§ 23-46-304 - Powers of the State Banking Board -- Filings with the Bank Commissioner.
               	 		
23-46-304.    Powers of the State Banking Board -- Filings with the Bank Commissioner.
    (a)  In addition to all other powers conferred by Arkansas law, the State Banking Board shall have the power and duty to:
      (1)  Approve  or disapprove all applications for charters for new state banks, except  applications for new state bank charters in connection with failed  institutions as provided in    23-48-511;
      (2)  Approve  or disapprove all applications for the merger or consolidation of one  (1) or more banks, out-of-state banks, or savings and loan associations  into a state bank;
      (3)  Approve or  disapprove all applications for the purchase by one (1) state bank of  over fifty percent (50%) of the assets of another depository  institution, and all applications for the assumption by one (1) state  bank of over fifty percent (50%) of the liabilities of another  depository institution;
      (4)  Approve or disapprove all applications by a savings and loan association to convert to a state bank;
      (5)  Approve or disapprove all applications for amendments to the articles of incorporation of an existing state bank;
      (6)  Approve or disapprove all applications for the relocation of a state bank's main office from one (1) municipality to another;
      (7)  Approve or disapprove all rules and regulations promulgated by the Bank Commissioner;
      (8)  Authorize  a state bank under circumstances in which it is not given authority  under state law to participate in any public agency hereinafter created  under the laws of this state or of the United States, the purpose of  which is to afford advantages or safeguards to banks or trust companies,  and to authorize compliance with all requirements and conditions  imposed upon such participants;
      (9)  Subpoena witnesses; and
      (10)  Require such clerical and technical assistance as is necessary or appropriate to carry out its duties.
(b)  Upon  the submission to it by the commissioner of each application, the board  shall review the results of the commissioner's investigation and make  further investigation, if any, that it may deem appropriate to enable it  to determine the fitness of the applicants, the need from the public  standpoint for the granting of the application, and all other questions,  whether or not of like kind with those referred to in this section,  which bear directly or indirectly upon the need or desirability from the  public standpoint for the granting of the application.
(c)    (1)  Filing  with the commissioner of any application or document required by this  chapter or by department regulations shall be public notice of the  matters contained in that application or document.
      (2)  The commissioner shall maintain the applications or documents in his custody.
      (3)  Upon request, the commissioner shall provide verification of the filing and reasonable access to inspection by the public.
      (4)  Nothing  in this section shall be construed to modify the prohibitions upon the  disclosure of confidential information contained in    23-46-101 or the  commissioner's authority to issue regulations concerning the disclosure  of confidential information.