffected by conversion, and that the amount, rate, maturity, security, and other conditions will remain contractually fixed as they existed prior to conversion; p. a statement that the normal business of the savings bank in accepting deposits and making loans will continue without interruption; and that the converted savings bank will continue after conversion to conduct its present services to deposit account holders and borrowers under current policies to be carried on in existing offices and by the present management and staff; q. a statement that the proposed plan of conversion may be substantively amended by the board of directors as a result of comments from regulatory authorities prior to the meeting and that the proposed plan may also be terminated by the board of directors; and r. a statement that questions of members will be answered in the proxy material to be sent after the regulatory approvals of the proposed plan of conversion have been obtained and that any questions at this time may be answered by telephoning or writing to the savings bank.
4. Such statement, letter, and/or press release shall not
in any manner solicit proxies, include financial statements, or describe the benefits of conversion or the value of the capital stock of the savings bank upon conversion. In replying to inquiries, the savings bank shall limit its answers to the matters listed in Paragraph A.3 of this Section. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1069 (October 1995). §325. Notice of Filing A. Form of Required Publication. Upon the commissioner's determination that an application for conversion is properly executed and is materially complete, he or she shall advise the applicant, in writing, to promptly publish a notice of the filing of the application. After receipt of the advice, the applicant shall prominently post the notice in each of its offices and publish the notice in a newspaper having general circulation in each community in which any office of the applicant is located, as follows:
NOTICE OF FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR CONVERSION TO A STOCK SAVINGS BANK NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that ___________________ _____________________ (name of applicant) has filed an application with the Commissioner of the Office of Financial Institutions for the State of Louisiana for approval to convert from a mutual to a stock savings bank. The original copy of the application is on file with the Commissioner of the Office of Financial Institutions, 8401 United Plaza Boulevard, Suite 200, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70809, and is available for public inspection or copying. A copy of the plan may also be inspected at any office of the applicant. Written comments, including objections to the plan of conversion and materials supporting the objections, from any member of the applicant or any aggrieved person will be considered by the commissioner if postmarked within twenty (20) calendar days after the publication of this notice. The commissioner may, in his discretion, and upon written request, extend the twenty (20) day comment period for an additional twenty (20) calendar days. Failure to timely file written comments may preclude the pursuit of any judicial or administrative remedies. Any such comments received will be available for inspection by any member of the applicant at the commissioner's office.
Title 10, Part VII
49 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 B. Verifying Publication. After publication of the notice, the applicant shall promptly file with the commissioner a copy of the published notice and a publisher's affidavit of publication from each newspaper in which the notice was published. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1069 (October 1995). §327. Requirements as to Proxies A. Solicitations to Which This Rule Applies. This
Section applies to every solicitation of a proxy from a
member of a savings bank for the meeting at which a conversion plan will be voted upon, except the following.
1. Any solicitation made other than on behalf of the
management of the savings bank where the total number of persons solicited is not more than 50.
2. Any solicitation in a newspaper advertisement
which informs the savings bank's members, following approval of the plan of conversion, of a source from which they may obtain copies of a proxy statement, form of proxy, or any other solicitation material and does no more than:
a. name the savings bank; b. state the reason for the advertisement;
c. identify the proposal or proposals to be acted
upon by members; and d. urge members to vote at the meeting. B. Use of Proxy Solicitation Material Must Be Authorized. No proxy solicitation material required to be filed with the commissioner prior to use shall be furnished to savings bank members or otherwise released for distribution until the use of such material has been authorized in writing by the commissioner. Proxy material authorized for use by the commissioner shall be mailed to the members within 10 business days of such authorization unless extended by the commissioner in writing upon a showing that adherence to the 10-day rule would work a hardship upon the savings bank and that the delay, if approved, would not be disadvantageous to any interested party. In addition, such proxy material shall be given to each savings bank member at least 20 days prior to the date of the meeting of members to vote on the plan of conversion, pursuant to §329.C.
C. Proxy Statement Must Be Furnished. No proxy
solicitation under this Section shall be made unless each person solicited is concurrently furnished, or has previously been furnished, by mail, a written proxy statement, the use of which has been authorized in writing by the commissioner pursuant to Subsection B of this Section. D. Requirements as to Form of Proxy. The proxy form shall:
1. indicate in bold face type whether the proxy is
solicited on behalf of the management;
2. provide designated blank spaces for dating and
signing the proxy;
3. identify clearly and impartially each matter or
group of related matters intended to be voted upon;
4. be clearly labeled "Revocable Proxy;"
5. describe any article of incorporation or state law or
rule requirement restricting or conditioning voting by proxy;
6. contain an acknowledgment by the person solicited
that he or she has received a proxy statement prior to signing the form;
7. state the date, time and place of meeting, if
practical;
8. provide, by a box or otherwise, a means whereby
the person solicited may specify a choice between approval or disapproval of each matter intended to be acted upon; and
9. indicate in bold type how the proxy shall be voted
on those matters to which no choice is specified. E. Limited Proxy. No proxy obtained pursuant to the conversion may confer authority to vote at any meeting other than the meeting or any adjournment thereof, to vote on the plan of conversion. A proxy confers authority to vote with respect to all matters incident to the conduct of such meeting. If the plan of conversion is considered at an annual meeting, existing proxies may be voted on matters not related to the plan of conversion. F. Voting of Proxies. The proxy statement or form of proxy shall provide that the votes represented by the proxy will be voted. Where the person solicited, by means of a ballot provided pursuant to Paragraph D.8 of this Section, specifies a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the votes will be cast in accordance with the specifications so made, and if no choice is so specified, the votes will be cast as indicated on the form of proxy. G. No Prior Proxies May Be Used. Each voting member must be furnished a form of proxy conforming with Subsection D of this Section. No applicant shall use previously executed proxies. H. Materials Required to Be Filed
1. Applicants shall file preliminary copies of the
proxy materials with the commissioner. Such materials shall be presented on forms required by the commissioner.
2. Preliminary copies of any additional solicitation
material subject to this Section, including press releases and radio or television scripts, to be used or furnished to members subsequent to furnishing the proxy statement, shall be filed with the commissioner at least five business days prior to the date on which the commissioner is requested to authorize the use of such material. Speeches may, but need not be, filed with the commissioner prior to use.
3. Copies of the proxy statement and of the form of
proxy and all other solicitation material, in the form in which such material is furnished to members, shall be filed with the commissioner not later than the date such material is first sent or given to members. All such materials filed shall be accompanied by a statement of the date on which copies of such materials are to be released to members.
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4. If the solicitation is to be made in whole or in part
by personal solicitation, preliminary copies of all written instructions or other written material which discusses or reviews, or comments upon the merits of, any matter to be acted upon and which is to be furnished to the individuals making the actual solicitation for their use directly or indirectly in connection with the solicitation shall be filed with the commissioner at least five business days prior to the date on which the commissioner is requested to authorize the use of such material.
5. All preliminary copies of material filed pursuant to
this Section shall be clearly marked on the cover page "Preliminary Copy." Such preliminary copies shall be public unless otherwise deemed confidential by law or rule. The commissioner may make such inquiries or investigation in regard to the material as may be necessary for an adequate review.
6. Unless requested by the commissioner, copies of
replies to inquiries from members and copies of communications which do no more than request that forms of proxy theretofore solicited be signed and returned need not be filed pursuant to Subsection H of this Section.
7. Where any proxy statement, form of proxy or other
material filed pursuant to Subsection H of this Section is amended or revised, a copy of such amended or revised material filed with the commissioner shall be marked to indicate clearly and precisely the changes effected subsequent to the previous filing.
I. Mailing Communications for Members. If the
applicant has adopted a plan of conversion, the applicant shall perform any of the following acts which may be requested in writing with respect to a matter to be considered at the meeting to vote on the plan of conversion by any member who will defray the reasonable expenses to be incurred by the applicant in the performance of the acts requested.
1. The applicant shall furnish to the requesting
member the following information as promptly as practicable after the receipt of a request:
a. a statement of the approximate number of members who have been or are to be solicited on behalf of the board of directors, or any group of such holders which the savings bank member shall designate; and b. an estimate of the cost of mailing a specified proxy statement, form of proxy or other communication to the members.
2. The applicant shall mail copies of any proxy
statement, form of proxy or other communication furnished by the member and as approved by the commissioner, to such of the savings bank's members specified in Subparagraph I.1.a of this Section as the requesting member may designate.
3. Any material which is furnished by the member
shall be mailed with reasonable promptness after receipt of the material to be mailed, envelopes or other containers therefor, and postage or the payment of costs of mailing.
4. Neither the management nor the applicant shall be
responsible for another person's proxy statement, form of proxy, or other communication. J. False or Misleading Statements
1. No solicitation of a proxy by the applicant or any
other person of a proxy for the meeting to vote on the plan of conversion shall be made by means of any communication, written or oral, which contains any statement which, at the time and in the light of the circumstances under which it is made, is false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or which omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements not false or misleading, or necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication with respect to the solicitation of a proxy for the meeting which has become false or misleading.
2. The fact that material has been filed with, examined
by or authorized for use by the commissioner shall not be deemed a finding that the material is accurate or complete or not false or misleading or that the commissioner has passed upon the merits of or approved any proposal contained therein. No representation to the contrary shall be made by any person. K. Correction of Proxy Statements. If a proxy solicitation violates this Section, the commissioner may require remedial measures including:
1. correction of the violation by means of a retraction
and new solicitation;
2. rescheduling the meeting for a vote on the
conversion; and/or
3. any other actions deemed appropriate by the
commissioner in the circumstances in order to ensure a fair vote.
L. Prohibition of Certain Solicitations. No person
soliciting a proxy from a member for the meeting to vote on conversion shall solicit any of the following:
1. an undated or post-dated proxy;
2. any proxy which provides that it shall be deemed to
be dated as of any date subsequent to the date in which it is signed by the member;
3. a proxy which is not revocable at will by the
member; or
4. a proxy which is part of any other document or
instrument (such as an account card).
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1069 (October 1995).
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51 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 §329. Vote by Members A. Procedure. Following approval by the commissioner, the plan of conversion shall be submitted to a meeting of members under provisions of the savings bank's articles of incorporation or bylaws or both. B. Determining Members Eligible to Vote. The record date for determining those members eligible to vote at the meeting called to consider a plan of conversion shall not be more than 40 days nor less than 10 days prior to the date of such meeting, pursuant to R.S. 6:1186.
C. Notice to Members. Notice of the meeting to consider
the plan of conversion shall be given to the savings bank members by means of the proxy statement authorized for use by the commissioner. Such notice shall be mailed to the members within 10 business days of such authorization, unless extended by the commissioner pursuant to §327.B. In addition, such notice shall be given to each savings bank member at least 20 days prior to the date of the meeting. Such notice shall also be sent to each beneficial holder of an account held in a fiduciary capacity, where such holder possesses voting rights. D. Notice to Nonvoting Members. The applicant may give notice of the proposed conversion and the meeting of members by letter or other written communication authorized for use by the commissioner to eligible account holders and supplemental eligible account holders who are not voting members. E. Required Vote. The plan shall be approved by a vote of at least a majority of the total votes entitled to be cast by eligible members, except that a plan of merger shall receive the affirmative vote of two-thirds or more of the total votes entitled to be cast by eligible members, pursuant to R.S. 6:1277. Voting may be in person or by proxy, as authorized by this rule. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1069 (October 1995). §331. Pricing and Sale of Securities A. General
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 52 of stock sold in the subscription offering unless the plan contains the optional provisions permitted by §307.A.4. However, an underwriter may be reimbursed for accountable expenses in connection with the subscription offering where the public offering is limited such that reasonable underwriting commissions thereon would not be sufficient to cover total accountable expenses and, in the case in which no public offering occurs, an underwriter may be paid a consulting fee reasonable under the circumstances as the commissioner shall accept. In this Section, "underwriting commissions" includes underwriting discounts. F. Pricing Materials
1. The applicant shall submit a full appraisal report on
the value of the converting savings bank and the pricing of the stock to be sold in the conversion. The report must be prepared by an independent appraiser and must include a complete and detailed description of the elements that make up an appraisal report, justification for the methodology employed and sufficient support for the conclusions reached therein. The appraisal shall also include a full discussion of the applicability of each peer group member and documented analytical evidence supporting any variance (above or below) the savings bank proposing to convert may have from the peer group statistics and a complete analysis of the savings bank's pro forma earnings which should include its full potential once the savings bank fully deploys its new capital pursuant to its business plan.
2. In those instances where the initial appraisal report
is deemed to be materially deficient and/or substantially incomplete, the commissioner may deem the entire application materially deficient and/or incomplete, and decline to further process the application.
3. The applicant shall submit information
demonstrating to the satisfaction of the commissioner the independence and expertise of any person preparing the pricing materials.
4. The applicant shall file with the commissioner any
additional information with respect to the pricing of the capital stock as the commissioner may request, including a full appraisal. G. Order Forms for Purchase of Capital Stock
1. Promptly after the commissioner has declared
effective the offering circular for the subscription offering, the applicant shall distribute order forms for the purchase of shares of capital stock in the offering to all eligible account holders, supplemental eligible account holders, voting members, and other persons who may subscribe for shares of capital stock under the plan of conversion. If the converting savings bank shall have adopted in its plan of conversion the optional provisions in §307.A.3 and §307.A.4, the applicant shall deliver order forms to the eligible account holders, supplemental eligible account holders, and voting members who requested receipt of the offering circular.
2. Each order form shall be accompanied or preceded
by the final offering circular for the subscription offering or the public offering and a set of detailed instructions explaining how to complete the order forms.
3. The maximum subscription price stated on each
order form shall be the amount to be paid when the order form is returned. The maximum subscription price and the actual subscription price shall be within the subscription price range stated in the commissioner's approval and the offering circular. If either the maximum subscription price or the actual subscription price is not within the subscription price range, the applicant must obtain in writing an amendment to the commissioner's approval. If appropriate, the commissioner may condition the approval on requiring a re-solicitation of proxies or order forms, or both. If the actual public offering price is less than the maximum subscription price stated on the order form, the actual subscription price shall be correspondingly reduced and the difference shall be refunded to those who had paid the maximum subscription price, unless the subscriber affirmatively elects to have the difference applied to the purchase of additional shares of capital stock.
4. Each order form shall be prepared to indicate, in as
simple, clear and intelligible a manner as possible, the actions which are required or available with respect to the form and the capital stock offered for purchase thereby. Each order form shall:
a. indicate the maximum number of shares that may be purchased pursuant to the subscription rights; b. indicate the time period within which the subscription rights must be exercised, which time period shall be no less than 20 days and no more than 45 days following the date of the mailing of the subscription offering order form;
c. state the maximum subscription price per share
of capital stock; d. indicate any requirements as to the minimum number of shares of capital stock which may be purchased; e. provide a specifically designated blank space or spaces for indicating the number of shares of capital stock which the person wishes to purchase; f. indicate the manner of required payment and, if the payment may be made by withdrawal from a certificate of deposit, indicate that the withdrawal may be made without penalty. If payment is to be made by withdrawal from a deposit account or certificate of deposit, a box to check should be provided; g. provide specifically designated blank spaces for dating and signing the order form; h. contain an acknowledgment by the person signing the order form that he or she has received a final offering circular prior to signing; and
i. indicate the consequences of failing to properly
complete and return the order form, including a statement that the subscription rights are nontransferable and will become void at the end of the subscription period. The order form may, and the instructions shall, indicate the place or places to which the order forms are to be returned and when the order forms shall be considered received, such as by date and time of actual receipt at the address indicated or by date and time of postmark.
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5. The order form may provide that it may not be
modified without the applicant's consent after its receipt. If payment is to be made by withdrawal from a deposit account or certificate of deposit, the applicant may, but need not, cause such withdrawal to be made upon receipt of the order form. If the withdrawal is made at any time prior to the closing date of the public offering, the applicant shall pay interest to the account holder on the amount withdrawn as if the amount had remained in the account from which it was withdrawn until the closing date. H. Withdrawal from Certificate Accounts. Notwithstanding any regulatory or contractual provision regarding penalties for early withdrawal from certificate accounts, the applicant may allow payment for capital stock under the exercise of subscription rights by withdrawal from a certificate account without the assessment of penalties. In the case of early withdrawal of only a portion of such an account, the certificate evidencing the account shall be canceled if the applicable minimum balance requirement ceases to be met. The remaining balance shall earn interest at the passbook rate.
I. Period for Completion of Sale. The sale of all shares
of capital stock of the converting savings bank under the plan of conversion, including any sale in a public offering or direct community offering, shall be completed as promptly as possible and within 45 calendar days after the last day of the subscription period, unless extended by the commissioner in writing for good cause shown. J. Interest on Subscriptions and Direct Community Offering Purchase Orders. The converting savings bank shall pay interest at not less than the passbook rate on all amounts paid in cash, check or money order to the savings bank to purchase shares of capital stock in the subscription offering or direct community offering, from the date payment is received until the conversion is completed or terminated. K. Extensions of Time; Post-Effective Amendments to Subscription Offering Circular
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 54 capital stock of the converted savings bank. In this type of transaction, eligible account holders, supplemental eligible account holders, and voting members of the converting savings bank shall receive, without payment, nontransferable rights to purchase capital stock of the newly formed holding company in lieu of capital stock of the converting savings bank. Unless clearly inapplicable, all of the requirements of this rule shall apply to a conversion under this Section. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1069 (October 1995). §337. Conversion of a Savings Bank Involving Acquisition by an Existing Stock Holding Company A. A savings bank may convert to stock form under this rule as part of a transaction in which an existing stock holding company acquires upon issuance all the capital stock of the converted savings bank. In this type of transaction, the eligible account holders, supplemental eligible account holders, and voting members of the converting savings bank shall receive, without payment, nontransferable rights from the holding company to purchase its capital stock in lieu of capital stock of the converting savings bank. Unless clearly inapplicable, all of the requirements of this rule shall apply to a conversion under this Section. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1069 (October 1995). §339. Merger with an Existing Stock Savings Bank A. A savings bank may convert to stock form by merging with an existing stock savings bank as part of a transaction in which the equity securities of the existing stock savings bank are issued. In a transaction in which the existing stock savings bank is the surviving institution, the eligible account holders, supplemental eligible account holders, and voting members of the converting savings bank shall receive, without payment, nontransferable rights from the existing stock savings bank to purchase its capital stock in lieu of capital stock of the converting savings bank. Unless clearly inapplicable, all of the requirements of this rule shall apply to a conversion under this Section. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1069 (October 1995). §341. Merger with an Existing Stock Savings Bank Owned by a Stock Holding Company A. A savings bank may convert to the stock form under this rule by merging into an existing stock savings bank which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a stock holding company. In this type of transaction, the eligible account holders, supplemental eligible account holders,
and voting members of the converting savings bank shall receive, without payment, nontransferable rights from the holding company to purchase its capital stock in lieu of capital stock of the converting savings bank. Unless clearly inapplicable, all of the requirements of this rule shall apply to a conversion under this Section. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1069 (October 1995). §343. Penalties A. The commissioner may enforce this rule or any policy adopted hereunder, pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 6:121.1. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1069 (October 1995).
Chapter 5. Mutual Holding Company
Reorganizations
§501. Scope
A. This rule is enacted pursuant to the Louisiana Savings Bank Act of 1990. Except as the commissioner may otherwise determine, the provisions of this rule shall exclusively govern the reorganization of Louisiana statechartered mutual savings banks into mutual holding companies with one or more subsidiary stock savings banks and the issuance of stock by such savings banks. The prior written approval of the commissioner is required for such actions. The commissioner may grant a waiver in writing from any requirement of this rule for good cause shown and may adopt policies and procedures interpreting and implementing this rule. This rule supersedes all inconsistent articles of incorporation and bylaws of state-chartered mutual savings banks reorganizing into mutual holding companies. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1070 (October 1995). §503. Definitions A. For purposes of this rule, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth in §303 of the Savings Bank Conversions Rule:
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7. stock;
8. tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan; and
9. non-tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan.
