2. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of section fourteen-e, six hundred, six hundred one, six hundred one-a or six hundred one-b of this chapter, subject to general regulations promulgated by the superintendent of financial services, a mutual holding company may:
- (a) merge with, acquire or purchase the assets of a mutual holding company established pursuant to this article or the savings and loan holding company provisions of the Home Owners Loan Act (title twelve United States Code Section 1467a);
- (b) acquire or purchase the assets or stock of a stock savings bank, a stock savings and loan association, a stock federal savings bank or a stock federal savings and loan association;
- (c) acquire a mutual savings bank, a mutual savings and loan association, a federal mutual savings bank or a federal mutual savings and loan association through the merger of such institution with a stock subsidiary of such mutual holding company;
- (d) engage in any other acquisition or combination specifically permitted by general or special regulations promulgated by the superintendent of financial services; provided, however, that the superintendent of financial services shall have no power to permit any insurance activities prohibited by subdivision three of this section or to expand by interpretation any provision of federal law set forth in the savings and loan holding company provisions of the Home Owners Loan Act (title twelve United States Code Section 1467a).