2007 Minnesota Statutes

CHAPTER 55. SAFE DEPOSIT COMPANIES

55.01 DEFINITIONS.
    Subdivision 1. Scope. Unless the language or context clearly indicates that a different
meaning is intended, the following words, terms, and phrases shall, for the purposes of the laws of
this state, be given the meanings subjoined to them.
    Subd. 2. Safe deposit box. The words "safe deposit box" mean any box, safe, safe deposit
box, receptacle, or any part or parts thereof, and any space in a vault, which may be used for the
safekeeping and storage of valuable personal property.
    Subd. 3. Valuable personal property. The words "valuable personal property" mean jewelry,
plate, money, specie, bullion, stocks, bonds, valuable papers, or other personal property of value.
    Subd. 4. Person. "Person" means an individual, partnership, unincorporated association or a
corporation. "It" includes "he," "she," and "they."
    Subd. 5. Safe deposit company. "Safe deposit company" means any person who lets out or
rents, as lessor, for hire, safe deposit boxes, or space therein.
History: (7747-1) 1933 c 340 s 1; 1945 c 114 s 1; 1986 c 444

55.02 POWERS.
Any safe deposit company which complies with the provisions of this chapter shall have
power:
(1) to let out or rent as lessor, for hire, safe deposit boxes, upon such terms and for such
compensation as may be agreed upon by such safe deposit company and the lessee; and
(2) to take and receive valuable personal property for safekeeping and storage, as bailee, for
hire, upon such terms and for such compensation as may be agreed upon by such safe deposit
company and the bailor. No such safe deposit company shall make any loans or advances upon
any valuable personal property so left with it for safekeeping and storage.
History: (7747-2) 1933 c 340 s 2; 1945 c 114 s 2

55.03 LICENSE REQUIRED.
Except as in this chapter otherwise provided, no person shall exercise the powers granted
safe deposit companies by section 55.02 unless licensed so to do.
History: (7747-3) 1933 c 340 s 3; 1945 c 114 s 3

55.04 LICENSES.
    Subdivision 1. Place of business. The commissioner of commerce may license any person to
engage in the business of a safe deposit company and to exercise the powers set forth in section
55.02, which license shall designate the place of business of the safe deposit company, which
place of business shall be located upon the premises in which the safe deposit boxes are located.
    Subd. 2. Application for license. Application for license shall be in writing, under oath, and
in the form prescribed by the commissioner of commerce, and contain the name and address, both
of the residence and place of business, of the applicant, and if the applicant is a partnership or
unincorporated association, of every member thereof, and if a corporation, of each officer and
director thereof; also the county and municipality, with street and number, if any, where the
business is to be conducted; and further information the commissioner of commerce requires. The
applicant at the time of making application shall pay to the commissioner the sum of $250 as a fee
for investigating the application, and the additional sum of $150 as an annual license fee for a
period terminating on the last day of the current calendar year.
    Subd. 3. Business at stated place only. It shall be unlawful for any safe deposit company
holding such license to engage in this business upon any premises or in any building other than
that designated in the license.
History: (7747-4) 1933 c 340 s 4; 1945 c 114 s 4; 1982 c 473 s 22; 1983 c 289 s 114 subd 1;
1984 c 655 art 1 s 92; 1999 c 151 s 31

55.041 ANNUAL LICENSE FEE.
Every licensee shall, on or before the 20th day of each December, pay to the commissioner
the sum of $150 as an annual license fee for the next succeeding calendar year.
History: 1982 c 473 s 23

55.05 BONDS.
Before a license is issued, the applicant shall execute and file with the commissioner of
commerce a bond to the state of Minnesota in the penal sum of not less than $5,000 nor more than
$1,000,000, as fixed by the commissioner of commerce. The bond must be issued by a corporate
surety in good standing authorized to do business in this state and must secure the faithful
performance of the safe deposit company's contracts of rental or deposit and protect persons doing
business with it from the results of its negligence. The bond must enure to the benefit of any one
damaged by a breach of a rental or deposit contract or negligence. Each bond, or a substitute
like bond, approved by the commissioner of commerce shall be kept on file and maintained in
effect by the safe deposit company so long as that company continues to do business. Failure to
maintain the bond shall be grounds for revocation of the safe deposit company's license by the
commissioner of commerce. No safe deposit company shall lease a safe deposit box or receive
valuable personal property for safekeeping or storage until the bond is on file and in force.
History: (7747-5) 1933 c 340 s 5; 1945 c 114 s 5; 1982 c 473 s 24; 1983 c 289 s 114 subd 1;
1984 c 655 art 1 s 92