B. For purposes of this rule, the following terms shall have the following meanings. Acquiree Savings Bank―any savings bank other than a resulting savings bank, that:
a. is acquired by a mutual holding company as part of, and concurrently with, a mutual holding company reorganization; and b. is in the mutual form immediately prior to the acquisition. Conversion Rule―refers to the Savings Bank conversions rule promulgated by the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions in the Louisiana Register, Volume 21,
page 1069 (October 20, 1995). For purposes of this rule, the
term conversion as it appears in the conversion rule shall be deemed to refer to the reorganization or the stock issuance plan, as appropriate. Member―any person who qualifies as a member of the savings bank or mutual holding company at issue, pursuant to the institution's articles and bylaws. Mutual Holding Company―a savings bank mutual holding company, as further defined in R.S. 6:1151. Parent―company that controls another company, either directly or indirectly, through one or more subsidiaries. Reorganization Notice―a notice of a proposed mutual holding company reorganization that is in the form and contains the information required by the commissioner. Reorganization Plan―a plan to reorganize into the mutual holding company format containing the information required by §511 of this rule. Reorganizing Savings Bank―a mutual savings bank that proposes to reorganize into a mutual holding company under this rule. Resulting Savings Bank―a stock savings bank that is organized as a subsidiary of a reorganizing savings bank to receive a substantial part of the assets and liabilities (including all deposit accounts) of the reorganizing savings bank upon consummation of the reorganization. Stock Issuance Plan―a plan providing for the issuance of stock by a savings bank subsidiary of a mutual holding company as provided in §513 of this rule. Subsidiary―any company which is controlled by a person or by a company which is a subsidiary of such person. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1071 (October 1995). §505. Procedural Requirements for Reorganizations A. Approvals Required. Prior to reorganizing into a mutual holding company, a savings bank shall do all of the following:
1. obtain approval of a reorganization plan by a
majority of the board of directors of the reorganizing savings bank and any acquires savings bank;
2. file the reorganization plan with the commissioner;
3. obtain the approval of the reorganization plan and
any proxy statement by the commissioner and, if applicable, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"), the Federal Reserve Board ("FRB"), and/or the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS");
4. obtain approval of the reorganization plan at a
meeting of members held in accordance with the institution's articles and bylaws:
a. if the reorganization is a wholly internal reorganization and there is neither a merger nor a sale of all or substantially all of its assets to another financial institution, then an affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of votes which all members of the reorganizing savings bank and any acquires savings banks are entitled to cast is required; or b. if the reorganization is not wholly internal or involves a merger, a two-thirds vote of such members is required. NOTE: Meeting notice requirements shall comply with §329.C of the conversion rule. B. Public Notice
1. Upon the commissioner's determination that an
application for conversion is properly executed and is materially complete, the applicant shall be advised in writing, to promptly publish a notice of the filing of the application. After receipt of the advice, the applicant shall prominently post the notice in each of its offices and publish the notice in a newspaper having general circulation in each community in which any office of the applicant is located, as follows:
NOTICE OF FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR REORGANIZATION AS A SAVINGS BANK MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANY NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that (name of applicant), located in , has filed an application with the Commissioner of the Office of Financial Institutions for the State of Louisiana for approval to reorganize as a savings bank mutual holding company. The original copy of the application is on file with the Commissioner of the Office of Financial Institutions, 8401 United Plaza Boulevard, Suite 200, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70809, and is available for public inspection or copying. A copy of the plan may also be inspected at any office of the applicant. Written comments including objections to the reorganization plan, and materials supporting the objections from any member of the applicant or any aggrieved person will be considered by the commissioner if postmarked within 20 calendar days after the publication of this notice. The commissioner may, in his discretion, and upon written request, extend the 20 day comment period for an additional calendar days. Failure to timely file written comments may preclude the pursuit of any remedies.
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2. If any reorganization notice includes an acquires
savings bank, the publication requirements of this Section shall be fulfilled both by the reorganizing savings bank and by the acquires savings bank, and the first paragraph of the form of notice in Paragraph 2 shall be replaced by the following paragraph:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that _______________ (name of applicant), located in ______________________, and _____________________________ (name of applicant), located in _________________________________, have filed applications with the Commissioner of the Office of Financial Institutions for the State of Louisiana for approval to join together to reorganize as a mutual holding company.
3. After publication of the notice, the applicant(s)
shall promptly file with the commissioner a copy of the published notice and a publisher's affidavit of publication from each newspaper in which the notice was published.
C. Proxy Procedural Requirements
1. The provisions of §§305.A.26 and 327 of the
conversion rule shall apply to all solicitations of proxies by any person in connection with any membership vote required under this rule, to the extent applicable. Proxy materials shall be approved by the commissioner, and contain information relevant to the action that members are being asked to approve. The term conversion as it appears in the conversion rule shall be deemed to refer to the reorganization or the stock issuance plan, as appropriate.
2. In addition to all disclosure requirements of
Paragraph C.1 of this Section and of §515, all proxies requesting account holder approval of a mutual holding company reorganization shall address whether the mutual holding company intends to waive dividends, the implications to account holders, and the reasons such waivers are consistent with the fiduciary duties of the directors of the mutual holding company.
3. Savings banks proposing nonconforming minority
stock issuances pursuant to §513.D.2 of this rule must include in the proxy materials to account holders seeking approval of a proposed reorganization an additional disclosure statement that serves as a cover sheet that clearly addresses:
a. the consequences to account holders of voting to approve a reorganization in which their subscription rights are prioritized differently and potentially eliminated; and b. any intent by the mutual holding company to waive dividends, and the implications to account holders. D. Actions by Commissioner. A proposed reorganization shall be acted on by the commissioner within 60 days after an application is filed and deemed completed, unless extended an additional 30 days by written notice, and, if approved, it shall be subject to the following conditions.
1. The reorganization shall be consummated not more
than 12 months from the date the savings bank's members approve the reorganization plan. This time period may be extended up to an additional 12 months with the prior written approval of the commissioner. Further extensions may be granted for good cause shown.
2. The capitalization of the mutual holding company
shall not cause the resulting savings bank to fail to meet its capital maintenance requirements under R.S. 6:1201 and 1206.
3. Any other conditions may be imposed which the
commissioner finds necessary.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1071 (October 1995). §507. Grounds for Disapproval of Reorganizations A. Basic Standards. The commissioner may disapprove an application for a mutual holding company reorganization on one or more of the following grounds.
1. Disapproval is necessary to prevent unsafe or
unsound practices, or to otherwise maintain a sound financial system.
2. The reorganization plan is not fair to members of
the reorganizing savings bank.
3. The reorganization plan does not protect the
interests of deposit account holders of the reorganizing savings bank.
4. The financial or managerial resources of the
reorganizing savings bank or any acquires savings bank warrant disapproval.
5. After the proposed capitalization of the mutual
holding company, any savings bank subsidiary would fail to meet the requirements of R.S. 6:1201 and 1206.
6. A stock issuance is proposed in connection with the
reorganization that fails to meet the standards established by §513.
7. The reorganizing savings bank or any acquires
savings bank fails to furnish the information required to be included in the reorganization plan or any other information requested by the commissioner regarding the proposed reorganization.
8. The proposed reorganization would violate any
applicable federal or state law, rule, or policy of OFI.
9. The resulting or acquires savings banks would not
have their accounts insured by the FDIC.
B. Capitalization
1. The commissioner shall disapprove a proposal by a
reorganizing savings bank or any acquires savings bank to capitalize a mutual holding company if, immediately following the reorganization, the resulting or acquires savings bank will fail to meet the capital requirements of R.S. 6:1201 and 1206. If the net worth of the reorganizing savings bank will, under the reorganization plan, meet the minimum net worth requirements of R.S. 6:1201 and 1206, a reorganization plan may permit a mutual holding company to retain assets of the reorganizing mutual savings bank.
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2. Proposals by reorganizing and acquires savings
banks to capitalize mutual holding companies shall also comply with any statutes and rules governing capital distributions by savings banks.
C. Convenience and Needs. The commissioner will also
examine the extent to which the reorganization will affect the convenience and needs of the communities to be served, and the impact on operating efficiency of the affected savings banks. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1072 (October 1995). §509. Membership Rights A. Depositors of Involved Savings Banks. The articles of incorporation or bylaws of a mutual holding company must:
1. confer upon existing and future depositors of the
resulting savings bank the same membership rights in the mutual holding company as were conferred upon depositors by the articles and bylaws of the reorganizing savings bank as in effect immediately prior to the reorganization;
2. confer upon existing and future depositors of any
acquires savings bank or any savings bank that is in the mutual form when acquired by the mutual holding company the same membership rights in the mutual holding company as were conferred upon depositors by the articles and bylaws of the acquires savings bank immediately prior to the acquisition, provided that if the acquires savings bank is merged into another savings bank from which the mutual holding company draws members, the depositors of the acquires savings bank shall receive the same membership rights as the depositors of the savings bank into which the acquires savings bank is merged;
3. confer upon the borrowers of the resulting savings
bank who are borrowers at the time of reorganization the same membership rights in the mutual holding company as were conferred upon them by the articles and bylaws of the reorganizing savings bank immediately prior to reorganization, but shall not confer any membership rights in connection with any borrowing made after the reorganization; and
4. confer upon the borrowers of any acquires savings
bank or any savings bank that is in the mutual form when acquired by the mutual holding company who are borrowers at the time of the acquisition, the same membership rights in the mutual holding company as were conferred upon them by the articles and bylaws of the acquires savings bank immediately prior to acquisition, but shall not confer any membership rights in connection with any borrowing made after the acquisition, provided that if the acquires savings bank is merged into another savings bank from which the mutual holding company draws members, the borrowers of the acquires savings bank shall instead receive the same grandfathered membership rights as the borrowers of the savings bank into which the acquires savings bank is merged received at the time the savings bank became a subsidiary of the mutual holding company;
5. provide that membership in a mutual holding
company ends if the member withdraws the full withdrawal value of all deposit accounts in subsidiary mutual savings banks. A member who requests the full withdrawal value of the member's deposit accounts remains a member until the withdrawal value is paid in full. B. Depositors of Stock Savings Banks. A mutual holding company that acquires a stock savings bank other than a resulting savings bank or an acquires savings bank, shall not confer any membership rights in the mutual holding company upon the depositors of such savings bank unless the savings bank is merged into a mutual savings bank from which the mutual holding company draws members, in which case the depositors of the stock savings bank shall receive the same membership rights as other depositors of the mutual savings bank into which the stock savings bank is merged. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1073 (October 1995). §511. Contents of Reorganization Plans A. Each reorganization plan shall contain a complete description of all significant terms of the proposed reorganization, and shall include or provide all of the following:
1. any stock issuance plan proposed in connection
with the reorganization plan;
2. an opinion of counsel or a ruling from the Internal
Revenue Service as to the tax treatment of the proposed reorganization;
3. the proposed articles of incorporation and bylaws
of: the reorganizing association, the resulting savings bank, the mutual holding company, and any acquires savings bank indicating that such acquires will be in the stock form;
4. a description of the method of reorganization;
5. that upon consummation of the reorganization,
substantially all of the assets and liabilities, including all deposit accounts of the reorganizing savings bank, shall be transferred to the resulting savings bank, which shall immediately become an operating savings bank subsidiary of the mutual holding company;
6. that all assets, rights, obligations and liabilities of
whatever nature of the reorganizing savings bank that are not expressly retained by the mutual holding company shall be deemed transferred to the resulting savings bank;
7. that each holder of a deposit account in the
reorganizing savings bank or any acquires savings bank immediately prior to the reorganization shall, upon consummation of the reorganization, receive without payment, an identical deposit account in the resulting savings bank or the acquires savings bank, or as appropriate if savings banks are being merged;
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 58
8. that a proxy that may be cast on behalf of a mutual
savings bank member may be cast on behalf of a mutual holding company member until the proxy is revoked or superseded pursuant to the articles and bylaws of the institution;
9. that the reorganization plan adopted by the boards
of directors of the reorganizing savings bank and any acquires savings bank may be:
a. amended by those boards of directors as a result of any regulator's comments prior to any solicitation of proxies from the members by the board of directors of the reorganizing savings bank and any acquires savings bank to vote on the reorganization plan and at any later time with the consent of the commissioner; and/or b. terminated by the board of directors of the reorganizing savings bank or any acquires savings bank at any time prior to the meeting of the members called to consider the reorganization plan and at any later time with the consent of the commissioner;
10. that the reorganization plan shall be terminated if
not completed within a specified period of time which shall be not more than 12 months from the date the savings bank members approve the plan, unless extended up to an additional 12 months with the prior written approval of the commissioner for good cause shown;
11. a statement, in approximate amounts, of the
categories of expenses to be incurred in connection with the reorganization, which shall be reasonable; and
12. such additional information as the commissioner
directs.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1073 (October 1995). §513. Stock Issuance Plans A. Approval Required
1. No savings bank subsidiary of a mutual holding
company, including a resulting or acquires savings bank, may issue stock to persons other than its mutual holding company parent without the prior written approval of the commissioner.
2. The commissioner may approve a proposed stock
issuance if all of the following criteria are met. a. The proposed issuance is to be made pursuant to a stock issuance plan that contains all the provisions required by this §513 and by §515. b. The stock issuance plan is consistent with the articles of incorporation, including the type and amount of stock that may be issued.
c. The stock issuance plan would provide the
savings bank, its mutual holding company parent, and any other savings bank subsidiaries of the mutual holding company with sufficient capital and would not be detrimental to the savings bank, its mutual holding company, members of the mutual holding company or the interests of depositors of the savings bank. d. The proposed price or price range, the classification and any terms or conditions of the stock to be issued are reasonable. e. The savings bank furnishes the information required by the commissioner. f. If the stock issuance plan is part of a reorganization plan under §511, then the stock issuance plan shall be approved by the members of the reorganizing savings bank pursuant to §505.A.4; however, if the stock issuance plan is subsequent to a previously approved plan of reorganization, then approval of at least a majority of the members of the mutual holding company is required. g. The proposed issuance would fail to meet the convenience and needs of the community served by the savings bank. h. The proposed issuance complies with all other applicable laws and rules.
3. In determining whether the criteria of A.2 of this
Section are met, the commissioner may consider the
following factors:
a. the savings bank's size, capital position, and quality of management; b. the savings bank's business objectives;
c. the dollar amount and number of shares to be
issued pursuant to the plan; d. the market conditions which may affect the plan; e. the existence of a trading market in, or methods of later resale or repurchase, of the stock to be issued under the plan; f. any benefits provided to the savings bank through employee or director incentive aspects of the plan; and/or g. the impact, if any, of the participation or nonparticipation in the offering by members of the mutual holding company parent of the savings bank or other shareholders. B. Pricing of Stock. The pricing and sale of stock pursuant to a stock issuance shall comply with §331 of the conversion rule, to the extent applicable. If the proposed price or price range includes any discount due to the minority status of the stock to be offered, the plan shall also indicate the amount of the discount and how that discount was determined.
C. Offering Restrictions
1. No representation may be made in connection with
the offer or sale of any stock issued under this Section that the price or price range of the stock has been approved or disapproved by the commissioner or that the commissioner has endorsed the accuracy or adequacy of any offering or sales document disseminated.
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59 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023
2. In connection with the offer, sale or purchase of
stock, no person may:
a. employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud; b. make any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances, not misleading; or
c. engage in any act, practice or course of business
which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon a purchaser or seller.
3. Prior to the completion of a stock issuance pursuant
to this Section, no person shall:
a. transfer, receive or enter into any agreement or understanding to transfer, the legal or beneficial ownership of the stock to be issued to any other person, except for one or more tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan(s) of the savings bank or mutual holding company provided the plan(s) do not have in the aggregate more than 25 percent of any class of security of the savings bank or mutual holding company; or b. make any offer, or any announcement of any offer, to purchase any stock to be issued, or knowingly acquire any stock in the issuance, in excess of the maximum purchase limitations established in the stock issuance plan and allowed by the commissioner, except as to offers for public resale made exclusively to the savings bank or to the underwriters or a selling group acting on its behalf. D. Mandatory Provisions. Each stock issuance plan shall:
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 60 a. purchases of stock made by and held by any one or more tax- or non-tax-qualified employee stock benefit plans which may be attributable to individual officers or directors, provided that such plans do not have in the aggregate beneficial ownership of more than 25 percent of any class of stock; or b. negotiated transactions involving more than one percent of the outstanding stock in that class;
9. provide that all shares of capital stock purchased by
directors, officers, or their associates in the issuance, shall be subject to the restriction that the shares shall not be sold, without the prior written approval of the commissioner, for a period of at least one year following the date of purchase, except upon the death of the director, officer, or associate;
10. provide that, in connection with shares of capital
stock subject to restriction on sale for a period of time:
a. each certificate of stock shall bear a legend stating the restriction; b. instructions shall be issued to the transfer agent for the stock with respect to applicable restrictions on transfer of any restricted stock; and
c. any shares issued as a stock dividend, stock split
or otherwise relating to any restricted stock shall be subject to the same restrictions as apply to the restricted stock;
11. provide that if, at the close of the issuance there are
more than 100 shareholders of any class of stock, the savings bank shall use its best efforts to:
a. encourage and assist a market maker to establish and maintain a market for the stock; and b. list that class of stock on a national or regional securities exchange or on the NASDAQ quotation system;
12. provide that the savings bank may make scheduled,
discretionary contributions to tax-qualified employee stock benefit plans if the contributions do not cause the savings bank to fail to meet its regulatory capital requirements;
13. provide that after the stock issuance, the savings
bank will comply with all applicable federal and state securities registration requirements;
14. provide that the savings bank shall not lend funds
or otherwise extend credit on an unsecured basis or upon the security of the savings bank's stock to any person to purchase the stock of the savings bank;
15. provide that, if necessary, the savings bank's articles
of incorporation will be amended to authorize the stock issuance;
16. provide that the expenses incurred in connection
with the issuance shall be reasonable and specified in the plan;
17. provide that, if proposed as part of a reorganization
plan, the stock issuance plan may be amended or terminated in the same manner as the reorganization plan under §511.A.9.a and b; otherwise it may be amended or terminated by the board of directors of the issuing savings bank prior to approval by the commissioner, or thereafter with the commissioner's approval;
18. the stock issuance plan shall be terminated if not
completed within a time specified in the stock issuance plan unless an extension is requested in writing for good cause shown and approved in writing by the commissioner. E. Optional Provisions. A stock issuance plan may provide that:
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61 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 shareholders as required by its articles and bylaws, and by state law:
1. invest in or acquire control of a stock savings bank,
a savings association or their holding companies;
2. acquire a mutual savings bank or mutual savings
and loan association by merger of such mutual into an interim or existing subsidiary savings bank of the mutual holding company from which the mutual holding company draws members in accordance with the Louisiana Savings Bank Act of 1990, R.S. 6:1131, et seq.;
3. with the consent of the commissioner and subject to
such conditions as the commissioner may prescribe, acquire control of another mutual holding company by merging with or into it or a subsidiary interim holding company;
4. acquire control of a savings bank holding company,
savings and loan holding company, or a bank holding company in the stock form with the written approval of the commissioner. An acquired holding company may be held as a subsidiary or merged into the mutual holding company;
5. invest in or acquire control of any corporation,
other than a mutual holding company, which is engaged exclusively in activities approved by the commissioner;
6. invest in securities a savings bank may invest in
under the Louisiana Savings Bank Act of 1990;
7. engage in activities a savings bank may engage in
under the Louisiana Savings Bank Act of 1990;
8. furnish or perform management services for a
subsidiary;
9. hold, manage, or liquidate assets owned by or
acquired from a subsidiary;
10. hold or manage property which it or a subsidiary
uses;
11. unless limited or prohibited by the commissioner,
engage in any activity that the Federal Reserve Board permits a bank holding company to engage in under 12 CFR 225 (Regulation Y), Subpart C. B. Prohibitions on Stock Repurchases
1. A subsidiary savings bank of a mutual holding
company shall, pursuant to R.S. 6:1341, be subject to the provisions of R.S. 6:416, which prohibit the savings bank from purchasing or owning directly or indirectly any of its own stock or the stock of its parent company unless the stock has been subsequently taken for a debt previously contracted, in which case the stock shall not be held for more than one year.
2. A mutual holding company may, at any time, and
without prior approval of the commissioner, acquire additional shares of the stock of a subsidiary savings bank.
