2nd Engrossment - 80th Legislature (1997 - 1998) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
1.1 A bill for an act 1.2 relating to financial institutions; authorizing 1.3 facsimile or electronic filings and certifications; 1.4 regulating the powers and structure of certain 1.5 institutions; regulating consumer credit; modifying 1.6 lending authority; regulating fees and charges; making 1.7 technical and conforming changes; amending Minnesota 1.8 Statutes 1996, sections 46.04, by adding a 1.9 subdivision; 46.044, by adding a subdivision; 46.046, 1.10 by adding a subdivision; 46.047, subdivision 2; 46.07, 1.11 subdivision 2; 46.131, subdivision 2; 47.20, 1.12 subdivisions 9 and 14; 47.55, subdivision 1; 47.56; 1.13 47.59, subdivisions 1 and 12; 47.61, subdivision 3; 1.14 48.01, subdivision 2; 48.09, by adding a subdivision; 1.15 48.15, subdivision 2; 48.24, subdivision 2, and by 1.16 adding a subdivision; 48.512, by adding subdivisions; 1.17 48.61, subdivision 7, and by adding a subdivision; 1.18 49.215, subdivision 3; 49.33; 49.42; 50.245; 51A.38, 1.19 subdivision 1; 52.04, subdivision 2a, and by adding a 1.20 subdivision; 52.062, subdivision 1, and by adding a 1.21 subdivision; 52.063; 52.064, by adding a subdivision; 1.22 52.201; 53.04, by adding a subdivision; 53.05; 53.09, 1.23 subdivision 2a; 55.06, subdivision 1; 56.07; 56.10, 1.24 subdivision 1; 56.131, subdivisions 1 and 4; 59A.08, 1.25 subdivision 3, and by adding a subdivision; 59A.11, 1.26 subdivisions 2 and 3; 62B.04, subdivision 1; 300.20, 1.27 subdivision 2; 303.25, subdivision 5; 325F.68, 1.28 subdivision 2; 332.21; 332.23, subdivisions 2 and 5; 1.29 proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 1.30 chapter 48; repealing Minnesota Statutes 1996, 1.31 sections 13.99, subdivision 13; 47.29; 47.31; 47.32; 1.32 49.47; 49.48; 50.03; 50.23; and 59A.14. 1.33 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 1.34 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 46.04, is 1.35 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 1.36 Subd. 4. [APPLICATIONS, FACSIMILE OR ELECTRONIC MEDIA.] (a) 1.37 The commissioner when providing forms and procedural guidance to 1.38 persons governed by or seeking approval to operate under the 1.39 chapters referred to in this section may prescribe alternatives 2.1 to paper forms and delivery in person or by mail. In 2.2 considering accepting filings by facsimile or electronic media, 2.3 the commissioner may accept fees and reimbursement for costs 2.4 associated with the applications and notices by wire transfer 2.5 and debit card. 2.6 (b) Certifications required to authenticate, officiate, or 2.7 establish standing of the application or notice as a matter of 2.8 law, rule, or sound business practice may be authenticated in an 2.9 alternative to paper-based original signatures or notarial seals 2.10 on facsimile or electronic media submissions in a technically 2.11 competent means at the discretion of the commissioner, including 2.12 but not limited to, document imaging meeting the standard in 2.13 subdivision 3, bar coding, personal identification numbers, or 2.14 other reliable communicated verification technique. 2.15 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 46.044, is 2.16 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 2.17 Subd. 3. [SPECIAL PURPOSE BANKS, EXCEPTIONS.] For purposes 2.18 of applications to organize and operate special purpose banks as 2.19 defined in section 46.046, subdivision 5, the conditions in 2.20 subdivision 1, clauses (2) and (4), do not apply. 2.21 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 46.046, is 2.22 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 2.23 Subd. 5. [SPECIAL PURPOSE BANK.] Special purpose bank 2.24 means a bank as defined in subdivision 2 that: 2.25 (1) engages only in credit card operations as authorized in 2.26 section 47.59; 2.27 (2) does not accept demand deposits or deposits that the 2.28 depositor may withdraw by check or similar means for payment to 2.29 third parties or others; 2.30 (3) does not accept savings or time deposits of less than 2.31 $100,000; 2.32 (4) maintains only one office that accepts deposits; and 2.33 (5) does not engage in the business of making commercial 2.34 loans. 2.35 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 46.047, 2.36 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 3.1 Subd. 2. [BANKING INSTITUTION.] The term "banking 3.2 institution" means a bank, trust company, bank and trust 3.3 company, savings bank, or industrial loan and thriftinstitution3.4 operating under section 53.04, subdivision 5, that is organized 3.5 under the laws of this state, or a holding company which owns or 3.6 otherwise controls the banking institution. 3.7 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 46.07, 3.8 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 3.9 Subd. 2. [CONFIDENTIAL RECORDS.] The commissioner shall 3.10 divulge facts and information obtained in the course of 3.11 examining financial institutions under the commissioner's 3.12 supervision only when and to the extent required or permitted by 3.13 law to report upon or take special action regarding the affairs 3.14 of an institution, or ordered by a court of law to testify or 3.15 produce evidence in a civil or criminal proceeding, except that 3.16 the commissioner may furnish information as to matters of mutual 3.17 interest to an official or examiner of the federal reserve 3.18 system, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal 3.19 Office of Thrift Supervision, the Federal Home Loan Bank System, 3.20 the National Credit Union Administration, comptroller of the 3.21 currency,a legally constituted state credit union share3.22insurance corporation approved under section 52.24other state 3.23 bank supervisory agencies subject to cooperative agreements 3.24 authorized by section 49.411, subdivision 7, the United States 3.25 Small Business Administration, for purposes of sections 53.09, 3.26 subdivision 2a, and 56.10, subdivision 1, or state and federal 3.27 law enforcement agencies. The commissioner shall not be 3.28 required to disclose the name of a debtor of a financial 3.29 institution under the commissioner's supervision, or anything 3.30 relative to the private accounts, ownership, or transactions of 3.31 an institution, or any fact obtained in the course of an 3.32 examination thereof, except as herein provided. For purposes of 3.33 this subdivision, a subpoena is not an order of a court of law. 3.34 These records are classified confidential or protected nonpublic 3.35 for purposes of the Minnesota government data practices act and 3.36 their destruction, as prescribed in section 46.21, is exempt 4.1 from the provisions of chapter 138 and Laws 1971, chapter 529, 4.2 so far as their deposit with the state archives. 4.3 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 46.131, 4.4 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 4.5 Subd. 2. Each bank, trust company, savings bank, savings 4.6 association,small loan companyregulated lender, industrial 4.7 loan and thrift company, credit union, motor vehicle sales 4.8 finance company, debt prorating agency and insurance premium 4.9 finance company organized under the laws of this state or 4.10 required to be administered by the commissioner of commerce 4.11 shall pay into the state treasury its proportionate share of the 4.12 cost of maintaining the department of commerce. 4.13 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 47.20, 4.14 subdivision 9, is amended to read: 4.15 Subd. 9. For purposes of this subdivision the term 4.16 "mortgagee" shall mean all state banks and trust companies, 4.17 national banking associations, state and federally chartered 4.18 savings associations, mortgage banks, savings banks, insurance 4.19 companies, credit unions or assignees of the above. 4.20 (a) Each mortgagee requiring funds of a mortgagor to be 4.21 paid into an escrow, agency or similar account for the payment 4.22 of taxes or insurance premiums with respect to a mortgaged 4.23 one-to-four family, owner occupied residence located in this 4.24 state, unless the account is required by federal law or 4.25 regulation or maintained in connection with a conventional loan 4.26 in an original principal amount in excess of 80 percent of the 4.27 lender's appraised value of the residential unit at the time the 4.28 loan is made or maintained in connection with loans insured or 4.29 guaranteed by the secretary of housing and urban development, by 4.30 the administrator of veterans affairs, or by the administrator 4.31 of the farmers home administration or any successor, shall 4.32 calculate interest on such funds at a rate of not less than 4.33 three percent per annum. Such interest shall be computed on the 4.34 average monthly balance in such account on the first of each 4.35 month for the immediately preceding 12 months of the calendar 4.36 year or such other fiscal year as may be uniformly adopted by 5.1 the mortgagee for such purposes and shall be annually credited 5.2 to the remaining principal balance on the mortgage, or at the 5.3 election of the mortgagee, paid to the mortgagor or credited to 5.4 the mortgagor's account. If the interest exceeds the remaining 5.5 balance, the excess shall be paid to the mortgagor or vendee. 5.6 The requirement to pay interest shall apply to such accounts 5.7 created in conjunction with mortgage loans made prior to July 1, 5.8 1996. 5.9 (b) Unless the account is exempt from the requirements of 5.10 paragraph (a), a mortgagee shall allow a mortgagor to elect to 5.11 discontinue the escrow account after theseventhfifth 5.12 anniversary of the date of the mortgage, unless the mortgagor 5.13 has been more than 30 days delinquent in the previous 12 5.14 months. This paragraph shall apply to accounts created prior to 5.15 July 1, 1996, as well as to accounts created on or after July 1, 5.16 1996. The mortgagor's election shall be in writing. The lender 5.17 or mortgage broker shall, with respect to mortgages made on or 5.18 after August 1, 1997, inform an applicant for a mortgage of the 5.19 applicant's rights under this paragraph. If the escrow account 5.20 has a negative balance or a shortage at the time the mortgagor 5.21 requests discontinuance, the mortgagee is not obligated to allow 5.22 discontinuance until the escrow account is balanced or the 5.23 shortage has been repaid. 5.24 (c) The mortgagee shall notify the mortgagor within 60 days 5.25 after theseventhfifth anniversary of the date of the mortgage 5.26 if the right to discontinue the escrow account is in accordance 5.27 with paragraph (b). For mortgage loans entered into, on or 5.28 prior to July 1, 1989, the notice required by this paragraph 5.29 shall be provided to the mortgagor by January 1, 1997. 5.30 (d) A mortgagee may require the mortgagor to reestablish 5.31 the escrow account if the mortgagor has failed to make timely 5.32 payments for two consecutive payment periods at any time during 5.33 the remaining term of the mortgage, or if the mortgagor has 5.34 failed to pay taxes or insurance premiums when due. A payment 5.35 received during a grace period shall be deemed timely. 5.36 (e) The mortgagee shall, subject to paragraph (b), return 6.1 any funds remaining in the account to the mortgagor within 60 6.2 days after receipt of the mortgagor's written notice of election 6.3 to discontinue the escrow account. 6.4 (f) The mortgagee shall not charge a direct fee for the 6.5 administration of the escrow account, nor shall the mortgagee 6.6 charge a fee or other consideration for allowing the mortgagor 6.7 to discontinue the escrow account. 