AB299: Bill Text

LRB-2511/1

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2001 - 2002 LEGISLATURE

2001 Assembly BILL 299

April 6, 2001 - Introduced by Representatives Jeskewitz, Plale, Ward, Riley, Kreibich, Vrakas, Jensen, M. Lehman, Starzyk, Montgomery, Lippert, Rhoades, Friske, Kedzie, Ziegelbauer, Kestell, Krawczyk, Leibham, Gunderson, Duff, Ladwig, Musser, Ainsworth, Schooff, Plouff, Balow, Walker, Grothman, Nass, Sinicki, Owens, Huebsch, Johnsrud, Hoven, F. Lasee, Stone, Huber, Olsen, Townsend, Powers, Albers, D. Meyer, Sykora, Hundertmark, Ott, Kaufert, Staskunas, Wade, Bies, Boyle, Carpenter, Coggs, J. Fitzgerald, Freese, Gard, Hahn, Gronemus, Berceau, Gundrum, Hebl, Cullen, Krug, La Fave, Lassa, J. Lehman, Loeffelholz, McCormick, Meyerhofer, Petrowski, Pettis, Pocan, Reynolds, Ryba, Schneider, Seratti, Sherman, Shilling, Skindrud, Suder, Travis, Turner, Underheim, Wasserman, Wieckert, Young and Colon, cosponsored by Senators Shibilski, Rosenzweig, Burke, Panzer, Moore, Welch, Baumgart, Farrow, Plache, Cowles, Grobschmidt, Darling, Breske, Huelsman, M. Meyer, Zien, Schultz, Roessler, S. Fitzgerald, Harsdorf, Ellis, A. Lasee, Lazich, Risser, George, Moen, Wirch and Hansen. Referred to Committee on Financial Institutions.

AB299,2,2 An Act to repeal 186.235 (16) (b), 186.41 (1) (d), 186.41 (6) (b) and 186.41 (8); to renumber 186.235 (16) (a) and 186.41 (6) (a); to renumber and amend 186.02 (2) (d), 186.11 (4) (a), 186.41 (1) (a) and 186.41 (1) (c); to amend 93.01 (1m), 186.01 (2), 186.02 (2) (a) 1., 186.02 (2) (b) 2., 186.02 (2) (c), 186.11 (4) (title), 186.11 (4) (b) (intro.) and 1., 186.11 (4) (c), 186.113 (1), 186.113 (1m) (a) (intro.), 186.113 (6) (b) and (c), 186.235 (7) (a) (intro.), 186.36, 186.41 (title), 186.41 (2) and (3), 186.41 (4) (intro.), (a) to (d) and (f), 186.41 (5) (a), (b), (c) and (cr) and 220.04 (9) (a) 2.; and to create 186.02 (2) (b) 2m., 186.02 (2) (d) 2., 186.11 (4) (a) 1., 186.113 (24), 186.20, 186.235 (7) (c), 186.235 (7m), 186.235 (16m), 186.45, 186.80, 220.14 (5), chapter 222 and 227.245 of the statutes; relating to: credit union membership, powers, and operation; the application of agriculture, trade, and consumer protection statutes to credit unions; the creation of a new type of financial institution; the powers of and requirements applicable to the new type of financial institution; providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures; granting rule-making authority; and providing a penalty.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Credit unions and universal banks

This bill makes numerous changes to the chapter that governs the formation, operation, and regulation of credit unions in this state and creates a new type of financial institution called a universal bank. The major provisions relating to credit unions and universal banks include the following:

Credit union membership

Under current law, credit union membership is open to groups having a common bond of occupation or association; residents within a well-defined neighborhood, community, or rural district; employees of related industries or industries that operate within a well-defined neighborhood, community, or rural district; members of certain fraternal, labor, educational, or other similar organizations; and credit union employees. Furthermore, credit union membership is open to the immediate family of all individuals who are qualified for membership. Current law defines "members of the immediate family" as any relative of a member or of a member's spouse who is living with the member and as the member's spouse, parents, stepchildren, and children. In addition, current law permits a credit union to accept an organization or association as a member if a majority of the members of the organization or association are eligible for membership.

