Minnesota § 47.23 - USE OF CERTAIN WORDS PERMITTED

Full text of Minnesota Minnesota Statutes § 47.23 — USE OF CERTAIN WORDS PERMITTED, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 47.23. USE OF CERTAIN WORDS PERMITTED

Subdivision 1.Savings, trust, safe deposit.

Except as specifically authorized by other laws of this state, no individual, partnership, unincorporated association, or corporation, other than a savings bank, safe deposit company, or trust company, holding an effective certificate of authority or license issued by the commissioner of commerce and subject to and complying with all of the provisions of law relating to such savings banks, safe deposit companies, and trust companies, respectively, shall in any manner display or make use of any sign, symbol, token, letterhead, card, circular, or advertisement stating, representing, or indicating authorization to transact the business which a savings bank, safe deposit company, or trust company usually does, or under these provisions is authorized to do; nor shall any such individual, partnership, unincorporated association, or corporation use the words "savings" or "trust" or "safe deposit" alone or in combination in title or name or otherwise, or in any manner solicit business or make loans or solicit or receive deposits or transact business as a savings bank, safe deposit company, or trust company; except that a state bank, or trust company, regularly incorporated and authorized to do business under the laws of this state, may establish and maintain a savings department under the supervision of the commissioner of commerce, and may solicit and receive deposits in this savings department and advertise the same as such, and every such trust company having a savings department shall use in its name or title, in addition to the word "trust", the word "savings". Savings deposits received by such a trust company shall be invested only in authorized securities, as defined by law, and the trust company shall keep on hand, at all times, such securities in an amount at least equal to the amount of the deposits, and these securities shall be the representative of, and the fund for, applicable first and exclusively to the payments of, the savings deposits. Deposits received by the trust company subject to its right to require notice of withdrawal evidenced by passbooks or by written receipt or agreement shall be deemed savings deposits.

Subd. 2.Use of "trust" by life insurance company.

Any old line life insurance company which does not in any manner display or make use of any sign, symbol, token, letterhead, card, circular, or advertisement representing or indicating that it is authorized to transact any business which a savings bank, safe deposit company, or trust company usually does and which does not attempt to do any such business; and which uses the word "trust" in its name in combination with other words in such a manner that it is apparent that the company is not either a savings bank, safe deposit company, or trust company, and does not attempt to do any of the business which a savings bank, safe deposit company, or trust company usually does, shall not be prohibited from so using such word "trust" in its name.

Subd. 3.Violations.

Every individual, partnership, unincorporated association, or corporation which shall violate any of the provisions of this section shall forfeit to the state the sum of not to exceed $100 for each day the violation shall continue, to be recovered in a civil action to be brought by the attorney general in the name of the state at the request of the commissioner of commerce, and may be enjoined from any further violation in an action brought in the name of the state for that purpose.

History:

(7651) RL s 2978; 1909 c 178 s 1; 1915 c 236 s 1; 1929 c 77 s 1; 1945 c 133 s 2; 1961 c 298 s 1; 1983 c 289 s 114 subd 1; 1984 c 655 art 1 s 92; 1986 c 444

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota § 47.23

What does Minnesota Statutes § 47.23 cover?

Section 47.23 ("USE OF CERTAIN WORDS PERMITTED") is part of the Minnesota Statutes, the codified statutory law of Minnesota. 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 Minnesota § 47.23?

A common citation format is "Minnesota Statutes § 47.23" (Minnesota). 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 Minnesota law?

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

How does Minnesota § 47.23 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Minnesota 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 Minnesota.