Banking Practices

C.R.S. tit. 11, art. 105
in effect

C.R.S. § 11-105-101 Branch banks and practices prohibited

11-105-101. Branch banks and practices prohibited. (1) Any state bank or state bank chartered in another jurisdiction, upon application to and approval by the banking board, may operate one or more loan production offices as defined by the banking board. (2) For purposes of this subsection (2), "elementary school" means any public or private school with students in kindergarten through eighth grade. A bank that both opens accounts and accepts students' deposits at elementary schools in conjunction with other educational programs presented by the bank is not engaged in branch banking as defined in section 11-101-401 (10). Any bank establishing a location in an elementary school pursuant to this section shall receive the prior approval of the banking board. Approval shall be granted if the program is predominantly educational. (3) Any other facility, agency, or paying or receiving station operated by any bank or agent shall constitute a branch within the meaning of this section. Any facility authorized by the United States treasury department shall not be subject to the limitations of this section. (4) As authorized under section 10-2-601 (2), C.R.S., any bank may, pursuant to federal law or under such rules as may be prescribed by the banking board and subject to rules promulgated by the commissioner of insurance concerning the sale of insurance by financial institutions as provided in section 10-2-601, C.R.S., as such laws and rules are applicable to the bank, depending upon whether such bank is a national bank or a state bank, act as the agent for any fire, life, or other insurance company authorized to do business in this state by soliciting and selling insurance and collecting premiums on policies issued by such company. For services so rendered, such bank may receive such fees or commissions as may be agreed upon between the bank and the insurance company for which it may act as agent. For purposes of this subsection (4), "bank" shall have the same meaning as set forth in section 11-101-401 (3). (5) Except as provided in the federal "Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act", as amended, Pub.L. 106-102, 113 Stat. 1388, it is unlawful for a bank or an officer, director, employee, or affiliate of a bank to engage in the business of issuing, floating, underwriting, distributing, or promoting the sale of stocks, bonds, or other securities or to be an officer, trustee, director, employee, stockholder, or partner of any person engaged principally in any such business. Additional exceptions to this section shall be securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States or any agency thereof or by a state or territory of the United States or a subdivision, instrumentality, or public authority organized under the laws of such state or territory or pursuant to an interstate compact between two or more states. (6) Except as expressly permitted in this code, a state bank shall not assume liability as an insurer, nor shall it become a guarantor or endorser of any security instrument or obligation in which, or with respect to which, it has no property interest. (7) An officer, director, employee, or agent of a state bank shall not knowingly maintain, or authorize the maintenance of, any account of the bank in a manner that does not conform to the requirements prescribed by this code or by the commissioner or the banking board. (8) No officer, director, employee, or agent of a state bank shall obstruct, or endeavor to obstruct, a lawful examination of the institution by an officer or employee of the division.

C.R.S. § 11-105-102 Accounts and interest

11-105-102. Accounts and interest. (1) A state bank may maintain demand, savings, and time deposit accounts and any type of account that a national bank may maintain. (2) Savings deposits shall be repaid to the depositors under such rules as the board of directors of the state bank shall, from time to time, prescribe. Such rules shall be conspicuously exposed in some place accessible and visible in the business office of the state bank. No alterations that may at any time be made in the rules shall in any manner affect the rights of a depositor within the contract period in respect to deposits made previous to such alteration. (3) The banking board may by rule establish the maximum annual rate of interest that a state bank may pay on any type of deposit or account. In the absence of such rule, a state bank shall be subject only to applicable federal law in the payment of interest.

C.R.S. § 11-105-103 Saturday closing - notice - effect

11-105-103. Saturday closing - notice - effect. Any state bank or trust company, national banking association, or federal reserve bank may, by brief notation on its front door, fully dispense with, or restrict to such extent as it may determine, the hours within which it will be open for business on all, or less than all, Saturdays. However, the fact that a bank remains open for business on all, or less than all, Saturdays shall not make that day, or any part thereof, a banking day for the purposes of section 4-4-104 (a)(3), C.R.S., of the "Uniform Commercial Code". Any plan so adopted by any such organization may be changed by it from time to time in its discretion. Every Saturday on which any such state bank, national banking association, or federal reserve bank, in observance of such notation, is not open for business shall be, with respect to the particular organization, the equivalent of a legal holiday, as specified in section 24-11-101, C.R.S. Any act authorized, required, or permitted to be performed at, by, or with respect to such organization on a Saturday that is for it a holiday may be performed on the next succeeding business day, notwithstanding the provisions of any other law of this state to the contrary, and no liability or loss of right of any kind shall result from such delay. The provisions of this section shall not operate to invalidate or prohibit the doing on any Saturday of any such act by any person or organization referred to in this section.

