A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to update the credit union statutes.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 54‑109.1 reads as rewritten:
"§ 54‑109.1.  Definitions.
The following definitions apply in Articles 14A to 15A of this Chapter:
(1)	Administrator. – Administrator of Credit Unions.
(2)	Commission. – Credit Union Commission.
(3)	Credit union. – A credit union is a cooperative, nonprofit association, incorporated under Articles 14A to 14L of this Chapter, for the purposes of encouraging thrift among its members, creating a source of credit at a fair and reasonable rate of interest, and providing an opportunity for its members to use and control their own money in order to improve their economic and social condition.
(4)	Division. – Credit Union Division of the Department of Commerce."
SECTION 2.  Article 14B of Chapter 54 of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:
"Article 14B.
"Supervision and Regulation.
…
"§ 54‑109.14.  Fees and penalties.
(a)	Each credit union subject to supervision and examination by the Administrator, including credit unions in process of voluntary liquidation, shall pay into the office of the Administrator twice each year, in the months of January and July, supervision fees. A credit union that liquidates or converts its charter shall pay into the office of the Administrator, to the date of dissolution, pro rata supervision fees. Examination fees shall be paid promptly upon receipt of the examination report and invoice.
The Administrator, subject to the advice and consent of the Commission, shall, on or before December 1 of each year, determine and fix the scale of supervisory and examination fees to be assessed during the next calendar year.
No credit union shall be required to pay any supervisory fee until the expiration of 12 months from the date of the issuance of a certificate of incorporation to the credit union.
(b)	The Administrator may charge other fees for service and supervision as approved by the Commission. Moneys collected under this section shall be deposited with the State Treasurer of North Carolina and expended, under the terms of the Executive Budget Act, to defray expenses incurred by the office of the Administrator in carrying out its supervisory and auditing functions.
(c)	All revenue derived from fees will be placed into a special account to be administered solely for the operation of the Division.
(d)	The Administrator may waive any fee, in whole or in part, for any credit union or group of credit unions at the Administrator's discretion.
(e)	The Administrator may assess a civil penalty not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) for the violation of any section of Articles 14A to 15A of this Chapter or any rule adopted by the Administrator. The clear proceeds of any civil penalty assessed under this subsection or pursuant to any other authority in Articles 14A to 15A of this Chapter shall be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with G.S. 115C‑457.2.
"§ 54‑109.15.  Reports.
(a)	The Administrator shall cause credit unions organized under Articles 14A to 15A of this Chapter to make a report of condition to the Administrator in a manner and on a schedule as adopted by the Administrator. The Administrator may also require that additional reports be filed.
(b)	The Administrator may cause any credit union that neglects to make reports as provided in subsection (a) of this section, or any of the other reports required by the Administrator at the time fixed by the Administrator, to pay a late penalty to the Administrator of not less than seventy‑five dollars ($75.00), nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00) for each day the neglect continues. The clear proceeds of penalties collected pursuant to this subsection shall be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with G.S. 115C‑457.2. The Administrator shall publish the late penalty amount annually by rule.
"§ 54‑109.16.  Examinations required; payment of cost.
The Administrator shall examine every credit union formed under Articles 14A and 15A of this Chapter once every 18 months or more frequently if deemed necessary by the Administrator. The examiners appointed by the Administrator shall be given free access to all books, papers, securities, electronic or digital records, and other sources of information with respect to the credit union; for the purpose of the examination, the Administrator may subpoena and examine personally, or by one of the Administrator's deputies or examiners, witnesses on oath and documents, whether the witnesses are members of the credit union or not, and whether the documents are documents of the credit union or not. The Administrator may designate an independent auditing firm to conduct the examinations under the Administrator's direction and supervision, with the cost to be paid by the credit union involved.
"§ 54‑109.17.  Records.
(a)	A credit union shall maintain all books, records, accounting systems and procedures in accordance with rules adopted by the Administrator. In adopting these rules, the Administrator shall consider the relative size of a credit union and its reasonable capability of compliance.
(b)	A credit union is not liable for destroying records after the expiration of the record retention time adopted by the Administrator.