This bill expands the pool of individuals, organizations, and associations that are eligible for membership in a credit union. Under this bill, credit union membership is open to individuals who reside or are employed in well-defined, contiguous neighborhoods and communities, except that, if the office of credit unions determines, subsequent to a merger, that it is inappropriate to require the members of a credit union to reside or be employed in contiguous neighborhoods and communities, the requirement that these neighborhoods and communities be contiguous does not apply. In addition, membership is open to individuals who reside or are employed in well-defined, contiguous rural districts or multicounty regions.

This bill also opens credit union membership to any organization or association that has its principal business location within any geographic limits of the credit union's field of membership. This bill also permits a credit union to accept any organization or association as a member, if a majority of the directors, owners, or members of the organization or association are eligible for membership. Furthermore, this bill repeals the definition of "members of the immediate family" contained in current law and instead requires a credit union's bylaws to specify the conditions that determine eligibility for membership.

Credit union investments

Under current law, a credit union may invest up to 1.5% of its total assets in an organization that is organized primarily to provide goods and services to credit unions, credit union organizations, and credit union members (credit union service organization). Under current law, a credit union may invest in a credit union service organization that is a corporation. Current law also specifies the types of goods and services that a credit union service organization may provide. These goods and services include, among other things, credit card services, automated teller services, financial planning, and insurance sales. However, current law is ambiguous as to whether the percentage limitation on a credit union's investment in credit union service organizations applies to the aggregate total of all credit union investments in credit union service organizations or to a credit union's investment in each particular credit union service organization.

This bill expands the types of organizations in which a credit union may invest. Under this bill, a credit union may invest in a credit union service organization that is a corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company, or any other entity that is permitted under state law and that is approved by the office of credit unions.

This bill also provides that the office of credit unions may permit a credit union to invest greater than 1.5% of credit union assets in a credit union service organization. In addition, this bill clarifies that the limitation on a credit union's investment in credit union service organizations applies to the aggregate total of all credit union investments in credit union service organizations. This bill also expands the types of goods and services that a credit union service organization may provide to include electronic transaction services.

Credit union powers

Currently, to the extent permitted by federal law, a credit union may act as trustee of member tax deferred funds and as a depository for member-deferred compensation funds. This bill expands this authority, allowing a credit union, to the extent permitted by federal law, to act as a trustee or custodian of member tax deferred retirement funds, individual retirement accounts, medical savings accounts, and other employee benefit accounts or funds. In addition, this bill allows a credit union, to the extent permitted by federal law, to act as a depository for member qualified and nonqualified deferred compensation funds.

Under current law, funds held in trust under a burial agreement (commonly known as a funeral trust) must be deposited in a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union. This bill clarifies that a credit union may accept these deposits if the deposits are made by a credit union member.

Branch offices of Wisconsin credit unions

Under current law, if the need exists, a credit union may establish branch offices within this state or no more than 25 miles outside of this state. In addition, if certain conditions are met, a credit union may establish a limited service office outside of this state to serve members of the credit union. A credit union seeking to establish a branch office or limited service office must first obtain the approval of the office of credit unions.

This bill expands the authority of a credit union to establish branch offices. Under this bill, with the permission of the office of credit unions, a credit union may establish branch offices anywhere inside or outside of this state. This bill repeals the authority for a credit union to establish a limited service office, although a credit union may continue to operate a limited service office that is in existence on the effective date of this bill.

Branch offices of non-Wisconsin credit unions

Current law does not specifically permit a credit union organized under the laws of another state (non-Wisconsin credit union) to establish a branch office in this state. This bill specifies that a non-Wisconsin credit union may establish a branch office in this state if the office of credit unions finds that certain conditions apply to the non-Wisconsin credit union. For example, the non-Wisconsin credit union must be organized under laws similar to ch. 186, must be financially solvent, and must have federal insurance for member deposits. In addition, the office of credit unions must find that credit unions organized under the laws of this state are allowed to do business under similar conditions in the home state of the non-Wisconsin credit union.

Interstate mergers and acquisitions of credit unions

Under current law regarding interstate mergers and acquisitions of credit unions, a credit union organized in this state may only merge with, acquire, or be acquired by a state or federal credit union that has its principal office in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, or Ohio. This bill repeals this geographic limitation on mergers and acquisitions of credit unions and, thus, expands the number of credit unions that are eligible to merge with, acquire, or be acquired by a credit union organized in this state.

