1. (a) Purchase, lease and sale of property.

   1. (1) Fixed assets. For the purposes of this rule, the term means real property, premises, and furniture, fixtures and equipment as defined herein. Premises include real property with any improvements or leasehold interest where the credit union transacts or intends to transact business. Furniture, fixtures and equipment includes all office furnishings (e.g. tables, chairs, desks, file cabinets, curtains, drapes, rugs, etc.), office machines, word processing equipment, computer hardware and software, automated terminals, and heating and cooling equipment. The term does not extend to any real property which may be conveyed to the credit union in satisfaction of debts previously contracted in the course of business, nor to such real estate as the credit union shall purchase at sale on judgements, decrees, mortgage or deed of trust foreclosures under A security agreement held by the credit union, but a credit union shall not bid at such sale a larger amount than is necessary to satisfy the debts and costs owed the credit union.
   2. (2) Limitations. A credit union may purchase fixed assets or enter into a contract for the purchase or lease of fixed assets primarily for its own use in conducting business if the aggregate of all such investments does not exceed five percent of total assets.
   3. (3) Restrictions. A credit union shall not purchase real estate (land or buildings) for the principal purpose of engaging in real estate rentals or speculation.

   4. (4) Transactions with insiders. Without the prior approval of a disinterested majority of the board of directors recorded in the minutes or, if a disinterested majority cannot be obtained, the prior written approval of the commissioner, a credit union may not directly or indirectly:

      1. (A) sell or lease an asset of the credit union to a director, committee member, or senior executive staff; or
      2. (B) purchase or lease an asset in which a director, committee member, or senior executive staff has an interest.
   5. (5) Use requirement. If real property or leasehold interest is acquired for future expansion, the credit union must partially satisfy the "primarily for its own use in conducting business" requirement within five years after the credit union makes the investment.
   6. (6) Waiver. The commissioner may, upon written application, waive or modify any of the limitations or restrictions placed on the investment of fixed assets.

   7. (7) Written application. A credit union shall submit such statements and reports as the commissioner may, in his discretion, require in support of a waiver or modification of the limits imposed upon the investment of fixed assets. Such reports and statements shall include but not be limited to:

      1. (A) a description of the proposal in terms of cost, usage, location and method of financing;
      2. (B) a statement of the economic advantage and disadvantages relating to the proposed investment; and
      3. (C) current and past financial data of the credit union.
2. (b) Closing of an office. A credit union may permanently close any of its established offices. The credit union shall provide notice to its members and the department no later than 60 days prior to the proposed closing. The credit union shall also post a notice to members in a conspicuous manner on the premises of the effected office at least 30 days prior to the proposed closing.
3. (c) Credit union service contracts. A credit union may enter into contractual agreements with one or more credit unions or other organizations for the purpose of engaging in authorized activities and/or services that relate to the daily operations of the credit union. Agreements must be in writing and shall advise all parties that the activities and services may be subject to commission rules and examination by the commissioner to the extent permitted by law.

4. (d) Electronic notification. A credit union may, in accordance with written board policy, satisfy any "written" notification requirement of the Act, commission rules, or the credit union's bylaws by electronic means provided:

   1. (1) the member agrees in writing or electronically to use electronic instead of hard-copy notifications;
   2. (2) the member has the ability to print or download the notification;
   3. (3) evidence of the electronic notification is retained in accordance with §91.405 (relating to Records Retention); and
   4. (4) both the credit union and the member have the capacity to receive electronic messages.
5. (e) User fee for shared electronic terminal. A credit union that owns an electronic terminal that is connected to a shared network may impose a fee on a non-member for the use of that terminal if imposition of the fee is disclosed in compliance with applicable federal law.

6. (f) Insurance for members. A credit union may make insurance programs available to its members, including insurance programs at the individual member's own expense, if the following conditions are complied with:

   1. (1) The purchase of any type of insurance coverage by a member is voluntary, except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, and a copy of the written election to purchase the insurance is on file at the credit union.
   2. (2) Subject to reasonable requirements, if the insurance is a condition of a loan, the member who is borrowing may purchase or provide the insurance from a carrier of the member's choice, or the member who is borrowing may assign any existing insurance coverage.
   3. (3) An officer, director, employee, or committee member of a credit union may not accept anything of value from an insurance agent, insurance company, or other insurance provider offered to corruptly induce the credit union to sell or offer to sell insurance or other related products or services to the members of the credit union.
   4. (4) A credit union may furnish to an insurance carrier or an agent any membership lists of addresses, without compensation, other than reimbursement of actual costs, from the insurance carrier or agent. A credit union, for an appropriate fee, may mail marketing materials to its membership.
   5. (5) If a credit union replaces an existing loan or renews a loan and sells the member new credit life or disability insurance, the credit union shall cancel the prior insurance and provide the member with a refund or credit of the unearned premium or identifiable charge before selling the new insurance to the member.

Source Note:The provisions of this §91.401 adopted to be effective May 11, 2000, 25 TexReg 3948; amended to be effective November 13, 2000, 25 TexReg 11278.