Chapter 214

214.41 History History: 1991 a. 221.

214.42 214.42 Retirement or reduction of capital stock.

214.42(1) (1) The board of directors of a stock savings bank may propose an amendment to the articles of incorporation providing for the retirement of all of the capital stock and a detailed plan for effectuating the amendment. The resulting capital of the savings bank may not be less than the minimum initial capital that is required to organize a savings bank. The proposal shall be subject to the division’s approval.

214.42(2) (2) If the division approves the proposal, the savings bank’s board of directors may request in writing an appraisal of the value of the capital stock. The division shall order an appraisal to be made at the expense of the savings bank.

214.42(3) (3) The proposal shall be submitted to the stockholders at an annual or special meeting. It shall be adopted if it receives the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of stock. The proposal takes effect upon completion of the procedure under s. 214.25 for the amendment of articles of incorporation.

214.42(4) (4) A savings bank may amend its articles of incorporation in accordance with the procedure under s. 214.25 to reduce its capital stock, but may not reduce its capital stock to an amount less than the minimum initial capital stock required to organize a savings bank.

214.42 History History: 1991 a. 221; 1995 a. 27.

214.43 214.43 Capital maintenance.

214.43(1) (1) A savings bank shall maintain total capital of not less than 6 percent of total assets. This is the minimum capital level acceptable for a savings bank that is well-managed and whose overall financial condition is fundamentally sound. If the division determines that the financial condition or history, management or earnings prospects of a savings bank are not adequate, the division may require a higher minimum capital level for the savings bank.

214.43(2) (2) A savings bank shall maintain total capital necessary to ensure the continuation of insurance of its deposit accounts by a deposit insurance corporation.

214.43(3) (3) The board of directors may establish and maintain specific reserves, as it considers to be advisable, to provide for losses or liabilities. Losses may be charged to those reserves as the board of directors may determine.

214.43 History History: 1991 a. 221; 1995 a. 27.

214.43 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. DFI-SB 3.08 and 5.01, Wis. adm. code.

214.435 214.435 Dividends.

214.435(1) (1) Subject to the restrictions in this section and the savings bank’s bylaws, the board of directors from time to time may declare dividends on stock.

214.435(2) (2) The board of directors may not declare dividends if the total capital of the savings bank is less than that required under s. 214.43.

214.435(3) (3) The board of directors may quarterly, semiannually or annually declare a dividend on capital stock of so much of the net profits of the savings bank that the board determines to be expedient, except that until the paid-in surplus of the savings bank equals its capital stock, a dividend may not be declared unless there has been transferred to paid-in surplus not less than 10 percent of the net profits of the preceding half year in the case of quarterly or semiannual dividends, or not less than 10 percent of the net profits for the preceding year in the case of annual dividends. A stock dividend may be declared out of retained earnings with the written approval of the division.

214.435(4) (4) The written approval of the division is required before any dividends on stock that exceed 50 percent of the savings bank’s net profits of that year may be declared in any calendar year.

214.435 History History: 1991 a. 221; 1995 a. 27.

214.44 214.44 Loans or discounts on capital stock. A savings bank may not make a loan or discount on the security of or be the purchaser or holder of the shares of its own stock or preferred stock or on the security of its own debentures or evidences of its debt that are convertible to stock or are junior or subordinate in rights of payment to deposits or other liabilities of the savings bank, unless the security or purchase is necessary to prevent a loss on a debt previously contracted in good faith; and the stock or evidence of indebtedness acquired or purchased shall, within 6 months after the date of its acquisition, be sold or disposed of at public or private sale.

214.44 History History: 1991 a. 221.

subch. VII of ch. 214 SUBCHAPTER VII

INVESTMENTS

214.48 214.48 General provisions.

214.48(1) (1) In this subchapter, “underwriting” means the process of compiling information to support a determination as to whether an investment or extension of credit shall be made by a savings bank. “Underwriting” includes evaluating a borrower’s creditworthiness, determination of the value of the underlying collateral, market factors, and the appropriateness of the investment or loan for the savings bank. “Underwriting” does not include an agreement to purchase unsold portions of public offerings of stocks or bonds as commonly used in corporate securities issuances and sales.

214.48(2) (2) A savings bank may not make a loan or investment authorized by this subchapter unless the savings bank first determines that the type, amount, purpose and repayment provisions of the loan or investment in relation to the borrower’s or issuer’s resources and credit standing support the reasonable belief that the loan or investment will be financially sound and will be repaid according to its terms and that the loan or investment is not unlawful.

214.48(3) (3) Each loan or investment that a savings bank makes or purchases, in whole or in part, shall be adequately underwritten and reserved against as necessary in accordance with its payment performance, and in accordance with rules of the division.