Credit union reports and financial privacy

Current law contains several credit union reporting requirements and, with certain exceptions, requires the office of credit unions to annually examine the records and accounts of each credit union. The employees of the office of credit unions and members of the credit union review board must keep information obtained in the course of examinations confidential, with limited exceptions. A violation of this confidentiality requirement is subject to a forfeiture of up to $200.

This bill expands the confidentiality requirement to also include information contained in certain reports that a credit union provides to the office of credit unions. In addition, this bill specifies that, with certain exceptions, any employee of the office of credit unions or member of the credit union review board who discloses any information about the private account or transactions of a credit union or who discloses any information obtained in the course of an examination is subject to a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000, imprisonment for not less than six months nor more than three years, or both, and may be required to forfeit his or her office or position.

This bill also requires credit unions to comply with certain federal laws relating to customer financial privacy and requires the office of credit unions to examine credit unions for compliance with these federal laws.

Other credit union changes

Current law specifically requires any officer or employee of a credit union who sells credit life insurance or credit accident or sickness insurance on behalf of the credit union to pay to the credit union all commissions received from the sale. This bill clarifies that an officer or employee of a credit union must pay to the credit union all commissions received from the sale of any authorized insurance product sold on behalf of the credit union.

This bill also creates a crime for knowingly falsifying certain credit union reports or statements. Any person who commits this crime may be fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000 or imprisoned for not less than one year nor more than 15 years or both.

Under current law, credit unions are subject to the provisions of chs. 93 to 100 (agriculture, trade, and consumer protection statutes) that apply to businesses generally. Banks, savings banks, and savings and loan associations are specifically exempted from the definition of "business" that applies in the agriculture, trade, and consumer protection statutes. This bill specifically exempts credit unions from this definition.

Universal banks

Under current law, the division of savings institutions regulates state savings banks and state savings and loan associations, and the division of banking regulates state banks. This bill allows a state savings bank, state savings and loan association, or state bank (financial institution) to apply to the division of banking to become certified as a universal bank. If certified as a universal bank, a financial institution may exercise certain powers, in addition to those that are granted under the statutes under which the financial institution is organized. A universal bank retains its status as a savings and loan association, savings bank, or state bank and remains subject to existing regulatory and supervisory requirements, except to the extent that these requirements are inconsistent with the requirements applicable to universal banks. Universal banks are subject to the following provisions:

Certification of universal banks

A financial institution may apply to become certified as a universal bank by filing a written application with the division of banking. In order to be certified as a universal bank, the financial institution must meet all of the following requirements: 1) the financial institution must be chartered or organized, and regulated, as a Wisconsin financial institution and must have been in existence and continuous operation for at least three years; 2) the financial institution must be "well-capitalized," as defined in federal law; 3) the financial institution must not exhibit moderately severe or unsatisfactory financial, managerial, operational, and compliance weaknesses; 4) the financial institution must not have been the subject of any enforcement action within the 12 months preceding the application; 5) the most recent evaluation of the financial institution under the federal Community Reinvestment Act must rate the financial institution as "outstanding" or "satisfactory" at helping to meet the credit needs of its entire community; and 6) the most recent report received by the financial institution evaluating the financial institution's compliance with certain federal laws relating to customer privacy must indicate that the financial institution is in substantial compliance with these federal laws. If these requirements are met, the division of banking must certify the financial institution as a universal bank. If a universal bank fails to maintain compliance with these requirements, the division of banking must limit the universal bank's exercise of universal banking powers. In addition, a universal bank may be decertified if it fails to maintain compliance with these requirements. With the approval of the division of banking, a universal bank may also elect to terminate its certification. As a precondition to elective decertification, the universal bank must terminate the exercise of all universal banking powers.

Organization and regulation of universal banks

A financial institution that is certified as a universal bank remains subject to all of the requirements and duties, and remains able to exercise all of the powers, that applied to the financial institution prior to its certification as a universal bank, except to the extent that such requirements, duties, and powers are inconsistent with the requirements, powers, and duties of universal banks. After a financial institution becomes certified as a universal bank, the division of banking is responsible for establishing the capital requirements applicable to the universal bank.

