21. A. The failure of a bank, out-of-State bank or savings bank to open and operate a branch office within one year after the commissioner approves the application therefor shall automatically terminate the right of the bank, out-of-State bank or savings bank to open the branch office, and it shall make no further application to establish a branch office at such location, or in the area which would be served by a bank, out-of-State bank or savings bank doing business at such location, until after the expiration of one year from the date of such approval; except that, for good cause shown, the commissioner may, in the commissioner’s discretion, on application of the bank, out-of-State bank or savings bank made before the expiration of the one-year period, extend for additional periods, not in excess of six months each, the time within which such branch office may be opened.

B. A bank , out-of-State bank or savings bank may discontinue a branch office upon resolution of its board of directors or board of managers. Upon the adoption of such a resolution, the bank, out-of-State bank or savings bank shall file a certificate in the department specifying the location of the branch office to be discontinued, and the date upon which the discontinuance shall be effective.

C. Whenever the commissioner shall find that a branch office is not open for the transaction of business during such hours or days as the commissioner shall determine are reasonably necessary for the banking needs of the area served by such branch office, the commissioner may, by order, direct the bank , out-of-State bank or savings bank to keep such branch office open during such hours or days, and, upon the failure of the bank, out-of-State bank or savings bank to comply with such order, the commissioner may, after giving the bank, out-of-State bank or savings bank reasonable opportunity to be heard, make an order forfeiting the right of the bank, out-of-State bank or savings bank to maintain the branch office, and, upon the service of the order upon the bank , out-of-State bank or savings bank, it shall cease to maintain such branch office. An order of the commissioner made pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to review, hearing and relief in the Superior Court, in a proceeding in lieu of prerogative writ.

L.1948,c.67,s.21; amended 1953, c.17, s.15; 1996, c.17, s.6.