(c)	A credit union may cause any or all records kept by it to be recorded, copied, or reproduced by any photographic, reproduction, electronic, or digital process or method, or by any other records retention technology approved by rule or order of the Administrator, of a kind that is capable of accurately converting the records into tangible form within a reasonable time. Each converted tangible form of record also is deemed a record.
"

"§ 54‑109.18A.  Hearings and appeals.
(a)	Unless otherwise stated in this Chapter, administrative hearings required or permitted to be held by the Administrator shall be conducted in accordance with Article 3A of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.
(b)	After a hearing under subsection (a) of this section, a party aggrieved may appeal the decision or order of the Administrator or designee of the Administrator to the Commission for appellate review by filing with the Administrator a written notice of appeal no later than 30 days after the day that the Administrator's decision or order is served. Upon receipt of a notice of appeal, the Administrator shall, within 30 days of the notice, certify to the Commission the record on appeal. The notice of appeal shall state the grounds for the appeal and set forth in numbered order the assignments of error for review by the Commission. Failure to state the grounds for the appeal and assignments of error constitutes grounds to dismiss the appeal. Failure to comply with the briefing schedule provided by the Commission also constitutes grounds to dismiss the appeal. The Commission shall review the record on appeal, hear oral arguments by the parties, and make a written final decision or order no later than 60 days after the date of oral arguments.
(c)	A party to a proceeding before the Commission under subsection (b) of this section is entitled to judicial review of the decision or order in accordance with Article 4 of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.
(d)	Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the hearing officer at administrative hearings conducted under subsection (a) of this section may be the Administrator or a designee of the Administrator.
"§ 54‑109.19.  Removal of officers.
(a)	If the Administrator finds that an officer, director, committee member, or employee of any credit union doing business under Articles 14A to 15A of this Chapter is deceitful, incompetent, grossly negligent, or reckless in the management of the affairs of the credit union, has been convicted of a felony, has been convicted of a misdemeanor involving fraud or dishonesty, has breached the trust of the members, or has persistently violated the laws of this State or the orders issued or rules adopted by the Administrator or the Commission, the Administrator may take one or both of the following actions:
(1)	Remove the director, officer, committee member, or employee from office.
(2)	Prohibit the director, officer, committee member, or employee from participating in the conduct of the affairs of a credit union or credit union service organization.
(b)	A notice of removal of a director, officer, committee member or employee from office shall contain a statement of the alleged facts constituting the grounds for it and information on how the removed party may appeal the removal to the Commission, including contact information to initiate an appeal. The removal is effective immediately upon service of the notice of removal.
(c)	A director, officer, committee member, or employee served written notice of removal has the right to a hearing before the Commission and shall request a hearing within 30 days of the service of the notice of removal.
(d)	The hearing shall be fixed for a date no later than 30 days after service of the notice for request for hearing unless a later date is set by the Commission at the request of the removed party and for good cause shown. If the removed party does not seek a hearing within the 30‑day time frame, the removed party is deemed to have consented to the removal and the removal is deemed final.
(e)	Upon a request for hearing, or upon scheduling a discretionary hearing on its own initiative, the Commission shall review the facts of the case and hear from the Administrator and the removed party. The Commission shall determine whether the preponderance of the evidence supports removal. Upon completion of the hearing, the Commission shall issue an order that does one of the following:
(1)	Overturns the removal and reinstates the removed party.
(2)	Upholds the removal in full.
(3)	Modifies the removal into a suspension of a defined period. The order remains effective and enforceable except to the extent that it is stayed, modified, terminated, or set aside by a later action of the Commission or a reviewing court.
"§ 54‑109.20.  Additional authorities of the Administrator.
(a)	In the event of a natural disaster or other national, regional, State, or local emergency, the Administrator may temporarily waive or suspend requirements for compliance by one or more credit unions with any provisions of this Chapter or with any rules if the Administrator deems it in the public interest.