214.48(4) (4) Every appraisal or reappraisal of property that a savings bank is required to make shall be made by one of the following:

214.48(4)(a) (a) An independent qualified appraiser, designated by the board of directors, who is properly licensed and certified by the department of safety and professional services or by another entity authorized to govern appraisal licensure and certification and who meets the requirements of title XI of the financial institutions reform, recovery and enforcement act of 1989, 12 USC 3331 to 3351 and regulations adopted pursuant to those sections.

214.48(4)(b) (b) If an insured or guaranteed loan, an appraiser appointed by any lending, insuring or guaranteeing agency of the United States or this state that insures or guarantees the loan, in whole or in part.

214.48(4m) (4m) 

214.48(4m)(a) (a) Each appraisal shall be in writing, prepared at the request of the lender for the lender’s use, and shall include all of the following information:

214.48(4m)(a)1. 1. The market value of the security offered.

214.48(4m)(a)2. 2. Sufficient information and data concerning the appraised property to substantiate the market value.

214.48(4m)(a)3. 3. The certification and signature of the appraiser.

214.48(4m)(a)4. 4. A statement that the appraiser has personally examined the described property.

214.48(4m)(b) (b) An appraisal shall be prepared and reported in accordance with the uniform standards of professional appraisal practice, as described under s. 458.24.

214.48(4m)(c) (c) An appraisal shall be retained by the savings bank.

214.48(5) (5) If an appraisal of real estate securing a savings bank’s loan is obtained as part of an examination by the division, the cost of the appraisal shall promptly be paid by the savings bank to the appraiser.

214.48 History History: 1991 a. 221; 1995 a. 27; 2011 a. 32.

214.48 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. DFI-SB 3.06 and 3.09, Wis. adm. code.

214.485 214.485 Investment in loans. Subject to rules of the division, a savings bank may lend funds under any of the following conditions or for any of the following purposes:

214.485(1) (1) On the security of deposit accounts, but such a loan may not exceed the withdrawal value of the pledged account and each deposit account loan shall be evidenced by a note and a pledge of the deposit account.

214.485(2) (2) On the security of real estate if all of the following conditions exist:

214.485(2)(a) (a) The value of the real estate is sufficient to provide security for the loan.

214.485(2)(b) (b) Evidence of title is established.

214.485(2)(c) (c) The security interest in the real estate is evidenced by an appropriate written instrument and the loan is evidenced by a note, bond or similar written instrument.

214.485(2)(d) (d) The mortgage loan does not exceed 40 years.

214.485(3) (3) For the purpose of repair, improvement, rehabilitation or furnishing of real estate.

214.485(4) (4) For the purpose of financing or refinancing an existing ownership interest in certificates of stock, certificates of beneficial interest, other evidence of an ownership interest in, or a proprietary lease from a corporation, limited liability company, trust, or partnership formed for the purpose of the cooperative ownership of real estate, secured by the assignment or transfer of certificates or other evidence of ownership of the borrower.

214.485(5) (5) Through the purchase in whole or in part of loans that, at the time of purchase, the savings bank could make under this chapter and its bylaws.

214.485(6) (6) Through the purchase of an installment contract for the sale of real estate and title to the real estate that is subject to the contract if the savings bank, at the time of purchase, could make a mortgage loan of the same amount and for the same length of time on the security of the real estate.

214.485(7) (7) Through loans guaranteed or insured, in whole or in part, by the United States or any of its instrumentalities.

214.485(8) (8) Through secured or unsecured loans for business, corporate, commercial or agricultural purposes. Unless a greater amount is authorized in writing by the division, the total of all loans granted under this subsection may not exceed 20 percent of the savings bank’s total assets.

214.485(9) (9) Through secured or unsecured loans for personal, family or household purposes if the total of all loans granted under this subsection does not exceed 20 percent of the savings bank’s total assets, unless the division grants written authorization for the savings bank to grant loans under this subsection in a greater amount.

214.485(10) (10) For the purpose of mobile home or manufactured home financing.

214.485(11) (11) For loans made through credit cards or credit card accounts.

214.485(12) (12) Through issuance of letters of credit or other similar arrangements as provided for by rules of the division with regard to aggregate amounts permitted, take-out commitments for stand-by letters of credit, underlying documentation and underwriting, legal limitations on loans of the savings bank, control and subsidiary records and other procedures considered to be necessary by the division.

214.485(13) (13) For the purpose of automobile financing.

214.485(14) (14) For the purpose of financing educational expenses.

214.485(15) (15) Through revolving lines of credit on the security of a first or junior lien on the borrower’s personal residence, or on other residential real estate based primarily on the borrower’s equity, the proceeds of which may be used for any purpose.

214.485(16) (16) As secured or unsecured credit to cover the payment of checks, drafts or other funds transfer orders in excess of the available balance of an account on which they are drawn.

214.485(17) (17) For any other purpose authorized by rule of the division.

214.485 History History: 1991 a. 221; 1993 a. 112; 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 144; 2007 a. 11.

