1. (1) In determining whether a reasonable public necessity and demand is established in any case, the department requires that these words be given a meaning which will promote the public interest of the community as a whole in having a sound banking structure, reasonably competitive and adequate for the needs of the community.

2. (2) In making this determination the following are among the factors which the department may consider:

   1. (a) the number of mutual associations already serving the area in which the proposed mutual association would locate;
   2. (b) the size of the area;
   3. (c) the population of the area;
   4. (d) the wealth of residents of the area;
   5. (e) the commercial and industrial development of the area;
   6. (f) the socioeconomic trends of the area;
   7. (g) the adequacy of the services being provided by existing mutual associations compared to the needs of residents and the services to be offered by the proposed mutual association, including a detailed list of banking services that will be offered the community to be served by the new mutual association;
   8. (h) the capability of existing mutual associations to handle potential growth of the area;
   9. (i) the convenience of the location of existing mutual associations to residents of the area as compared to convenience of the proposed mutual association;
   10. (j) the size of financial institutions in the area;
   11. (k) the history of financial institutions in the area;
   12. (l) an indication of the support the proposed mutual association could reasonably expect to receive from representative segments of the businesses and residents of the area; and
   13. (m) the probability of the success of the proposed mutual association.

Authorizing statute(s): 32-2-801, MCA

Implementing statute(s): 32-2-801, MCA

History: NEW, 2022 MAR p. 230, Eff. 2/12/22.