6.8 Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 47.20, 6.9 subdivision 14, is amended to read: 6.10 Subd. 14. (a) A lender requiring or offering private 6.11 mortgage insurance shall make available to the borrower or other 6.12 person paying the insurance premium the same premium payment 6.13 plans as are available to the lender in paying the private 6.14 mortgage insurance premium. 6.15 (b) Any refund or rebate for unearned private mortgage 6.16 insurance premiums shall be paid to the borrower or other person 6.17 actually providing the funds for payment of the premium. 6.18 (c) With regard to first mortgage loans made before, on, or 6.19 after January 1, 1997, the mortgagor shall have the right to 6.20 elect, in writing, to cancel borrower-purchased private mortgage 6.21 insurance if all of the following terms and conditions have been 6.22 met: 6.23 (1) if the current unpaid principal balance of a first 6.24 mortgage is 75 percent or less of the current fair market 6.25 appraised value of the property. "Current fair market appraised 6.26 value" shall be based upon a current appraisal by a real estate 6.27 appraiser licensed or certified by the appropriate state or 6.28 federal agency and reasonably acceptable to the lender. The 6.29 lender may require the mortgagor to pay for the appraisal; 6.30 (2) the mortgagor's monthly installments of principal, 6.31 interest, and escrow obligations have not been more than 30 days 6.32 past due over the 24-month period immediately preceding the 6.33 request for cancellation and all accrued late charges have been 6.34 paid; 6.35 (3) the mortgage was made at least 24 months prior to the 6.36 receipt of a request for cancellation of private mortgage 7.1 insurance; 7.2 (4) the property securing the mortgage is owner-occupied; 7.3 and 7.4 (5) the mortgage has not been pooled with other mortgages 7.5 in order to constitute, in whole or in part, collateral for 7.6 bonds issued by the state of Minnesota or any political 7.7 subdivision of the state of Minnesota or of any agency of any 7.8 political subdivision of the state of Minnesota. 7.9 (d) Other than the appraisal fee allowed pursuant to 7.10 paragraph (c), clause (1), the lender shall not charge the 7.11 borrower a fee or other consideration for cancellation of the 7.12 private mortgage insurance. 7.13 (e) With respect to all existing or future first mortgage 7.14 loans, a lender requiring private mortgage insurance shall, 7.15 after the payment of the 24th monthly premium installment of 7.16 private mortgage insurance, provide an annual written notice to 7.17 each mortgagor currently paying premiums for private mortgage 7.18 insurance. The notice may be included in the annual statement 7.19 or may be included in other regular mailings to the mortgagor. 7.20 For mortgage loans made prior to January 1, 1997, the first 7.21 required annual notice must be provided no later than January 1, 7.22 1998. The annual notice shall be on its own page, unless 7.23 included in a private mortgage insurance notice required under 7.24 the federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, and shall 7.25 appear substantially as follows: 7.26 "NOTICE OF RIGHT TO CANCEL PRIVATE MORTGAGE INSURANCE 7.27 If you currently pay private mortgage insurance premiums, 7.28 you may have the right to cancel the insurance and cease paying 7.29 premiums. This would permit you to make a lower total monthly 7.30 mortgage payment. In most cases, you have the right to cancel 7.31 private mortgage insurance if the principal balance of your loan 7.32 is 80 percent or less of the current fair market appraised value 7.33 of your home. If you wish to learn whether you are eligible to 7.34 cancel this insurance, please contact us at (address/phone)." 7.35 (f) If a mortgage loan governed by paragraph (c) is 7.36 serviced in accordance with the guidelines of either the Federal 8.1 National Mortgage Association or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage 8.2 Corporation, the lender shall cancel private mortgage insurance 8.3 in accordance with the cancellation guidelines of the applicable 8.4 entity in effect at the time the request for cancellation is 8.5 received. 8.6 Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 47.55, 8.7 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 8.8 Subdivision 1. [BANKING FACILITIES IN OPERATION PRIOR TO 8.9 MAY 1, 1971.] A bank may retain and operate one detached 8.10 facility as it may have had in operation prior to May 1, 1971 8.11 without requirement of approval hereunder, provided that its8.12function is limited as provided in section 47.53 and its8.13location conforms with the provisions of section 47.52. A bank8.14having such a retained detached facility shall be limited to8.15operating five additional detached facilities. 8.16 Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 47.56, is 8.17 amended to read: 8.18 47.56 [TRANSFER OF LOCATION.] 8.19 The location of a detached facility transferred to another 8.20 location outside of a radius of three miles measured in a 8.21 straight line is subject to the same procedures and approval as 8.22 required hereunder for establishing a new detached facility,8.23except that. The location of a detached facility transferred to 8.24 another location within the lesser of a radius of three miles 8.25 measured in a straight line from the existing location or the 8.26 municipality, as defined in section 47.51, in which it is 8.27 located is subject to the same procedures and approval as are 8.28 required in section 47.101, subdivision 2. The relocation of a 8.29 detached facility within a municipality of 10,000 or less 8.30 population shall not require consent of other banks required in 8.31 section 47.52. 8.32 Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 47.59, 8.33 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 8.34 Subdivision 1. [DEFINITIONS.] For purposes of this 8.35 section, the following definitions shall apply. 8.36 (a) "Actuarial method" has the meaning given the term in 9.1 the Code of Federal Regulations, title 12, part 226, and 9.2 appendix J thereto. 9.3 (b) "Annual percentage rate" has the meaning given the term 9.4 in the Code of Federal Regulations, title 12, part 226, but 9.5 using the definition of "finance charge" used in this section. 9.6 (c) "Borrower" means a debtor under a loan or a purchaser 9.7 or debtor under a credit sale contract. 9.8 (d) "Business purpose" means a purpose other than a 9.9 personal, family, household, or agricultural purpose. 9.10 (e) "Cardholder" means a person to whom a credit card is 9.11 issued or who has agreed with the financial institution to pay 9.12 obligations arising from the issuance to or use of the card by 9.13 another person. 9.14 (f) "Consumer loan" means a loan made by a financial 9.15 institution in which: 9.16 (1) the debtor is a person other than an organization; 9.17 (2) the debt is incurred primarily for a personal, family, 9.18 or household purpose; and 9.19 (3) the debt is payable in installments or a finance charge 9.20 is made. 9.21 (g) "Credit" means the right granted by a financial 9.22 institution to a borrower to defer payment of a debt, to incur 9.23 debt and defer its payment, or to purchase property or services 9.24 and defer payment. 9.25 (h) "Credit card" means a card or device issued under an 9.26 arrangement pursuant to which a financial institution gives to a 9.27 cardholder the privilege of obtaining credit from the financial 9.28 institution or other person in purchasing or leasing property or 9.29 services, obtaining loans, or otherwise. A transaction is 9.30 "pursuant to a credit card" only if credit is obtained according 9.31 to the terms of the arrangement by transmitting information 9.32 contained on the card or device orally, in writing, by 9.33 mechanical or electronic methods, or in any other manner. A 9.34 transaction is not "pursuant to a credit card" if the card or 9.35 device is used solely in that transaction to: 9.36 (1) identify the cardholder or evidence the cardholder's 10.1 creditworthiness and credit is not obtained according to the 10.2 terms of the arrangement; 10.3 (2) obtain a guarantee of payment from the cardholder's 10.4 deposit account, whether or not the payment results in a credit 10.5 extension to the cardholder by the financial institution; or 10.6 (3) effect an immediate transfer of funds from the 10.7 cardholder's deposit account by electronic or other means, 10.8 whether or not the transfer results in a credit extension to the 10.9 cardholder by the financial institution. 10.10 (i) "Credit sale contract" means a contract evidencing a 10.11 credit sale. "Credit sale" means a sale of goods or services, 10.12 or an interest in land, in which: 10.13 (1) credit is granted by a seller who regularly engages as 10.14 a seller in credit transactions of the same kind; and 10.15 (2) the debt is payable in installments or a finance charge 10.16 is made. 10.17 (j) "Finance charge" has the meaning given in the Code of 10.18 Federal Regulations, title 12, part 226, except that the 10.19 following will not in any event be considered a finance charge: 10.20 (1) a charge as a result of default or delinquency under 10.21 subdivision 6 if made for actual unanticipated late payment, 10.22 delinquency, default, or other similar occurrence, and a charge 10.23 made for an extension or deferment under subdivision 5, unless 10.24 the parties agree that these charges are finance charges; 10.25 (2) an additional charge under subdivision 6;or10.26 (3) a discount, if a financial institution purchases a loan 10.27 at less than the face amount of the obligation or purchases or 10.28 satisfies obligations of a cardholder pursuant to a credit card 10.29 and the purchase or satisfaction is made at less than the face 10.30 amount of the obligation.; 10.31 (4) fees paid by a borrower to a broker, provided the 10.32 financial institution or a person described in subdivision 4 10.33 does not require use of the broker to obtain credit; or 10.34 (5) a commission, expense reimbursement, or other sum 10.35 received by a financial institution or a person described in 10.36 subdivision 4 in connection with insurance described in 11.1 subdivision 6. 11.2 (k) "Financial institution" means a state or federally 11.3 chartered bank, a state or federally chartered bank and trust, a 11.4 trust company with banking powers, a state or federally 11.5 chartered saving bank, a state or federally chartered savings 11.6 association, an industrial loan and thrift company, or a 11.7 regulated lender. 11.8 (l) "Loan" means: 11.9 (1) the creation of debt by the financial institution's 11.10 payment of money to the borrower or a third person for the 11.11 account of the borrower; 11.12 (2) the creation of debt pursuant to a credit card in any 11.13 manner, including a cash advance or the financial institution's 11.14 honoring a draft or similar order for the payment of money drawn 11.15 or accepted by the borrower, paying or agreeing to pay the 11.16 borrower's obligation, or purchasing or otherwise acquiring the 11.17 borrower's obligation from the obligee or the borrower's 11.18 assignee; 11.19 (3) the creation of debt by a cash advance to a borrower 11.20 pursuant to an overdraft line of credit arrangement; 11.21 (4) the creation of debt by a credit to an account with the 11.22 financial institution upon which the borrower is entitled to 11.23 draw immediately; 11.24 (5) the forbearance of debt arising from a loan; and 11.25 (6) the creation of debt pursuant to open-end credit. 11.26 "Loan" does not include the forbearance of debt arising 11.27 from a sale or lease, a credit sale contract, or an overdraft 11.28 from a person's deposit account with a financial institution 11.29 which is not pursuant to a written agreement to pay overdrafts 11.30 with the right to defer repayment thereof. 