(b)	The Administrator may issue and serve upon a credit union an order to cease and desist from one or more unsafe or unsound practices or violations if, in the opinion of the Administrator, a credit union is engaging or has engaged, or there is reasonable cause to believe a credit union is about to engage, in an unsafe or unsound practice, or is violating or has violated, or there is reasonable cause to believe a credit union is about to violate, this Chapter or any other applicable statute, rule, regulation, or order. An order to cease and desist shall contain a statement of the facts constituting the alleged violations or unsafe or unsound practices, and the order may require, in terms that may be mandatory or otherwise, a credit union, its officers, directors, employees, or agents to cease and desist from the practices or violations. The order shall specify its effective date and shall contain a notice to the credit union of its right to a hearing on the order in accordance with rules adopted by the Administrator.
(c)	The Administrator may conduct an investigation, including conducting background checks, of any credit union employee, officer, director, or committee member when considering applications for new charters, changes to those positions in credit unions in a troubled condition, a managing agent or manager in a conserved credit union, or when the Administrator has reason to believe the credit union employee, director, or committee member affected or is likely to affect the safety or soundness of the credit union."
SECTION 3.  Article 14C of Chapter 54 of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:
"Article 14C.
"Powers of Credit Union.
"§ 54‑109.21.  General powers.
(a)	A credit union may:
(1)	Make contracts.
(2)	Sue and be sued.
(3)	Adopt and use a common seal and alter the seal.
(4)	Acquire, lease, hold and dispose of property, either in whole or in part, necessary or incidental to its present and future operations.
(5)	At the discretion of the board of directors, require the payment of an entrance fee or annual membership fee, or both, of any person admitted to membership.
(6)	Receive funds from persons in the form of shares, deposits, or special‑purpose thrift accounts.
(7)	Lend its funds to its members, other credit unions, and any cities, as defined in G.S. 160A‑1, as provided in Articles 14A to 15A of this Chapter.
(8)	Borrow from any source in accordance with policy established by the board of directors.
(9)	Discount and sell any eligible obligations, subject to rules adopted by the Administrator.
(10)	Sell all or substantially all of its assets or purchase all or substantially all of the assets of another financial institution, subject to the approval of the Administrator.
(11)	Invest its funds as provided in Articles 14A to 15A of this Chapter.
(12)	Make deposits in legally chartered banks, savings institutions, trust companies and corporate credit unions.
(13)	Assess charges to members in accordance with the bylaws for failure to meet properly their obligations to the credit union.
(14)	Hold membership in other credit unions organized under this Chapter or other acts, in other associations and organizations composed of credit unions, and in organizations or associations fostering the interests of credit unions or providing services to credit unions.
(15)	Declare dividends, pay interest on deposits, and pay interest refunds to borrowers as provided in Articles 14A to 15A of this Chapter.
(16)	Offer related financial services, including travelers checks, money orders, other negotiable instruments, electronic transfer of funds, safe deposit boxes, custodial services, and correspondent services and charge a reasonable fee for these services.
(17)	Perform tasks and missions requested by the federal government or this State or any agency or political subdivision thereof, when approved by the board of directors and not inconsistent with Articles 14A to 15A of this Chapter.
(18)	Act as fiscal agent for and receive deposits from the federal government, this State, or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
(19)	Contribute to, support, or participate in any nonprofit service facility whose services will benefit the credit union or its membership subject to rules adopted by the Administrator.
(20)	Make donations or contributions to any civic, charitable or community organization as authorized by the board of directors, subject to rules adopted by the Administrator.
(21)	Act as a custodian of qualified pension funds if permitted by federal law.
(22)	Purchase or make available insurance for its directors, officers, agents, employees, and members. Insurance may be provided through any insurance company or through any subsidiary insurance company owned by the credit union.
(23)	Facilitate its members' purchase of goods and services in a manner that promotes the purposes of the credit union.
(24)	Expel any member or reduce services for cause. A member expelled for cause may appeal in writing to the board of directors. Upon consideration of the member's appeal, the board may reinstate the member or uphold the expulsion. No member shall be expelled until informed in writing of the expulsion.