55.06 BUSINESS NOT TO BE CONDUCTED WITHOUT LICENSE.
    Subdivision 1. Prohibition. No person except a bank, a savings bank, a credit union,
a savings association, industrial loan and thrift company issuing investment certificates of
indebtedness, or a trust company may let out or rent as lessor, for hire, safe deposit boxes
or take or receive valuable personal property for safekeeping and storage, as bailee, for hire,
without procuring a license and giving a bond, as required by this chapter, except as otherwise
authorized by law so to do.
    Subd. 2. Civil penalty. Every person who shall violate the provisions of subdivision 1 or
any other provision of this chapter shall forfeit to the state the sum of not to exceed $100 for
each day the violation shall continue, after written notice by the commissioner of commerce to
discontinue such violation, to be recovered in a civil action brought by the attorney general in the
name of the state at the request of the commissioner of commerce, and may be enjoined by any
court having jurisdiction from any further violation, in an equitable action brought by the attorney
general in the name of the state for that purpose.
History: (7747-6) 1933 c 340 s 6; 1945 c 114 s 6; 1977 c 84 s 2; 1980 c 524 s 6; 1983 c 289
s 114 subd 1; 1984 c 655 art 1 s 92; 1997 c 157 s 47

55.07 DEPOSITS, HOW KEPT; ACCOUNTS KEPT.
    Subdivision 1. Vault approved by commissioner. No person shall carry on the business
of a safe deposit company as authorized by section 55.02 unless the safe deposit boxes let out
or rented by it and the valuable personal property taken and received by it for safekeeping and
storage are kept in a fireproof vault approved by the commissioner of commerce.
    Subd. 2. Accounts. Every licensed safe deposit company shall keep books in which shall
be entered an account of all its transactions relative to the letting, renting, or leasing of its safe
deposit boxes, and to the receipt of valuable personal property for safekeeping or storage.
History: (7747-7) 1933 c 340 s 7; 1945 c 114 s 7; 1983 c 289 s 114 subd 1; 1984 c 655
art 1 s 92

55.08 LICENSE POSTED.
Immediately upon the receipt of the license issued by the commissioner of commerce,
pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the licensee named therein shall cause the license to
be posted and conspicuously displayed in the place of business for which it is issued, so that all
persons visiting the place of business may readily see the same. It shall be unlawful for any safe
deposit company holding a license to post the license, or permit the license to be posted, upon
premises other than that designated therein, or knowingly deface or destroy any such license.
History: (7747-8) 1933 c 340 s 8; 1945 c 114 s 8; 1983 c 289 s 114 subd 1; 1984 c 655
art 1 s 92

55.09 [Repealed, 1984 c 543 s 69]

55.095 DUTIES OF COMMISSIONER OF COMMERCE.
Every safe deposit company is at all times under the supervision and subject to the control
of the commissioner of commerce. The commissioner may at any time examine a licensed safe
deposit company to ascertain whether the safe deposit company is complying with the provisions
of this chapter and whether its methods and systems are in accordance with law and designed to
protect the property of persons doing business with it. For each examination the commissioner
shall charge the actual expenses of examination. If the commissioner of commerce determines
that the safe deposit company is violating the provisions of this chapter, any law of the state, or
has engaged or the commissioner has reason to believe that a licensee is about to engage in an
unlawful, unsafe, or unsound practice in the conduct of its business, the commissioner may
proceed pursuant to sections 46.24 to 46.33 or serve notice on the safe deposit company of
intention to revoke the license, stating in general the grounds therefor and giving reasonable
opportunity to be heard. If for a period of 15 days after the notice, the violation continues, the
commissioner of commerce may revoke the license and take possession of the business and
property of the safe deposit company and maintain possession until the time the commissioner
permits it to continue business, or its affairs are finally liquidated. The liquidation must proceed
pursuant to sections 49.04 to 49.32.
History: 1945 c 114 s 10; 1977 c 347 s 14; 1980 c 524 s 7; 1983 c 289 s 114 subd 1; 1984 c
655 art 1 s 92; 1Sp1985 c 13 s 190; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 349 art 2 s 1

