1. (a) As used in this section, "rights and privileges" means the power:

   1. (1) to:

      1. (A) create;
      2. (B) deliver;
      3. (C) acquire; or

      4. (D) sell;

         a product, a service, or an investment that is available to or offered by; or

   2. (2) to engage in mergers, consolidations, reorganizations, or other activities or to exercise other powers authorized for;

      federal savings associations domiciled in Indiana.

2. (b) Subject to this section, savings associations may exercise the rights and privileges that are granted to federal savings associations.

3. (c) A savings association that intends to exercise any rights and privileges that are:

   1. (1) granted to federal savings associations; but

   2. (2) not authorized for savings associations under:

      1. (A) the Indiana Code (except for this section); or

      2. (B) a rule adopted under IC 4-22-2 ;

         shall submit a letter to the department, describing in detail the requested rights and privileges granted to federal savings associations that the savings association intends to exercise. If available, copies of relevant federal law, regulations, and interpretive letters must be attached to the letter.

4. (d) The department shall promptly notify the requesting savings association of its receipt of the letter submitted under subsection (c). Except as provided in subsection (f), the savings association may exercise the requested rights and privileges sixty (60) days after the date on which the department receives the letter unless otherwise notified by the department.

5. (e) The department may deny the requested rights and privileges if the department finds that:

   1. (1) federal savings associations in Indiana do not possess the requested rights and privileges;
   2. (2) the exercise of the requested rights and privileges by the savings association would adversely affect the safety and soundness of the savings association;
   3. (3) the exercise of the requested rights and privileges by the savings association would result in an unacceptable curtailment of consumer protection; or
   4. (4) the failure of the department to approve the requested rights and privileges will not result in a competitive disadvantage to the savings association.

6. (f) The sixty (60) day period referred to in subsection (d) may be extended by the department based on a determination that the savings association letter raises issues requiring additional information or additional time for analysis. If the sixty (60) day period is extended under this subsection, the savings association may exercise the requested rights and privileges only if the savings association receives prior written approval from the department. However:

   1. (1) the department must:

      1. (A) approve or deny the requested rights and privileges; or

      2. (B) convene a hearing;

         not later than sixty (60) days after the department receives the savings association's letter; and

   2. (2) if a hearing is convened, the department must approve or deny the requested rights and privileges not later than sixty (60) days after the hearing is concluded.
7. (g) The exercise of rights and privileges by a savings association in compliance with and in the manner authorized by this section does not constitute a violation of any provision of the Indiana Code or rules adopted under IC 4-22-2 .

8. (h) If a savings association receives approval to exercise the requested rights and privileges granted to national savings associations domiciled in Indiana, the department shall determine by order whether all savings associations may exercise the same rights and privileges. In making the determination required by this subsection, the department must ensure that the exercise of the rights and privileges by all savings associations will not:

   1. (1) adversely affect their safety and soundness; or
   2. (2) unduly constrain Indiana consumer protection provisions.
9. (i) If the department denies the request of a savings association under this section to exercise any rights and privileges that are granted to national savings associations, the company may appeal the decision of the department to the circuit court, superior court, or probate court with jurisdiction in the county in which the principal office of the savings association is located.

As added by P.L.193-1997, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.73-2004, SEC.44; P.L.213-2007, SEC.105; P.L.217-2007, SEC.103; P.L.35-2010, SEC.206; P.L.84-2016, SEC.129.