C. Dispositions. With the prior written approval of the
commissioner, a mutual holding company may directly or indirectly, transfer any interest in stock which it holds in any subsidiary savings bank, savings association, holding company or other corporation; or cause or permit the transfer of all or a substantial portion of the assets or liabilities of any such subsidiary entity. D. Restrictions on Waiver of Dividends. Unless authorized by the commissioner, no mutual holding company may waive its right to receive any dividend declared by a subsidiary. E. Restrictions on Indemnification. R.S. 6:1190(c)(6) shall apply to mutual holding companies in the same manner as if they were mutual savings banks. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1077 (October 1995). §519. Registration, Reports, and Examinations A. Reports of Mutual Holding Companies. Each mutual holding company shall furnish, in the manner and form prescribed by the commissioner, an annual report of its operations for the fiscal year in which it becomes a mutual holding company, and for each fiscal year during which it remains a mutual holding company. Additional information and reports shall be furnished as the commissioner may require. B. Examinations and Inspections. The commissioner may examine or inspect any mutual holding company and each of its subsidiaries and prepare a report of their operations and activities. The commissioner may rely on examination reports made by the primary federal regulatory agency of the mutual holding company's subsidiary savings bank. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1077 (October 1995). §521. Conversion or Liquidation of Mutual Holding Companies A. Conversion. A mutual holding company may convert from mutual to stock form in accordance with a plan of conversion approved by the commissioner pursuant to the procedures for conversion of a mutual savings bank under the conversion rule. B. Voluntary Liquidation. The provisions of R.S. 6:1282 shall apply to a mutual holding company in the same manner as they apply to a savings bank. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1078 (October 1995). §523. Procedural Requirements for Filing Applications A. The commissioner may adopt internal policies relative to the procedural requirements for filing an application for reorganization pursuant to this rule.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 62 AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:1141. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 21:1078 (October 1995).
63 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 Title 10 FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC
Part IX. Credit Unions
Chapter 1. General Provisions
§101. Assessments
A. Fees and Charges
1. During 1991 and each year thereafter, all statechartered credit unions shall pay an annual operating fee, the
exact amount of which shall be fixed from time-to-time by the commissioner. During 1990, credit unions shall continue to be charged and be liable to the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions for the examination fees presently fixed by R.S. 6:646(B)(3) and (4).
2. Except as hereinafter provided, the annual
operating fee set by the commissioner shall not exceed the fee calculated by the use of the following scale:
a. when the assets are less than $100,000, the fee is $100; b. when the assets are greater than $100,000, but less than $1,000,000, the fee is $250;
c. when the assets are $1,000,000, but less than
$3,000,000, the fee is $1,000; d. when the assets are $3,000,000, but less than $4,000,000, the fee is $2,000; e. when the assets are $4,000,000, but less than 6,000,000, the fee is $3,000; f. when the assets are $6,000,000, but less than $10,000,000, the fee is $5,000; g. when the assets are $10,000,000, but less than $18,000,000, the fee is $7,500; h. when the assets are $18,000,000, but less than $30,000,000, the fee is $10,000;
i. when the assets are $30,000,000, but less than
$40,000,000, the fee is $12,000; j. when the assets are $40,000,000, but less than $50,000,000, the fee is $15,000; k. when the assets are $50,000,000, but less than $60,000,000, the fee is $18,000;
l. when the assets are $60,000,000, but less than
$70,000,000, the fee is $21,000; m. when the assets are $70,000,000, but less than $80,000,000, the fee is $24,000; n. when the assets are $80,000,000, but less than $90,000,000, the fee is $27,000; o. when the assets are $90,000,000, but less than $100,000,000, the fee is $30,000; p. when the assets are $100,000,000, the fee is $30,000 plus $5,000 for each 10,000,000 or fraction of 10,000,000 in excess of $100,000,000. 3.a. Provided the fees assessed in Subparagraphs 2.ap above fail to cover all rating costs of the credit union
section of the Office of Financial Institutions, the
commissioner shall have the authority to assess a floating rate fee based upon the total assets of each credit union as of the June 30 reporting date. This may only be done upon first notifying each credit union of the commissioner's intent to assess the additional fees and giving each credit union at least 30 days from providing notice of the proposed action to allow each credit union an opportunity to file oral or written objections to this action proposed by the commissioner. b. Furthermore, in the event that future monetary assistance is received from the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF) for regulatory services provided by this agency in regulating state-chartered credit unions, such compensation shall be utilized to reduce the operating costs that would normally be billed to the state-chartered credit unions.
4. The annual operating fee shall be assessed on all
state-chartered credit unions on a quarterly basis as provided for in Subparagraphs 2.a-p and Paragraph 3 above. Such fees are to be assessed no later than the last day of each quarter to be based on the total assets as reported at the end of the semiannual reporting dates of December 31 and June 30.
5. Any credit union failing to pay such operating fee
by the last day of the month following each quarterly assessment, may be charged a penalty not to exceed $50 for each day said fee remains unpaid. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:646. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 17:34 (January 1991), repromulgated LR 17:476 (May 1991).
Chapter 3. Credit Union Service
Organizations
§301. Credit Union Service Contracts A. A state-chartered credit union may act as a representative of and enter into a contractual agreement with one or more credit unions or other organizations for the purpose of sharing, utilizing, renting, leasing, purchasing, selling, and/or joint ownership of fixed assets or engaging in
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 64 activities and/or services which relate to the daily operations of credit unions. Agreements must be in writing, and shall clearly state that the Commissioner of Financial Institutions, or his representative, will have complete access to any books and records of the credit union service organization as deemed necessary in carrying out his responsibilities under the Louisiana Credit Union Law. B. If any agreement requires, the payment in advance of the actual or estimated charges for more than three months, such payment shall be deemed an investment in a credit union service organization and subject to the limitations delineated in R.S. 6:644(B)(3)(d) and R.S. 6:656(A)(4). AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:121(B)(1). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 20:1093 (October 1994). §303. Investments in and Loans to Credit Union Service Organizations A. Scope. Sections 644(B)(3)(d) and 656(A)(4) of Title 6 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes authorize state-chartered credit unions to invest in and make loans to credit union service organizations. This rule implements that statute by addressing various issues, including monetary limits on loans and investments, the structure of credit union service organizations, their customer base, and the range of services and activities that they may provide. The rule also establishes prudent standards for a state-chartered credit union's involvement with credit union service organizations, through provisions concerning conflicts of interest, accounting practices, and access by the Office of Financial Institutions to books and records. The rule applies only in cases where one or more state-chartered credit unions have invested in or made loans to an organization pursuant to
Section 644(B)(3)(d) or 656(A)(4). The rule does not
regulate credit union service organizations directly; instead, it establishes conditions of state-chartered credit union investments in and loans to such organizations. B. Limits Imposed by R.S. 6:644(B)(4)(d) and R.S. 6:656(A)(4). The provisions of Chapter 8, Title 6, Louisiana Revised Statutes, Credit Unions:
1. authorize a state-chartered credit union to invest in
shares, stocks, loans, or other obligations of credit union service organizations in amounts not exceeding, in the aggregate, 1 percent of the credit union's paid-in and unimpaired capital and surplus;
2. authorize a state-chartered credit union to make
loans to credit union service organizations in amounts not exceeding, in the aggregate, one percent of the credit union's paid-in and unimpaired capital and surplus;
3. require that a credit union service organization's
activities be confined or restricted to credit unions and exist primarily to meet the needs of their member credit unions, and whose business relates to the daily operations of the credit unions they serve; and
4. require that a state-chartered credit union's
investment in or loan to a credit union service organization must receive the prior approval of the board of directors and documented in its official minutes.
C. Definitions
Affiliated Credit Union―a credit union which has either invested in or made loans to a credit union service organization. Immediate Family Member―a spouse or other family member living in the same household. Official―any director or committee member. Paid-in and Unimpaired Capital and Surplus―shares and undivided earnings. Senior Management Employee―the credit union's president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, chief executive officer, any assistant chief executive officers, the chief financial officer, or any other elected officer of an affiliated credit union. D. Regulatory Provisions
1. Limits on Funding. A state-chartered credit union,
either alone or with other credit unions and/or with noncredit-union parties, may invest in and/or lend to a credit union service organization. A state credit union's investment in paid-in and unimpaired capital and surplus of a credit union service organization may not exceed, in the aggregate, one percent of the credit union's capital and surplus as of its last calendar year-end financial report. In addition, a statechartered credit union's loans to credit union service organizations may not exceed, in the aggregate, one percent of the credit union's paid-in and unimpaired capital and surplus as of its last calendar year-end financial report.
2. Structure. A state-chartered credit union may invest
in or lend to a credit union service organization only if the organization is structured as a corporation or a limited partnership. a. Corporation. A credit union service organization chartered as a corporation or limited liability company must be adequately capitalized and operated as a separate entity. A state-chartered credit union investing in or lending to such a corporation must take all steps necessary to ensure that it will not be held liable for obligations of the corporation. b. Limited Partnership. A state-chartered credit union may participate only as a limited partner in a credit union service organization structured as a limited partnership or registered limited liability partnership. As a limited partner, the credit union must not engage in those activities (e.g., control, management, decision making), which, under state law, would cause the credit union to lose its status as a limited partner, and, correspondingly, its limited liability, and be treated as a general partner.
3. Legal Opinion. A state-chartered credit union
making an investment in or loan to a credit union service organization must obtain written legal advice as to whether the credit union service organization is established in a
Title 10, Part IX
65 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 manner that will limit the credit union's potential exposure to no more than the loss of funds invested in or lent to the credit union service organization.
4. Customer Base. A state-chartered credit union may
invest in or loan to a credit union service organization only if the organization primarily serves credit unions and/or the membership of affiliated credit unions, as defined in Subsection C of this Section.
5. Permissible Services and Activities
a. A state-chartered credit union may invest in and/or loan to those credit union service organizations which provide only one or more of the following services and activities.
i. Operational Services. Credit card and debit
card services; check cashing and wire transfers; internal audits for credit unions; ATM services; EFT services; data processing; shared credit union branch (service center) operations; sale of repossessed collateral; management, development, sale or lease of fixed assets; sale, lease or servicing of computer hardware or software; management and personnel training and support; payment item processing; locator services; marketing services; research services; record retention and storage; microfilm, microfiche, and optical disk services; alarm monitoring and other security services; debt collection services; credit analysis; consumer mortgage loan origination; loan processing, servicing and sales; coin and currency services; provision for forms and supplies.
ii. Financial Services. Financial services are
limited to those activities as enumerated in 12 CFR §701.27(d)(5)(ii), and approved for federally-chartered credit unions operating in the state. b. Additional services or activities MUST be approved by the Commissioner of Financial Institutions before a state-chartered credit union may invest in or loan to the credit union service organization that offers the service or activity.
6. Conflict of Interest
a. Individuals who serve as officials of, or senior management employees of an affiliated state-chartered credit union, as defined in Subsection C of this Section, and immediate family members of such individuals, may not receive any salary, commission, investment income, or other income or compensation from a credit union service organization, either directly or indirectly, or from any person being served through the credit union service organization. This provision does not prohibit an official or senior management employee of a state-chartered credit union from serving on the board of directors of a credit union service organization, provided the individual is not compensated by the credit union service organization. b. The prohibition contained in Subparagraph D.6.a of this Section also applies to any affiliated state-chartered credit union employee not otherwise covered if that employee is directly involved in dealing with the credit union service organization, unless the board of directors determines that the employee's position does not present a conflict of interest.
c. All transactions with business associates or
family members not specifically prohibited by Subparagraphs D.6.a-c must be conducted at arm's length and in the interest of the credit union.
7. Accounting Procedures; Access to Information
a. Credit Union Accounting. A state-chartered credit union must follow Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in its involvement with credit union service organizations. b. Credit Union Service Organization Accounting; Audits and Financial Statements; OFI Access to Books and Records. An affiliated state-chartered credit union must obtain written agreements from a credit union service organization, prior to investing in or lending to the organization, that the organization will:
i. follow GAAP;
ii. render financial statements (balance sheet and
income statement) at least quarterly and obtain a certified public accountant audit annually and provide copies of such to the affiliated state-chartered credit union; and
iii. provide the Commissioner of Financial
Institutions, or his designated representatives, with complete access to any books and records of the credit union service organization, as deemed necessary in carrying out his responsibilities under the Louisiana Credit Union Law;
iv. notwithstanding the examinations fees,
authorized by R.S. 6:646(B)(4), the commissioner may charge a fee of $50 per hour per examiner for the purpose of determining whether an affiliated state-chartered credit union and the credit union service organization are in compliance with the Louisiana Credit Union Law and this rule. The cost of any such compliance review shall be billed directly to the credit union service organization. E. Other Laws. A credit union service organization must comply with applicable state, federal and local laws. F. Effective Date. This rule shall become effective on October 20, 1994. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:121(B)(1). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 20:1093 (October 1994).
Chapter 5. Criteria to Organize
within Residential Groups, and Add Associational Groups §501. Definitions A. As used in this Rule, and unless the content details otherwise, the following definitions apply. Application―those documents submitted in a form acceptable to the commissioner, along with all supporting information, requesting approval of a bylaw amendment that provides for a residential group common bond.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 66 Association―those individuals (natural persons) and/or groups (non natural persons) whose members participate in specific activities, share common goals and purposes; possess a charter, bylaws, or any other equivalent documentation that contains a specific definition of who is eligible for membership; conduct periodic meetings open to all members; and sponsor other activities which demonstrate that the members of the group meet to accomplish the goals and objectives of the association. Commissioner―the Commissioner of the Office of Financial Institutions. Field of Membership (FOM)―those persons and entities eligible for membership in the credit union. LOFI―Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions. Low Income Area―an area that includes any of the following (as reported in the most recently completed decennial census or equivalent government data):
a. an area that wholly consists of or is wholly located within an empowerment zone or enterprise community in the state of Louisiana designated under
Section 1391 of the IRC;
b. an area where the percentage of the population living in poverty is at least 20 percent;
c. an area in a metropolitan area where the median
family income is at or below 80 percent of the metropolitan area median family income or the Louisiana median family income, whichever is greater; d. an area outside of a metropolitan area, where the median family income is at or below 80 percent of the state-wide non-Metropolitan area median family income, whichever is greater; e. an area where the unemployment rate is at least
1.5 times the national average;
f. an area meeting the criteria for economic distress that may be established by the CDFIs of the U.S. Treasury Department. Residence Within―to live within a well-defined neighborhood, small community, or rural district. Residential Group Common Bond―a common bond created by residence within a well-defined neighborhood, small community, or rural district. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:121(B)(1). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 33:1629 (August 2007). §503. Well-Defined Neighborhood, Small Community, and Rural District A. Well-Defined Neighborhood shall mean a specified small part of a geographic area considered in regard to its residents or distinctive characteristics, specified by name, and must be described in writing.
1. Boundaries may be defined by streets, roads, or
other delineations including boundaries of a municipality (such as the city limits) or other boundaries that reasonably demonstrate the end of one well-defined neighborhood and the beginning of another. For example, a written description typically will include the names of streets or other delineations surrounding the well-defined neighborhood.
2. Boundaries of a well-defined neighborhood may be
defined as a small part of a municipality. Indicators of unifying characteristics may include, but are not limited to, recreation centers or athletic facilities, social clubs or organizations, neighborhood associations, or similar facilities or functions.
3. A written description of a well-defined
neighborhood must demonstrate a viable residential common bond based upon its size, its level of activity, and safety and soundness criteria related to service of the proposed area. B.1. Small Community shall mean an area where residents share common political, environmental, geographical, or economic characteristics that tend to create a mutual interest or, residents share common facilities or services such as an education or transportation system, recreational or cultural facilities, government, medical services, newspaper, fire or police protection, public utilities and services or other unifying characteristics that tend to create interaction or mutual interest. A small community must be described in writing and delineated on a map.
2. A single municipality or parish may qualify as a
small community if a mutual interest can be properly documented. A credit union must demonstrate that it has or will establish, within two years, adequate facilities and staffing to serve the individuals that reside in the requested small community, including individuals residing in low income areas of the small community that have insufficient access to affordable (or non-predatory) financial services. In order to do so, a credit union must submit a business plan to the commissioner specifying how it will serve individuals in the small community, including individuals that reside in low income areas. The business plan must detail the credit and depository needs of the small community and address how a credit union plans to serve those needs. A credit union will also be expected to regularly review the business plan to determine if the small community is being adequately served. The commissioner may request periodic "service" status reports from a credit union to ensure that the needs of the small community, including individuals that reside in low income areas, are being met in an appropriate manner. The commissioner may also request such a report before allowing a credit union to further expand its field of membership.
C. Rural District shall mean an area that is outside a
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) as those areas are established from time to time by the United States Office of Management and Budget. It may also be represented by sharing common political characteristics or facilities such as utilization of a single police jury, election district, water district, or similar governing authority. A rural district must
Title 10, Part IX
67 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 be described in writing and be delineated on a map. A rural district may encompass a larger geographic area than a small community, if the area is demonstrated to have certain commonalities of interest. However, a rural district may not include multiple parishes. D. Typically, the boundaries of a small community or rural district will be defined by streets and roads but may also be bounded by other delineations including boundaries of a town, municipality (such as the city limits), or other boundaries that reasonably demonstrate the end of one small community or rural district and the beginning of another. In many cases, it may be more appropriate to describe the small community or rural district by means of a map rather than listing all delineations that comprise its border. If the written description is so limited, a well drawn map may be needed to readily facilitate a determination that a prospective member qualifies for membership based upon residence within a well-defined area being served. E. More than one credit union may be approved to serve the same residential group common bond. F. The credit union must demonstrate that it has or will have adequate facilities and staffing to serve the requested residential group. G. Various groups that have a common bond of residence may be combined in the same field of membership. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:121(B)(1). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 33:1630 (August 2007). §505. Residential Group Common Bond A. The applying credit union must demonstrate by the weight and accumulation of facts presented that a residential group common bond has unifying characteristics that clearly meet the applicable definition(s). The commissioner will consider the volume and value of evidence in establishing the commonality criteria to meet the definitions for a welldefined neighborhood, small community, or rural district common bond. B. Safety and Soundness Criteria
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 68
3. If the commissioner deems it appropriate, he may
require that the credit union submit revised loan and collection policies and procedures that recognize the additional complexities of a residential group common bond.
4. If the commissioner deems it appropriate, he may
require that the credit union provide adequate policies related to asset/liability management, recognizing the additional complexities that could result from expanded lending and deposit taking activities. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 6:121(B)(1). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 33:1630 (August 2007). §507. Applications A. A residential group common bond request shall be submitted to the commissioner on the form(s) provided by the LOFI; and include the proposed amendment to the credit union's bylaws in accordance with Section 665 of the Louisiana Credit Union Law. In reviewing the application, the commissioner may consider:
Title 10, Part IX
69 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 §513. Adding Associational Groups A. Pursuant to his authority under the Louisiana Credit Union Law and the stated purpose of the same, the commissioner has determined that, if there are no safety and soundness concerns, it is appropriate to allow expansions of a credit union's FOM involving members and employees of an association in accordance with Sections 645(B) and 646(A)(2)(b) of the Louisiana Credit Union Law. At a minimum, the commissioner may consider the following when assessing an application to add an associational group to a credit union's FOM:
71 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 Title 10 FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC
Part XI. Consumer Credit
Chapter 1. Reserved
Chapter 7. Powers
§701. Sale of Thrift Club Membership A. A licensed or supervised lender may offer and sell thrift club memberships at any location where supervised loans are made. In addition, the cost of such thrift club memberships may, at the consumer's option, be payable from the proceeds of consumer loans and included in the amount financed, provided that:
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 72 B. In addition to the public notice that is provided for by §903.C, the commissioner may inform the general public by a press release, which is distributed to newspapers which have a general circulation, that a creditor has filed a petition requesting approval of an additional fee or charge and that any interested person may make comments, observations, or objections known in the same manner and in the same time as is provided for in Subsection A of this Section.
C. The notice which is provided for by §903.C and the
press release which is permitted by Subsection B of this
Section shall briefly summarize the creditor's reasons for
requesting the additional fee or charge. The notice and press release shall inform the general public that any person may obtain a copy of the creditor's request, including any attachments or documents filed therewith to support the request, at no cost to the person requesting it. A copy of the petition and attachments may be obtained by a written request sent via U.S. Postal Service, addressed to the Chief Examiner, Non-Depository Division, Office of Financial Institutions, 8660 United Plaza Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA
70809. In the alternative, any person may obtain, in person,
a copy at the same address between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. D. By the end of the month following the month in which the petition for additional fees and charges was filed with the Office of Financial Institutions, if the fee or charge is approved, the commissioner may announce the decision and publish it in the Potpourri section of the Louisiana Register which is issued in the month following the decision. E. The creditor shall, within 30 days after the Office of Financial Institutions receives the Office of the State Register's invoice for costs of publication, reimburse the Office of Financial Institutions the total cost of publishing the notices provided for by Subsections A, C and D. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 9:3517(C). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 26:1992 (September 2000), repromulgated LR 26:2258 (October 2000).
