All real estate owned or purchased by any association, created under and by virtue of this act, shall be held and owned and conveyance thereof shall be made in the association name; said association shall sue and be sued in their association name; and when suit is brought against any such association, service of process and other papers in such suit prior to appearance therein by defendant, shall be made upon the chairman, secretary or treasurer thereof: Provided, If no such officer reside in the county where the principal office or place or [of] business of such association is located, or no such officer be found in such county within 5 days after the commencement of such suit, service of such process and papers may be made upon such association by service thereof upon any clerk, agent or attorney thereof in its office or place of business named in its articles of incorporation, which service shall be as complete and effective as if made upon each and every member of such association.