11.31 (m) "Official fees" means: 11.32 (1) fees and charges which actually are or will be paid to 11.33 public officials for determining the existence of or for 11.34 perfecting, releasing, terminating, or satisfying a security 11.35 interest or mortgage relating to a loan or credit sale, and any 11.36 separate fees or charges which actually are or will be paid to 12.1 public officials for recording a notice described in section 12.2 580.032, subdivision 1; and 12.3 (2) premiums payable for insurance in lieu of perfecting a 12.4 security interest or mortgage otherwise required by a financial 12.5 institution in connection with a loan or credit sale, if the 12.6 premium does not exceed the fees and charges described in clause 12.7 (1), which would otherwise be payable. 12.8 (n) "Organization" means a corporation, government, 12.9 government subdivision or agency, trust, estate, partnership, 12.10 joint venture, cooperative, limited liability company, limited 12.11 liability partnership, or association. 12.12 (o) "Person" means a natural person or an organization. 12.13 (p) "Principal" means the total of: 12.14 (1) the amount paid to, received by, or paid or repayable 12.15 for the account of, the borrower; and 12.16 (2) to the extent that payment is deferred: 12.17 (i) the amount actually paid or to be paid by the financial 12.18 institution for additional charges permitted under this section; 12.19 and 12.20 (ii) prepaid finance charges. 12.21 Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 47.59, 12.22 subdivision 12, is amended to read: 12.23 Subd. 12. [CONSUMER PROTECTIONS.] (a) Financial 12.24 institutions shall comply with the requirements of the federal 12.25 Truth in Lending Act, United States Code, title 15, sections 12.26 1601 to 1693, in connection with a consumer loan or credit sale 12.27 for a consumer purpose where the federal Truth in Lending Act is 12.28 applicable. A financial institution shall give the following 12.29 disclosure to the borrower in writing at the time an open-end 12.30 credit account is established if the financial institution 12.31 imposes a loan fee, points, or similar charge that relates to 12.32 the opening of the account which is not included in the annual 12.33 percentage rate given pursuant to the federal Truth in Lending 12.34 Act: "YOU HAVE BEEN ASSESSED FINANCE CHARGES, OR POINTS, WHICH 12.35 ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE. THESE CHARGES 12.36 MAY BE REFUNDED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IF YOU DO NOT USE YOUR 13.1 LINE OF CREDIT OR IF YOU REPAY YOUR LINE OF CREDIT EARLY. THESE 13.2 CHARGES INCREASE THE COST OF YOUR CREDIT." 13.3 (b) Financial institutions shall comply with the following 13.4 consumer protection provisions in connection with a consumer 13.5 loan or credit sale for a consumer purpose: sections 325G.02 to 13.6 325G.05; 325G.06 to 325G.11; 325G.15 to 325G.22; and 325G.29 to 13.7 325G.36, and Code of Federal Regulations, title 12, part 535, 13.8 where those statutes or regulations are applicable. 13.9 (c) An assignment of a consumer's earnings by the consumer 13.10 to a financial institution as payment or as security for payment 13.11 of a debt arising out of a consumer loan or consumer credit sale 13.12 is unenforceable by the financial institutionand revocable by13.13the consumerexcept where the assignment: (1) by its terms is 13.14 revocable at the will of the consumer; (2) is a payroll 13.15 deduction plan or preauthorized payment plan, beginning at the 13.16 time of the transaction, in which the consumer authorizes a 13.17 series of wage deductions as a method of making each payment; or 13.18 (3) applies only to wages or other earnings already earned at 13.19 the time of the assignment. 13.20 Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 47.61, 13.21 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 13.22 Subd. 3. (a) "Electronic financial terminal" means an 13.23 electronic information processing device that is established to 13.24 do either or both of the following: 13.25 (1) capture the data necessary to initiate financial 13.26 transactions; or 13.27 (2) through its attendant support system, store or initiate 13.28 the transmission of the information necessary to consummate a 13.29 financial transaction. 13.30 (b) "Electronic financial terminal" does not include: 13.31 (1) a telephone; 13.32 (2) an electronic information processing device that is 13.33 used internally by a financial institution to conduct the 13.34 business activities of the institution;or13.35 (3) an electronic point-of-sale terminal operated by a 13.36 retailer that is used to process payments for the purchase of 14.1 goods and services by consumers, and which also may be used to 14.2 obtain cash advances or cash back not to exceed $25 and only if 14.3 incidental to the retail sale transactions, through the use of 14.4 credit cards or debit cards, provided that the payment 14.5 transactions using debit cards are subject to the federal 14.6 Electronic Funds Transfer Act, United States Code, title 12, 14.7 sections 1693 et seq., and Regulation E of the Federal Reserve 14.8 Board, Code of Federal Regulations, title 12, subpart 205.2; 14.9 this clause does not exempt the retailer from liability for 14.10 negligent conduct or intentional misconduct of the operator 14.11 under section 47.69, subdivision 5.; 14.12 (4) stored-value cards to only process transactions other 14.13 than those authorized by this section. Stored-value cards are 14.14 transaction cards having magnetic stripes or computer chips that 14.15 enable electronic value to be added or deducted as needed; or 14.16 (5) a personal computer possessed by and operated 14.17 exclusively by the account holder. 14.18 Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 48.01, 14.19 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 14.20 Subd. 2. [BANKING INSTITUTION.] The term "banking 14.21 institution" means any bank, trust company, bank and trust 14.22 company, or savings bank which is now or may hereafter be 14.23 organized under the laws of this state. For purposes of 14.24 sections 48.38, 48.84, and501B.10501B.151, subdivision611, 14.25 and to the extent permitted by federal law, "banking 14.26 institution" includes any national banking association or 14.27 affiliate exercising trust powers in this state. 14.28 Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 48.09, is 14.29 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 14.30 Subd. 3. [QUALIFIED SUBCHAPTER S SUBSIDIARY.] A bank that 14.31 has met the eligibility requirements under title I, subtitle C 14.32 of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 or related 14.33 state of Minnesota tax law may apply to the commissioner for 14.34 approval of a plan and agreement for a distribution of earnings 14.35 to the shareholder(s) of the bank on a basis other than a 14.36 dividend under subdivisions 1 and 2. Approval of a plan of 15.1 distribution under this subdivision may be rescinded by the 15.2 commissioner upon 90-day prior notice to the bank. Failure to 15.3 comply with this notice or qualification of a distribution under 15.4 subdivisions 1 and 2 is considered a violation subject to the 15.5 commissioner's action under section 45.027 or 46.24. 15.6 Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 48.15, 15.7 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 15.8 Subd. 2. The commissioner of commerce may authorize banks, 15.9 bank and trust companies, or trust companies organized under the 15.10 laws of this state to engage in any banking or trust activity in 15.11 which banks subject to the jurisdiction of the federal 15.12 government may hereafter be authorized to engage by federal 15.13 legislation, ruling, or regulation and those activities 15.14 authorized in section 48.61, subdivision 7, paragraph (a), 15.15 clause (3). The commissioner may not authorize state banks as 15.16 defined by section 48.01, to engage in anybankingactivity 15.17 prohibited by the laws of this state. 15.18 Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 48.24, 15.19 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 15.20 Subd. 2. Loans not exceeding 25 percent of such capital 15.21 and surplus made upon first mortgage security on improved real 15.22 estate in the state or in an adjoining statewithin 20 miles of15.23the placewhere the bank or a branch of the bank established 15.24 according to section 49.411 is located, shall not constitute a 15.25 liability of the maker of the notes secured by such mortgages 15.26 within the meaning of the foregoing provision limiting 15.27 liability, but shall be an actual liability of the maker. These 15.28 mortgage loans shall be limited to, and in no case exceed, 50 15.29 percent of the cash value of the security covered by the 15.30 mortgage, except mortgage loans guaranteed as provided by the 15.31 servicemen's readjustment act of 1944, as now or hereafter 15.32 amended, or for which there is a commitment to so guarantee or 15.33 for which a conditional guarantee has been issued, which loans 15.34 shall in no case exceed 60 percent of the cash value of the 15.35 security covered by such mortgage. For the purposes of this 15.36 subdivision, real estate is improved when substantial and 16.1 permanent development or construction has contributed 16.2 substantially to its value, and agricultural land is improved 16.3 when farm crops are regularly raised on such land without 16.4 further substantial improvements. 16.5 Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 48.24, is 16.6 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 16.7 Subd. 9. [RIGHT TO ACT TO AVOID LOSS.] This section does 16.8 not prohibit the bank from advancing funds that may be 16.9 reasonably necessary to avoid loss on a loan or investment made 16.10 subject to this section or an obligation created in good faith. 16.11 The rights under this subdivision are in addition to and not 16.12 inconsistent with section 48.21. 16.13 Sec. 19. [48.476] [REPRESENTATIVE TRUST OFFICE.] 16.14 Subdivision 1. [DEFINITIONS.] For purposes of this 16.15 section, the terms in this subdivision have the meanings given. 16.16 (a) "Representative trust office" means an office at which 16.17 a trust company or bank with trust powers has been authorized by 16.18 the commissioner to engage in a trust business other than acting 16.19 as a fiduciary. 16.20 (b) "Acting as a fiduciary" means to: 16.21 (1) accept or execute trusts, including to: 16.22 (i) act as trustee under a written agreement; 16.23 (ii) receive money or other property in its capacity as a 16.24 trustee for investment in real or personal property; 16.25 (iii) act as trustee and perform the fiduciary duties 16.26 committed or transferred to it by order of court of competent 16.27 jurisdiction; 16.28 (iv) act as trustee of the estate of a deceased person; or 16.29 (v) act as trustee for a minor or incapacitated person; 16.30 (2) administer in any other fiduciary capacity real or 16.31 personal property; or 16.32 (3) act according to order of court of competent 16.33 jurisdiction as executor or administrator of the estate of a 16.34 deceased person or as a guardian or conservator for a minor or 16.35 incapacitated person. 16.36 Subd. 2. [AUTHORITY FOR REPRESENTATIVE TRUST OFFICES; 17.1 PRIOR WRITTEN NOTICE.] (a) A state trust institution may 17.2 establish or acquire and maintain representative trust offices 17.3 anywhere in this state. A state trust institution desiring to 17.4 establish or acquire and maintain such an office shall file a 17.5 written notice with the commissioner setting forth the name of 17.6 the state trust institution and the location of the proposed 17.7 additional office and furnish a copy of the resolution adopted 17.8 by the board authorizing the additional office. 