Chapter 11. Lender Education
§1101. Application
A. This Chapter applies to all persons licensed by the commissioner pursuant to the Louisiana consumer credit law (LCCL) and the Louisiana Deferred Presentment and Small Loan Act (LDPSLA) who engage in the business of making small loans and deferred presentment transactions pursuant to the LDPSLA. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 49:950 et seq., R.S. 9:3554(A)(5), R.S. 9:3554(B), and R.S. 9:3578.8(A) and (B). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 41:537 (March 2015). §1103. Definitions A. Unless the context otherwise requires, as determined by the commissioner in his discretion, all terms used in this
Chapter 11 shall have the same meanings as in the Louisiana
consumer credit law, (LCCL), R.S. 9:3510 et seq., as amended, and the Louisiana Deferred Presentment and Small Loan Act, (LDPSLA), R.S. 9:3578.1 et seq., as amended. In addition, unless the context otherwise requires, as determined by the commissioner in his discretion, the following definitions set forth in Subsection B below, apply in this Chapter 11. B. Definitions
Chapterthis Chapter 11 of Part XI of Title 10 of the
Louisiana Administrative Code.
Commissionerthe commissioner of the Office of Financial Institutions for the state of Louisiana. Deferred Presentment Transactiona transaction made pursuant to a written agreement whereby a licensee:
a. accepts a check from the issuer dated as of the date it was written; b. agrees to hold the check for a period of time not to exceed 30 days prior to negotiation or presentment;
c. pays to the issuer of the check the amount of the
check less the fee permitted in R.S. 9:3578.4(A). The amount paid to the issuer of the check may not exceed $350. LCCLthe Louisiana consumer credit law, R.S. 9:3510 et seq., as amended. LDPSLAthe Louisiana Deferred Presentment and Small Loan Act, R.S. 9:3578.1 et seq., as amended. Lender Personnela person(s), as defined in R.S. 9:3516(24.1), who is employed by, contracted with, or engaged in the performance of services, that involve the general public, including, but not limited to, those that offer, market, negotiate, and/or sell deferred presentment transactions or small loans by or for a person licensed by the commissioner pursuant to the LCCL and the LDPSLA. Person(s)all persons, as defined in R.S. 9:3516(24.1) of the LCCL, licensed by the commissioner pursuant to the LCCL and the LDPSLA who engage in the business of making small loans and deferred presentment transactions pursuant to the LDPSLA. Small Loana consumer loan, as defined in R.S. 9:3516(14), of $350 or less, made for a term of 60 days or less. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 49:950 et seq., R.S. 9:3554(A)(5), R.S. 9:3554(B), and R.S. 9:3578.8(A) and (B). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 41:537 (March 2015). §1105. Required Education A. Each person shall provide education to all lender personnel annually no later than January 1 of each year and to all new lender personnel within the first month upon attainment of this status or designation and each calendar
Title 10, Part XI
73 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 year thereafter no later than January 1. The education material to be utilized by the person shall be provided to persons by the commissioner electronically, through email transmissions, the website of the Office of Financial Institutions, or otherwise, as deemed appropriate by the commissioner. Such education shall consist of certain elements related to compliance with the LCCL, LDPSLA, and this Chapter, including but not limited to, those items enumerated in Subsection B below. B. Elements:
75 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 Title 10 FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC
Part XIII. Investment Securities
Editor's Note: LAC 10.XIII.Subpart 2. Public Funds Investments has been moved to LAC 71.I.Chapter 5 for topical arrangements. Subpart 1. Securities
Chapter 1. General Requirements
§101. Application of Regulations A. The regulations contained in this rule shall govern every registration of securities under the Act, except that any provision in a form covering the same subject matter as any such rules shall be controlling unless otherwise specifically provided herein. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:702. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §103. Definitions A. Unless the context otherwise requires, all terms used in this regulation or in the form for registration have the same meanings as in the act and in the general rules and regulations. In addition, the following definitions apply, unless the context otherwise requires. Affiliate, an Affiliate of, or a Person Affiliated With a Specified Person―a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the person specified. Amount―when used in regard to securities, means the principal amount if relating to evidences of indebtedness, the number of shares if relating to shares, and the number of units if relating to any other kind of security. Certified―when used in regard to financial statements, means certified by an independent public or independent certified public accountant or accountants. Charter―includes articles of incorporation, declarations of trust, articles of association or partnership, or any similar instrument, as amended, affecting (either with or without filing with any governmental agency) the organization or creation of an incorporated or unincorporated person. Commissioner―the Commissioner of Securities. Control―(including the terms controlling, controlled by and under common control with) possession (direct or indirect) of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise. Controlling Person― a. any person selling a security, or group of persons acting in concert in the sale of a security, owning beneficially (and in the absence of knowledge, or reasonable grounds for belief, to the contrary, record ownership shall for the purposes hereof be presumed to be beneficial ownership) either:
i. 25 percent or more of the outstanding voting
securities of the issuer of such security where no other person owns or controls a greater percentage of such securities; or
ii. such number of outstanding securities of the
issuer of such security as would enable such person, or group of persons, to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managing body of such issuer; b. in case of unincorporated issuers, the words controlling persons shall mean any person selling a security, or group of persons acting in concert in the sale of a security, who directly or indirectly controls the activities of the issuer. Director―any director of a corporation or any person performing similar functions with respect to any organization whether incorporated or unincorporated. Employee―does not include a director, trustee, or officer. Equity Security―any stock or similar security; or any security convertible, with or without consideration, into such a security; or carrying any warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase such a security; or any such warrant or right. Fiscal Year―the annual accounting period or, if no closing date has been adopted, the calendar year ending on December 31. Majority-Owned Subsidiary―a subsidiary, 50 percent of whose outstanding securities representing the right, other than as affected by events of default, to vote for the election of directors, is owned by the subsidiary's parent and/or one or more of the parent's other majority-owned subsidiaries. Material―when used to qualify a requirement for the furnishing of information as to any subject, limits the information required to those matters as to which an average prudent investor ought reasonably to be informed before purchasing the security registered.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 76 Officer―a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer or principal financial officer, comptroller or principal accounting officer, and any other person performing similar functions with respect to any organization whether incorporated or unincorporated. Parent―a specified person is an affiliate controlling such person directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries. Predecessor―a person the major portion of the business and assets of which another person acquired in a single succession, or in a series of related successions, or in a series of related successions in each of which the acquiring person acquired the major portion of the business and assets of the acquired person. Principal Underwriter―an underwriter in privity of contract with the issuer of the securities as to which he is underwriter. Promoter―includes:
a. any person who, acting alone or in conjunction with one or more other persons, directly or indirectly takes initiative in founding and organizing the business or enterprise of an issuer; b. any person who, in connection with the founding and organizing of the business or enterprise of an issuer, directly or indirectly receives in consideration of services or property, or both services and property, 10 percent or more of any class of securities of the issuer or 10 percent or more of the proceeds from the sale of any class of securities. However, a person who receives such securities or proceeds either solely as underwriting commissions or solely in considerations of property shall not be deemed a promoter within the meaning of this Paragraph if such person does not otherwise take part in founding and organizing the enterprise. Prospectus―unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires, the term prospectus means a prospectus meeting the requirements of the act, and any rule or order issued by the Louisiana Commissioner of Securities. Registrant―the issuer of the securities which are the subject matter of an application for registration or a report. Share―a share of stock in a corporation or unit of interest in an unincorporated person. Significant Subsidiary―a subsidiary meeting any one of the following conditions:
a. the assets of the subsidiary, or the investments in and advances to the subsidiary by its parent and the parent's other subsidiaries, if any, exceed 15 percent of the assets of the parent and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; b. the subsidiary is the parent of one or more subsidiaries and together with such subsidiaries would, if considered in the aggregate, constitute a significant subsidiary. Subsidiary―a subsidiary of a specified person is an affiliate controlled by such person directly, or indirectly. Succession―the direct acquisition of the assets comprising a going business, whether by merger, consolidation, purchase, or other direct transfer. The term does not include the acquisition of control of a business, unless followed by the direct acquisition of its assets. The terms succeed and successor have meanings correlative to the foregoing. Totally-Held Subsidiary―a subsidiary:
a. substantially all of whose outstanding securities are owned by its parent and/or the parent's other totally-held subsidiaries; and b. which is not indebted to any person other than its parent and/or the parent's other totally-held subsidiaries, in an amount which is material in relation to the particular subsidiary, excepting indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business which is not overdue and which matures within one year from the date of its creation, whether evidenced by securities or not. Underwriter―any person who has purchased from an issuer with a view to, or offers or sells for an issuer in connection with, the distribution of any security, or participates or has a direct or indirect participation in any such undertaking, or participates or has a participation in the direct or indirect underwriting of any such undertaking; but such term shall not include a person whose interest is limited to a commission from an underwriter or dealer not in excess of the usual and customary distributors' or sellers' commissions. As used in this Paragraph, the term issuer shall include, in addition to an issuer, any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by the issuer, or any person under direct or indirect common control with the issuer. Voting Securities―securities the holders of which are presently entitled to vote for the election of directors. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:702. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §105. Filing an Application; Requirements as to Proper Form A. An application for registration shall be prepared in accordance with the form prescribed by the Commissioner of Securities of the State of Louisiana as in effect on the date of filing and in accordance with the requirements set out in Sections 51:706, 51:707, and 51:708 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 as amended. Any application for registration shall be deemed to be filed on the proper form unless objection to the form is made by the Commissioner of Securities. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706, R.S. 51:707 and R.S. 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971.
Title 10, Part XIII
77 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 §107. Date of Filing A. At least 10 days (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays excluded) prior to the date on which the initial offering of any security is to be made, there shall be filed with the Commissioner of Securities one copy of the required application. The Commissioner of Securities may, however, in his discretion, authorize the commencement of the offering prior to the expiration of such 10-day period upon a written request for such authorization. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §109. Number of Copies; Signatures A. Two copies of the competed application for registration, including exhibits and all other papers and documents filed as a part of the application, shall be filed with the Commissioner of Securities. B. At least one copy of every application for registration shall be manually signed by the applicant. If the application for registration is typewritten, the original "ribbon" copy shall be signed. Unsigned copies shall be conformed.
C. If any name is signed to the application for
registration pursuant to a power of attorney, copies of such power of attorney shall be filed with the application for registration. In addition, if the name of any officer signing on behalf of the applicant, or attesting the applicant's seal, is signed pursuant to a power of attorney, certified copies of a resolution of the applicant's board of directors authorizing such signature shall also be filed with the application for registration. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §111. Requirements as to Paper, Printing and Language A. Application for registration shall be filed on good quality, unglazed, white paper, 8 1/2 by 14 inches in size insofar as practicable. However, tables, charts, maps, and financial statements may be on larger paper, if folded to that size, and the prospectus may be on smaller paper if the registrant so desires. B. The application for registration and, insofar as practicable, all papers and documents filed as a part thereof, shall be printed, lithographed, mimeographed, or typewritten. However, the application or any portion thereof may be prepared by any similar process which, in the opinion of the Commissioner of Securities, produces copies suitable for permanent record. Irrespective of the process used, all copies of any such material shall be clear, easily readable and suitable for repeated photocopying. Debits in credit categories shall be designated so as to be clearly distinguishable as such on photocopies.
C. The application for registration shall be in the English
language. If any exhibit or other paper or document filed with the application for registration is in a foreign language, it shall be accompanied by a translation into the English language. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §113. Preparation of Application for Registration A. Investment Companies. Applications for registration of securities of investment companies registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 shall be filed on the Uniform Application Form. B. Other Securities. Applications for registration by qualification of all other securities shall be filed on the Uniform Application Form.
C. Notification. Applications for registration by
notification shall be filed on the Uniform Application Form. D. Securities Registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In all cases in which an application for registration of securities by qualification or notification is filed and a registration statement covering the same securities has been filed with the Federal Securities and Exchange Commission, a copy of the registration statement and prospectus so filed will be accepted by the Commissioner of Securities in lieu of the exhibits required by Sections 51:706, 51:707, and/or 51:708 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended. The application shall substantially comply with the provisions of Section 51:706 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended and the regulations prescribed by the Commissioner of Securities of the State of Louisiana. E. Interpretation of Requirements. Unless the context clearly shows otherwise:
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 78 required information is unknown and not reasonably available to the registrant, either because the obtaining thereof would involve unreasonable effort or expense, or because it rests peculiarly within the knowledge of another person not affiliated with the registrant, the information may be omitted, subject to the following conditions:
1. the registrant shall give such information on the
subject as it possess or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense, together with the sources thereof;
2. the registrant shall include a statement either
showing that unreasonable effort or expense would be involved or indicating the absence of any affiliation with the person within whose knowledge the information rests and stating the result of a request made to such person for the information. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706, R.S. 51:707 and R.S. 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §115. Registration by Notification; Filing Fees A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, one copy of the application for registration of securities which are permitted by Section 51:707 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, to be filed by notification shall be filed at least two days (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays excluded) prior to the date on which the initial offering is to be made or such shorter period as the Commissioner of Securities in his discretion, may authorize. B. Filing Fees. All applications shall be accompanied by a check payable to "Commissioner of Securities, State of Louisiana." The applicant shall pay to the Commissioner of Securities 1/20 of 1 percent of the aggregate price of the securities to be offered to be sold in the state of Louisiana for which the applicant is seeking registration, but in no case shall the fee be less than $25 nor more than $200, and in addition thereto shall pay a charge of $100, to be used to defray the expenses of the Commissioner of Securities. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:707. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §117. Registration by Qualification; Filing Fees A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, one copy of the application for registration of securities which are permitted by Section 51:708 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, to be filed by qualification, shall be filed at least 10 days (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays excepted) prior to the date on which the next offering is to be made, or such shorter period as the Commissioner of Securities, in his discretion, may authorize. B. Filing Fees. All applications shall be accompanied by a check payable to "Commissioner of Securities, state of Louisiana." The applicant shall pay to the commissioner a fee of 1/10 of 1 percent of the aggregate price of the securities to be registered and offered to be sold in this state, for which the applicant is seeking registration, but in no case shall the fee be less than $50 nor more than $1,000, and in addition thereto shall pay a charge of $100, to be used to defray the expenses of the commissioner. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §119. Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference A. Where an item calls for information not required to be included in the prospectus, matter contained in any part of the application for registration, other than exhibits, may be incorporated by reference in answer, or
partial answer, to such item. B. Any financial statement or part thereof filed with the Commissioner of Securities pursuant to this act may be incorporated by reference in any application for registration if it substantially conforms to the requirements of the appropriate form and is not required to be included in the prospectus.
C. Material incorporated by reference shall be clearly
identified in the reference. An express statement that the specified matter is incorporated by reference shall be made at the particular place in the application for registration where the information is required. Matter shall not be incorporated by reference in any case where such incorporation would render the statement incomplete, unclear or confusing. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706, R.S. 51:707 and R.S. 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §121. Disclaimer of Control A. If the existence of control is open to reasonable doubt in any instance, the registrant may disclaim the existence of control and any admission thereof. In any case, however, the registrant shall state the material facts pertinent to the possible existence of control. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706, R.S. 51:707 and R.S. 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §123. Title of Securities A. Wherever the title of securities is required to be stated there shall be given such information as will indicate the type and general character of the securities, including the following:
1. in the case of shares, the par or stated value, if any;
the rate of dividends, if fixed, and whether cumulative or noncumulative; a brief indication of the preference, if any; and if convertible, a statement to that effect;
2. in the case of funded debt, the rate of interest; the
date of maturity, or if the issue matures serially, a brief indication of the serial maturities, such as "maturing serially from 1950 to 1960;" if the payment of principal or interest is
Title 10, Part XIII
79 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 contingent, an appropriate indication of such contingency; a brief indication of the priority of the issue; and if convertible, a statement to that effect;
3. in the case of any other kind of security, appropriate
information of comparable character.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:708 HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §125. Written Consents; Formal Requirements as to Consents A. If the name of any accountant, engineer, or appraiser, or any person whose profession gives authority to a statement made by him, has been made any part of the application for registration, or if such person is named as having prepared or certified a report, the written consent of such person shall be filed with the application for registration. All written consents of experts filed with an application for registration pursuant to these rules shall be dated and signed manually. A list of such consents shall be filed with the application for registration. Where the consent of an expert is contained in his report, a reference shall be made in the list to the report containing the consent. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:702. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §127. Consents Required in Special Cases A. If any portion of the report of an expert is quoted or summarized as such in the application for registration or in a prospectus the written consent of the expert shall expressly state that the expert consents to such quotation or summarization. B. If it is stated that any information contained in the application for registration has been reviewed or passed upon by any persons and that such information is set forth in the application for registration upon the authority of or in reliance upon such persons as experts, the written consents of such persons shall be filed with the application for registration. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:702. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §129. Application to Dispense with Consent A. An application to the Commissioner of Securities to dispense with any written consent of an expert shall be made by the registrant and shall be supported by an affidavit or affidavits establishing that the obtaining of such consent is impracticable or involves undue hardships on the registrant. Such application shall be filed and the consent of the Commissioner of Securities shall be obtained prior to the date of registration. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:702. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §131. Consent to Use of Material Incorporated by Reference A. If the act or the rules and regulations of the Commissioner of Securities require the filing of a written consent to the use of any material in connection with the application for registration, such consent shall be filed with the application for registration even though the material is incorporated therein by reference. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706, R.S. 51:707 and R.S. 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §133.
Additional Exhibits A. This registrant may file such exhibits as it may desire, in addition to those required by the appropriate form. Such exhibits shall be so marked as to indicate clearly the subject matters to which they refer. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706, R.S. 51:707 and R.S. 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §135. Omission of Substantially Identical Documents A. In any case where two or more indentures, contracts, franchises, or other documents required to be filed as exhibits are substantially identical in all material respects except as to the parties thereto, the dates of execution, or other details, the registrant need file a copy of only one of such documents, with a schedule identifying the other documents omitted and setting forth the material details in which such documents differ from the document of which a copy is filed. The Commissioner of Securities may at any time, in his discretion, require the filing of copies of any documents so omitted. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706, R.S. 51:707 and R.S. 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §137. Incorporation of Exhibits by Reference A. Any document or part thereof filed with the Commissioner of Securities pursuant to any act administered by the Commissioner of Securities may be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to any application for registration. B. If any modification has occurred in the text of any document incorporated by reference since the filing thereof, the registrant shall file with the reference a statement containing the text of any such modification and the date thereof. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706, R.S. 51:707 and 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 80 §139. Place of Filing Editor's Note: The address for the office of the Commissioner of Securities has changed to:
Commissioner of Securities
State of Louisiana
8660 United Plaza Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
A. All applications and papers in connection therewith and requests for information shall be addressed to:
Commissioner of Securities
State of Louisiana
315 Louisiana State Office Building 325 Loyola Avenue New Orleans, LA 70112. B. Every statement authorized or required to be filed with the commissioner under any of the provisions of this regulation shall be transmitted to the commissioner by mail, and the commissioner shall never receive, nor shall he be authorized to receive or accept for filing any statement or document transmitted to him by any mode other than by the United States mail. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706, R.S. 51:707, and R.S. 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §141. Formal Requirements for Amendments A. One copy of each amendment to an application shall be filed with the Commissioner of Securities at least five days prior to any offering of the securities subsequent to the filing of such amendment, or such shorter period as the Commissioner of Securities, in his discretion, may authorize. The Commissioner of Securities may, in his discretion, authorize an offering to commence prior to the receipt of all amendments where he has been informed by telephone, telegraph or letter of the substance of such amendments, as in the case of "price amendments" or other amendments, where he may deem such action proper. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706, R.S. 51:707 and R.S. 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §143. Delaying Amendments A. An amendment altering the proposed date of the public offering may be made by telegram or by letter. Each such telegraphic amendment shall be confirmed within a reasonable time by the filing of one copy, which shall be signed. Such confirmation shall not be deemed an amendment. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706, R.S. 51:707 and R.S. 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §145. Withdrawal of Registration Statement or Amendment A. Any application for registration or any amendment or exhibit thereto may be withdrawn upon application if the Commissioner of Securities, finding such withdrawal consistent with the public interest and the protections of investors, consents thereto. The application for such consent shall be signed and shall state fully the grounds upon which made. The examination fee paid upon the filing of the application for registration will not be returned. The papers comprising the application for registration or amendment thereto shall not be removed from the files of the Commissioner of Securities but shall by plainly marked with the date of the giving of such consent, and in the following manner: "Withdrawn without prejudice, the Commissioner of Securities consenting thereto." AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706, R.S. 51:707 and 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §147. Powers to Amend or Withdraw Registration Statement A. All persons signing an
application for registration shall be deemed, in the absence of a statement to the contrary, to confer upon the applicant and upon the correspondent named in the application for registration the following powers:
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81 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706, R.S. 51:707, and R.S. 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §153. Severability A. If any provision or clause of this regulation or the application thereof to any person or situation is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision or application of the regulation which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this regulation are declared to be severable. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706, R.S. 51:707 and R.S. 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971.
