In the case of an application for the incorporation of a mutual association, and as a condition precedent to the approval of any such application, the incorporators shall execute an agreement to subscribe to, and upon the commencement of business pay into, an account of the State association to be known as the “guaranty account” the aggregate sum of $50,000.00 in accordance with such terms as shall be approved by the commissioner. Such guaranty account shall be subordinate to the accounts of saving members. It shall be used as a guaranty against the impairment of the capital of the State association and to the extent that it may be necessary for that purpose, losses and expenses of the State association shall be charged to it. The account shall not be released to the owners thereof, in less than 3 years from the date upon which payment was made into the account. If, thereafter, the commissioner finds that the reserves established to absorb losses and the undivided profits account of the State association plus the amount remaining in the guaranty account exceeds $50,000.00, or an amount equal to 5% of the capital of the State association, whichever is greater, he shall permit the excess to be released to the owners thereof, as hereinafter provided, proportionate to their respective interests in said guaranty account.

The amount paid in by each subscriber to the guaranty account, shall be recorded on the books of the State association in his name, and shall be evidenced by a certificate in a form approved by the commissioner. The amount standing to the credit of any person in such account, may be transferred to another person subject to the conditions of the account. Dividends may be declared upon the amounts standing to the credit of each owner of a proportionate interest in such account in accordance with the terms of the aforementioned agreement, but not in excess of the maximum rate of dividends declared to savings accounts in the State association for the same period. Each owner of a proportionate interest in such guaranty account shall have the same voting rights, restrictions and limitations as set forth in the bylaws of the association in accordance with section 126 of this act, at any annual or special meeting of the mutual association. Upon release, the amount released shall be transferred to a savings account in the State association, in the name of the owner, who shall thereupon be entitled to all of the rights and privileges and shall be subject to all of the duties and liabilities of membership.

L.1963, c. 144, s. 18. Amended by L.1974, c. 137, s. 4, eff. Oct. 23, 1974.