17.9 (b) The state trust institution may begin business at the 17.10 additional office on the 31st day after the date the 17.11 commissioner receives the notice, unless the commissioner 17.12 specifies an earlier or later date. 17.13 (c) The 30-day period of review may be extended by the 17.14 commissioner on a determination that the written notice raises 17.15 issues that require additional information or additional time 17.16 for analysis. If the period of review is extended, the state 17.17 trust institution may establish the additional office only on 17.18 prior written approval by the commissioner. 17.19 (d) The commissioner may deny approval of the additional 17.20 office if the commissioner finds that the state trust 17.21 institution lacks sufficient financial resources to undertake 17.22 the proposed expansion without adversely affecting its safety or 17.23 soundness or that the proposed office would be contrary to the 17.24 public interest. 17.25 Subd. 3. [AUTHORITY FOR OUT-OF-STATE TRUST OFFICES; PRIOR 17.26 WRITTEN NOTICE.] (a) A state trust institution may establish and 17.27 maintain representative trust office or acquire and maintain an 17.28 office in a state other than this state. A state trust 17.29 institution desiring to establish or acquire and maintain an 17.30 office in another state under this section shall file a notice 17.31 on a form prescribed by the commissioner, which shall set forth 17.32 the name of the state trust institution, the location of the 17.33 proposed office, and whether the laws of the jurisdiction where 17.34 the office will be located permit the office to be maintained by 17.35 the state trust institution; and furnish a copy of the 17.36 resolution adopted by the board authorizing the out-of-state 18.1 office. 18.2 (b) The state trust institution may begin business at the 18.3 additional office on the 31st day after the date the 18.4 commissioner receives the notice, unless the commissioner 18.5 specifies an earlier or later date. 18.6 (c) The 30-day period of review may be extended by the 18.7 commissioner on a determination that the written notice raises 18.8 issues that require additional information or additional time 18.9 for analysis. If the period of review is extended, the state 18.10 trust institution may establish the additional office only on 18.11 prior written approval by the commissioner. 18.12 (d) The commissioner may deny approval of the additional 18.13 office if the commissioner finds that the state trust 18.14 institution lacks sufficient financial resources to undertake 18.15 the proposed expansion without adversely affecting its safety or 18.16 soundness or that the proposed office would be contrary to the 18.17 public interest. In acting on the notice, the commissioner 18.18 shall consider the views of the appropriate bank supervisory 18.19 agencies. 18.20 Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 48.512, is 18.21 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 18.22 Subd. 4a. [IDENTIFICATION NOT REQUIRED FOR DEBIT CARD 18.23 TRANSACTIONS.] The identification requirements of subdivision 4 18.24 do not apply to a transaction account that is accessible 18.25 exclusively by debit card. A debit card activates a transaction 18.26 account at a financial intermediary by means of an electronic 18.27 information processing device and contemporaneously completes 18.28 the debt to the account only on the condition that funds are 18.29 available and confirmed. 18.30 Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 48.512, is 18.31 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 18.32 Subd. 11. [FORMAL POLICY DEVELOPMENT; REQUIRED SIGHT DRAFT 18.33 DISCLOSURE.] A financial intermediary offering transaction 18.34 accounts shall by board resolution adopt a policy to be enforced 18.35 internally regarding the following: 18.36 (1) the standards identify a level of misuse by customers 19.1 for purposes of enforcing the deterrence objectives of 19.2 subdivision 7; 19.3 (2) the method of disclosing to the customer the risks 19.4 related to providing account identification information to third 19.5 parties for purposes of authorizing their issuance of sight 19.6 drafts; and 19.7 (3) the method of informing the customer of the privacy 19.8 terms related to the bank's use of customer personal information. 19.9 Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 48.61, 19.10 subdivision 7, is amended to read: 19.11 Subd. 7. [SUBSIDIARIES.] (a) A state bank or trust company 19.12 may organize, acquire, or invest in a subsidiary located in this 19.13 state for the purposes of engaging in one or more of the 19.14 following activities, subject to the prior written approval of 19.15 the commissioner: 19.16 (1) any activity, not including receiving deposits or 19.17 paying checks, that a state bank is authorized to engage in 19.18 under state law or rule or under federal law or regulation 19.19 unless the activity is prohibited by the laws of this state; 19.20 (2) any activity that a bank clerical service corporation 19.21 is authorized to engage in under section 48.89; and 19.22 (3) any other activity authorized for a national bank, a 19.23 bank holding company, or a subsidiary of a national bank or bank 19.24 holding company under federal law or regulation of general 19.25 applicability, and approved by the commissionerby rule. 19.26 (b) A bank or trust company subsidiary may engage in an 19.27 activity under this section only upon application together with 19.28 a filing fee of $250 and with the prior written approval of the 19.29 commissioner. In approving or denying a proposed activity, the 19.30 commissioner shall consider the financial and management 19.31 strength of the bank or trust company, the current written 19.32 operating plan and policies of the proposed subsidiary 19.33 corporation, the bank or trust company's community reinvestment 19.34 record, and whether the proposed activity should be conducted 19.35 through a subsidiary of the bank or trust company. 19.36 (c) The aggregate amount of funds invested in either an 20.1 equity or loan capacity in all of the subsidiaries of the bank 20.2 or trust company authorized under this subdivision shall not 20.3 exceed 25 percent of the capital stock and paid in surplus of 20.4 the bank or trust company. 20.5 (d) A subsidiary organized or acquired under this 20.6 subdivision is subject to the examination and enforcement 20.7 authority of the commissioner under chapters 45 and 46 to the 20.8 same extent as a state bank or trust company. 20.9 (e) For the purposes of this section, "subsidiary" means a 20.10 corporation of which more than 50 percent of the voting shares 20.11 are owned or controlled by the bank or trust company. 20.12 Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 48.61, is 20.13 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 20.14 Subd. 10. [SUBSIDIARIES ORGANIZED FOR PURPOSES OF 20.15 CORPORATE REORGANIZATION.] A subsidiary may be organized solely 20.16 for purposes of liquidating assets in a reorganization subject 20.17 to the following conditions: 20.18 (1) the subsidiary must be a bank holding company whose 20.19 assets and liabilities and subsidiary bank control have been 20.20 removed; and 20.21 (2) the operations of the subsidiary must be limited to the 20.22 time period reasonably related to the completion of the 20.23 reorganization. 20.24 Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 49.215, 20.25 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 20.26 Subd. 3. [CERTIFICATE OF LIQUIDATION.] Upon compliance 20.27 with the foregoing and upon filing with the commissioner an 20.28 affidavit of the president and cashier or vice president 20.29 conducting the duties of cashier of said financial institution 20.30 that the provisions of subdivision 4 have been complied with and 20.31 that all depositors and other creditors have been paid in full, 20.32 or, if any dividends or any moneys set apart for the payment of 20.33 claims remain unpaid and the places of residence of the 20.34 depositors or other creditors are unknown to the persons making 20.35 the affidavit, that sufficient funds have been turned over to 20.36 the commissioner for payment into the state treasury to pay said 21.1 depositors and other creditors, in the manner provided by 21.2 subdivision 5, the commissioner shall issue a certificate of 21.3 liquidation, and, upon the filing for record of said certificate 21.4 of liquidation in the office of the secretary of state and in 21.5 the office of the county recorder of the county of the principal 21.6 place of business of such financial institution immediately 21.7 prior to its voluntary liquidation, the liquidation of said 21.8 financial institution shall be complete, and its corporate 21.9 existence shall thereupon terminate. 21.10 Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 49.33, is 21.11 amended to read: 21.12 49.33 [CONSOLIDATION AND MERGER, WHEN AUTHORIZED.] 21.13 Subject to the provisions of sections 49.33 to 49.41, with 21.14 the written consent of the commissioner of commerce, any bankof21.15discount and deposit, savings bank, or trust company may effect 21.16 a transfer of its assets and liabilities to another bank, 21.17 savings bank, or trust company for the purpose of consolidating 21.18 or merging, but the same shall be without prejudice to the 21.19 creditors of either. 21.20 Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 49.42, is 21.21 amended to read: 21.22 49.42 [STATE BANK.] 21.23 As used in sections 49.42 to 49.46: 21.24 "State bank" means any bank, savings bank, trust company, 21.25 or bank and trust company which is now or may hereafter be 21.26 organized under the laws of this state. 21.27 "National banking association" means a bank, savings bank, 21.28 bank and trust company, or bank exclusively exercising trust 21.29 powers organized under the laws of the United States. 21.30 Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 50.245, is 21.31 amended to read: 21.32 50.245 [BRANCHES; ACQUISITIONS.] 21.33 Subdivision 1. [AUTHORITY FOR BRANCH OFFICES.] A savings 21.34 bank may establish any number of detached facilities as may be 21.35 approved by the commissioner of commerce pursuant to sections 21.36 47.51 to 47.57. The savings bank shall not change the location 22.1 of a detached facility without prior written approval of the 22.2 commissioner of commerce. A savings bank may establish a loan 22.3 production office, without restriction as to geographical 22.4 location, upon written notice to the commissioner of commerce. 22.5 Subd. 2. [AUTHORITY FOR BRANCH OFFICES IN OTHER STATES.] 22.6 The authorization contained in subdivision 1 is in addition to 22.7 the authority granted savings banks in section 47.52. A savings 22.8 bank chartered in this state, whether or not the subsidiary of a 22.9 savings bank holding company,may, by acquisition, merger,22.10purchase, and assumption of some or all assets and liabilities,22.11consolidation, or de novo formation, establish or operate22.12detached facilities in another state on the same terms and22.13conditions and subject to the same limitations and restrictions22.14as are applicable to the establishment of branches by national22.15banks located in Minnesota, except that approval of the22.16comptroller of the currency shall not be required for such22.17detached facilitieshas the same authority as a bank to conduct 22.18 interstate mergers affecting interstate branching under section 22.19 49.411. The merger may be between banks and with other banks or 22.20 savings banks. 