North Dakota § 6-03-38 - Assets not to be used in other business - Exceptions - Penalty

§ 6-03-38. Assets not to be used in other business - Exceptions - Penalty

Except as otherwise authorized under this title, a bank may not employ its money or other assets as principal, directly or indirectly, in trade or commerce, nor may a bank employ or invest any of its assets or funds in the stock of any corporation, limited liability company, bank, partnership, firm, or association. However, to the extent a bank subject to the laws of the federal government is permitted to do so, a state bank may purchase shares of stocks, or any other type of securities offered by small business investment companies organized and licensed under Public Law No. 85-699, known as the Small Business Investment Company Act of 1958 [72 Stat. 689; 15 U.S.C. 661 et seq.], and the Small Business Equity Enhancement Act of 1992 [Pub. L. 102-366; 106 Stat. 1007-1020; 15 U.S.C. 661 et seq.], and any amendments thereto, or chapter 10-30, but in no event may any state bank hold securities of small business investment companies in an amount determined by the state banking board, but in no event more than ten percent of the bank's capital and surplus. A bank may not invest the bank's assets or funds in speculative margins of stock, bonds, grain, provisions, produce, or other commodities, except that it is lawful for a bank to make advances for grain or other products in store or in transit to market. A bank may invest in subsidiary organizations, when the activities of such organizations are incidental or complementary to the bank's activities, with the specific approval of the state banking board for each such subsidiary. The state banking board has the same power to make rules for the subsidiary organizations, and to examine the organizations' records and affairs, as it has for other financial corporations under section 6-01-04. If the state banking board determines that such investments would be detrimental to the interests of a bank's depositors, the state banking board may direct the bank to divest itself of such subsidiary investments. Any officer, director, or employee of any bank who invests or uses the bank's funds contrary to this title is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.