C.R.S. § 11-105-104 Minor or institutional deposits

11-105-104. Minor or institutional deposits. (1) A bank may operate a deposit account for a minor with the same effect upon its liability as if the minor were of full age unless the minor's guardian or conservator files with the bank a certified copy of the order of a Colorado court having jurisdiction appointing the guardian or conservator and directs otherwise. (2) Subject to such rules, not in conflict with section 11-105-101, as the banking board may prescribe for the protection of depositors, a bank may contract with the proper authorities of any public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school or any public or charitable institution caring for minors for the participation by the bank in any school or institutional thrift or savings plan.

C.R.S. § 11-105-105 Joint deposits - right of survivor

11-105-105. Joint deposits - right of survivor. Except as to accounts, which are defined in and which shall be paid as provided in article 15 of title 15, C.R.S., when a bank deposit in any bank transacting business in this state is made in the names of two or more persons payable to them or to any of them, such deposit, or any part thereof or interest thereon, may be paid to any one of said persons whether the others are living or not, and the receipt or acquittance of the person so paid shall be valid and sufficient discharge to the paying bank from all said persons and their heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns; such deposit shall be deemed, so far as the rights and liabilities of the bank are concerned, to be owned by said persons in joint tenancy with the right of survivorship, but the bank has the right of setoff against such deposit, to the extent thereof, to collect a debt owed to the bank by any joint depositor, which right shall not be affected by death.

C.R.S. § 11-105-106 Final adjustment - statement of account

11-105-106. Final adjustment - statement of account. (1) When a statement of account has been rendered by a bank to a depositor and accompanied by vouchers, if any, that are the basis for debit entries in such account, or when the depositor's passbook or savings account book has been written up by the bank, showing the condition of the depositor's account, and delivered to such depositor with like accompaniment of vouchers, if any, such account shall, after the period of one year from the date of its rendition, in the event no objection thereto has been theretofore made by the depositor, be deemed finally adjusted and settled and its correctness conclusively presumed. Such depositor shall thereafter be barred from questioning the correctness of such account for any cause. (2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to relieve the depositor from the duty of exercising due diligence in the examination of such account and vouchers, if any, when rendered by the bank and of immediate notification to the bank upon discovery of any error therein, nor from the legal consequences of neglect of such duty. (3) A statement of account may be rendered to a depositor by mailing such statement, with supporting vouchers, if any, to such depositor's address as shown on the books of the bank.

C.R.S. § 11-105-107 Adverse claim deposits

11-105-107. Adverse claim deposits. (1) Notice to any bank of an adverse claim to a deposit standing on its books to the credit of any person, or to securities or other property deposited by any person with the bank, shall not be effectual to cause said bank to recognize said adverse claimant, unless said adverse claimant shall also either procure a restraining order, injunction, or other appropriate process against and served upon said bank from a court of competent jurisdiction in an action instituted by said adverse claimant wherein the person to whose credit the deposit stands or for whose account the securities or other property are held is made a party and served with summons or shall comply with subsection (2) of this section. (2) Such adverse claimant, in lieu of a court order, shall execute to said bank, in form and amount and with sureties acceptable to it, a bond indemnifying said bank from all liability, loss, damage, costs, and expenses, whether on account of the payment of such adverse claim or the dishonor of the check or other order of the person to whose credit the deposit stands on the books of said bank or on account of the delivery of said securities or other property to the adverse claimant or the refusal to comply with any order of the depositor of the securities or property held, as the case may be. (3) This section shall not apply in any instance where the person to whose credit the deposit stands or for whose account the securities or other property is held, is a fiduciary designated as such by words indicating the deposit or other property is, or the securities are, held for the benefit of such adverse claimant, and the facts showing reasonable cause of belief on the part of said claimant that the fiduciary is about to misappropriate such deposit, securities, or other property are made to appear by the affidavit of such claimant.

C.R.S. § 11-105-108 Transmitting money - foreign exchange

11-105-108. Transmitting money - foreign exchange. (1) A bank may accept money for transmission and may transmit money. (2) A bank may buy and sell foreign exchange to the extent necessary to meet the needs of customers.