22.21 Subd. 3. [RECIPROCATING STATEINTERSTATE ACQUISITIONS.] A 22.22 savings bank chartered in this state and a savings bank holding 22.23 company with its principal offices in this state may acquire 22.24 control of a financial institution chartered ina reciprocating22.25state or, subject to applicable federal law,any other state or 22.26 a financial institution holding company with principal offices 22.27 ina reciprocating state or, subject to applicable federal law,22.28 any other state. A savings bank chartered ina reciprocating22.29state or, subject to applicable federal law,any other state and 22.30 a savings bank holding company with principal offices ina22.31reciprocating state or, subject to applicable federal law,any 22.32 other state may acquire control of a savings bank chartered in 22.33 this state or a savings bank holding company with principal 22.34 offices in this state. 22.35 Subd. 4. [PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS.] Procedural 22.36 requirementsequivalent to thosecontained in sections 48.90 to 23.148.99548.99 apply toreciprocalinterstatebranching and23.2 acquisitions by savings banks and savings bank holding companies. 23.3 Subd. 5. [DEFINITIONS.] For the purpose of this section, 23.4 the terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings given 23.5 them. 23.6 (a) "Financial institution" means a bank, savings bank, 23.7 savings association, or trust company,or credit union,whether 23.8 chartered under the laws of this state, another state or 23.9 territory, or under the laws of the United States. 23.10 (b) "Loan production office" means a place of business at 23.11 which a savings bank provides lending if the loans are approved 23.12 at the main office or detached facility of the savings bank, but 23.13 at which a savings bank may not accept deposits except through a 23.14 remote service unit. 23.15 (c)"Reciprocating state" means a state that authorizes the23.16acquisition of control of financial institutions chartered in23.17that state and financial institution holding companies with23.18principal offices in that state by a savings bank chartered in23.19this state or savings bank holding company with principal23.20offices in this state under conditions substantially similar to23.21those imposed by the laws of Minnesota, as determined by the23.22commissioner of commerce.23.23(d)"Remote service unit" means an electronic financial 23.24 terminal as defined in section 47.61. 23.25Subd. 6. [COMMISSIONER'S AUTHORITY.] The authority of the23.26commissioner of commerce to approve a transaction under this23.27section is in addition to that provided for in section 49.48.23.28 Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 51A.38, 23.29 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 23.30 Subdivision 1. [GENERALLY.] Real estate loans and other 23.31 loans secured by a mortgage on real estate that are eligible for 23.32 investment by an association under sections 51A.01 to 51A.57 may 23.33 be written according to this section and section 23.3451A.38551A.386, or upon any other plan approved by the 23.35 commissioner. 23.36 Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 52.04, 24.1 subdivision 2a, is amended to read: 24.2 Subd. 2a. [CREDIT SALES OR SERVICE CONTRACTS.] A person 24.3 may enter into a credit sale or service contract for sale to a 24.4 state or federal credit union doing business in this state, and 24.5 a credit union may purchase and enforce the contract under the 24.6 terms and conditions set forth in section 47.59, subdivisions 24.7 4and 6to 14. 24.8 Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 52.04, is 24.9 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 24.10 Subd. 3. [COMPARABILITY WITH FEDERAL CREDIT UNIONS.] The 24.11 commissioner of commerce may authorize credit union activity in 24.12 which credit unions subject to the jurisdiction of the federal 24.13 government may be authorized to engage by federal legislation, 24.14 ruling, or regulation. The commissioner may not authorize state 24.15 credit unions subject to this chapter to engage in credit union 24.16 activity prohibited by the laws of this state. 24.17 Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 52.062, 24.18 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 24.19 Subdivision 1. [REASONS FOR COMMISSIONER'S ACTION.] 24.20 Whenever the commissioner of commerce shall find that a credit 24.21 union is engaged in unsafe or unsound practices in conducting 24.22 its business or that the shares of the members are impaired or 24.23 are in immediate danger of becoming impaired, or that such 24.24 credit union has knowingly or negligently permitted any of its 24.25 officers, directors, committee members, or employees to violate 24.26 any material provision of any law, bylaw, or rule to which the 24.27 credit union is subject, the commissioner of commerce may 24.28 proceed in the manner provided byeithersubdivision 2or, 3, or 24.29 4. 24.30 Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 52.062, is 24.31 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 24.32 Subd. 4. [CONSENT CEASE AND DESIST ORDER.] In lieu of 24.33 suspension of the operation of the credit union, the 24.34 commissioner of commerce and the board of directors of the 24.35 credit union may agree to execute a consent cease and desist 24.36 order in which the parties agree to waive the right to a hearing 25.1 and agree that the credit union shall cease and desist from 25.2 unsafe or unsound practices, or violations. The order must 25.3 specify whether credit union operation may continue, and if 25.4 operation may continue, the conditions under which operation may 25.5 continue. 25.6 Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 52.063, is 25.7 amended to read: 25.8 52.063 [PROCEEDINGS FOLLOWING SUSPENSIONOR, CONTINUATION 25.9 OF SUSPENSION, OR CONSENT CEASE AND DESIST ORDER; APPOINTMENT OF 25.10 NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION BOARD AS RECEIVER.] 25.11 Subdivision 1. [PROCEEDINGS FOLLOWING SUSPENSION OR 25.12 CONTINUATION OF SUSPENSION.] Upon receipt of the suspension 25.13 notice or the notice of the continuation of suspension under 25.14 section 52.062, subdivision 2 or 3, the credit union shall 25.15 immediately cease or continue cessation of all operations except 25.16 those operations specifically authorized by the commissioner of 25.17 commerce. If the notice is given pursuant to determination by 25.18 the commissioner of commerce after a hearing, the board of 25.19 directors shall have 60 days from the receipt of said notice in 25.20 which to file with the commissioner of commerce a proposed plan 25.21 of corrective actions or to request that a receiver be appointed 25.22 for the credit union. The commissioner of commerce shall have 25.23 30 days from the receipt of the proposed plan of corrective 25.24 actions to determine if the proposed corrective actions are 25.25 sufficient to correct the deficiencies which formed the basis 25.26 for the suspension. If the commissioner of commerce determines 25.27 that the proposed corrective actions are sufficient, the 25.28 suspension shall be lifted and the credit union returned to 25.29 normal operations under its board of directors. If the 25.30 commissioner of commerce believes the proposed corrective 25.31 actions insufficient, or if the board has failed to answer the 25.32 suspension notice, or has requested that a receiver be 25.33 appointed, then the commissioner of commerce shall apply to the 25.34 district court for appointment of a receiver. The credit union 25.35 shall have the right, within six months of the receipt of any 25.36 notice of suspension or continuation of suspension pursuant to a 26.1 determination by the commissioner of commerce after hearing, to 26.2 appeal to the district court for a ruling as to the validity of 26.3 such notice. 26.4 Subd. 2. [PROCEEDINGS FOLLOWING CONSENT CEASE AND DESIST 26.5 ORDER.] If the commissioner of commerce and the board of 26.6 directors of the credit union execute a consent cease and desist 26.7 order in lieu of a suspension under section 52.062, subdivision 26.8 4, the board of directors of the credit union may request that 26.9 the commissioner of commerce seek court appointment of a 26.10 receiver for the credit union. The consent cease and desist 26.11 order must state that the credit union has requested that the 26.12 commissioner seek appointment of a receiver. 26.13 Subd. 3. [APPOINTMENT OF NATIONAL CREDIT UNION 26.14 ADMINISTRATION BOARD AS RECEIVER.] Upon a request by the 26.15 commissioner of commerce, the court may appoint the National 26.16 Credit Union Administration Board, created by section 3 of the 26.17 Federal Credit Union Act, as amended, as receiver of a credit 26.18 union, without bond, when the deposits of the credit union are 26.19 to any extent insured by the National Credit Union 26.20 Administration Board, and the credit union has had its 26.21 operations suspended or has executed a consent cease and desist 26.22 order with the commissioner in lieu of a suspension under 26.23 section 52.062. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, 26.24 the commissioner of commerce may, in the event of the suspension 26.25 or consent cease and desist order, tender to the National Credit 26.26 Union Administration Board the proposed appointment as receiver 26.27 of the credit union. If the National Credit Union 26.28 Administration Board accepts the proposed appointment and the 26.29 court appoints the National Credit Union Administration Board as 26.30 receiver upon a request by the commissioner, the National Credit 26.31 Union Administration Board shall have and possess all the powers 26.32 and privileges provided by the laws of this state and section 26.33 207 of the Federal Credit Union Act, as amended, with respect to 26.34 a receiver of a credit union, the board of directors of the 26.35 credit union, and its members. 26.36 Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 52.064, is 27.1 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 27.2 Subd. 3. [WAIVER WHEN CREDIT UNION REQUESTS APPOINTMENT OF 27.3 NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION BOARD AS RECEIVER.] If the 27.4 board of directors of the credit union has made a request to the 27.5 commissioner of commerce to seek court appointment of the 27.6 National Credit Union Administration Board as its receiver, and 27.7 the commissioner elects to seek this appointment, then the board 27.8 of directors of the credit union may waive the right to apply to 27.9 the court for permission to file, and the right to file, a plan 27.10 of reorganization, merger, or consolidation for the credit union 27.11 within 90 days of the appointment of the receiver under 27.12 subdivision 1. The board of directors of the credit union may 27.13 waive this right on behalf of itself, and on behalf of the 27.14 members of the credit union, when the board of directors of the 27.15 credit union determines that such action is in the best 27.16 interests of the credit union and its members, so that the 27.17 deposit insurer may proceed expeditiously to wind up the affairs 27.18 of the credit union upon appointment as receiver. 27.19 Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 52.201, is 27.20 amended to read: 27.21 52.201 [REORGANIZING FEDERAL CREDIT UNION INTO STATE CREDIT 27.22 UNION.] 27.23 When any federal credit union authorized to convert to a 27.24 state charter has taken the necessary steps under the federal 27.25 law for that purpose, seven or more members, upon authority of 27.26 two-thirds of the members present and entitled to vote and who 27.27 shall have voted for such conversion at a regular or special 27.28 meeting upon 14 days mailed written notice to each member at the 27.29 member's last known address clearly stating that such conversion 27.30 is to be acted upon, and upon approval of the commissioner of 27.31 commerce, may execute a certificate of incorporation under the 27.32 provisions of the state credit union act, which, in addition to 27.33 the other requirements of law, shall state the authority derived 27.34 from the shareholders of such federal credit union; and upon 27.35 recording such certificate as required by law, it shall become a 27.36 legal state credit union and the members of the federal credit 28.1 union shall without further action be members of the state 28.2 credit union. This includes members of the federal credit union 28.3 on the basis of acceptance of small employer groups provided the 28.4 commissioner may require contemporaneous filing of applications 28.5 under section 52.05, subdivision 2. Thereupon the assets of the 28.6 federal credit union, subject to its liabilities not liquidated 28.7 under the federal law before such incorporation, shall vest in 28.8 and become the property of such state credit union and the 28.9 members upon request shall be entitled to a new passbook showing 28.10 existing share and loan balances. The commissioner of commerce 28.11 shall approve or disapprove of the conversion within 60 days of 28.12 the date the proposal is presented. 