Chapter 3. Form and Content of
Prospectus
§301. Scope of Rule
A. This rule prescribes the form and content of the prospectus, intended as of the effective date to be used in connection with the offering of securities registered by notification, or required to be filed as a part of a registration statement for registration of securities by qualification and to be used in connection with the offering of securities so registered. (Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended,
Section 51:706, Paragraph B).
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706(B). HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §303. Registration by Qualification and Notification A. A prospectus filed as part of a registration statement for registration of securities by qualification and notification shall contain all the information required by Schedule A, "Outline of Prospectus," located in §1103 of this Part. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706(B). HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §305. Legibility of Prospectus A. The prospectus may be printed, mimeographed or typewritten, or prepared by any similar process which will result in clear, legible copies. If printed, it shall be set in clear Roman type at least as large as 10-point modern type, with financial data or other statistical or tabular matter at least as large as 8 point. All type shall be leaded at least 2 points. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706(B). HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §307. Presentation of Representation of Prospectus A. The prospectus shall contain the information called for by all items of Schedule A, "Outline of Prospectus" located in §1103 of this Part, required to be answered, except that no reference need be made to inapplicable items, and negative answers to any item may be omitted. None of the other information or documents filed as part of the registration statement need be included in the prospectus. B. The prospectus should set forth information in a clear concise and understandable manner, free of unnecessary and irrelevant details or technical language. The information shall not be presented in such form as to obscure required information, or information necessary to keep the required information from being incomplete or misleading. The prospectus should not include:
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 82 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21 and 22 of
Schedule A, "Outline of Prospectus" of this Part, inclusive, if
such securities of such registrant were being registered. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §313. Use of Prospectus A. A copy of such prospectus shall be delivered to each prospective purchaser of securities before consummation of any sale or contract for sale. B. When a prospectus is used more than nine months after the effective date of the registration statement, the information contained therein shall be as of a date not more than 16 months prior to such use, so far as such information is known to the user of such prospectus or can be furnished by such user without unreasonable effort or expense.
C. In addition to the requirements of Subsection B of this
Section if a prospectus becomes misleading or inaccurate in
any material respect, its use shall be discontinued, and it shall be revised or supplemented in such a way that it shall not be misleading or inaccurate in any material respect. Three copies of such revised or supplemented prospectus shall be filed promptly with the Commissioner of Securities. D. Nothing herein shall prevent the distribution of preliminary or final prospectuses pertaining to securities registered or being registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission if such distribution takes place in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §315. Circulation of Preliminary Prospectuses A. Preliminary prospectuses may be distributed in Louisiana provided that an application to register the securities offered is pending before the commission, and provided:
1. an application to register the securities is also
pending before the Securities and Exchange Commission;
2. the applicant has not been notified of proceedings
under Sections 8(b) or 8(d) of the Securities Act of 1933 or by this commission that the application for registration is substantially deficient and the circulation of a preliminary prospectus is not appropriate in light of the deficient application;
3. the outside front cover page of such prospectus
shall bear, in red ink, the caption, "Preliminary Prospectus," the date of its issuance, and the following statement printed in type as large as that generally in the body thereof:
"A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, but has not yet become effective. Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state." AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §317. Amendments to Prospectus A. The prospectus shall constitute a part of the application and shall be amended in accordance with the provisions of the rules dealing with amendments to applications. The amended prospectus submitted to this office must be "red lined" in order to point out the changes made in said prospectus. The registrant may provide, in place of the "red lined" prospectus, a cross reference table which would reference the changes between the old and new prospectus. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §319. Prohibition of Use of Certain Financial Statements A. Financial statements which purport to give effect to the receipt and application of any part of the proceeds from the sale of securities for cash shall not be used unless the sale of such securities is underwritten and the underwriters are to be irrevocably bound, on or before the date of the public offering, to take issue. The caption of any such financial statement shall clearly set forth the names of the underwriters and the assumptions upon which such statement is based. The caption shall be in type at least as large as that used generally in the body of the statement. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §321. Pooling of Interests A. All earnings statements required by Sections 51:701- 51:720 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended to be filed with the Commissioner of Securities which reflect poolings of interest must be set out for each period reported:
1. total actual historical earnings and earnings per
share of the issuer;
2. total earnings and earnings per share of the
company or companies taken over;
3. show separately the detailed operating results for
the company or companies taken over for the period reported up to the date of the take-over of the take-over occurred during the last fiscal year or interim period reported. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971.
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83 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 §323. Requirements as to Appraisals A. There shall be included as an exhibit in every application for registration of securities of an issuer under this law which:
1. has not been engaged in the business in which it is
engaged for five years; or
2. has not had a net profit in each of the last three
years, an appraisal of the assets of the issuer as specified by the commissioner in each case prepared by a disinterested qualified person designated by the Commissioner of Securities. Such appraisal shall bear a dollar valuation as to the assets of the issuer and shall be prepared as of a date not more than 120 days prior to the date filed with the Commissioner of Securities. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971.
Chapter 5. Standards of Qualification
§501. Application of Standards
A. Standards set forth in these regulations are intended to furnish guidelines for qualification, pursuant to the discretion of the commissioner authorized by Section 51:708(10) of Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, of offers and sales of securities. However, because it is impossible to foresee and provide for all variations of circumstances, these standards are not intended to preclude the application of more liberal or more stringent standards as the circumstances justify. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:707 and R.S. 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §503. Promoters Equity Investment A. The fair value of equity investment shall be deemed to mean the total of all sums conveyed to the issuer in the form of paid in or contributed cash or other tangible items with an established or determinable value. B. The burden of justifying as equitable, the quantity of promotional securities to be issued for assets so conveyed, and of establishing reasonable or market value thereof, shall rest with the applicant.
C. Promoters Equity Investment Ratio. In offerings
where the issuer is in a promotional or development phase and the ratio of equity investment by promoters or insiders is less than 15 percent of the total equity investment resulting from the sale of the entire offering, the offering will not be considered to be based on sound business principles unless:
1. the offering is supported by a firm commitment of
an underwriter duly registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2. the net worth of the issuer is in excess of $100,000.
D. Recognition of Appraised Value
1. In determining compliance with this rule, the
commissioner may recognize the appraised value of the issuer's real property. In no event will the appraised value be considered if it is higher than the acquisition cost, unless (since the acquisition of the property) at least one of the following has occurred and it is reasonably indicated that a material increase in the value thereof has resulted:
a. erection of a structure on the land; b. substantial improvements to existing structures located on the realty;
c. re-zoning to a broader zone;
d. availability of utility services previously unavailable to the property, but excluding such normal utilities as telephone, normal electric and normal gas. Examples of the utilities, but without being limited as to the general type thereof, are water, sewer, highline service and trackage; e. a material change in the nature of the surrounding property; f. elimination of an element that had a depreciatory effect on the value of the subject property (e.g., covering of a dump); g. the existence of any other element (appropriately documented) which would normally indicate a substantial increase in the value of the property.
2. The utilization of an appraisal value in determining
whether the minimum equity investment has been made lies within the sole discretion of the commissioner. Pursuant to R.S. 51:708(9), the commissioner may require, at the issuer's expense an independent appraisal by a qualified real estate appraiser selected by the commissioner prior to rendering his decision regarding recognition of the appraised value. This appraisal may be in addition to any independent appraisals that may have been made at the issuer's request prior to filing the application.
3. If the commissioner permits the appraised value to
be used for the purposes of complying with the minimum equity investment, that appraised value may not be reflected in any form, either in the prospectus or in the issuer's financial statements or any footnotes thereto. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:707 and R.S. 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §505. Commissions and Expenses A.1. Selling Expenses of Offering of Securities. Selling expenses in connection with an offering of securities (whether such offering is sold entirely or partially within Louisiana) shall include underwriting discounts or commissions, the value of options or warrants to acquire securities granted or proposed to be granted in connection with the offering to an underwriter, or its partners, officers, directors or shareholders, or otherwise as such underwriter
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 84 may lawfully direct; finder's fees paid or to be paid in connection with the offering; the value of the difference between the fair value at the time of issuance and the price paid for securities of the issuer, issued within two years prior to the offering or proposed to be issued to an underwriter, or any of its partners, officers, directors or shareholders, to the extent such sales or issuances may be deemed by the commissioner to have been in lieu of commissions, or material in the selection of an underwriter by the issuer, or otherwise directly or indirectly connected with the offering; and all other expenses directly or indirectly incurred in connection with the offering, excluding, however:
a. attorneys' fees for services in connection with the offer, sale and issuance of the securities and their qualification for offer and sale under applicable laws and regulations, except such attorneys' fees of the underwriter as are paid by the issuer or selling stockholders; b. charges of transfer agents, registrars, indenture trustees, escrow holders, depositaries, auditors, accountants, engineers, appraisers and other experts;
c. cost of prospecti, circulars and other documents
required to comply with such laws and regulations; d. other expenses incurred in connection with such qualification and compliance with such laws and regulations; e. cost of authorizing and preparing the securities and documents relating thereto, including issue taxes and stamps.
2. Selling expenses shall, at all times, be reasonable
and, unless good cause for an exception is shown, shall not exceed the following percentages for the specified types of companies or securities based upon percentages of the aggregate offering price. Firm Undertaking Best Efforts Undertaking Finance, mortgage and related companies 15% 10% Bonds, notes, debentures and secured issuers 15% 10% Common stock 15% 10% Preferred stocks and other stock senior to common stock 15% 10% Investment companies 10% 10% Oil or gas interests 12 1/2% 12 1/2%
3. Securities of an issuer whose securities are sold
under a Louisiana broker-dealer permit granted said issuer. In those cases, no commissions shall inure to the benefit of any officers or directors selling the securities of the issuer. All agents registered under said broker-dealer permit, who are not officers or directors will be allowed to receive a maximum commission as set out under the above column headed "Best Efforts Undertaking." For a company in the exploratory or development stage and whose securities are not registered under Federal Securities Act of 1933, one-half of the commissions which inure to the agents of an issuer broker-dealer, must be escrowed for a period of time as stipulated by the Commissioner of Securities of the State of Louisiana.
4. Options or warrants to underwriters, or their
partners, officers directors or shareholders or otherwise as lawfully directed by such underwriters shall be valued at market value, if any exists. In cases where no market value exists, an option or warrant to acquire common stock shall be valued at 20 percent of the public offering price of such numbers of shares under option or warrant, unless it is shown to the satisfaction of the commissioner that a contrary valuation exists. B. Other Expenses. Provision may be made for additional allowance by the issuer from the public offering price of securities actually sold to pay the sales expenses incurred in making the public offering. Such sales expenses shall, however, be limited to the following categories:
1. advertising directly associated with the sale of the
public offering being registered;
2. attorneys' fees for services in connection with the
issue and sale of the securities and their qualification for sale under applicable laws and regulations;
3. the cost of prospecti, circulars and other documents
required to comply with such laws and regulations;
4. other expenses directly incurred in connection with
such qualifications and compliance with such laws and regulations (filing fees and investigation fees prior to registration);
5. cost of authorizing and preparing the securities and
documents relating thereto, including issue taxes and stamps;
6. charges of transfer agents, registrars, indenture
trustees, escrow holders, depositaries, auditors, and of engineers, appraisers and other experts;
7. a listing of all "other expenses" must be presented
to the office of the Commissioner of Securities of the state of Louisiana within a reasonable period of time not to exceed one month from the date the permit for a public offering was issued. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:707 and R.S. 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §507. Options, Warrants and Convertible Debenture A. Warrants or stock purchase options, conversion privileges and other rights to acquire stock or other securities must be justified by the applicant. The following standards will be followed in determining whether the issuance of such warrants and stock options is justified.
1. Fifteen Percent Limitation. Unless good cause for
an exception is shown, authorized warrants and options to purchase shares (excluding those specified in §507.A.3) shall not be in excess of 15 percent of the common shares to be outstanding if the entire public offering is sold, except as may otherwise be permitted under §507.A.7.g.
2. Five-Year Limitation. Except as otherwise
permitted under §507.A.7.a, or unless good cause for an exception is shown, a warrant or option to purchase shares shall not be exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date such warrant or option is granted.
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3. Pro-Rata Offerings. Prorate issuance of options or
warrants to all purchasers in connection with a public offering will be considered justified if reasonable in number and method of exercise.
4. Employee Options. Options to employees shall be
considered justified if reasonable in number and method of exercise. a. Qualified stock options, as defined in Section 422(b) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1954, issued in accordance with the terms of a qualified stock option plan will be considered reasonable in number when the total number of shares subject to such options (and any restricted stock options outstanding) at any one time does not exceed 10 percent of the then outstanding common shares of the issuer. b. Options granted to employees of the issuer which are not qualified stock options will be considered on an individual basis, provided, however, that the total number of shares subject to such stock options (and any options outstanding pursuant to a qualified stock option plan) shall not exceed 10 percent of the then outstanding common shares of the issuer, and further provided that, in determining whether such options are justified, consideration shall be given to whether such options contain a step-up provision similar to the one set forth in §507.A.5.c.
5. Options and Warrants to Underwriters. Ordinarily,
warrants or options to underwriters will be considered with disfavor, unless all of the following conditions are met:
a. the warrants or options are issued to a managing underwriter in connection with a firm underwriting and are not exercisable for 11 months after the date of the offering, or, in connection with a best efforts basis, and are not issued and are not exercisable for 11 months following the sale of the entire issue or such lesser amount as is approved by the commissioner; b. the warrants or options are nontransferable other than by will or pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution, except to a partner of the underwriter when the underwriter is a partnership or to a person who is both a stockholder and officer of the underwriter when the underwriter is a corporation;
c. the initial exercise price of the options is at least
equal to the public offering price plus a step-up of said public offering price of either:
i. 7 percent each year they are outstanding,
commencing one year after issuance, so that the exercise price throughout the second year is 107 percent; throughout the third year 114 percent; throughout the fourth year 121 percent; and throughout the fifth year 128 percent; or in the alternative;
ii. 20 percent at any time after one year from the
date of issuance; provided that an election as to either alternative must be made by the underwriters at the time the options are issued to the underwriters; d. the options and warrants are issued by a relatively small company which is in the promotional stage or which, because of its size, lack of public ownership of its shares or other facts and circumstances, makes it appear to the commissioner that the issuance of options is necessary to obtain competent investment banking services, and the direct commissions to the underwriters are lower than the usual and customary commissions would be in the absence of such options; e. the prospectus issued in connection with the registration statement contains a full disclosure as to the terms and the reason for the issuance of the warrants and options, and if such reason is in connection with future advisory services to be performed by the underwriter without compensation in consideration of the issuance of the options, a statement to that effect shall be placed in the prospectus; f. the same tests shall be applied to options issued by the selling shareholders unless evidence indicates that the selling shareholders are so separated from the corporate entity and so lacking in control of the corporate entity as to require more liberal treatment; g. the number of shares or units called for by such warrants or options does not exceed 5 percent of the number of shares or units to be sold, or in fact, sold for the issuer in the offering; h. selling expenses, commissions and discounts, including the value of such options to be issued, do not exceed the limitations contained in §505.
6. No Options to Issuer's Agents. No options or
warrants shall be issued to an agent of the issuer.
7. Options, Warrants and Convertible Debentures
Issued in Connection with Financing Arrangements. Ordinarily, options, warrants and convertible debentures issued in connection with financing arrangements made by the corporation will be considered with disfavor unless all of the following conditions are met. a. The options, warrants or convertible debentures are issued to the lender for valuable consideration. "Valuable consideration" shall be deemed to have been given if the requirements of §507.A.7.g are satisfied in respect to the percentage limitation set forth therein. b. The options or warrants shall expire not later than the original maturity date of the loan and the convertible debenture shall expire upon payment of the loan. Notwithstanding the limitation of §507.A.2 and §507.A.7.b, if the requirements of §507.A.7.g are met, the options or warrants may have an expiration date up to, but not exceeding 10 years from the date such option or warrants are granted, even if the maturity date of the loan is less than 10 years from the date the loan is made.
c. The options, warrants and convertible debentures
shall have been issued as a result of bona fide negotiations between the corporation and the lender.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 86 d. At the date of issuance, the lender shall not be affiliated with the corporation nor be a party to an agreement which creates or contemplates creating an affiliation. For the purposes of this provision, a lender will be considered affiliated with the corporation if it directly, or indirectly, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with the corporation. Control means the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of a company, unless such power is solely the result of an official position with such company. Any person who owns beneficially (either directly or through one or more controlled companies) more than 25 percent of the issued and outstanding voting securities of any company shall be presumed not to control such company. e. The exercise or conversion price of such options, warrants or convertible debentures shall not be less than the fair market value of the shares into which they are exercisable or convertible on the date the corporation receives a commitment in writing from the lender to make the loan. "Fair market value" shall be deemed to be the trading price of the stock if there is a public market therefor and if such public market is broadly based, meaningful and significant. Otherwise, "fair market value" will be deemed to be the price determined through bona fide negotiation of the parties. The existence of a public market shall not in itself be a presumption that it is broadly based, meaningful and significant. f. Upon exercise of the options or warrants or conversion of the convertible debentures, both of the following conditions shall be satisfied.
i. The number of shares issuable shall be fair and
reasonable both in number and method of exercise at the time of issuance of the options, warrants or convertible debentures. The standard required by the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be satisfied if the conditions set forth in §507.A.7 are met.
ii. At the time of issuance, the product obtained
by multiplying the number of shares issuable by the exercise or conversion price did not exceed the face amount of the loan. g. Notwithstanding any percentage limitation applicable to options, warrants and convertible debentures set forth in this Section, options, warrants and convertible debentures issued in connection with financing arrangements may cover shares which total in number 20 percent of the common shares to be outstanding, if the entire public offering is sold or if either of the following conditions is satisfied.
i. The issuance thereof to the lender was in
conjunction with the lender's unconditionally guaranteeing the payment of a loan or loans being made to the company, provided, however, that as of the date of issuance of warrants, options or convertible debentures, the product obtained by multiplying the number of shares issuable by the exercise or conversion price thereof did not exceed an amount equal to that portion of the loan unconditionally guaranteed by the lender.
ii. If issued to the lender in conjunction with a
loan by the lender of cash funds to the company and if:
(a). the loan is subordinated (including any security interest against the assets of the company) by its terms to all borrowing of the company from banks and other institutional lenders; (b). no part of such loan was required by its term to be amortized during the first three years. The company may prepay such loan, however, without adversely affecting the exception granted by this Subparagraph; and (c). as of the date of issuance of the warrants, options or convertible debentures, the product obtained by multiplying the number of shares issuable by the exercise of conversion price thereof did not exceed the face amount of the loan. h. Options, warrants or convertible debentures held by other than the original holder, which options, warrants or convertible debentures were issued by the corporation in connection with financing arrangements, will be subject to the conditions provided by this Section. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:707 and R.S. 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §509. Promotional Securities of "Cheap Stock" A. Securities which have been issued within two years of the date of filing, or are to be issued to underwriters, promoters or insiders for an amount less than the public offering price or for a consideration other than cash (unless the value of such consideration can be conclusively established) will be subject to the following conditions and restrictions.
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2. Such shares will ordinarily be required held in
escrow in accordance with the following provisions:
a. an escrow holder may be the commissioner or a bank or trust company, approved by him in this or any other state; b. an application for escrow arrangements shall contain, in addition to whatever other information the commissioner may require, the following:
i. a list of the owners of such shares and
respective amounts held;
ii. copy of resolution of the board of directors or
letter of authorization selecting the agent, and written consent of the latter to act as such;
iii. copies of escrow agreements, instruments and
instructions;
c. the escrow conditions shall provide that the
securities subject thereto will not be released without notification and consent of the commissioner.
3. The same standards shall apply to shares acquired
from selling shareholders unless it appears that they are so separated from the issuer and lacking in control as to permit waiver or modification of these requirements. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:707 and R.S. 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §511. Impoundment of Proceeds A. General
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 88 Terms of Impoundment―the number of days, specified in the impoundment agreement, beginning from date of order of registration, within which the issuer of any agent or underwriter must sell the securities subject to the impoundment agreement in order to meet the minimum of impoundment relating to the amount of proceeds.
C. Termination of Impoundment and Release of
Impounded Proceeds
1. The commissioner shall authorize the impounding
agent to terminate the impoundment and release the impounded proceeds to the issuer when the full amount specified in the impoundment agreement has been impounded, and any other conditions to such release have been satisfied, unless there have been changes in the plan of operation or in other circumstances that would render the amount of impounded proceeds inadequate to finance the proposed plan of operation, or unless such other material changes have occurred as would render the representations contained in the prospectus by which securities were offered for sale to be fraudulent, false or materially misleading.