C.R.S. § 11-105-109 Temporary closing of banks - when

11-105-109. Temporary closing of banks - when. (1) Any bank doing business in this state may remain closed on any day on which, by reason of an occasion of national mourning or rejoicing or national or local emergency affecting the community in which such bank is located, the governor shall by proclamation request the people of the state or of said community to close their places of business. (2) If the banking board is of the opinion that an emergency exists affecting banks located in the state or in any part thereof, it may authorize banks located in the area affected by the emergency to close any or all of their offices, and it shall make public announcement of such authorization. In addition, if the banking board is of the opinion that an emergency exists that affects a particular bank or a particular office thereof, but not banks located in the area generally, it may authorize the particular bank or office so affected to close. As used in this subsection (2), the word "emergency" shall include any condition that may interfere with the conduct of the normal operations of, or the transportation of employees to or from, a bank or one or more offices thereof, or that poses an existing or imminent threat to the safety or security of bank personnel or property, including without limitation conditions arising by reason of fire, flood, windstorm, snowstorm, or other casualty, interruption of transportation or power facilities, war or other enemy action, riots, civil commotion, or other acts of lawlessness or violence. (3) If the officers of a bank are of the opinion that conditions exist that pose an existing or imminent threat to the safety or security of bank personnel or property generally or at any one or more offices thereof, they may close the bank or the office affected by such threat, as the case may be, irrespective of whether the governor or the banking board has acted under this section. As used in this section, the word "officers" shall mean the person designated by the board of directors, board of trustees, or other governing body of a bank to act for the bank in carrying out the provisions of this section or, in the absence of any such designation or the officer so designated, the president or any other officer currently in charge of the operations of the bank or of the office in question. A bank closing an office pursuant to this section shall give as prompt notice to the banking board of such action as conditions permit. (4) Any bank or office thereof that is closed by action of the banking board under this section may remain closed until it declares that the emergency has ended. Any bank or office thereof that is closed by decision of the officers of the bank may remain closed until such officers determine that the threat has ended. In either event, any bank or office thereof may remain closed for such further time thereafter as may reasonably be required to reopen, but in any event not later than the normal time of opening on the next business day. (5) Any day on which a bank remains closed and any day on which a bank or any one or more of its offices is closed during any part or all of its normal banking hours, by decision of the banking board or by decision of its officers, shall be, with respect to such bank, or if not all of its offices are closed, then with respect to those offices that are closed, the equivalent of a legal holiday, as specified in section 24-11-101, C.R.S., and any act authorized, required, or permitted to be performed at or by or with respect to such bank or such office, as the case may be, on such day may be performed on the next succeeding business day without any liability or loss of rights resulting from such delay.

C.R.S. § 11-105-110 Disclosure of information pursuant to legal process

11-105-110. Disclosure of information pursuant to legal process. Any bank, savings and loan association, credit union, or any agent or employee of such financial institutions that makes a disclosure of records or information on the direction contained in a lawful notice, subpoena, written request, search warrant, grand jury subpoena, or other process issued by any governmental authority or by a court is not civilly or criminally liable for such disclosure, nor is the financial institution liable to the customer or any other person for such disclosure.

C.R.S. § 11-105-111 Trust account - limited documentation required - certificate of trust

11-105-111. Trust account - limited documentation required - certificate of trust. (1) For any transaction with any bank transacting business in this state by one or more persons expressly acting as a trustee or trustees for one or more other named person or persons pursuant to or purporting to be pursuant to a written trust agreement, a trustee may provide the bank with a certificate of trust to evidence the trust relationship. The certificate of trust must be a duly acknowledged affidavit or other written statement expressly made under penalty of perjury executed by any trustee and must include the following: (a) A statement that the trust exists and the date the trust instrument was executed; (b) The identity of the settlor; (c) The identity and address of the current acting trustee; (d) The powers of the trustee in the pending transaction; (e) A statement whether the trust is revocable and the identity of any person holding the power to revoke the trust; (f) The authority of cotrustees to sign or otherwise authenticate and whether all or fewer than all cotrustees are required in order to exercise the powers of the trustee; (g) The name in which title to trust property may be taken; and (h) Any other information that may be required by the bank, including an indemnification that is acceptable to the bank. (2) If a bank decides to accept a certificate of trust pursuant to this section: (a) For a transaction that consists of opening a deposit account, the bank may administer the account in accordance with the certificate of trust without requiring receipt of a copy of the written trust agreement; and (b) For a transaction that consists of obtaining, guaranteeing, or encumbering trust property to secure a loan, or entering into any agreement with a bank, the trustee or trustees shall be conclusively presumed to have had the authority specified in the trust certificate for purposes of determining whether the trustees were acting within their authority in entering into, or causing the trust to enter into, a transaction, even if the certificate of trust is contrary to the terms of the written trust agreement, unless the bank has actual knowledge that the terms of the written trust agreement are contrary to the terms of the certificate of trust. (3) If a bank decides to accept a certificate of trust in opening a deposit account pursuant to this section, upon the death, resignation, or adjudication of incompetence of all named trustees and successor trustees noted on the certificate of trust, the bank may withhold disposition of any funds on deposit in the account until receipt of one of the following: (a) An order by a court of competent jurisdiction directing the disposition of funds; (b) A newly executed certificate of trust created pursuant to this section from a person acting or purporting to act as a newly appointed successor trustee under the same trust; or rtificate of trust, the bank may withhold disposition of any funds on deposit in the account until receipt of one of the following: (a) An order by a court of competent jurisdiction directing the disposition of funds; (b) A newly executed certificate of trust created pursuant to this section from a person acting or purporting to act as a newly appointed successor trustee under the same trust; or (c) Other documentation that establishes to the satisfaction of the bank the manner in which the funds are to be administered or distributed. (4) If a bank decides to accept a certificate of trust in opening a deposit account pursuant to this section, the bank shall not be liable for administering the account as provided by the certificate of trust, even if the certificate of trust is contrary to the terms of the written trust agreement, unless the bank has actual knowledge that the terms of the written trust agreement are contrary to the terms of the certificate of trust. (5) Nothing in this section obligates a bank to enter into a transaction with a trustee who refuses to furnish the bank with a copy of a written trust agreement. In addition, nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a bank from requesting additional information in order to enter into a transaction with a trustee, including a request that the certificate of trust be executed by all trustees. (6) Knowledge of the terms of a written trust agreement may not be inferred solely from the fact that a copy of all or part of a written trust agreement is held by the person relying upon the certification or affidavit.