28.13 Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 53.04, is 28.14 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 28.15 Subd. 5b. [NEGOTIABLE ORDER OF WITHDRAWAL 28.16 ACCOUNTS.] Notwithstanding section 53.05, clause (1), issue 28.17 negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, which may not be 28.18 referred to as checking accounts and may include the following 28.19 transactions: 28.20 (1) automatic (preauthorized) transfers for the purpose of 28.21 paying loans at the same institution; 28.22 (2) transfers or withdrawals made by mail, messenger, 28.23 automated teller machine, or in person as withdrawals or 28.24 transfers to another account of the depositor at the same 28.25 institution; 28.26 (3) withdrawals initiated by telephone and consummated by 28.27 an official check mailed to the depository; 28.28 (4) automated clearinghouse debits; 28.29 (5) transfers from a customer's account under a 28.30 preauthorized agreement to cover overdrafts on another 28.31 transaction account; 28.32 (6) drafts payable to third parties; and 28.33 (7) debit card transactions. 28.34 Agreements establishing negotiable order of withdrawal 28.35 accounts must include a prominent disclosure of the following: 28.36 "We reserve the right to at any time require not less than 29.1 seven days' notice in writing before each withdrawal from this 29.2 account." 29.3 A negotiable order of withdrawal account may be with or 29.4 without interest and is considered a transaction account for 29.5 purposes of section 48.512. 29.6 Before exercising this power, the company must submit a 29.7 plan to the commissioner detailing implementation of the power. 29.8 Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 53.05, is 29.9 amended to read: 29.10 53.05 [POWERS, LIMITATION.] 29.11 No industrial loan and thrift company may do any of the 29.12 following: 29.13 (1) carry demand banking accounts; use the word "savings" 29.14 unless the institution's investment certificates, savings 29.15 accounts, and savings deposits are insured by the Federal 29.16 Deposit Insurance Corporation and then only if the word is not 29.17 followed by the words "and loan" in its corporate name; use the 29.18 word "bank" or "banking" in its corporate name; operate as a 29.19 savings bank; 29.20 (2) have outstanding at any one time certificates of 29.21 indebtedness, savings accounts, and savings deposits 30 times 29.22 the sum of capital stock and surplus of the company; 29.23 (3) accept trusts, except as provided in section 47.75, 29.24 subdivision 1, or act as guardian, administrator, or judicial 29.25 trustee in any form; 29.26 (4) deposit any of its funds in any banking corporation, 29.27 unless that corporation has been designated by vote of a 29.28 majority of directors or of the executive committee present at a 29.29 meeting duly called, at which a quorum was in attendance; 29.30 (5) change any allocation of capital made pursuant to 29.31 section 53.03 or reduce or withdraw in any way any portion of 29.32 the capital stock and surplus without prior written approval of 29.33 the commissioner of commerce; 29.34 (6) take any instrument in which blanks are left to be 29.35 filled in after execution; 29.36 (7) lend money in excess of 20 percent of the total of its 30.1 capital stock and surplus at all its authorized locations to a 30.2 person primarily liable. Companies not issuing investment 30.3 certificates of indebtedness under section 53.04 need not comply 30.4 with the requirement if the amount of money lent does not exceed 30.5 $100,000 of principal as defined by section 47.59, subdivision 30.6 1, paragraph (p). 30.7 However, industrial loan and thrift companies with deposit 30.8 liabilities must comply with the provisions of section 48.24; or 30.9 (8) issue cashier's checks pursuant to section 48.151, 30.10 unless and at all times the aggregate liability to all creditors 30.11 on these instruments is protected by a special fund in cash or 30.12 due from banks to be used solely for payment of the cashier's 30.13 checks. 30.14 Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 53.09, 30.15 subdivision 2a, is amended to read: 30.16 Subd. 2a. [COMPLIANCE EXAMINATIONS.] For the purpose of 30.17 discovering violations of this chapter or securing information 30.18 lawfully required by the commissioner under this chapter, the 30.19 commissioner may, at any time, either personally or by a person 30.20 or persons duly designated, investigate the loans and business, 30.21 and examine the books, accounts, records, and files used in the 30.22 business, of every licensee and of every person engaged in the 30.23 business whether or not the person acts or claims to act as 30.24 principal or agent, or under the authority of this chapter. For 30.25 the purposes of this subdivision, the commissioner and duly 30.26 designated representatives have free access to the offices and 30.27 places of business, books, accounts, papers, records, files, 30.28 safes, and vaults of all these persons. The commissioner and 30.29 all persons duly designated may require the attendance of and 30.30 examine, under oath, all persons whose testimony the 30.31 commissioner may require relative to the loans or business or to 30.32 the subject matter of an examination, investigation, or 30.33 hearing. Upon written agreement with the company, the 30.34 commissioner may conduct examinations applying the procedures 30.35 for purposes of subdivision 1, and section 46.04, subdivision 1, 30.36 to facilitate the qualifications of the company to participate 31.1 in the United States Small Business Administration loan 31.2 guarantee or similar programs. 31.3 Each licensee shall pay to the commissioner the amount 31.4 required under section 46.131, and the commissioner may maintain 31.5 an action for the recovery of the costs in a court of competent 31.6 jurisdiction. 31.7 Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 55.06, 31.8 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 31.9 Subdivision 1. [PROHIBITION.] No person except a bank, a 31.10 savings bank, a credit union, a savings association, industrial 31.11 loan and thrift company issuing investment certificates of 31.12 indebtedness, or a trust company may let out or rent as lessor, 31.13 for hire, safe deposit boxes or take or receive valuable 31.14 personal property for safekeeping and storage, as bailee, for 31.15 hire, without procuring a license and giving a bond, as required 31.16 by this chapter, except as otherwise authorized by law so to do. 31.17 Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 56.07, is 31.18 amended to read: 31.19 56.07 [CONTROL OVER LOCATION.] 31.20 Subdivision 1. [GENERAL.] Not more than one place of 31.21 business shall be maintained under the same license, but the 31.22 commissioner may issue more than one license to the same 31.23 licensee upon compliance with all the provisions of this chapter 31.24 governing an original issuance of a license, for each such new 31.25 license. To the extent that previously filed applicable 31.26 information remains substantially unchanged, the applicant need 31.27 not refile this information, unless requested. 31.28 When a licensee shall wish to change a place of business, 31.29 the licensee shall give written notice thereof 30 days in 31.30 advance to the commissioner, who shall within 30 days of receipt 31.31 of such notice, issue an amended license approving the change. 31.32 No change in the place of business of a licensee to a location 31.33 outside of its current trade area or more than 25 miles from its 31.34 present location, whichever distance is greater, shall be 31.35 permitted under the same license unless all of the requirements 31.36 of section 56.04 have been met. 32.1A licensed place of business shall be open during regular32.2business hours each weekday, except for legal holidays and for32.3any weekday the commissioner grants approval to the licensee to32.4remain closed. A licensed place of business may be open on32.5Saturday, but shall be closed on Sunday.A licensed location 32.6 must be open for business and examination purposes on a schedule 32.7 provided to and approved by the commissioner. This schedule of 32.8 regular business must be conspicuously posted at the licensed 32.9 location. 32.10 Subd. 2. [INTERACTIVE KIOSK LOCATIONS.] Licensed locations 32.11 providing limited services on an interactive telephone-customer 32.12 service communications terminal are required to comply with 32.13 paragraphs (a) to (c). 32.14 (a) The licensee must maintain business books, accounts, 32.15 and records on a suitable alternative system of maintenance 32.16 approved by the commissioner. 32.17 (b) The license required to be posted under section 56.05 32.18 may be displayed on the customer service communications terminal 32.19 screen for a period of no less than 15 seconds. 32.20 (c) The full and accurate schedule of charges required by 32.21 section 56.14, clause (5), may be displayed on the customer 32.22 service communications terminal screen for no less than 20 32.23 seconds. 32.24 Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 56.10, 32.25 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 32.26 Subdivision 1. For the purpose of discovering violations 32.27 of this chapter or securing information lawfully required by the 32.28 commissioner hereunder, the commissioner may, at any time, 32.29 either personally or by a person or persons duly designated, 32.30 investigate the loans and business and examine the books, 32.31 accounts, records, and files used therein, of every licensee and 32.32 of every person who shall be engaged in the business described 32.33 in section 56.01, whether the person shall act or claim to act 32.34 as principal or agent, or under or without the authority of this 32.35 chapter. For that purpose the commissioner and a duly 32.36 designated representative shall have free access to the offices 33.1 and places of business, books, accounts, papers, records, files, 33.2 safes, and vaults of all such persons. The commissioner and all 33.3 persons duly designated shall have authority to require the 33.4 attendance of and to examine, under oath, all persons whomsoever 33.5 whose testimony the commissioner may require relative to the 33.6 loan or the business or to the subject matter of any 33.7 examination, investigation, or hearing. Upon written agreement 33.8 with the licensee, the commissioner may conduct examinations 33.9 applying the procedures for purposes of this subdivision and 33.10 section 46.04, subdivision 1, to facilitate the qualifications 33.11 of the licensee to participate in the United States Small 33.12 Business Administration loan guarantee or similar programs. 33.13 Each licensee shall pay to the commissioner such amount as 33.14 may be required under section 46.131, and the commissioner may 33.15 maintain an action for the recovery of such costs in any court 33.16 of competent jurisdiction. 