Massachusetts § 12 - Corporators of mutual bank

Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 12 — Corporators of mutual bank, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 12. Corporators of mutual bank

Section 12. A mutual bank shall have at least 25 corporators and may, at a legal meeting of the corporators, elect by ballot to be a corporator any person who is a resident of the commonwealth, or any person who resides in another state; provided, however, that not less than a majority of said corporators shall be citizens of the commonwealth and residents therein at any 1 time. Corporators shall be elected for a term of 10 years; provided, however, that a corporator shall not serve beyond the retirement age as established by the bank's by-laws. No person shall serve as a corporator of more than 1 savings bank and no corporator shall, after January 1, 1975, serve as an officer or director of a national bank, trust company, co-operative bank, savings and loan association or credit union. A corporator shall, at the time of the corporator's election or within 30 days thereafter, be a depositor of such corporation. Any person serving as a corporator of a savings bank may at the same time serve as a director or other officer of a trust company or a national bank that does not make real estate mortgage loans and does not accept savings deposits from natural persons.

No person shall continue to be a corporator after removing from the commonwealth unless, at the annual meeting following such removal, the corporators shall vote to continue such person as a corporator subject to the limitations of this section applicable to nonresident corporators.

Any person may, at an annual or special meeting of the corporators, cease to be a corporator if, at least 3 days before such meeting, the person has filed with the clerk a written notice of the corporator's intention so to do. If a corporator fails to attend 2 consecutive annual meetings, such corporator's membership may, by vote of the corporators at their next annual meeting, be declared forfeited and such action and vote when recorded shall be evidence of such forfeiture. Not more than 3/5 of the corporators of any such corporation shall be trustees or officers thereof at any 1 time.

Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 12

What does Massachusetts General Laws § 12 cover?

Section 12 ("Corporators of mutual bank") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Massachusetts § 12?

A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 12" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.

How does Massachusetts § 12 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.