214.485 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DFI-SB 13, Wis. adm. code.

214.49 214.49 Other investments. Subject to rules of the division, a savings bank may invest funds in any of the following:

214.49(1) (1) In deposit accounts or insured obligations of any financial institution the accounts of which are insured by a deposit insurance corporation.

214.49(2) (2) In obligations of, or obligations that are fully guaranteed by, the United States and in stocks or obligations of any federal reserve bank, federal home loan bank, the student loan market association, the government national mortgage association, the federal national mortgage association, the federal home loan mortgage corporation or the federal deposit insurance corporation.

214.49(3) (3) In bonds or other direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal and interest by, this state.

214.49(4) (4) In bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness which are a general obligation of any city, town, village, county, technical college district or school district in this state. A savings bank’s total investments in a local governmental unit may not at any time exceed 50 percent of the capital of the savings bank. A savings bank’s total investment in temporary borrowings of a local governmental unit maturing within one year from the date of issue may not exceed 60 percent of the capital of the savings bank. Temporary borrowings and longer-term general obligation borrowings of a single local governmental unit may be considered separately in arriving at the limitations under this subsection.

214.49(5) (5) With the prior written consent of the division, in the initial purchase and development, or the purchase or commitment to purchase after completion, of home sites and housing for sale or rental, including projects for the reconstruction, rehabilitation or rebuilding of residential properties to meet the minimum standards of health and occupancy prescribed by a local governmental unit, the provision of accommodations for retail stores, shops and other community services that are reasonably incident to that housing, or in the stock of a corporation that owns one or more of those projects and that is wholly owned by one or more financial institutions. The total investment in any one project may not exceed 15 percent of the savings bank’s capital, nor may the aggregate investment under this subsection exceed 50 percent of its capital. A savings bank may not make an investment under this subsection unless it is in compliance with the capital requirements under s. 214.43 and with the capital maintenance requirements of its deposit insurance corporation. The division may approve the investment only if the savings bank shows all of the following:

214.49(5)(a) (a) That the savings bank has adequate assets available for the investment.

214.49(5)(b) (b) That the proposed investment does not exceed the reasonable market value of the property or interest in the property as determined by appraisal that meets the requirements of s. 214.48 (4) and (4m).

214.49(5)(c) (c) That all other requirements of this subsection have been met, except that a savings bank may develop or build on land it acquired under any other provision of this chapter and may complete construction of buildings in accordance with any construction loan contract if the borrower fails to comply with the terms of the contract.

214.49(6) (6) In stocks or obligations of a corporation organized for business development by this state or by the United States or by an agency of this state or the United States.

214.49(7) (7) In obligations of an urban renewal investment corporation organized under the laws of this state or of the United States.

214.49(8) (8) In short-term commercial paper having a maturity from 2 to 270 days issued by a financial institution, corporation or other borrower. An investment under this subsection shall be in securities rated in one of the 2 highest categories by a nationally recognized rating service.

214.49(9) (9) In an equity interest in, an insurance company or an insurance holding company organized to provide insurance for savings banks and persons affiliated with savings banks solely to the extent that ownership is a prerequisite to obtaining directors’ and officers’ insurance or blanket bond insurance for the savings bank through the company.

214.49(9m) (9m) In shares of stock, whether purchased or otherwise acquired, in a corporation acquiring, placing and operating remote service units under s. 214.04 (21).

214.49(10) (10) In equity or debt securities or instruments of a service corporation subsidiary of the savings bank.

214.49(11) (11) In advances of federal funds.

214.49(12) (12) With the prior written approval of the division, in financial futures transactions, financial options transactions, forward commitments or other financial products for the purpose of reducing, hedging or otherwise managing its interest rate risk exposure.

214.49(13) (13) In a subsidiary organized to exercise corporate fiduciary powers under ch. 112.

214.49(14) (14) In marketable investment securities, including marketable corporate debt instruments rated in one of the 4 highest categories by a nationally recognized rating service, if the total amount of those securities of any one issuer or obligor does not exceed 10 percent of the savings bank’s capital. The aggregate amount of investments under this subsection may not exceed 10 percent of the savings bank’s total assets, unless the savings bank has received written authorization from the division.

214.49(15) (15) In any other investment authorized by rule of the division.

214.49 History History: 1991 a. 221; 1993 a. 399; 1995 a. 27, 103; 1997 a. 144.

214.49 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. DFI-SB 16.03 and chs. DFI-SB 14 and 15, Wis. adm. code.

214.495 214.495 Lien priority; advances.

214.495(1) (1) A mortgage taken and recorded by a savings bank shall have priority over all liens, except tax and special assessment liens and liens under ss. 292.31 (8) (i) and 292.81, upon the mortgaged premises and the buildings and improvements thereon, that are filed after the recording of the mortgage.