2. An application to the commissioner for
authorization to terminate the impoundment and release the impounded proceeds shall contain:
a. a statement of the issuer any agent or underwriter engaged in the sale of securities subject to the impoundment agreement, setting forth the number of securities sold, and stating that all proceeds from sale of the securities subject to the impoundment agreement have been delivered to the impoundment agent in accordance with the terms and conditions of the impoundment agreement, and that there have been no material adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuer or in other circumstances that would render the amount of impounded proceeds inadequate to finance the proposed plan of operations and that there have been no other material changes which would render the representations contained in the prospectus or offering circular to be fraudulent, false or materially misleading; b. a statement of the impoundment agent signed by an appropriate officer setting forth the aggregate amount of the impounded proceeds;
c. such other information as the commissioner may
require in a particular case.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:707 and R.S. 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §513. Offering Price A. Securities shall be offered and sold at a price which is fair to the issuer or selling stockholders and to the purchasers. In determining whether a price is fair, the commissioner will give predominant weight to the standards set forth below as shown to the satisfaction of the commissioner.
1. If there is an active and informed public market in
the class of securities to be offered and sold, the offering price shall bear a reasonable relationship to the recent public market price. An active public market may be evidenced by:
a. daily or weekly quotation of the class of securities in the Wall Street Journal for the period of at least six months preceding the offering; or b. at least 300,000 shares outstanding to public shareholders; 20,000 or more shares traded by public shareholders during each of six or more preceding months; the absence of transactions by insiders during the preceding six months having a material effect upon the market price; the number of public stockholders at the beginning and end of each of said months of not less than 1,000; and at least two dealers regularly making a market in such class of securities; or
c. such other facts or circumstances which tend to
show, to the satisfaction of the commissioner, that the class of securities is traded sufficiently by public stockholders unrelated to the issuer so that the prevailing market price at any given time during the six preceding months accurately reflected the fair value of the security and was a price independent of any influence other than the normal buying and selling of public stockholders. An informed public market may be evidenced by:
i. reports to the public shareholders which were
provided by the issuer during the preceding year at least quarterly; or
ii. such other facts or circumstances which tend to
show, to the satisfaction of the commissioner, that there is a free flow of information from the issuer about the business of the issuer to the investment community of the public. The commissioner may require an applicant for registration to submit sufficient evidence to show the existence of an active and informed pubic market.
2. If there is not an active and informed public market
in the class of securities to be offered and sold, the offering price shall conform to at least one of the standards set forth below, except that the commissioner, in his discretion, may require conformity to more than one of the standards set forth below. a. In connection with a pubic offering of securities for cash pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, which offering is the subject of a firm underwriting commitment by an underwriter or syndicate of underwriters, all of whom are registered under the Securities Act of 1934, the offering price shall be the public offering price determined under such firm underwriting commitment by the parties thereto. For the purposes of this Subsection, a firm underwriting commitment shall not include an underwriting commitment subject to a "market out" or similar condition operative after the time of the commencement of the offering, which is based on something less than substantial or material changes in conditions deemed relevant by the parties, or otherwise subject to other than the usual or customary conditions, nor shall it include a firm underwriting commitment under which the commissioner may determine that the underwriter or syndicate of underwriters may not have the financial ability to perform such commitment in the light of its net capital position. The commissioner may require an applicant for registration to submit sufficient evidence to enable his determination under this standard to be made.
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89 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 b. The offering price shall be reasonably related to the price at which similar securities of reasonably comparable companies in the same industry are being actively traded, subject to appropriate adjustment respecting dissimilarities between the companies being compared. Comparisons of companies may relate to relative sizes, products, earnings, financial history, management or other relevant factors, but must, in the aggregate, reflect a reasonable spectrum of companies in the particular industry. In the event the issuer does not fit into generally used industry classification, the "same industry" shall include such industries or segments of industries as most closely relate to the issuer's business. The commissioner will generally require an applicant for registration to submit sufficient evidence of such comparisons under this standard. An underwriter's memorandum evidencing a thorough and appropriate evaluation of the foregoing considerations may be used to provide such evidence, except the commissioner, in his discretion, may require more.
c. The offering price shall not exceed 25 times net
earnings per share after taxes, or such higher price/earnings multiple as the commissioner may determine to be reasonable in light of the industry and/or the current general market. In determining the foregoing price/earnings multiple, the relevant net earnings per share shall be the net earnings per share for the last complete fiscal year of the issuer prior to the date of filing of application for registration as is set forth in the prospectus or offering circular. The net earnings per share for a portion of the current fiscal year may be considered relevant, provided:
i. that such portion is for at least a three-month
period;
ii. that such portion of the current fiscal year and
such comparable portion of the last complete fiscal year are adequately disclosed in the prospectus or offering circular; and
iii. that the net earnings per share for such portion
added to the net earnings per share for the appropriate portion of the last complete fiscal year, equal a sum not less than one twenty-fifth of the offering price or such other fraction of the offering price as may be appropriate in the discretion of the commissioner when the proposed offering price is in excess of 25 times earnings as described above, the burden shall be on the applicant to provide information with respect to industry or current general market as may be sufficient to permit determination by the commissioner that the proposed price/earnings multiple is not excessive or not based on unsound business principles. d. The offering price shall be reasonably related to the book value of the securities, with appropriate adjustment for the earnings history of the issuer and its general business and for reasonable appraisals or valuation of the market value of its assets, shown to the satisfaction of the commissioner. The commissioner may require an applicant for registration to submit sufficient information to make his determination under this standard. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:707 and R.S. 51:708. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971. §515. Rights of Security Holders A. Voting Rights of Common Stock. The offering or proposed offering of securities of an issuer having more than one class of common stock authorized shall generally be considered unsound and unfair to public investors if the class of shares of common stock offered to the public:
1. has no voting rights; or
2. (except in exceptional circumstances) has less than
equal voting rights, in proportion to the shares of each class outstanding, on all matters, including the election of members of the board of directors of the issuer. B. Nonvoting Stock. Registration by qualification involving the sale of nonvoting common stock will not be permitted unless:
1. the corporation registering securities by
qualification has been engaged in its business for at least two years prior to the registration;
2. dividend rights on voting and nonvoting stock are
equal per share;
3. full and complete disclosure is made to the
prospective purchaser and imprinted on the cover of the prospectus in bold face type in a contrasting color, the following notation:
"THESE SECURITIES DO NOT ENTITLE THE HOLDER THEREOF TO VOTE"
C. Voting Rights of Preferred Stock. In the case of an
offering or proposed offering of preferred shares (which are nonparticipating and nonconvertible) without full voting rights, provision should normally be made under which the holders of such preferred shares shall have the right to reasonable representation on the board of directors of the issuer upon default for a reasonable, specified period, whether consecutive or not, of payment of dividends on such preferred shares, which right shall continue until the full payment of all arrears in dividends on such preferred shares. For purposes of this Paragraph, the right to elect a majority of the board of directors is presumptively reasonable. D. Protective Provisions for Preferred Shares. In the case of an offering or proposed offering of preferred shares (which are nonparticipating and nonconvertible) reasonable protective provisions for the holders of such preferred shares should normally be made, including where appropriate:
1. a provision that the dividends on such shares be
cumulative;
2. a provision prohibiting any dividends on common
stock during the existence of any arrears on the preferred shares;
3. an appropriate requirement for the approval by the
vote or written consent of a specified percentage of the preferred shares of any adverse change in the rights of such shares and of the issuance of any shares having priority over such preferred shares; and
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 90
4. appropriate dividend restrictions on the common
stock.
E. Debt Securities. The indenture or other instrument pursuant to which nonconvertible debt securities are proposed to be issued should normally provide for the following:
Title 10, Part XIII
91 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 E. Attempted compliance with the following Sections of this Chapter does not act as an exclusive election the seller can also claim the availability of any other applicable exemption. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:709(15). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 10:742 (October 1984), amended by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 16:677 (August 1990). §703. Uniform Limited Offering Exemption A. By authority delegated to the commissioner in R.S. 51:709(15) to promulgate rules thereunder, a transaction described in Subsection B is determined to be exempt from the registration provisions of R.S. 51:705. B. Any offer or sale of securities offered or sold in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, Regulation D, Rules 230.501-503 and 230.507-508, and any one of 230.505, or 230.506, as made effective in Release No. 33- 6389 and as amended in Release Nos. 33-6437, 33-6663, 33- 6758 and 33-6825 and as may be hereafter amended from time-to-time, and which satisfies the following further conditions and limitations.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 92 a. The investment is suitable for the purchaser upon the basis of the facts, if any, disclosed by the purchaser as to his other security holdings and as to his financial situation and needs. For the purpose of this condition only, it may be presumed that if the investment does not exceed 25 percent of the investor's net worth, it is suitable. b. The purchaser either alone or with his/her purchaser representative(s) has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that he/she is or they are capable of evaluating the merits and risk of the prospective investment.
C. Transactions which are exempt under this Section
may not be combined with offers and sales exempt under any other section of the Louisiana Securities Law; however, nothing in this limitation shall act as an election. Should for any reason the offer and sale fail to comply with all of the conditions for this exemption, the issuer may claim the availability of any other applicable exemption. D. Any general partner, or executive officer of any general partner, of an issuer of an issuer or executive officer of an issuer, shall not be deemed to be in violation of §703.B.1 so long as he is not paid or given, directly or indirectly, any commission, fee, or other remuneration for soliciting any prospective purchaser in this state and such solicitation activities do not constitute his principal service to such issuer or such partner of such issuer. Such persons shall not be deemed to have received a commission, fee, or other remuneration within the meaning of §703.B.1 by reason of having received payments from an issuer or from a partner of an issuer for services performed for the payor that are not directly related to the solicitation of prospective purchasers. E. The commissioner may, by rule or order, increase the number of purchasers or waive any other conditions of the exemption. F. The exemption authorized by this Section shall be known and may be cited as the "Uniform Limited Offering Exemption." AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:709(15). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 10:742 (October 1984), amended by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 16:677 (August 1990). §705. Private Offering Exemption A. By authority delegated to the commissioner in R.S. 51:709(15) to promulgate rules thereunder, a transaction described in Subsection B is determined to be exempt from the registration provisions of R.S. 51:705. B. Any offer or sale of securities, other than an offer or sale described in §703.B, made in compliance with §4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 and which satisfies the following further conditions and limitations.
1. The transaction meets the requirements of
§703.B.1.
2. The transaction meets the requirements of
§703.B.2.
3. Neither the issuer nor any person acting on its
behalf shall offer or sell the securities by any form of general solicitation or general advertising, including, but not limited to, the following:
a. any advertisement, article, notice, or other communications published in any newspaper, magazine or similar media or broadcast over television or radio; and b. any seminar or meeting whose attendees have been invited by any general solicitation or general advertising. 4.a. Any offer or sale not involving any public offering so long as:
i. the issuer or other seller shall reasonably
believe that there are no more than 35 purchasers of securities from the issuer or other seller in any offering during any period of 12 consecutive months; and
ii. the buyers represent that they are buying for
investment and not for public distribution or resale. b. For purposes of calculating the number of purchasers under this Paragraph 4, Rule 501(e) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as that rule now exists and as it may hereafter be amended from time-to-time, shall apply.
c. For purposes of determining whether a purchaser
is a resident of Louisiana within the meaning of this Paragraph 4, Rule 147(d) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as that rule now exists and as it may hereafter be amended from time-to-time, shall apply.
5. The transaction meets the requirements of Rule
502(d) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as that rule now exists and as it may hereafter be amended from time-to-time.
C. Without excluding other types of communications
which may not constitute general solicitation or general advertising, the following types of communications shall not be deemed to violate the prohibitions of §705.B.3 of this
Section:
1. a notice, circular, advertisement, letter, article, or
other communication published or transmitted by an issuer, a sponsor, a dealer or an affiliate of an issuer, whether or not such communication is published during the time when an offering (the "current offering") is being made by such issuer, sponsor, dealer, or affiliate, that another offering has been completed, that another program has sold property owned by such program, that another program has been completed, or any similar notice not making any reference to the current offering;
2. generic advertising by a dealer which refers to the
types of investments offered by such dealer and which does not make reference to any specific offering sponsored by the dealer or an affiliate of the dealer;
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93 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023
3. a notice, circular, advertisement, letter, article or
other communication concerning the business of the issuer, a sponsor or one or more of their affiliates or concerning the industry in which the issuer, a sponsor or one or more of their affiliates is engaged and which communication does not make reference to the offering of securities by the issuer, the sponsor or their affiliates;
4. an article, speech, letter or other communication
concerning the issuer, a sponsor, a dealer or one or more of their affiliates which is not paid for by any of such persons, and which is by nature more educational or informative than solicitory, even though such article, speech, letter or other communication makes reference to offerings by such persons in general;
5. an article, speech, letter or other communication
concerning the issuer, a sponsor, a dealer or one or more of their affiliates, which is not paid for by any of such persons, which is by nature more educational or informative than solicitory, and which is published by someone other than such issuer, sponsor, dealer or one or more of their affiliates, even though such article, speech, letter or other communication makes references to offerings of such persons in general and to specific offerings of such persons currently being made;
6. a seminar or meeting whose attendees have not
been invited by any general solicitation or general advertising. D.1. For purposes of this Section, offers and sales that are made more than six months before the start of an offering or are made more than six months after completion of an offering will not be considered part of that offering, so long as during those six-month periods there are no offers or sales of securities by or for the issuer that are of the same or similar class as those offered or sold under the offering, other than those offers or sales of securities under an employee benefit plan as defined in Rule 405 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
2. For purposes of this Section, offers, offers to sell,
offers for sale and sales of interests, including preformation interests, in a partnership shall be deemed to constitute a discrete offering not integrable with other offers or sales of interests in other entities involving the same sponsor or an affiliate thereof (a common sponsor), even if other safe harbor provisions provided by rule and administrative or judicial interpretation are not available, if all of the following conditions are met. No presumption shall arise as to whether offerings that do not meet all of the following conditions are integrable with other offerings, and the administrative and judicial interpretations on integration in effect at the time thereof shall apply. a. Separate Entity. The partnership shall be a separate legal entity with separate books and records, and funds received by or contributed to the partnership shall not be commingled with funds of a common sponsor or any other entity with a common sponsor. b. Economic Independence. The partnership shall, at the time interests therein are offered and sold, have an independent opportunity to meet its primary investment objectives, i.e., the economic results of its investments shall not be substantially dependent upon the creation, continued existence or economic results of the investments of another entity previously, simultaneously, or subsequently formed with a common sponsor.
c. Application of Proceeds. Whether or not the
assets in which the partnership proposes to invest are specifically identified to offerees, no material portion of the gross offering proceeds of the partnership shall be invested in properties in which another entity with a common sponsor shall invest, or shall have invested (and continue to hold invested) a material portion of its gross offering proceeds. d. If the assets in which the partnership intends to invest at least 50 percent of its gross offering proceeds as its principal business or businesses are not specifically identified to offerees, then:
i. each other entity with a common sponsor
previously formed to conduct the same general types of activities shall have invested or committed for investment the major portion of its gross offering proceeds prior to the commencement of the offering of the partnership interests; and
ii. no simultaneous or subsequent offering of
interests in another entity with a common sponsor organized for the same general types of activities shall be commenced before the partnership has invested or committed for investment the major portion of its gross offering proceeds, unless the assets in which such other entity intends to invest at least 50 percent of its gross offering proceeds are specifically identified to its offerees. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:709(15). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 10:742 (October 1984), amended by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 16:678 (August 1990). §707. Effective Date of Chapter 7 A. This Chapter 7 shall become effective upon publication in the Louisiana Register §§701-725, both inclusive, of Chapter 7 of Title 10, Part XIII of the Louisiana Administrative Code, which includes the private offering exemption rules adopted by the commissioner effective October 20, 1984, as supplemented on March 20, 1987, are hereby rescinded in their entirety and shall be null and void on and after the effective date of this Chapter 7. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:709(15). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 10:742 (October 1984), amended by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 16:679 (August 1990).
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 94
Chapter 8. Compensatory Benefit
Plans
§801. Compensatory Benefit Plan Exemption A. By authority delegated to the commissioner in R.S.51:709(15) to promulgate rules thereunder, a security or transaction described in Subsection B is determined to be exempt from the registration requirements of R.S.51:705. B. Offers or sales of a security by an issuer pursuant to a written compensatory benefit plan or contract, including, without limitation, a purchase, savings, option, bonus, salary appreciation, profit-sharing, thrift, incentive, pension or similar plan, and interests in any such plan, provided that the offers and sales qualify for use of the registration exemption in Rule 230.701 under Section 28 of the Securities Act of 1933. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S.51:709(15) HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 34:2125 (October 2008).
Chapter 9. Oil and Gas Auction
§901. Oil and Gas Auction Exemption A. Mineral interest definition for purposes of this rule only, "mineral interest" an interest in or under an oil, gas, or mining lease, fee, or title, including real property from which the minerals have not been coveted, or contracts relating thereto. The offer and sale of a mineral interest, at an auction, by the seller itself, or a registered dealer or agent acting on behalf of the seller, is exempt from the securities registration requirements of R.S. 51:705, if all of the following conditions are met. B. Auctioneer. The auctioneer or auction company through which the mineral interest is offered or sold must be licensed as a dealer by the Louisiana Commissioner of Securities in accordance with R.S. 51:703.
C. Seller
1. Intent. The seller did not acquire the mineral
interest with a view to resale, unless the seller was forced to acquire the mineral interest in a package in order to obtain other properties in the package.
2. No Fractionalization of Mineral Interest
a. The seller has the full right and authority to sell the mineral interest and is selling 100 percent of its mineral interest, except that retention by the seller of a royalty or overriding royalty or the horizontal severance of the property is permissible as indicated in Subparagraph b below. b. The seller must not be creating undivided interests out of its mineral interest for the purpose of resale. Where all the seller owns is a partial interest (such as a royalty, overriding royalty, or undivided fractional working interest), this requirement is met if the seller sells all of that interest. However, the seller shall not be considered to be fractionalizing its interest in sales where the seller retains only a royalty or overriding royalty, or where the seller horizontally servers the property by retaining all of its existing rights in certain formations or depths under the whole property. D. The mineral interest offered or sold pursuant to this rule does not constitute an investment contract. E. Purchaser
1. Knowledge and Experience. The purchaser or its
representative is engaged in the business of exploring for or producing oil or gas or other minerals as an ongoing business. By reason of this knowledge and experience, the purchaser or its representative has evaluated the merits and risks of the mineral interest to be purchased at auction and has formed an opinion based solely upon his knowledge and experience and not upon any statement, representation or printed material provided or made by auctioneer or seller. If a purchaser representative is used, such purchaser representative:
a. has no business relationship with the seller; b. represents only the purchaser and not the seller; and
c. is compensated only by the purchaser.
2. Financial Ability. The purchaser has sufficient
financial resources in order to bear the risk of loss attendant to the purchase of the property.
3. In all sales to purchasers in this state, the seller or
any person acting on its behalf shall have reasonable grounds to believe and after making reasonable inquiry shall believe that the purchaser satisfies the requirements set forth in §901.A and B. This requirement could be met by obtaining a document signed by the purchaser to the effect that the purchaser meets these conditions. F. Auction. For purposes of this rule only, auction shall mean the sale of the seller's mineral interest by public outcry. G. The use of statistical information in trade journals and data bases as well as auction pamphlets concerning the mineral interests to be offered pursuant to this rule is not prohibited. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:710(D) and 709(15). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, Commissioner of Securities, LR 18:1115 (October 1992).
Chapter 11. Stock Exchanges
§1101. Stock Exchanges Exemption A. Securities listed on the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Inc., shall be exempt from the securities registration requirements of R.S. 51:705. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:710(D) and 708(b). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Economic Development, Office of Financial Institutions, Commissioner of Securities, LR 18:1116 (October 1992).
Title 10, Part XIII
95 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 §1103. Form A. Schedule A―Outline of Prospectus A. Front Cover―Preface. The following is the form of the outline of a prospectus as suggested by the Commissioner of Securities of the State of Louisiana. This form is a suggested guide only and is not intended to limit disclosure in any manner where appropriate or necessary. The Commissioner of Securities of the State of Louisiana reserves the right to require additional disclosure.