33.17 Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 56.131, 33.18 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 33.19 Subdivision 1. [INTEREST RATES AND CHARGES.] (a) On any 33.20 loan in a principal amount not exceeding$56,000$100,000 or 15 33.21 percent of a Minnesota corporate licensee's capital stock and 33.22 surplus as defined in section 53.015, if greater, a licensee may 33.23 contract for and receive interest, finance charges, and other 33.24 charges as provided in section 47.59. 33.25 (b) Loans may be interest-bearing or precomputed. 33.26 (c) Notwithstanding section 47.59 to the contrary, to 33.27 compute time on interest-bearing and precomputed loans, 33.28 including, but not limited to the calculation of interest, a day 33.29 is considered 1/30 of a month when calculation is made for a 33.30 fraction of a calendar month. A year is 12 calendar months. A 33.31 calendar month is that period from a given date in one month to 33.32 the same numbered date in the following month, and if there is 33.33 no same numbered date, to the last day of the following month. 33.34 When a period of time includes a whole month and a fraction of a 33.35 month, the fraction of a month is considered to follow the whole 33.36 month. 34.1 In the alternative, for interest-bearing loans, a licensee 34.2 may charge interest at the rate of 1/365 of the agreed annual 34.3 rate for each actual day elapsed. 34.4 (d) With respect to interest-bearing loans and 34.5 notwithstanding section 47.59: 34.6 (1) Interest must be computed on unpaid principal balances 34.7 outstanding from time to time, for the time outstanding. Each 34.8 payment must be applied first to the accumulated interest and 34.9 the remainder of the payment applied to the unpaid principal 34.10 balance; provided however, that if the amount of the payment is 34.11 insufficient to pay the accumulated interest, the unpaid 34.12 interest continues to accumulate to be paid from the proceeds of 34.13 subsequent payments and is not added to the principal balance. 34.14 (2) Interest must not be payable in advance or compounded. 34.15 However, if part or all of the consideration for a new loan 34.16 contract is the unpaid principal balance of a prior loan, then 34.17 the principal amount payable under the new loan contract may 34.18 include any unpaid interest which has accrued. The unpaid 34.19 principal balance of a precomputed loan is the balance due after 34.20 refund or credit of unearned interest as provided in paragraph 34.21 (e), clause (3). The resulting loan contract is deemed a new 34.22 and separate loan transaction for all purposes. 34.23 (e) With respect to precomputed loans and notwithstanding 34.24 section 47.59 to the contrary: 34.25 (1) Loans must be repayable in substantially equal and 34.26 consecutive monthly installments of principal and interest 34.27 combined, except that the first installment period may be more 34.28 or less than one month by not more than 15 days, and the first 34.29 installment payment amount may be larger than the remaining 34.30 payments by the amount of interest charged for the extra days 34.31 and must be reduced by the amount of interest for the number of 34.32 days less than one month to the first installment payment; and 34.33 monthly installment payment dates may be omitted to accommodate 34.34 borrowers with seasonal income. 34.35 (2) Payments may be applied to the combined total of 34.36 principal and precomputed interest until the loan is fully 35.1 paid. Payments must be applied in the order in which they 35.2 become due. 35.3 (3) If the maturity of the loan is accelerated for any 35.4 reason and judgment is entered, the licensee shall credit the 35.5 borrower with the same refund as if prepayment in full had been 35.6 made on the date the judgment is entered. 35.7 (4)If two or more installments are delinquent one full35.8month or more on any due date, and if the contract so provides,35.9the licensee may reduce the unpaid balance by the refund credit35.10which would be required for prepayment in full on the due date35.11of the most recent maturing installment in default. Thereafter,35.12and in lieu of any other default or deferment charges, the35.13single annual percentage rate permitted by this subdivision may35.14be charged on the unpaid balance until fully paid.35.15(5)Following the final installment as originally scheduled 35.16 or deferred, the licensee, for any loan contract which has not 35.17 previously been converted to interest-bearing under 35.18 clause(4)(7), may charge interest on any balance remaining 35.19 unpaid, including unpaid default or deferment charges, at the 35.20 single annual percentage rate permitted by this subdivision 35.21 until fully paid. 35.22(6)(5) With respect to a loan secured by an interest in 35.23 real estate, and having a maturity of more than 60 months, the 35.24 original schedule of installment payments must fully amortize 35.25 the principal and interest on the loan. The original schedule 35.26 of installment payments for any other loan secured by an 35.27 interest in real estate must provide for payment amounts that 35.28 are sufficient to pay all interest scheduled to be due on the 35.29 loan. 35.30 (6) A delinquency charge as provided for in section 47.59, 35.31 subdivision 6, paragraph (a), clause (4). 35.32 (7) Grant extensions, deferments, or conversions to 35.33 interest-bearing as provided in section 47.59, subdivision 5. 35.34 Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 56.131, 35.35 subdivision 4, is amended to read: 35.36 Subd. 4. [ADJUSTMENT OF DOLLAR AMOUNTS.] The dollar 36.1 amounts inthis sectionsubdivision 2, sections 53.04, 36.2 subdivision 3a, paragraph (c), 56.01, 56.12, and 56.125 shall 36.3 change periodically, as provided in section 47.59, subdivision 3. 36.4 Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 59A.08, 36.5 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 36.6 Subd. 3.The information required by subdivision 1 shall36.7only be required in the initial insurance premium finance36.8agreement entered into if said agreement is open end. An36.9insurance premium finance agreement is open end if it provides36.10that additional or subsequent insurance premiums may be financed36.11and added to the initial insurance premium finance agreement36.12from time to time.36.13 Additional or subsequent premiums may be added to anopen36.14endinsurance premium finance agreement from time to time, 36.15 provided that: 36.16 (a) The additional or subsequent insurance premium to be 36.17 added results from additional premiums required under policies 36.18 presently being financed under theopen endinsurance premium 36.19 finance agreement or from a renewal of a policy or from other 36.20 policies owned or purchased by the insured. 36.21 (b) The insurance premium finance company receives written 36.22 notice or advice from an insurer authorized to do business in 36.23 this state or from an insurance agent licensed in this state 36.24 acknowledging that the premium on an existing financed policy 36.25 has been increased or that a policy has been renewed or that 36.26 additional policies have or will be issued to the insured. The 36.27 notice or advice shall contain the amount of the additional 36.28 premium, the down payment collected by the insurer or agent, if 36.29 any, and the amount of premium to be added to theopen end36.30 insurance premium finance agreement. 36.31 (c) If the additional premiums to be added to theopen end36.32 insurance premium finance agreement result from additional 36.33 premiums required on policies presently financed under the 36.34 agreementwhich are to be financed beyond the scheduled maturity36.35of the original financing, the renewal of a policy or from an36.36additional policy owned or purchased by the insured, the37.1insurance premium finance company shall mail a notice to the37.2insured at the address shown in the policy. Said notice shall37.3contain:37.4(1) The information required by subdivision 1,37.5notwithstanding that the notice is not signed by, nor on behalf37.6of the insured;37.7(2) A conspicuous statement to the insured stating that the37.8insured may tender the premiums in full or disaffirm the37.9financing of the premium on the renewal or additional policies37.10by mailing to the insurance premium finance company notice of37.11intention to do so within ten days after the insurance premium37.12finance company mails to the insured the notice required by this37.13subdivision;37.14(3) A conspicuous statement to the insured that the37.15insurance premium finance company may, in event of default in37.16payment of the additional premium, or any installment thereof,37.17cause the insured's insurance contract or contracts to be37.18canceled as provided in section 59A.11.37.19(d) At the time the notice of additional premium to be37.20added to the open end insurance premium finance agreement is37.21mailed to the insured as provided in clause (c), an employee of37.22the insurance premium finance company shall prepare and sign a37.23certificate or affidavit of mailing setting forth the following:37.24(1) The name of the employee who mailed the notice of the37.25additional premium to be financed.37.26(2) That the employee mailing the notice is over 18 years37.27of age.37.28(3) The date and place of the deposit of the notice in the37.29mail.37.30(4) The name and address of the person to whom the notice37.31was mailed as shown on the envelope containing the notice.37.32(5) That the envelope containing the notice was sealed and37.33deposited in the mail with the proper postage thereon.37.34A certificate or affidavit of mailing, prepared and signed37.35as prescribed in this subdivision shall raise rebuttable37.36presumption that the notice was mailed to the insured at the38.1address shown in the certificate or affidavit of mailing.38.2(e) The insurance premium finance company may make a38.3finance charge in accordance with section 59A.09 for additional38.4premiums financed and added to an open end insurance premium38.5finance agreement; however, only one flat rate service fee may38.6be made or charged for each insurance premium finance agreement38.7entered into and no additional flat service fee may be made or38.8charged for adding additional or subsequent premiums to an open38.9end insurance premium finance agreement for which a flat service38.10fee was previously made or charged.or from a renewal of a 38.11 policy or from other policies owned or purchased by the insured, 38.12 a written notice must be mailed, faxed, or delivered to the 38.13 insured outlining any changes to the information required by 38.14 subdivision 1 along with a conspicuous statement to the insured 38.15 that the insured may tender the premiums in full or affirm the 38.16 proposed changes by tendering either an additional down payment 38.17 or tendering the proposed revised installment amount, or 38.18 disaffirm the financing of the additional premium by continuing 38.19 the original payment amount as agreed to in the initial 38.20 agreement. 38.21 If the proposed revisions in paragraph (c) are affirmed by 38.22 the insured, the finance company may make an additional finance 38.23 charge according to section 59A.09 for the additional premium 38.24 financed and added to the open-end agreement; however, no 38.25 additional flat service fee may be made or charged for adding 38.26 additional or subsequent premiums to an open-end insurance 38.27 premium finance agreement for which a flat service fee was 38.28 previously made or charged. 38.29 Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 59A.08, is 38.30 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 38.31 Subd. 5. [COMPETITIVE EQUALITY.] No insurance agent, 38.32 insurance broker, or insurer may require a person to use a 38.33 particular insurance premium finance company or other 38.34 installment payment plan for which a finance charge or other fee 38.35 in connection with an installment payment has been or will be 38.36 imposed. 