Oklahoma § 6-409 - Dividends

Full text of Oklahoma Oklahoma Statutes § 6-409 — Dividends, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 6-409. Dividends

A. Withdrawal of capital - Dividends - Bad debts - Banks and

trust companies. Without the prior written approval of the

Commissioner, no bank shall, during the time it shall continue its

banking operations, withdraw, or permit to be withdrawn, either in

the form of dividends or otherwise, any portion of its capital or

surplus. If losses have at any time been sustained by any such

bank, equal to or exceeding its undivided profits then on hand, no

dividend shall be made, and no dividend shall ever be made by any

bank, while it continues its banking operations, to an amount

greater than its net profits then on hand, deducting therefrom its

losses and bad debts. All debts due to any bank, on which interest

is past due and unpaid for a period of six (6) months, unless the

same are well secured and in process of collection, shall be

considered bad debts within the meaning of this section.

No trust company shall declare or pay any dividend to an amount

greater than its net undivided profits then on hand, deducting

therefrom:

1. All losses;

2. All debts, unless the same are well secured, on which

interest for a period of one (1) year is past due and unpaid and

debts upon which final judgment has been recovered but has been for

more than one (1) year unsatisfied and on which interest for a

period of one (1) year is unpaid, unless the same are well secured;

3. All assets or depreciation which the commissioner or a duly

appointed examiner may have required to be charged off; and

4. All expenses, interest and taxes accrued or due from the

trust company.

After providing for the deductions set forth, the board of

directors of a trust company may, at any regular meeting, declare a

dividend out of so much of the net undivided profits of the trust

company as they judge expedient. Interest unpaid, although due or

accrued, shall not be included in the calculation of net undivided

profits.

B. Dividends - When payable - Restrictions.

1. The directors of any bank or trust company may, quarterly,

semiannually or annually, declare a dividend of so much of the net

profits of the corporation as they shall judge expedient, except

that, until the surplus fund of a bank shall equal its common

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 6. Banks and Trust Companies

capital, no cash dividends shall be declared unless there has been

carried to the surplus fund not less than one-tenth (1/10) part of

the bank's net profits of the preceding half year in the case of

quarterly or semiannual dividends, or not less than one-tenth (1/10)

part of its net profits of the preceding two consecutive half-year

periods in the case of annual dividends: Provided that, for the

purposes of this section, any amounts paid into a fund for

retirement of any preferred stock of any such bank out of its net

earnings for such period or periods shall be deemed to be additions

to its surplus fund if, upon the retirement of such preferred stock,

the amounts so paid into such retirement fund may then properly be

carried to surplus. In any such case the bank shall be obligated to

transfer to surplus the amounts so paid into such retirement fund on

account of the preferred stock as such stock is retired.

2. The approval of the Commissioner shall be required if the

total of all dividends declared by a bank in any calendar year shall

exceed the total of its net profits of that year combined with its

retained net profits of the preceding two (2) years, less any

required transfers to surplus or a fund for the retirement of any

preferred stock.

3. For the purpose of paragraph 2 of this subsection, the term

"net profits" shall mean the remainder of all earnings from current

operations plus actual recoveries on loans and investments and other

assets, after deducting from the total thereof all current operating

expenses, actual losses, accrued dividends on preferred stock, if

any, and all federal and state taxes.

Added by Laws 1965, c. 161, § 409. Amended by Laws 1971, c. 352, §

7; Laws 1997, c. 111, § 44, eff. July 1, 1997.

Frequently Asked Questions About Oklahoma § 6-409

What does Oklahoma Statutes § 6-409 cover?

Section 6-409 ("Dividends") is part of the Oklahoma Statutes, the codified statutory law of Oklahoma. 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 Oklahoma § 6-409?

A common citation format is "Oklahoma Statutes § 6-409" (Oklahoma). 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 Oklahoma law?

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

How does Oklahoma § 6-409 apply to my situation?

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