1. Description of Securities Being Offered:
PROSPECTUS
THE COMPANY
000,000 (Number of Shares) of Capital Stock Par Value $0.00 per share $000,000 (Total Principal Amount) of Debt Securities Face Amount $0.00 per unit a. When more than one security is offered in units, describe briefly but clearly, the composition of such units. B. Speculative Securities. There shall be set forth on the outside front cover page of every prospectus relating to a registrant under this law which:
1. has not been engaged in the business in which it is
then engaged in for five years; or
2. has not had a net profit in each of the last three
years, the following statement in capital letters printed in bold-face Roman type at least as large as 10-point modern type and at least two points leaded:
THESE SECURITIES INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK
C. Information Relative to Description of Securities
1. Describe herein the securities or units which will be
sold through this prospectus. If only one type of security; i.e., common stock, debentures, shares of beneficial interest, etc. is to be sold in this offering, then the description given in Paragraph A.1 will be sufficient.
2. If present shareholders are selling their securities,
the number and type of the securities to be sold by the shareholders and by the registrant should be clearly stated here. D. Determination of the Public Offering Price
1. If there has been no public market prior to this
offering, the statement below, or one similar to it should follow here:
"Prior to this offering there has been no public market for the company's common stock. The public offering price has been arbitrarily determined solely by negotiations between the company, the selling shareholders (if applicable), and the underwriters."
2. If the company plans to apply for an exchange
listing of the securities it is selling via this prospectus, then this should be stated herein. E. The following statements shall be set forth on every prospectus in capital letters printed in bold-face Roman type at least as large as 10-point modern type and at least 1-points leaded:
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF SECURITIES OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA (or―THE SECURITIES and EXCHANGE COMMISSION―If the offering is registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission) NOR HAS THE COMMISSIONER OF SECURITIES OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA (or―THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE COMMISSIONER―if the offering is registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission) PASSED UPON ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. F. Pricing Information Price to Public Underwriting Discounts or Commissions Net Proceeds to Company Per Unit $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Total Offering $00,000.00 $ 00,000.00 $ 00,000.00
1. Any variation from the price set forth in the first
column of the table at which any proportion of the offering is to be made to any person or class of persons other than the underwriters shall be disclosed following the table with a reference thereto in the first column of the table. Specify the person or class and the proposed offering price to such person or class.
2. The term commissions means all cash commissions
or discounts paid or to be paid, directly or indirectly, by the registrant or selling security holders to the underwriters in respect of the sale of the security to be offered. A commission paid or to be paid in connection with the sale of such security by a person in which the registrant has an interest or which is controlled or directed by, or under common control with the registrant, shall be deemed to have been paid by the registrant. Only commissions paid by the registrant or selling security holders are to be included in the
table. Commissions paid by other persons shall be set forth
following the table with a reference thereto in the second column of the table.
3. If securities, contracts or anything else of value
(other than cash) are to accrue to the underwriters in connection with the offering, the amount and nature of such considerations shall be set forth following the table with a reference thereto in the second column of the table.
4. If any finder's fees are to be paid in connection with
the offering, the name of each recipient thereof, together with the amount and nature of the fee, shall be set forth following the table with a reference thereto in the second column of the table.
5. If the securities to be offered are to be sold directly
to the public by the company through licensed agents of the company, officers and directors of the company will not be paid any commissions on the sale of securities being offered. A statement to that effect must be made on the front page of the prospectus, following the table with a reference thereto in the second column of the table.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 96
6. If the underwriting discounts or commissions are
variable, set forth their maximum and minimum amounts in the second column of the table and set forth the maximum and minimum proceeds in the third column of the table. The basis of determining such discounts and commissions shall be set forth following the table with a reference thereto in the second and third columns of the table.
7. An estimate of the aggregate selling expenses
(other than underwriting discounts and commissions and finder's fees) payable by the registrant or selling security holders shall be set forth following the table with a reference thereto in the third column of the table. Such estimate shall include printing, legal, engineering, accounting and other charges.
8. If a best effort underwriting, or if offered through
the registrant's licensed agents, reference should be made to the third column to the table stating that "there is no assurance that all or any of the units offered will be sold and hence the proceeds to be received by the company are shown on the assumption that all shares will be sold."
9. If it is impracticable to state the price to the public,
the method by which it is to be determined shall be explained. In addition, if the securities are to be offered at the market, indicate the market involved and the market price as of the latest practicable date.
10. If any of the securities being registered are to be
offered for the account of security holders, refer on the outside front cover page of the prospectus to the information called for. G. Special Features of the Offering. If any of the following are involved in this offering, a statement setting out each such feature shall be printed in capital letters in bold-face Roman type at least as large as 10-point modern type and at least 2-point leaded:
1. SPECIAL RISKS CONCERNING THE
COMPANY―should be in similar 10-point type. (Refer readers to "Introductory Statement―Risk Factors.")
2. SUBSTANTIAL IMMEDIATE DILUTION OF THE
INVESTMENT MADE BY THE PURCHASERS OF THE SHARES OFFERED HEREBY. (Refer Readers to "Introductory Statement―Dilution.")
3. SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONAL UNDERWRITING
COMPENSATION THROUGH THE SALE TO name of the underwriter, THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNDERWRITERS, (Relate here to the reader any warrants, stock options, or other such securities sold to the underwriter as additional compensation.) (Refer the reader to "Underwriting" for a description of such warrants, options, etc.) H. Nature of Offering. State clearly the nature of the underwriter's obligation to take the securities.
I. Underwriter. The name of the underwriter should
follow here in bold-face roman type at least as large as 10-point modern type and at least 2-point leaded. The address of the underwriter and the effective date of the prospectus should also be stated here. For intrastate issues, the following statement must appear in capital letters, printed in bold-face roman type at least as large as 10-point modern type and at least 2-point leaded:
THESE SECURITIES ARE OFFERED BY PROSPECTUS ONLY TO BONA FIDE RESIDENTS OF LOUISIANA. J. Example of the Front Cover 200,000 Shares NO NAME COMPANY, INC. Common Stock ($.10 Par Value) THESE SHARES INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK The company has not heretofore actively engaged in business and is in the process of commencing operations. Prior to this offering there has been no market for its common stock. The public offering price of the common stock offered hereby has been arbitrarily determined by negotiation between the company and the underwriters. The underwriters are offering these shares on a firm-commitment basis, subject to certain conditions referred to below. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. Price to Public Underwriting Discounts or Commissions(1) Proceeds to Company(2) Per Share $ $ $ Total $ $ $
1. The company has agreed to reimburse the
representative of the underwriters for its costs in connection with this offering, up to a maximum of $ ($ per share), which is included in the foregoing table. The table does not include substantial additional underwriting compensation to be received by the representative through the issuance to it of warrants. See c. below.
2. Before deducting expenses estimated at $ . . . . . . . .
This offering involves the following. a. Special Risks Concerning the Company. See "Introductory Statement―Risk Factors" on page 3. b. Substantial immediate dilution of the investment made by the purchasers of the shares offered hereby. See "Introductory Statement―Dilution" on page 4.
c. Significant additional underwriting compensation
through the sale to , the representative of the underwriters, for of warrants to purchase shares of the company's common stock, exercisable during the four-year period commencing one year from the date of this prospectus. See "Underwriting" on page 16. The shares of common stock are offered when, as and if delivered to and accepted by the underwriters, subject to prior sale, to approval of certain legal matters by counsel for the company and by counsel for the underwriters and to certain other conditions. JOHN DOE SECURITIES CORPORATION The date of this Prospectus is . . . . . . . . . . . 1970
Title 10, Part XIII
97 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 K. Inside Front Cover or Back Cover
1. Statements Relative to Offers or Solicitations of
Sale by Prospectus a. There shall be set forth on the inside front cover or the rear cover of every prospectus the following statements in capital letters printed in bold-face roman type.
i. No dealer, salesman or other person has been
authorized to give any information or to make any representations, other than those contained in this prospectus, in connection with the offer contained in this prospectus, and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the company or the underwriter. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities by anyone, in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state, or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so, or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create an implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the company since the date hereof.
ii. This prospectus does not contain all of the information
set forth in the registration statement filed with the Commissioner of Securities of the State of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70112 (or Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549, where applicable). For further information with respect to the company and the securities offered by this prospectus, reference is made to the registration statement, including the financial statements, schedules and exhibits filed as a part thereof. b. There shall also be set forth on the inside front cover of every prospectus dealing in a firm commitment offering the following or similar statement printed in boldface type. For a period of 90 days from the date of this prospectus, all dealers effecting transactions in the registered securities, whether or not participating in this distribution, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the obligation of dealers to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
2. Table of Contents
a. This table has been set forth as a guide for the assistance of the registrant and may be varied from by the particular registrant. Sections that do not apply should be omitted and additional Sections should be added where applicable. In all cases list all Sections with its corresponding page number.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM PAGE NO.
Introductory Statement _______________
1. Background of the Registrant _______________
2. Risk Factors _______________
3. Dilution _______________
Application of Proceeds _______________ Capitalization _______________ Summary of Earnings Dividends
1. Price Range of Common Stock _______________
Description of Business
1. Proposed Business _______________
2. Products _______________
3. Supplies _______________
4. Servicing _______________
5. Backlog _______________
6. Patents _______________
7. Competition _______________
8. Employees _______________
9. Customers _______________
10. Foreign Sales _______________
11. Company Growth _______________
12. Recent Developments _______________
13. Etc. _______________
Description of Property _______________ Regulations _______________ Management _______________
1. Directors and Executive Officers _______________
2. Positions held _______________
3. Qualifications _______________
4. Remuneration _______________
5. Stock Option Plan _______________
Principal Holders of Equity Securities _______________ Certain Transactions _______________
1. Escrow Provisions _______________
2. Sales Otherwise than for cash _______________
3. Selling Securities Holders _______________
Description of Securities
Being Registered _______________
1. Undertaken to report annually
to stockholders _______________ Underwriting Opinions
1. Legal Opinions ____________
2. Experts Opinions _______________
3. Additional Information _______________
Report of Independent
Public Accountants _______________ Financial Statements _______________
1. Balance Sheets _______________
2. Statement of operating expenses _______________
3. Notes to Financial Statement _______________
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 98
3. Statement as to Stabilizing
a. If the registrant or any of the underwriters knows or has reasonable grounds to believe that there is an intention to overallot or that the price of any security may be stabilized to facilitate the offering of the registered securities, there shall be set forth, either on the outside front cover page or on the inside front cover page of the prospectus, a statement in substantially the following form, subject to appropriate modifications where circumstances require. Such statement shall be in capital letters, printed in bold-face roman type at least as large as 10-point modern type and at least 2-point leaded. IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER ALLOT OR EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF (identify each class of securities in which such transactions may be effected) AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME. b. If the stabilizing began prior to the effective date of the registration, set forth in the prospectus the amount of securities bought, the prices at which bought and the period within which they were bought.
L. Body of Prospectus
Title 10, Part XIII
99 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 "As of (date), options to purchase an aggregate of ______ shares of the company's common stock at prices ranging from $ to $ per share were outstanding (see "Stock Options and Warrants"). If all outstanding stock options and warrants were exercised subsequent to the public offering, the net tangible book value of the shares offered by this prospectus would be $ ________ ($ ___________ per share), or approximately ______ percent of the public offering price."
2. Application of Proceeds
a. State the principal purposes for which the net proceeds to the registrant from the offering are to be used, the approximate amount to be used for each such purpose and the order of priority in which the proceeds are to be used for each such purpose. b. Describe any arrangements for the return of funds to subscribers if all of the securities to be offered are not sold; if there are no such arrangements, so state.
i. Details of proposed expenditures are not to be
given; for example, there need be furnished only a brief outline of any program of construction or addition of equipment.
ii. Include a statement as to the use of the actual
proceeds if they are not sufficient to accomplish the purposes set forth and the order of priority in which they will be applied.
iii. If any material amount of other funds are to be
used in conjunction with the proceeds, state the amounts and sources of such other funds.
iv. If any material amount of the proceeds is to be
used to acquire assets, otherwise than in the ordinary course of business, briefly describe the assets and give the names and addresses of the persons from whom they are to be acquired. State the purchase price of the assets, the names of any persons who have received or are to receive commissions in connection with the acquisition, the amounts of such commissions and any other expense in connection with the acquisition.
3. Capitalization. Furnish the information called for
by the following table in substantially the tabular form indicated, as to each class of securities of the registrant and each class of securities, other than those owned by the registrant of its totally held subsidiaries of all significant subsidiaries of the registrant:
Title of
Class
Amount
Authorized* or to be
Authorized*
Amount
Outstanding as of a Specified Date within 90 Days Amount to be Outstanding if All Securities Being Registered Are Sold *"Authorized" is defined as meaning authorized by charter or indenture or in case of notes or similar securities, by resolution of the board of directors. a. Securities held by or for the account of the registrant thereof are not to be included in the amount outstanding, but the amount so held shall be stated in a note to the table. b. If any such securities were issued within the last two years or will be issued for a consideration other than cash at least equal to par value, disclose in appropriate footnotes to the table the amount and kind of such consideration.
4. Summary of Earnings. Furnish in comparative
columnar form a summary of earnings for the registrant or for the registrant and its subsidiaries consolidated (or both as appropriate) for each of the last five fiscal years of the registrant; or for the life of the registrant and its immediate predecessors, if less; and for any period between the end of the latest of such fiscal years and the date of the latest balance sheet furnished, and for the corresponding period of the preceding fiscal year. In connection with such summary, whenever necessary, reflect information or explanation of material significance to investors in appraising the results shown, or refer to such information or explanation set forth elsewhere in the prospectus. a. If any part of the proceeds of the offering is to be applied to the purchase of any business, furnish with respect to such business, the earnings statements required in Paragraph L.4.
5. Dividends. The registrant must state its policy or
intended policy concerning dividends in this Section.
6. Price Range of Common Shares. Specify the
exchange, if any, or market on which the price of the common shares has been quoted, and give the price range for those shares over the last three years. Furthermore, give the quarterly price range from the end of the last calendar year to the current date.
7. Description of Business
a. Briefly describe the business done and intended to be done by the registrant and its significant subsidiaries and the general development of such business during the past five years. If the business consists of the production or distribution of different kinds of products or the rendering of different kinds of services, indicate, insofar as practicable, the relative importance of each product or service or class of similar products or services which contributed 15 percent or more to the gross volume of business done during the last fiscal year. b. In describing developments, information shall be given as to matters such as the following: The nature and results of any bankruptcy, receivership or similar proceedings with respect to the registrant or any of its significant subsidiaries; the nature and results of any other materially important reorganization, readjustments or succession of the registrant or any of its significant subsidiaries; the acquisition of any material amount of assets otherwise than in the ordinary course of business; any materially important changes in the types of products produced or services rendered by the registrant and its significant subsidiaries; and any materially important changes in the mode of conducting the business, such as fundamental changes in the methods of distribution.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 100
c. Also, include in the description of business of the
registrant, if applicable any awards received by the registrant, any backlog of orders if materially significant, a description of customers if the loss of any particular customer or groups of customers may materially affect the business of the registrant, and statements on any of the following items: employee relations, foreign sales, patents, government contracts, company growth, recent developments, seasonal trends, and trade names. d. Indicate briefly, to the extent material, the general competitive conditions in the industry in which the registrant and its significant subsidiaries are engaged or intend to engage, and the position of the enterprise in the industry. If several products or services are involved, separate consideration should be given to the principal products or services or classes of products or services.
8. Description of Property
a. State briefly the location and general character of the principal plants, mines and other materially important physical properties of the registrant and its significant subsidiaries. If any such property is not held in fee or is held subject to any major encumbrance, so state and briefly describe how held. b. The description should be limited to information essential to an investor's appraisal of the securities being registered. In the case of a manufacturing enterprise, for example, the answer should be limited to such over-all statements as will reasonably inform investors as to the suitability, adequacy and productive capacity of the facilities used in the enterprise. In the case of an extra active enterprise, appropriate information should be given as to production and reserves. Detailed descriptions of the physical characteristics of individual properties or legal descriptions by metes and bounds, are not required and should not be given.
9. Regulations. Describe any regulations and/or
discretionary controls set upon the registrant by any governmental body or any industry-wide, self-regulatory body which in any manner will materially affect the business of the registrant.
10. Management
a. Directors and Executive Officers. List the names and addresses of all directors and officers of the registrant and all persons chosen to become directors or officers. Indicate all positions and offices with the registrant held by each person named, and the principal occupations during the past five years of each officer and each person chosen to become an officer. State the amount and type of securities of this registrant held by each person named as of a specified date within 30 days of the dating of the registration statement and the amount of the securities covered by the registration statement to which he has indicated his intention to subscribe. If any person chosen to become a director or officer has not consented to act as such, so state. b. Remuneration
i. Furnish the following information in
substantially the tabular form indicated below as to all direct remuneration paid by the registrant and its subsidiaries during the registrant's last fiscal year to the following persons for services in all capacities. (a). Each director, and each of the three highest paid officers of the registrant whose aggregate direct remuneration exceeded $30,000 ($12,000 if intrastate offering only) naming each such person. (b). All directors and officers of the registrant as a group without naming them. (A) Name of Individual or Identity of Group (B) Capacities in which Remuneration Was Received (C) Aggregate Direct Remuneration
ii. This item applies to any person who was a
director or officer of the registrant at any time during the fiscal year. However, remuneration is not to be included for any portion of the period during which any such person was not a director or officer of the registrant. (a). To the extent that such remuneration is to be computed upon the basis of a percentage of profits, it will suffice to state such percentage without estimating the amount of such profits to be paid. (b). State separately the total amount set aside or accrued during the periods pursuant to all pension, retirement or other offered compensation plans for the benefit of directors or officers.
iii. Furnish the following information, in
substantially the tabular form indicated below, as to all pension or retirement benefits proposed to be paid under any existing plan in the event of retirement at normal retirement date, directly or indirectly by the registrant or any of its subsidiaries to each director or officer named. (A) Name of Individual (B) Amounts Set Aside or Accrued during Registrant's Last Fiscal Year (C) Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement
iv. Describe briefly all remuneration payments
proposed to be made in the future, directly or indirectly, by the registrant or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to any existing plan or arrangement to each director or officer of the registrant as a group, without naming them.
11. Options to Purchase Securities. Furnish the
following information as to options to purchase securities from the registrant or any of its subsidiaries, which are outstanding as of a specified date within 30 days prior to the date of filing, or which are to be created in connection with the offering. a. Describe the options, stating the material provisions including the consideration received or to be received by the grantor thereof and the market value of the securities called for on a granting date.
Title 10, Part XIII
101 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 b. State:
i. the title and amount of the securities called for
by such options;
ii. the purchase prices of the securities called for
and the expiration dates of such options; and
iii. the market value of the securities called for by
such options as of the latest practicable date. c.i. State the amount of any such options held or to be held by each of the following persons:
(a). any director or officer of the registrant; (b). any security holder named in Paragraph L.11; (c). any person considered to be a promoter of the company; (d). any person on whose behalf any part of the offering; (e). any underwriter or recipient of a finder's fee; (f). any person who holds or will hold 10 percent or more in the aggregate of any such options.
ii. The term options as used in this item includes
all options, warrants and other rights other than those issued to security holders as such on a pro rata basis.
12. Principal Holders of Equity Securities. Furnish the
following information as of a specified date within 90 days prior to the date of filing in substantially the tabular form indicated. a. As to the voting securities of the registrant owned of record or beneficially by each person who owns of record, or is known by the registrant to own beneficially more than 10 percent of any class of such securities. Show in column (3) whether the securities are owned both of record and beneficially of record only, or beneficially only, and show in columns (4) and (5) the respective amounts and percentages owned in each such manner:
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Name and
Address
Title of
Class
Type of
Ownership
Amount
Owned
Percent of Class b. As to each class of equity securities of the registrant or any of its parents or subsidiaries, other than directors' qualifying shares, beneficially owned directly or indirectly by all directors and officers of the registrant, as a group, without naming them:
Title of Class Amount Beneficially Owned Percent of Class
13. Interest of Management and Others in Certain
Transactions a. Describe briefly and, where practicable, state the approximate amount of any material interest, direct or indirect, of any of the persons specified below in any material transaction during the last three years, or any material proposed transaction, to which the registrant or any of its subsidiaries was or is to be a party:
i. any director or officer of the registrant;
ii. any security holder as described in Paragraph
L.11;
iii. any person on whose behalf any part of the
offering is to be made in a nonregistrant distribution;
iv. any person (other than the registrant or its
subsidiaries) with whom any of the foregoing persons had a material relationship. b. State the dates of, the parties to, and the general effect of every management or other material contract made or to be made otherwise than in the ordinary course of business if it is to be performed in whole or in part at or after the filing of the registration statement or was made within the past two years.