C.R.S. § 11-105-112 Entity account - certificate of existence and authority - definitions

11-105-112. Entity account - certificate of existence and authority - definitions. (1) For any deposit or loan account that is opened by one or more persons acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of an entity with any financial institution transacting business in this state, such person may provide the financial institution with a certificate to evidence the existence of the entity and the authority of such person to act for or on behalf of the entity with respect to the account. The certificate of existence and authority shall be an affidavit executed by such person and shall include the following, as applicable: (a) The name and mailing address of the entity; (b) The type of entity and the state, country, or other governmental authority under whose laws the entity was formed; (c) The organization date of the entity; (d) The name, mailing address, and office or other position held by the person executing the certificate; and (e) A statement that the board of directors, managers, members, general partners, or other governing body of the entity opening the account has duly taken all action legally required to open the account in the name of the entity and the name, office, or other position of the person who has been duly authorized to engage in transactions with respect to the account, including any limitation that may exist upon the authority of such person to bind the entity and any other matters concerning the manner in which such person may deal with the account. If the deposit or loan is to be opened on behalf of an institution of higher education, the statement shall be accompanied by a resolution certified by the secretary of the governing board. (2) If a financial institution accepts a certificate of existence and authority pursuant to this section, the financial institution may open and administer the account in accordance with the information set forth therein and shall not be liable for so doing even if any such information is inaccurate, unless the financial institution has actual knowledge of such inaccuracy or knowledge sufficient to cause a reasonably prudent person to doubt the accuracy of such information. (3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a financial institution from requesting additional information or requiring other agreements in order to establish a deposit or loan account for an entity, including without limitation a resolution, certificate of good standing, trade name registration, request for taxpayer identification number, entity agreements, or documents or parts thereof evidencing the existence of the entity or the authority of the person executing the certificate, and an indemnification that is acceptable to the financial institution. (4) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) "Entity" means any government or governmental subdivision or agency, and any domestic or foreign corporation, limited liability company, general partnership, limited partnership, limited partnership association, limited liability partnership, limited liability limited partnership, joint venture, cooperative, association, or other legal entity, whether operated for profit or not for profit. (b) "Financial institution" means any federal or state chartered commercial bank, savings and loan association, savings bank, or credit union.

C.R.S. § 11-105-206 Jurisdiction of the district court

11-105-206. Jurisdiction of the district court. (Repealed)

