32-2-309. Insolvency or impairment of association -- powers of department. (1) When it appears to the department that the affairs of a building and loan association are in an unsound condition or that it is conducting its business in an unsafe or unlawful manner, the department may take possession of all books, records, and assets of every description of the association and retain possession of them pending the further proceedings specified in this section.

(2) If the board of directors, secretary, or person in charge of the association refuses to permit the department to take possession, the department shall communicate that fact to the attorney general. The attorney general shall at once institute the proceedings necessary to place the department in immediate possession of the property of the association.

(3) Upon taking possession of the effects of the association, the department shall prepare a full and true statement of the affairs and condition of the association, including an itemized statement of its assets and liabilities, and shall receive and collect all debts, dues, and claims belonging to it and pay the immediate and reasonable expenses of the department's trust.

(4) When the condition of the association has been fully ascertained and it appears that the affairs of the association are in fact in an unsound condition, the department shall at once notify, in writing, the board of directors of the association of its decision, giving them 20 days in which to restore the affairs of the association to sound condition.

(5) Meanwhile, the department shall remain in charge of the books, records, and assets of every description of the association, shall attend or be represented at all directors and stockholders or members meetings held, and shall suggest those steps it considers necessary to restore the association to a sound condition.

(6) If the association is not restored to a sound condition within 20 days, the department shall report the facts to the attorney general. The attorney general shall institute proceedings in the district court of the county in which the association has its principal place of business for the appointment of the department as receiver.

(7) As receiver, the department may collect all moneys due the association and may do those other acts which are necessary to conserve its assets and business, and it shall liquidate the association's affairs. The department may, except as otherwise limited by the terms of this chapter, do any acts necessary or, in its discretion, desirable for the protection of the property and assets of the association and the speedy and economical liquidation of its assets and affairs and the payment of its creditors or for the resumption of business of the association where that is practicable or desirable. The department may institute in its own name or in the name of the association those legal proceedings it considers expedient for those purposes.

(8) By applying to the district court of the county in which the association is located, or to the judge thereof in chambers, the department may, upon sufficient showing of cause, obtain an order to sell, compromise, or compound any bad or doubtful debt or claim and to sell any of the assets. The sale may be made to stockholders, members, officers, directors, or others interested in the association, on consent of the court. On the proceedings the association shall be made a party by notice issued on order of the court or judge, in place of summons but served in like manner. The hearing of the application or petition by the department may be had at any time, either in term or vacation in court or in chambers, as the court may order, after the association has had 5 days' notice of the application.

History: En. Sec. 48, Ch. 57, L. 1927; re-en. Sec. 6355.49, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 86, Ch. 431, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 7-150; amd. Sec. 14, Ch. 5, L. 1983.