14. Escrow Provisions. If the officers, directors,
promoters or insiders have stock which is subject to escrow pursuant to any state or federal statute or regulation, make a complete disclosure of the number of shares escrowed, name of persons escrowing said stock, when escrowed and the terms and conditions of said escrow.
15. Sales Otherwise than for Cash. If any of the
securities being registered are to be offered otherwise than for cash, state briefly the general purpose of the distribution, the basis upon which the securities are to be offered, the amount of compensation and other expenses of distribution, and by whom they are to be borne.
16. Selling Security Holders. With respect to the
registrant and any significant subsidiary of the registrant, state the year in which it was organized, its form of organization (such as "a corporation," "an unincorporated association" or other appropriate statement), the name of the state or other jurisdiction under the laws of which it was organized and the address of its principal executive offices.
17. Description of Securities Being Registered
a. If capital stock is being registered, state the title of the class and outline briefly the following: dividend rights or preferences; voting rights; liquidation rights; pre-emptive rights; conversion rights; redemption provisions; sinking fund provisions, and liability to further assessment. b. State if any new class of securities is to be created by this offering, and describe any limitation or qualification of the rights of the securities being offered by the rights of any other class of securities.
c. Describe any long-term debt being registered,
stating the title of the issue and outline such of the following provisions as are relevant:
i. interest; maturity; conversion; redemption;
amortization; sinking fund or retirement;
ii. any restrictions on the declaration of dividends
or maintenance of any ratio of assets;
iii. any restrictions on the issuance of any
additional securities; and
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 102
iv. names of trustee, its material relationships with
registrant or affiliates; the percentage of class of securities required for trustee to take action, and what indemnification trustee may require before proceeding to enforce lien. d. If securities other than capital stock or debt securities are being registered, outline briefly the rights evidenced thereby. e. Describe also any other material provisions, presenting all the above in language that is non-technical and easily understandable.
18. Undertaking to Report Annually to Stockholders. A
statement should be made that: the company's fiscal year ends on date. A financial report prepared and certified by an independent certified public accountant or independent public accountant will be sent to all stockholders each year after the close of the fiscal year. The first report will be sent to the stockholders before date, and annually thereafter. This report will include a balance sheet and profit and loss statement for the preceding fiscal year. This requirement is applicable where securities are being registered for offering on behalf of the registrant.
19. Plan of Distribution
a. If the securities being registered are to be offered through underwriters, give the name of the principal underwriters, and state the respective amounts underwritten. Identify each such underwriter having a material relationship to the registrant and state the nature of the relationship. State briefly the nature of the underwriters' obligation to take the securities. b. State briefly the discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to dealers, including all cash, securities, contracts, options, warrants, or other consideration to be received by any dealer in connection with the sale of the securities.
c. Outline briefly the plan of distribution for any
securities being registered which are offered other than through underwriters.
20. Pending Legal Proceedings. Briefly describe any
material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, to which the registrant or any of it subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their property is the subject. Include similar information as to any such proceedings known to be contemplated by governmental authorities.
21. Legal Matters and Statements Made on the Basis of
Named Experts a. State the name and address of counsel passing upon the legality of the securities being offered. b. State the name and address of the independent public accountant or independent certified public accountant who has certified the financial statements of the registrant included in the registration statement.
c. If an engineer, appraiser or other expert whose
profession gives authority to statements made by him is named in the prospectus as having prepared a report which is used in connection with the registration statement, the name and address of such person should be stated and the statements in the prospectus which are made in reliance upon his opinion as an expert should be identified clearly.
22. Additional Information. The registrant shall furnish
the name of the governing body from which additional information not contained in the prospectus, concerning the registrant, may be obtained. A statement such as the following may be written into the prospectus. "This prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement which the company has filed with the Commissioner of Securities of the State of Louisiana, New Orleans, Louisiana, (or the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. where applicable). For further information with respect to the Company and the Securities offered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement, including the exhibits thereto and the financial statements, notes and schedules filed as a part thereof. The registration statement may be inspected without charge at the Office of the Commissioner of Securities, 315 Louisiana State Office Building, New Orleans, LA 70112, (or Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549, where applicable) and copies of all or any part thereof may be obtained upon payment of the applicable charges."
23. Opinion of Certified Public Accountant. Reproduce
here the statement of the independent public accountant in certification of the financial statements and notes thereunder. a. The accountant's certificate shall be dated, signed manually, and shall identify without detailed enumeration the financial statements covered by the certificate. b.i. Representations as to the Audit. The accountant's certificate:
(a). shall state whether the audit was made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards; and (b). shall designate any auditing procedures generally recognized as normal, or deemed necessary by the accountant under the circumstances of the particular case, which procedures have been omitted, and the reasons for their omission.
ii. Nothing in this Subsection shall be construed
to imply authority for the omission of any procedure which independent accountants would ordinarily employ in the course of an audit made for the purpose of expressing the opinions required by Clause iii below.
iii. Opinions to be Expressed. The accountant's
certificate shall state clearly:
(a). the opinion of the accountant in respect of the financial statements covered by the certificate and the accounting principles and practices reflected therein; (b). the opinion of the accountant as to any material changes in accountant principles or practices, or adjustments of the accounts; and (c). the nature of, and the opinion of the accountant as to, any material differences between the accounting principles and practices reflected in the financial statements and those reflected in the accounts after the entry of adjustments for the period under review.
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103 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023
iv. Exceptions. Any matters to which the
accountant takes exception shall be clearly identified, the exception thereto specifically and clearly stated, and, to the extent practicable, the effect of each such exception on the related financial statements given.
24. Financial Statements
a. Furnish a balance sheet of the registrant as of a date within four months prior to the filing of the registration statement. b. Furnish in comparative columnar form a profit and loss statement and analysis of surplus for each of the last three fiscal years of the registrant (or for the life of the registrant and its immediate predecessors, if less) preceding the date of the balance sheet furnished and for any period subsequent to the latest of such fiscal years and the date of the balance sheet.
c. If any part of the proceeds of the offering is to be
applied to the purchase of any business furnish, with respect to such business, the financial statements required in Paragraph L.24. d. In accordance with the Louisiana Revised Statute of 1950, as amended, Section 51:706(C)(13), all financial statements of the registrant must be prepared by an independent certified public accountant. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:706. HISTORICAL NOTE: Adopted by the Commissioner of Securities, November 9, 1971.
Chapter 12. Dishonest or Unethical
Practices
§1201. General
A. Any dealer, salesman, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative who engages in one or more of the following practices set out in Section 1203 or
Section 1205 shall be deemed to have engaged in dishonest
or unethical practices as provided by R.S. 51:704(A)(10), and such conduct may constitute grounds for suspension or revocation of registration or such other action authorized by statute. This Rule is not intended to be all inclusive, and thus, acts or practices not enumerated herein may also be deemed to be dishonest or unethical AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:704(A)(10) HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 38:3169 (December 2012). §1203. Dealers and Salesmen A. Dealers and Salesmenincludes the following actions:
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 104 person controlled by, controlling or under common control with the dealer;
14. effecting a transaction in, or inducing the purchase
or sale of, a security by means of a manipulative, deceptive or fraudulent device, practice, plan, program, design or contrivance, which may include:
a. effecting a transaction in a security which involves no change in the beneficial ownership thereof; b. entering an order for the purchase or sale of a security with the knowledge that an order of substantially the same size, at substantially the same time, and substantially the same price, for the sale of the security, has been or will be entered by or for the same or different parties for the purpose of creating a false or misleading appearance of active trading in the security or a false or misleading appearance with respect to the market for the security. Nothing in this subsection prohibits a dealer from entering bona fide agency cross transactions for its customers;
c. effecting, along or with one or more other
persons, a series of transactions in a security creating actual or apparent active trading in the security or raising or depressing the price of the security, for the purpose of inducing the purchase or sale of the security by others;
15. guaranteeing a customer against loss in a securities
account of the customer or in a securities transaction effected with or for the customer;
16. publishing or circulating, or causing to be published
or circulated, a notice, circular, advertisement, newspaper
article, investment service or communication of any kind
which purports to report a transaction as a purchase or sale of a security unless the dealer or salesman believes that the transaction was a bona fide purchase or sale of the security; or which purports to quote the bid price or asked price for a security, unless the dealer believes that the quotation represents a bona fide bid for, or offer of, the security;
17. using an advertising or sales presentation in such a
fashion as to be deceptive or misleading;
18. failing to disclose that the dealer is controlled by,
controlling, affiliated with, or under common control with the issuer of a security before entering into a contract with or for a customer for the purchase or sale of the security. If the disclosure is not made in writing, it shall be supplemented by the giving or sending of written disclosure at or before the completion of the transaction;
19. failing to make a bona fide public offering of all of
the securities allotted to a dealer for distribution, whether acquired as an underwriter, a selling group member or from a member participating in the distribution as an underwriter or selling group member;
20. failure or refusal to furnish a customer, upon
reasonable request, information to which he is entitled, or to respond to a formal written request or complaint;
21. failing to comply with an applicable provision of
the Rules of Fair Practice of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or an applicable fair practice or ethical standard promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission or by a self-regulatory organization approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission;
22. engaging in the practice of lending or borrowing
money or securities from a customer, or acting as a custodian for money, securities or an executed stock power of a customer without proper authority to do so;
23. effecting securities transactions not recorded on the
regular books or records of the dealer, unless the transactions are authorized in writing by the dealer prior to execution of the transaction;
24. establishing or maintaining an account containing
fictitious information in order to execute transactions which would otherwise be prohibited;
25. sharing directly or indirectly in profits or losses in
the account of a customer without the written authorization of the customer;
26. dividing or otherwise splitting a salesman’s
commissions, profits or other compensation from the purchase or sale of securities with a person not also registered as a salesman for the same dealer, or for a dealer under direct or indirect common control. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:704(A)(10). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 38:3169 (December 2012). §1205. Investment Advisers and Investment Adviser Representatives A.1. Investment Advisers and Investment Adviser Representativesincludes the following actions:
a. recommending to a client to whom investment supervisory, management or consulting services are provided the purchase, sale or exchange of a security without reasonable grounds to believe that the recommendation is suitable for the client on the basis of information furnished by the client after reasonable inquiry concerning the client’s investment objectives, financial situation and needs, and any other information known by the investment adviser or investment adviser representative; b. exercising any discretionary power in placing an order for the purchase or sale of securities for a client without obtaining written discretionary authority from the client within 10 business days after the date of the first transaction placed under oral discretionary authority, unless the discretionary power relates solely to the price at which, or the time when, an order involving a definite amount of a specified security shall be executed, or both;
c. inducing trading in a client’s account that is
excessive in size or frequency in view of the financial resources, investment objectives and character of the account;
Title 10, Part XIII
105 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 d. placing an order to purchase or sell a security for the account of a client without authority to do so; e. placing an order to purchase or sell a security for the account of a client upon instruction of a third party without first having obtained a written third-party trading authorization from the client; f. borrowing money or securities from a client unless the client is a dealer, an affiliate of the investment adviser, or a financial institution engaged in the business of loaning funds; g. loaning money to a client unless the investment adviser is a financial institution engaged in the business of loaning funds or the client is an affiliate of the investment adviser; h. misrepresenting to an advisory client, or prospective advisory client, the qualifications of the investment adviser, investment adviser representative, or an employee of the investment adviser; misrepresenting the nature of the advisory services being offered; or misrepresenting fees to be charged for the service; or to omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made regarding qualifications, services or fees, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;
i. providing a report or recommendation to an
advisory client prepared by someone other than the investment adviser or investment adviser representative without disclosing that fact. This prohibition does not apply to a situation where the investment adviser or investment adviser representative uses published research reports or statistical analyses to render advice or where an investment adviser or investment adviser representative orders the report in the normal course of providing advice; j. charging a client an unreasonable advisory fee in light of the type of service to be provided; the experience and expertise of the investment adviser; or the sophistication or bargaining power of the client; or without notice to the client, dividing or otherwise splitting the advisory fee or other compensation derived from the advisory services; k. failing to disclose to clients in writing before advice is rendered a material conflict of interest relating to the investment adviser, the investment adviser representative or an employee of the investment adviser which could reasonably be expected to impair the rendering of unbiased and objective advice including:
i. compensation arrangements connected with
advisory services to clients which are in addition to compensation from the clients for the services;
ii. charging a client an advisory fee for rendering
advice when a commission for executing securities transactions pursuant to the advice will be received by the investment adviser, the investment adviser representative or an employee of the investment adviser;
l. guaranteeing a client that a specific result will be
achieved, gain or no loss, with advice which will be rendered; m. publishing, circulating or distributing an advertisement which does not comply with Rule 206(4)-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C.A. §§80b-1 - 80b-21); n. disclosing the identity, affairs or investments of a client unless required by law to do so, or unless consented to by the client; o. entering into, extending or renewing an investment advisory contract unless the contract is in writing and discloses, in substance, the services to be provided, the term of the contract, the advisory fee, the formula for computing the fee, the amount of a prepaid fee to be returned in the event of contract termination or nonperformance, whether the contract grants discretionary power to the adviser and that no assignment of the contract shall be made by the investment adviser without the consent of the other party to the contract; p. failing to establish, maintain and enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of material nonpublic information contrary to the provisions of section 204a of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C.A. §80b-4a) and the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder; q. entering into, extending, or renewing any advisory contract contrary to the provisions of section 205 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C.A. §80b-5) and the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder. This applies to all investment advisers and investment adviser representatives registered under section 703 of the LSL notwithstanding whether the investment adviser is exempt from registration with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission under section 203(b) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C.A. §80b-3); r. to indicate, in an advisory contract, any condition, stipulation or provision binding any person to waive compliance with any provision of the LSL or any other language which may lead a client to believe that legal rights have been restricted or waived; s. engaging in any act, practice or course of business which is fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative or contrary to the provisions of section 206(4) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C.A. §80b-6(4) and the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder. This applies to all investment advisers and investment adviser representatives registered under section 703 of the LSL notwithstanding whether the investment adviser is exempt from registration with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission under section 203(b) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940;
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 106 t. engaging in conduct or committing any act, directly, indirectly or through or by another person, which would be unlawful for the person to do directly under the provisions of the LSL or any rule, regulation or order issued thereunder, or engaging in other conduct such as nondisclosure, incomplete disclosure or deceptive practices shall be deemed an unethical practice.
2. This Section does not apply to Federally-covered
advisers unless the conduct otherwise is actionable under
section 712 of the LSL.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51: 704(A)(10) HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 38:3170 (December 2012).
Chapter 13. Investment Adviser
Registration Procedure
§1301. Definitions
Third-Party Solicitoran investment adviser representative who meets all of the following criteria:
1. investment advisory business consists solely of
referring individuals to other investment adviser firm(s);
2. provides no advice to individuals regarding specific
investments;
3. fees consist entirely of referral fees received from
the investment adviser firms to whom the investment adviser representative makes referrals. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:703(D). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 32:2055 (November 2006), effective January 1, 2007, amended LR 34:2125 (October 2008), LR 42:1088 (July 2016). §1303. Examination Requirements A. Any investment adviser firm applying for registration under R.S. 51:703(D), or renewal of any such registration, shall provide the commissioner with proof that each of its investment adviser representatives has met one of the two following examination requirements:
1. successfully passed the uniform investment adviser
law examination (series 65 examination) after January 1, 2000; or
2. successfully passed the General Securities
Representative Examination (Series 7 examination) and the Uniform Combined State Law Examination (Series 66 examination);
3. successfully passed the general securities
representative examination (series 7 examination) and uniform registered investment adviser examination (series 65 examination) prior to January 1, 2000. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:703(D). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 32:2055 (November 2006), effective January 1, 2007, amended LR 42:1088 (July 2016). §1305. Waivers A. The examination requirement set out in §1303 above, shall not apply to any individual who holds one of the following professional certifications:
1. Certified Financial Planner (CFP) awarded by the
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.;
2. Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) awarded by
the American College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania;
3. Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) awarded by the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants;
4. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) awarded by the
CFA Institute;
5. Chartered Investment Counselor (CIC) awarded by
the Investment Adviser Association; or
6. such other professional certifications as the
commissioner may approve upon written request from an applicant for registration. Such request shall include sufficient information regarding the certifying organization and its requirements, as determined by the commissioner. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:703(D). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 32:2056 (November 2006), effective January 1, 2007. §1307. Continuing Education A. Investment adviser representatives subject to this rule shall complete the continuing education and/or recertification requirements necessary to maintain such examination or professional certification standards. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S.51:703(D). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 32:2056 (November 2006), effective January 1, 2007. §1311. Exemption A. The requirements of this Chapter shall not apply to third-party solicitors. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:703(D). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 32:2056 (November 2006), effective January 1, 2007, amended LR 34:2126 (October 2008), LR 42:1088 (July 2016).
Chapter 17. Dealer and Investment
Adviser Recordkeeping Requirements §1701. Broker-Dealer Requirements A. Unless otherwise provided by order of the Securities and Exchange Commission (hereinafter “SEC”), each broker-dealer registered or required to be registered pursuant
Title 10, Part XIII
107 Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 to R.S. 51:703(A)(1) shall make, maintain and preserve books and records in compliance with SEC Rules 17a-3 (17 CFR 240.17a-3), 17a-4 (17 CFR 240.17a-4), and 15c2-11 (17 CFR 240.15c2-11), which are adopted and incorporated herein by reference. B. To the extent that the SEC promulgates changes to the above referenced rules, broker-dealers in compliance with such rules as amended shall not be subject to enforcement action by the commissioner for violation of this rule to the extent that the violation results solely from the brokerdealer's compliance with the amended rule. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:703(I). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 37:1611 (June 2011), effective October 19, 2011, repromulgated LR 37:2149 (July 2011). §1703. Investment Adviser Requirements A. Except as provided in Subsection C of this Section, unless otherwise provided by order of the SEC, each investment adviser registered or required to be registered pursuant to R.S. 51:703(A)(2) or notice filed pursuant to R.S. 51:703(D)(2) shall make, maintain and preserve books and records in compliance with SEC rule 204-2 (17 CFR 275.204-2), which is adopted and incorporated by reference, notwithstanding the fact that such investment adviser is not registered or required to be registered under section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. B. To the extent that the SEC promulgates changes to the above-referenced rules, investment advisers in compliance with such rules as amended shall not be subject to enforcement action by the commissioner for violation of this rule to the extent that the violation results solely from the investment adviser's compliance with the amended rule.
C. Every investment adviser that has its principal place
of business in a state other than this state shall be exempt from the requirements of Subsection A of this Section, provided the investment adviser is licensed or registered in such state and is in compliance with such state's recordkeeping requirements. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:703(I). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 37:1611 (June 2011), effective October 19, 2011, repromulgated LR 37:2149 (July 2011). §1705. Cessation of Business A. Before ceasing to conduct or discontinuing business, each broker-dealer and investment adviser shall arrange for and be responsible for the preservation of the books and records required to be maintained and preserved by this Rule for the remainder of the period specified. B. Each broker-dealer and investment adviser shall notify the commissioner in writing of the exact address where such books and records will be maintained during such period. The filing with the Central Registration Depository of a Form BD-W by a broker-dealer or a Form ADV-W by an investment adviser shall satisfy this notice requirement. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 51:703(I). HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 37:1612 (June 2011), effective October 19, 2011, repromulgated LR 37:2149 (July 2011).
Chapter 19. Supervision of Salesmen
and Investment Adviser
Representatives
§1901. Supervision of Salesmen and Investment Adviser Representatives A. Every dealer registered or required to be registered pursuant to R.S. 51:703(A)(1), every investment adviser registered or required to be registered pursuant to R.S. 51:703(A)(2), every investment adviser notice filed pursuant to R.S. 51:703(D)(2), and officers, directors, and partners thereof, shall exercise diligent supervision over all the securities activities of its salesmen and investment adviser representatives. B. As part of their responsibility under this Rule, every dealer or investment adviser shall establish, maintain, and enforce written supervisory procedures that may be reasonably expected to prevent and detect any violations of the Louisiana Securities Law and rules promulgated thereunder. A copy of these supervisory procedures shall be kept at all times, in each business office. At a minimum, these procedures shall address the following areas:
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CONSUMER CREDIT, INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND UCC Louisiana Administrative Code February 2023 108 HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 37:2149 (July 2011).
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“Promulgated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Financial Institutions, LR 6:541 (September 1980), amended LR 8:471 (September 1982).”
“AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 3:3654, R.S. 3:3655, R.S. 3:3656, R.S. 10:9-526, R.S. 36:742, and Public Law 99-198 (Food Security Act of 1985).”
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