39.1 Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 59A.11, 39.2 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 39.3 Subd. 2. Not less than ten days' written notice shall be 39.4 mailed to the insured setting forth the intent of the insurance 39.5 premium finance company to cancel the insurance contract unless 39.6 the default is cured prior to the date stated in the notice. 39.7 The insurance agent or insurance broker indicated on the premium 39.8 finance agreement shall also bemailedgiven ten days' notice of 39.9 this action in a manner agreed upon between the insurance 39.10 premium finance company and insurance agent or insurance broker. 39.11 Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 59A.11, 39.12 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 39.13 Subd. 3. (a) Pursuant to the power of attorney or other 39.14 authority referred to above, the insurance premium finance 39.15 company may cancel on behalf of the insured by mailing to the 39.16 insurer written notice stating when thereafter the cancellation 39.17 shall be effective, and the insurance contract shall be canceled 39.18 as if such notice of cancellation had been submitted by the 39.19 insured personally, but without requiring the return of the 39.20 insurance contract. In the event that the insurer or its agent 39.21 does not provide the insurance premium finance company with a 39.22 specific mailing address for the purposes of receipt of the 39.23 above notice, then mailing by the insurance premium finance 39.24 company to the insurer at the address which is on file and of 39.25 record with the commissioner of commerce pursuant to the 39.26 provisions of chapters 60A and 72A shall be considered 39.27 sufficient notice under this section. The notice requirements 39.28 of this paragraph only apply if an insurance premium finance 39.29 company and an insurer have not agreed on a method of providing 39.30 notice of cancellation. 39.31 (b) The insurance premium finance company shall also mail a 39.32 notice of cancellation to the insured at the insured's last 39.33 known addressand. 39.34 (c) Written notice of the cancellation must also be given 39.35 to the insurance agent or insurance broker indicated on the 39.36 premium finance agreement. Written notice to the insurance 40.1 agent or broker required by this paragraph may be given in a 40.2 manner agreed upon between the insurance premium finance 40.3 company, insurer, agent, or broker. 40.4 Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 62B.04, 40.5 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 40.6 Subdivision 1. [CREDIT LIFE INSURANCE.] (1) The initial 40.7 amount of credit life insurance shall not exceed the amount of 40.8 principal repayable under the contract of indebtedness plus an 40.9 amount equal to one monthly payment. Thereafter, if the 40.10 indebtedness is repayable in substantially equal installments 40.11 according to a predetermined schedule, the amount of insurance 40.12on which the premium is calculatedshallbe equal tonot exceed 40.13 the scheduled indebtedness plus one monthly payment or actual 40.14 amount of indebtedness, whichever is greater. If the contract 40.15 of indebtedness provides for a variable rate of finance charge 40.16 or interest, the initial rate or the scheduled rates based on 40.17 the initial index must be used in determining the scheduled 40.18 amount of indebtedness and subsequent changes to the rate must 40.19 be disregarded in determining whether the contract is repayable 40.20 in substantially equal installments according to a predetermined 40.21 schedule. 40.22 (2) Notwithstanding clause (1), the amount of credit life 40.23 insurance written in connection with credit transactions 40.24 repayable over a specified term exceeding 63 months shall not 40.25 exceed the greater of: (i) the actual amount of unpaid 40.26 indebtedness as it exists from time to time; or (ii) where an 40.27 indebtedness is repayable in substantially equal installments 40.28 according to a predetermined schedule, the scheduled amount of 40.29 unpaid indebtedness, less any unearned interest or finance 40.30 charges, plus an amount equal to two monthly payments. If the 40.31 credit transaction provides for a variable rate of finance 40.32 charge or interest, the initial rate or the scheduled rates 40.33 based on the initial index must be used in determining the 40.34 scheduled amount of unpaid indebtedness and subsequent changes 40.35 in the rate must be disregarded in determining whether the 40.36 contract is repayable in substantially equal installments 41.1 according to a predetermined schedule. 41.2 (3) Notwithstanding clauses (1) and (2), insurance on 41.3 educational, agricultural, and horticultural credit transaction 41.4 commitments may be written on a nondecreasing or level term plan 41.5 for the amount of the loan commitment. 41.6 (4) If the contract of indebtedness provides for a variable 41.7 rate of finance charge or interest, the initial rate or the 41.8 scheduled rates based on the initial index shall be used in 41.9 determining the scheduled amount of indebtedness, and subsequent 41.10 changes to the rate shall be disregarded in determining whether 41.11 the contract is repayable in substantially equal installments 41.12 according to a predetermined schedule. 41.13 Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 300.20, 41.14 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 41.15 Subd. 2. [VACANCIES.] If the certificate of incorporation 41.16 or the bylaws so provides, a vacancy in the board of directors 41.17 may be filled by the remaining directors. Not more than 41.18 one-third of the members of the board may be so filled in any 41.19 one year except any number may be appointed to provide for at 41.20 leastthreefive directors until any subsequent meeting of the 41.21 stockholders. 41.22 Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 303.25, 41.23 subdivision 5, is amended to read: 41.24 Subd. 5. [SOLICITATION OF BUSINESS.] A foreign trust 41.25 association may not maintain an office within this state, but it 41.26 may solicit business within this state if banking or trust 41.27 associations or corporations organized under the laws of this 41.28 state or national banking associations maintaining their 41.29 principal offices in this state may solicit business in the 41.30 state in which the foreign trust association maintains its 41.31 principal office. For purposes of this subdivision, 41.32 solicitation of business includes the activities authorized for 41.33 state or national banking associations exercising fiduciary 41.34 powers maintaining their principal offices in this state 41.35 considered a representative trust office established under 41.36 section 48.476. 42.1 Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 325F.68, 42.2 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 42.3 Subd. 2. "Merchandise" means any objects, wares, goods, 42.4 commodities, intangibles, real estate, loans, or services. 42.5 Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 332.21, is 42.6 amended to read: 42.7 332.21 [CONTRACTS.] 42.8 (a) Each contract entered into by the licensee and the 42.9 debtor shall be in writing and signed by both parties. The 42.10 licensee shall furnish the debtor with a copy of the signed 42.11 contract. Each such contract shall set forth: 42.12 (1) the dollar charges agreed upon for the services of the 42.13 licensee, clearly disclosing to such debtor the total amount 42.14 which may be retained by licensee for services if the contract 42.15 is fully performed, which maximum amount would be the 42.16 origination fee together with 15 percent of the amount scheduled 42.17 to be liquidated by such contract,. This disclosure must state 42.18 that if the amount of debt owed is increased by interest, late 42.19 fees, over the limit fees, and other amounts imposed by the 42.20 creditor or by reason of the events under paragraph (c), the 42.21 length of the contract would be extended and remain in force and 42.22 that the total dollar charges agreed upon may increase at the 42.23 rate agreed upon in the original contract; 42.24 (2) the terms upon which the debtor may cancel the contract 42.25 as set out in section 332.23,; 42.26 (3) all debts which are to be managed by the licensee, 42.27 including the name of the creditor and the amount of the debt,; 42.28 and 42.29 (4) such other matter as the commissioner may require by 42.30 rule. 42.31 (b) A contract shall not be effective until a payment has 42.32 been made to the licensee for distribution to creditors or until 42.33 three business days after the signing thereof, whichever is 42.34 later. Within such period an individual may disaffirm said 42.35 contract and upon such disaffirmance said contract shall be null 42.36 and void. 43.1 (c) Total fees contained in the contract may be exceeded in 43.2 relation to creditors under open-end agreements if it is agreed 43.3 to in the contract and the additional debts so contracted to be 43.4 prorated do not exceed ten percent of the original debts in the 43.5 contract or written revisions to the original contract. 43.6 Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 332.23, 43.7 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 43.8 Subd. 2. [WITHDRAWAL OF FEE.] The licensee may withdraw 43.9 and retain as partial payment of the licensee's total fee not 43.10 more than 15 percent of any sum deposited with the licensee by 43.11 the debtor for distribution. The remaining 85 percent must be 43.12 disbursed to listed creditors pursuant to and in accordance with 43.13 the contract between the debtor and the licensee within 35 days 43.14 after receipt unless the reasonable payment of one or more of 43.15 the debtor's obligations requires that the funds be held for a 43.16 longer period so as to accumulate a sum certain or where the 43.17 debtor's payment is returned for nonsufficient funds, then no 43.18 longer than 42 days. Total payment to licensee for services 43.19 rendered, excluding the origination fee and any credit 43.20 background report, shall not exceed 15 percent of funds 43.21 deposited with licensee by debtor for distribution. 43.22 Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 332.23, 43.23 subdivision 5, is amended to read: 43.24 Subd. 5. [ADVANCE PAYMENTS.] Notwithstanding anything 43.25 herein to the contrary no fees or charges shall be received or 43.26 retained for any payments by the debtor made more than the 43.27 following number of days in advance of the date specified in the 43.28 contract on which they are due: (a)3042 days in the case of 43.29 contracts requiring monthly payments; (b) 15 days in the case of 43.30 contracts requiring biweekly payments; or (c) seven days in the 43.31 case of contracts requiring weekly payments. For those 43.32 contracts which do not require payments in specified amounts, a 43.33 payment shall be deemed an advance payment to the extent it 43.34 exceeds twice the average regular payment theretofore made by 43.35 the debtor pursuant to that contract. This subdivision shall 43.36 not apply when it is the intention of the debtor to use such 44.1 advance payments to satisfy future payment of obligations due 44.2 within 30 days under the contract. 44.3 Sec. 55. [REPEALER.] 44.4 Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 13.99, subdivision 13; 44.5 47.29; 47.31; 47.32; 49.47; 49.48; 50.03; 50.23; and 59A.14, are 44.6 repealed. 44.7 Sec. 56. [EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICABILITY.] 44.8 Sections 1, 4 to 6, 8, 9, 10, 13 to 18, 22 to 48, 50, and 44.9 52 to 55 are effective the day following final enactment.