(25)	Notwithstanding any other provision of Articles 14C to 14J of this Chapter, upon 45‑day written notice to the Administrator and subject to the Administrator's written disapproval during the 45‑day period if the Administrator concludes the credit union is not well‑capitalized or well‑managed as demonstrated by the supervisory rating it received during its most recent safety and soundness examination, engage in any activity or exercise any power in which it could engage or exercise if it were a federally chartered credit union, subject to similar approval provisions, if any, applicable to federally chartered credit unions with respect to the activity or power.
(26)	Subject to rules adopted by the Administrator, act as trustee or custodian, and receive reasonable compensation for so acting, under any written trust instrument or custodial agreement created or organized and forming a part of a deferred compensation plan for its members or groups or organizations of its members so long as the funds of the plans are invested in savings or deposits of the credit union. All funds held may be commingled for the purpose of investment, but individual records shall be kept by the credit union for each participant and shall show in proper detail all transactions engaged in under authority of this subdivision.
(b)	A member may withdraw from a credit union by filing a written notice of intent to withdraw. The amounts paid in on shares or deposits by an expelled or withdrawing member, with any dividends credited to the shares and any interest accrued on the deposits to the date of expulsion or withdrawal, shall be paid to the member in the order of expulsion or withdrawal, after deducting any amounts due to the credit union by the member and only as funds therefor become available. The member has no other right in the credit union or to any of its benefits, but the expulsion or withdrawal does not operate to relieve the member from any remaining liability to the credit union.
…."
SECTION 4.  Article 14D of Chapter 54 of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:
"Article 14D.
"Membership.
"§ 54‑109.26.  "Membership" defined.
(a)	The membership of a credit union shall be limited to and consist of the subscribers to the articles of incorporation and other persons within the common bonds set forth in the bylaws that have been admitted members and have complied with other requirements specified by the articles of incorporation or bylaws.
(b)	Credit union membership may include the following:
(1)	Persons having a common bond of similar occupation, association, or interest.
(2)	Persons that reside within an identifiable neighborhood, community, or rural district.
(3)	Employees of a common employer.
(4)	Members of the immediate family of persons described in subdivisions (1) through (3) of this subsection.
"§ 54‑109.27.  Societies, corporations, and other entities.
Societies and partnerships composed of or controlled primarily by individuals eligible for membership, corporations owned or controlled primarily by eligible individuals, and other business entities owned or controlled primarily by eligible individuals may be admitted to membership in the same manner and under the same conditions as individuals.
"§ 54‑109.28.  Other credit unions and specially designated common bonds.
A credit union organized under Articles 14A to 14L of this Chapter may permit membership of any other credit union organized under Articles 14A to 14L of this Chapter or other law. To facilitate the provision of financial services to underserved populations and communities, a credit union organized under Articles 14A to 14L of this Chapter may also permit membership of the following located in this State:
(1)	Individuals and families that earn income at or below the federal poverty threshold.
(2)	Persons residing in census tracts in North Carolina where the center of population, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is more than 8 miles from a bank branch, as defined in G.S. 53C‑1‑4.
"§ 54‑109.29.  Members that leave field.
Members that leave the field of membership may be permitted to retain their membership in a credit union as a matter of general policy of the board of directors.
"§ 54‑109.30.  Liability of shareholders.
A shareholder of a credit union, unless the bylaws so provide, is not individually liable for the payment of the credit union's debts for an amount in excess of the par value of the shares owned by the individual or for which the individual has subscribed.
"§ 54‑109.31.  Meetings of members.
(a)	The annual meeting and any special meetings of the members of the credit union shall be held at the time and in the manner indicated by the bylaws or G.S. 55A‑7‑01.
(b)	At these meetings, a member shall have but one vote, irrespective of the member's shareholdings. No member shall vote by proxy, but a member may vote by absentee ballot if the bylaws of the credit union so provide.
(c)	A business or other entity having membership in the credit union may be represented and have its vote cast by one of its members or shareholders so long as the person has been fully authorized by the entity's governing body.
(d)	The board of directors may establish a minimum age of 16 years of age as a qualification to vote at meetings of the members.