A universal bank continues to operate under the articles of incorporation and bylaws that were in effect prior to its certification as a universal bank, and these articles and bylaws may be amended in accordance with the law governing savings banks, savings and loan associations, or state banks, whichever is applicable, to the financial institution. Current law generally prohibits a savings bank or a savings and loan association from using the term "bank" in its corporate name without also using the term "savings." Notwithstanding these provisions, the bill allows any financial institution that becomes certified as a universal bank to use the term "bank" in its corporate name without using the word "savings," subject to certain limitations relating to the distinguishability of the name.

Under current law, the division of banking regulates mergers and acquisitions of state banks, and the division of savings institutions regulates mergers and acquisitions of savings banks and savings and loan associations. Under the bill, the division of banking assumes responsibility for reviewing and approving the mergers and acquisitions of all financial institutions that have been certified as universal banks, including savings banks and savings and loan associations. The standards to be used by the division of banking in reviewing a merger or acquisition of a universal bank generally track the standards currently applicable to the various financial institutions that may become certified as universal banks, except that universal banks may generally acquire or merge with any type of financial institution.

Powers of universal banks

The bill expands the powers of a financial institution that becomes certified as a universal bank. Currently, savings banks, savings and loan associations, and banks have differing powers under both state and federal law. Under the bill, a universal bank is authorized to engage in any activity authorized for any savings bank, savings and loan association, or state bank beginning on the first day of the third month beginning after the bill's publication. In addition, the bill specifically permits a universal bank to exercise all of the following powers:

1) Federal powers: Under the bill, with the approval of the division of banking, a universal bank may exercise all powers that may be exercised directly by a national bank, a federally chartered savings and loan association, or a federally chartered savings bank. The division of banking may, however, require a universal bank to exercise a federal power through a subsidiary of the universal bank to limit the risk exposure of the universal bank.

In addition, with the approval of the division of banking, a universal bank may exercise through a subsidiary all powers that a subsidiary of these federal financial institutions may exercise.

2) Lending powers: Under current law, the lending powers of a financial institution depend on whether the financial institution is organized as a savings bank, savings and loan association, or state bank. The lending powers granted to universal banks under the bill are most similar to the lending powers granted to state banks under current law. Current law imposes some restrictions on the types and purposes of loans that savings banks and savings and loan associations may make. Under the bill, a universal bank may make, sell, purchase, arrange, participate in, invest in, or otherwise deal in loans or extensions of credit for any purpose. Like state banks, the limitations imposed on a universal bank's lending generally focus on the total amount of liabilities of any one lender at any one time. Although the limit varies depending on the lender and on the type of security pledged for the loan, the general rule is that the total liabilities of any one person to a universal bank may not exceed 20% of the universal bank's capital.

The lending limits for universal banks are generally the same as for state banks, except that universal banks are granted additional authority to lend, through the universal bank or its subsidiaries, an aggregate amount to all borrowers from the universal bank and all of its subsidiaries not to exceed 20% of the universal bank's capital. However, the loans to any one borrower made under any lending authority of the universal bank may not exceed 20% of the universal bank's capital. Loans made under this additional authority are not subject to rules regarding bad debts or classification of losses for a period of two years from the date of the loan. This additional authority may be suspended by the division of banking. Among the factors that may be considered by the division of banking in suspending this authority are a universal bank's capital adequacy, management, earnings, liquidity, and sensitivity to market risk. The bill prohibits a universal bank, in determining whether to make a loan or extension of credit, from considering any health information obtained from the records of an affiliate of the universal bank that is engaged in the business of insurance, unless the person to whom the health information relates consents.

3) Investment powers: A universal bank may purchase, sell, underwrite, and hold investment securities, consistent with safe and sound banking practices, in an amount up to 100% of the universal bank's capital. Investment securities include commercial paper; banker's acceptances; marketable securities in the form of bonds, notes, and debentures; and similar instruments. A universal bank may not invest greater than 20% of its capital in any one obligor or issuer. A universal bank may purchase, sell, underwrite, and hold equity securities, consistent with safe and sound banking practices, in an amount up to 20% of the universal bank's capital, unless the division of banking approves a greater percentage. A universal bank may also invest in certain housing properties and projects, except that the total investment in any one project may not exceed 15% of the universal bank's capital and except that the total amount invested in housing properties and projects may not exceed 50% of the universal bank's capital. A universal bank may take equity positions in profit-participation projects, including projects funded through loans from the universal bank, in an aggregate amount not to exceed 20% of the universal bank's capital. The division of banking may suspend a universal bank's authority to invest in profit-participation projects.