(a) General rule.--Only a credit union subject to this title, a Federal credit union or a corporation organized in accordance with a state credit union statute may assume and use the words "credit union" in its name or title or operate in the manner of a credit union. Only a credit union which has received a low-income designation by the department and the National Credit Union Administration, or a Federal credit union which has received a low-income designation from the National Credit Union Administration, may assume and use the words "community development credit union" or a similar designation in its name or title or operate in the manner of a community development credit union.

(b) Penalties.--Any person, other than a credit union subject to this title, a Federal credit union, a corporation organized in accordance with a state credit union statute or an association of credit unions, who violates subsection (a) by using a name or title containing the words "credit union" or any other derivation thereof or so representing itself in its advertising, or otherwise conducting business as a credit union shall, for each offense, be subject to a penalty levied by the department which shall be not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000. The officers of a corporation shall be liable for such penalty if the offense is committed by a corporation. This section shall be enforced by the department.

(c) Civil action.--Within 30 days after the department has received notice of an alleged violation of this section, the department shall determine whether a violation of this section exists. After the department has made its determination, a credit union, Federal credit union, out-of-State credit union or an association of these institutions may institute a civil action arising out of a violation of this section.

(Dec. 9, 2002, P.L.1572, No.207, eff. 60 days)

2002 Amendment. Act 207 amended the section heading and subsecs. (a) and (b).

Cross References. Section 104 is referred to in section 202 of Title 15 (Corporations and Unincorporated Associations).