55.10 LIABILITY; EXEMPTIONS.
    Subdivision 1. Permitting access, removal, or delivery. When a safe deposit box shall have
been hired from any licensed safe deposit company in the name of two or more persons, including
husband and wife, with the right of access being given to either, or with access to either or the
survivor or survivors of the person, or property is held for safekeeping by any licensed safe
deposit company for two or more persons, including husband and wife, with the right of delivery
being given to either, or with the right of delivery to either of the survivor or survivors of these
persons, any one or more of these persons, whether the other or others be living or not, shall have
the right of access to the safe deposit box and the right to remove all, or any part, of the contents
thereof, or to have delivered to all or any one of them, or any part of the valuable personal
property so held for safekeeping; and, in case of this access, removal, or delivery, the safe deposit
company shall be exempt from any liability for permitting the access, removal, or delivery.
    Subd. 2.[Repealed, 1Sp1985 c 14 art 13 s 14]
    Subd. 3. Access granted to agents, government officers. No safe deposit company shall be
liable to any person by reason of having permitted access to a safe deposit box to an authorized
agent of the tenant of such box, after the death of such tenant, until actual notice of such death has
been received by the safe deposit company, nor shall any such company be liable to any person
because of having granted access to any safe deposit box to any state or federal officer acting
under authority of an order of any court of general jurisdiction.
    Subd. 4. Will searches, burial documents procurement, and inventory of contents.
(a) Upon being furnished with satisfactory proof of death of a sole lessee or the last surviving
co-lessee of a safe deposit box, an employee of the safe deposit company shall open the box and
examine the contents in the presence of an individual who appears in person and furnishes an
affidavit stating that the individual believes:
(1) the box may contain the will or deed to a burial lot or a document containing instructions
for the burial of the lessee or that the box may contain property belonging to the estate of the
lessee; and
(2) the individual is an interested person as defined in this section and wishes to open the box
for any one or more of the following purposes:
(i) to conduct a will search;
(ii) to obtain a document required to facilitate the lessee's wishes regarding body, funeral,
or burial arrangements; or
(iii) to obtain an inventory of the contents of the box.
(b) The safe deposit company may not open the box under this section if it has received a
copy of letters of office of the representative of the deceased lessee's estate or other applicable
court order.
(c) The safe deposit company need not open the box if:
(1) the box has previously been opened under this section for the same purpose;
(2) the safe deposit company has received notice of a written or oral objection from any
person or has reason to believe that there would be an objection; or
(3) the lessee's key or combination is not available.
(d) For purposes of this section, the term "interested person" means any of the following:
(1) a person named as personal representative in a purported will of the lessee;
(2) a person who immediately prior to the death of the lessee had the right of access to
the box as a deputy;
(3) the surviving spouse of the lessee;
(4) a devisee of the lessee;
(5) an heir of the lessee;
(6) a person designated by the lessee in a writing acceptable to the safe deposit company
which is filed with the safe deposit company before death; or
(7) a state or county agency with a claim authorized by section 256B.15.
(e) For purposes of this section, the term "will" includes a will or a codicil.
(f) If the box is opened for the purpose of conducting a will search, the safe deposit company
shall remove any document that appears to be a will and make a true and correct machine copy
thereof, replace the copy in the box, and then deliver the original thereof to the clerk of court
for the county in which the lessee resided immediately before the lessee's death, if known to the
safe deposit company, otherwise to the clerk of the court for the county in which the safe deposit
box is located. The will must be personally delivered or sent by registered mail. If the interested
person so requests, any deed to burial lot or document containing instructions for the burial
of the lessee may be copied by the safe deposit box company and the copy or copies thereof
delivered to the interested person.
(g) If the box is opened for the purpose of obtaining a document required to facilitate the
lessee's wishes regarding the body, funeral, or burial arrangements, any such document may be
removed from the box and delivered to the interested person with a true and correct machine copy
retained in the box. If the safe deposit box company discovers a document that appears to be a
will, the safe deposit company shall act in accordance with paragraph (f).
(h) If the box is opened for the purpose of obtaining an inventory of the contents of the
box, the employee of the safe deposit company shall make, or cause to be made, an inventory
of the contents of the box, to which the employee and the interested person shall attest under
penalty of perjury to be correct and complete. Within ten days of opening the box pursuant to this
subdivision, the safe deposit company shall deliver the original inventory of the contents to the
court administrator for the county in which the lessee resided immediately before the lessee's
death, if known to the safe deposit company, otherwise to the court administrator for the county
in which the safe deposit box is located. The inventory must be personally delivered or sent by
registered mail. If the interested person so requests, the safe deposit company shall make a true
and correct copy of any document in the box, and of the completed inventory form, and deliver
that copy to the interested person. If the contents of the box include a document that appears to be
a will, the safe deposit company shall act in accordance with paragraph (f).
(i) If a box opened for the purpose of conducting an inventory, will search, or burial
document search is completely empty, the safe deposit company need not follow the procedures
above. Instead, the employee of the safe deposit company can complete an inventory of the box
contents indicating the fact that the box contained nothing. The form must be signed by the
employee and the interested person. If the interested person so requests, the safe deposit company
may provide a copy of the completed inventory form to the interested person. The interested
person shall then complete the documentation needed by the safe deposit company to surrender
the empty box. If another interested person inquires about the box after it has been surrendered,
the safe deposit company may state that the deceased renter had previously rented the box and
that the box was surrendered because it was empty.
(j) The safe deposit company need not ascertain the truth of any statement in the affidavit
required to be furnished under this subdivision and when acting in reliance upon an affidavit, it is
discharged as if it dealt with the personal representative of the lessee. The safe deposit company is
not responsible for the adequacy of the description of any property included in an inventory of
the contents of a safe deposit box, nor for conversion of the property in connection with actions
performed under this subdivision, except for conversion by intentional acts of the company or
its employees, directors, officers, or agents. If the safe deposit company is not satisfied that the
requirements of this subdivision have been met, it may decline to open the box.
(k) No contents of a box other than a will and a document required to facilitate the lessee's
wishes regarding body, funeral, or burial arrangements may be removed pursuant to this
subdivision. The entire contents of the box, however, may be removed pursuant to section
524.3-1201.
History: (7747-10) 1933 c 340 s 10; 1945 c 114 s 11; 1986 c 444; 1988 c 581 s 1; 1Sp1986 c
3 art 1 s 82; 1995 c 130 s 1; 1996 c 414 art 1 s 26; 1997 c 217 art 2 s 1; 2005 c 118 s 7

