(a) Banks, savings banks, trust companies, savings and loan associations and credit unions which are subject to the laws of the State of Mississippi or of the United States of America, and mortgagees approved by the Federal Housing Administration, Veterans Administration, or Farmers Home Administration which are qualified by requirements of the United States or a political subdivision thereof to so act, are hereby authorized to make loans and advances of credit and purchases of obligations representing loans and advances of credit which are insured, guaranteed in whole or in part, or eligible for purchase in whole or in part by the Federal Housing Administration, Veterans Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Federal National Mortgage Association, Government National Mortgage Association, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and any successors thereof to obtain such insurance or guarantee or to sell and transfer to such agencies such loans, advances of credit, and obligations.

(b) Banks, savings banks, trust companies, insurance companies, savings and loan associations, credit unions, pension funds, and mortgagees approved by the Federal Housing Administration, Veterans Administration, or Farmers Home Administration which are subject to the laws of the State of Mississippi or of the United States of America and have met the requirements thereof, are hereby authorized to make such loans and advances of credit and purchases of obligations representing loans and advances of credit as are enumerated in subsection (a) of this section, which are secured by a mortgage or deed of trust on real estate or a leasehold interest.