(e)	The board of directors may establish a minimum age of 18 years of age as a qualification to hold office."
SECTION 5.  Article 14I of Chapter 54 of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:
"Article 14I.
"Investments.
"§ 54‑109.82.  Investment of funds.
(a)	The capital, deposits, undivided profits, and reserve fund of the credit union may be invested only in any of the following ways:
(1)	They may be lent to the members of the credit union in accordance with this Chapter.
(2)	In capital shares, obligations, or preferred stock issues of any agency, company, or association organized either as a stock company, mutual association, or membership corporation so long as the membership or stockholdings, as the case may be, of the agency, company, or association are confined or restricted to credit unions or organizations of credit unions or the purpose for which the agency, company, or association is organized or designed is to service or otherwise assist credit union operations.
(3)	In obligations of the State of North Carolina or any subdivision thereof.
(4)	In obligations of the United States, including bonds and securities upon which payment of principal and interest is fully guaranteed by the United States.
(5)	They may be deposited to the credit of the credit union in savings institutions, credit unions, State banks, trust companies incorporated under the laws of the State, or national banks located in the State.
(6)	In loans to other credit unions in any amount not to exceed twenty‑five percent (25%) of the shares and unimpaired surplus of the lending credit union.
(7)	In an aggregate amount not to exceed twelve and one‑half percent (12.5%) of the credit union's net worth, in agencies, companies, or associations of the type described in subdivision (2) of this section so long as the purposes of the agency, company, or association are designed to assist in establishing and maintaining liquidity, solvency, and security in credit union operations.
(8)	In the North Carolina Savings Guaranty Corporation.
(9)	In any form of investment allowed by law to the State Treasurer under G.S. 147‑69.1. In addition, investment in corporate bonds that bear a minimum rating of A+ by at least one nationally recognized rating service is permissible. Credit unions shall monitor overall credit exposure by setting corporate bond investment limits as a percentage of assets.
(10)	In debentures issued by an agency of the United States government.
(11)	In the College Foundation, in any amount not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the shares and unimpaired surplus of the investing credit union.
(12)	They may be deposited in any bank or savings institution insured by the federal government or any of its agencies.
(13)	In higher education bonds permissible under G.S. 116D‑2 so long as the bonds pledge the faith, credit, and taxing power of the State for the payment of the principal of and interest on bonds and notes.
(14)	In an aggregate amount not to exceed one percent (1%) of the credit union's net worth in a small business formed under the laws of the United States, or a state, district, or territory of the United States, that meets the appropriate United States Small Business Administration definition of small business under Part 121 of Chapter I of Title 13 of the Code of Federal Regulations and that is principally engaged in the development or exploitation of inventions, technological improvements, new processes, or other fintech products.
(15)	In common trust or mutual funds whose investment portfolios consist of securities otherwise permitted for credit unions.
(16)	In stock, securities, obligations, or other instruments that are approved by the Administrator.
(b)	If the status or form of a credit union's investment changes during the life of the investment, the credit union may continue to hold and maintain the investment regardless of the change.
(c)	Subject to rules of the Administrator, a credit union may make an otherwise impermissible investment to fund the credit union's employee benefit plan. A credit union's investment to fund an employee benefit plan obligation is not subject to the investment limitations of this section if the investment is directly related to the credit union's obligation under the employee benefit plan and the credit union holds the investment only for so long as it has an actual or potential obligation under the plan."
SECTION 6.  G.S. 54‑109.92(k) reads as rewritten:
"(k)	If, after a hearing under this section, the board of directors of the credit union is dissatisfied with the decision of the Administrator of Credit Unions, the board may appeal to the Commission pursuant to G.S. 54‑109.18A. The filing of an appeal does not suspend the effect of an order of conservation, and the order remains in force pending final disposition of the appeal by the Commission. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Commission may reverse the order of the Administrator and adopt and approve the credit union's plan to continue operations, affirm the Administrator's order of conservation, or order that other appropriate action be taken."
SECTION 7.  This act becomes effective January 1, 2026.