55.11 NOT CHARGED WITH NOTICE OF FIDUCIARY RELATION.
No such safe deposit company shall be obliged to ascertain or take notice of any trust or
fiduciary relationship which the tenant of a safe deposit box may bear to the contents thereof, but
shall be presumed to deal with the tenant of a box in an individual and not in a representative
capacity, and shall be protected if it grants access to a box to the lessee thereof, according to
the terms of the contract of rental.
History: (7747-11) 1933 c 340 s 11; 1945 c 114 s 12; 1986 c 444

55.12 LIABILITY MAY BE LIMITED.
Any licensed safe deposit company may, in any lease or contract governing or regulating the
use of any safe deposit box to or by any customer or customers, limit its liability as such lessor
or bailee in the following respects:
(1) limit its total liability for any loss by negligence to such maximum amount as may be
stipulated; and
(2) stipulate that it shall in no event be liable for loss of such valuable property as may
be excepted against in such lease or contract.
History: (7747-12) 1933 c 340 s 12; 1945 c 114 s 13

55.13 [Repealed, 1987 c 349 art 1 s 40]

55.14 [Repealed, 1977 c 137 s 13]

55.15 APPLICATION.
This chapter shall not be held or construed as limiting, restricting, or in any way affecting
the operation or management of safe deposit boxes or vaults, or a safe deposit business, by any
savings bank, bank, credit union, or trust company. If any bank, savings bank, credit union, or
trust company elects to transact the business of a safe deposit company under the provisions of
this chapter, it shall so notify the commissioner of commerce and thereafter the provisions of
sections 55.02 and 55.10 to 55.12 shall apply to such safe deposit business and said bank, savings
bank, credit union, or trust company shall have the benefit thereof. The provisions of sections
55.03 to 55.08 and the provisions of section 55.095 shall not apply to a bank, savings bank, credit
union, or trust company carrying on the business of a safe deposit company.
History: (7747-15) 1933 c 340 s 15; 1945 c 114 s 16; 1Sp1981 c 4 art 1 s 48; 1983 c 289 s
114 subd 1; 1984 c 655 art 1 s 92; 1987 c 349 art 1 s 35; 1987 c 384 art 2 s 1; 2004 c 174 s 1