(1) If any of the grounds set forth in section 601 authorizing the appointment of a receiver exist or whenever the commissioner considers it necessary in order to conserve the assets of a savings bank for the benefit of the depositors and other creditors, the commissioner may appoint a conservator for the savings bank and require of him or her a bond and security as the commissioner considers necessary.

    (2) The commissioner may appoint as conservator 1 of the bank examiners of the bureau or some other competent and disinterested person. The bureau shall be reimbursed out of the assets of the conservatorship for all sums expended by it in connection with the conservatorship as expenses or otherwise, and the funds shall be paid into the revolving fund provided for in section 607.

    (3) A conservator appointed under this section shall become a member of the bureau. All expenses of a conservatorship shall be paid out of the assets of the savings bank, upon the approval of the commissioner. The expenses shall be a first charge upon the assets and shall be fully paid before any final distribution or payment of dividends to creditors, shareholders, or members.

    (4) The conservator, under the direction of the commissioner, shall take possession of the books, records, and assets of the savings bank, and take such action as may be necessary to conserve the assets of the savings bank pending further disposition of its business as provided by law. The conservator shall have all the rights, powers, and privileges of receivers of banks appointed under this act and shall be subject to the obligations and penalties, not inconsistent with this act with respect to conservators, to which receivers are subject. During the time that the conservator remains in possession of the savings bank, the rights of all parties with respect to the savings bank, subject to other provisions of this act with respect to conservators, shall be the same as if a receiver had been appointed. The conservator may execute the discharge of any real estate mortgage held as part of the assets of the savings bank.

    (5) While a savings bank is in the hands of the conservator appointed by the commissioner, the commissioner may require the conservator to set aside and make available for withdrawal by depositors and payment to other creditors, on a ratable basis, such amounts as in the opinion of the commissioner may be used safely for that purpose. The commissioner may permit the conservator to receive deposits. Deposits received while the savings bank is in the hands of the conservator shall not be subject to any limitation as to payment or withdrawal. The deposits and any new assets acquired on account of the deposits shall be segregated and held especially for the new deposits and not be used to liquidate any indebtedness of the savings bank existing at the time that a conservator was appointed or any subsequent indebtedness incurred for the purpose of liquidating any indebtedness of the savings bank existing at the time the conservator was appointed. Deposits received while the savings bank is in the hands of the conservator shall be kept on hand in cash, invested in the direct obligations of the United States, or deposited in banks designated by the commissioner.

    (6) With the prior approval of the commissioner, the conservator of a savings bank may borrow money as necessary or expedient in aiding the operation, reorganization, or liquidation of the savings bank, including the payment of liquidating dividends, and may secure the loans by the pledge, hypothecation, or mortgage of the assets of the savings bank.

    (7) If the commissioner is satisfied that it may be done safely and that it would be in the public interest, he or she may terminate the conservatorship and permit the savings bank to resume the transaction of its business subject to such terms, conditions, restrictions, and limitations as he or she may prescribe.