C.R.S. § 11-105-208 Consumer protection

11-105-208. Consumer protection. (1) Every Colorado bank using a communications facility shall provide its account holders, at the time the facility is used, with a receipt or record of each banking transaction initiated at a facility. Such receipt or record shall be admissible as evidence in any legal action or proceeding and shall constitute prima facie proof of the banking transaction evidenced by such receipt or record. When a Colorado bank furnishes a statement of a demand, savings, or loan account to an account holder, such statement shall reflect each banking transaction affecting such account made by the account holder at a communications facility during the period covered by the statement. (2) With respect to any card or other device issued to an account holder for use at a communications facility, any account holder whose card or device is lost or stolen and subsequently used by an unauthorized person shall only be liable for the lesser of fifty dollars or the amount of money, goods, or services obtained by the unauthorized use prior to notice to the Colorado bank that issued the card or device of the theft or loss. If the unauthorized use occurs through no fault of the account holder, no liability shall be imposed on the account holder. (3) No account holder shall be held liable for any loss occurring as the result of any tampering or manipulation of a communications facility unless such account holder performs or authorizes such acts. (4) Commercial banks shall continue to offer customers the right to use checking accounts. No bank shall make the use of such accounts burdensome with intent to discourage such use. The banking board shall issue rules designed to prevent violation of this provision. (5) (a) No agreement to operate or share a communications facility may prohibit, limit, or restrict the right of the operator or owner of the communications facility to charge a customer conducting a transaction using an account from a foreign bank a usual and customary access fee or surcharge unless prohibited under state or federal law. (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this subsection (5), nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit, limit, or otherwise restrict the right of the operator or owner of a communications facility from voluntarily entering into an agreement to participate in a surcharge-free network.

C.R.S. § 11-105-209 Permissive sharing among dissimilar institutions

11-105-209. Permissive sharing among dissimilar institutions. (Repealed)

C.R.S. § 11-105-210 No operation by bank employees

11-105-210. No operation by bank employees. (Repealed)

C.R.S. § 11-105-211 Merchant code for firearms

11-105-211. Merchant code for firearms. A payment card network, as defined in section 6-27-201 (7), or a merchant acquirer, as defined in section 6-27-201 (5), shall comply with part 2 of article 27 of title 6.

C.R.S. § 11-105-301 Reserves against deposits

11-105-301. Reserves against deposits. State banks that are subject to reserve provisions of the "Federal Reserve Act" shall maintain such reserves against deposits as may be required by the "Federal Reserve Act", but, in addition thereto, the banking board may by rule impose reserve requirements that it deems prudent and sound on said banks or on state banks not subject to reserve provisions of the "Federal Reserve Act".

C.R.S. § 11-105-302 Loans, acceptances, investments, and letters of credit

11-105-302. Loans, acceptances, investments, and letters of credit. A state bank may make such loans, secured or unsecured, accept such drafts, make such investments, and issue such letters of credit as shall be permissible pursuant to rules promulgated by the banking board or otherwise permitted by this code. In promulgating such rules the banking board shall consider all relevant factors, including without limitation the policies set forth in section 11-101-102.

C.R.S. § 11-105-303 Corporate powers - interest and charges

11-105-303. Corporate powers - interest and charges. In addition to the general corporate powers granted by this code, a state bank has the power, subject to the limitations and restrictions imposed by this code and the rules of the banking board, to lend money either upon the security of real property or personal property, or otherwise; to charge, or to receive in advance, interest therefor; and to contract for a charge for a secured or unsecured installment loan.

C.R.S. § 11-105-304 Bank investments - customers' orders

11-105-304. Bank investments - customers' orders. (1) In addition to other investments, expressly authorized by this code or the rules promulgated by the banking board, a state bank may purchase: (a) Obligations that satisfy the requirements of this code or the rules promulgated by the banking board for loans; (b) Obligations of, or fully guaranteed by, the United States, a state of the United States, or the Dominion of Canada; (c) Obligations of the international bank for reconstruction and redevelopment; (d) Farm loan bonds issued by any federal land bank organized pursuant to an act of congress approved July 17, 1916, entitled: "An Act to provide capital for agricultural development, to create standard forms of investment based upon farm mortgages, to furnish a market for United States bonds, to create government depositories and financial agents for the United States, and for other purposes." and known as the "Federal Farm Loan Act", and acts amendatory thereto. Such farm loan bonds shall be accepted as security for all public deposits and in all cases where bonds are required by law to be deposited with any department or public official of this state, but this section shall not be so construed as to prohibit such moneys or deposits from being invested in such other securities provided for by law. (e) General obligations of a territory of the United States, a province of the Dominion of Canada, a political subdivision or instrumentality of a state or territory of the United States; (f) Obligations of a corporation chartered by the United States or a state thereof doing business in the United States; an authority organized under state law, an interstate compact, or by substantially identical legislation adopted by two or more states if any of the foregoing under this paragraph (f) are approved by the banking board for investment; (g) Revenue obligations issued to provide, enlarge, or improve electric power, gas, water, and sewer facilities by any city or town having a population of not less than two thousand people at the time of the investment, located in any state in the United States or territories thereof; (h) Such other obligations as the general assembly has designated or may from time to time designate as legal investments for public funds. (2) A state bank may invest an amount not exceeding ten percent of its capital as defined in the rules promulgated by the banking board in the stock of a corporation exclusively engaged in trust business and incorporated as a trust company under article 109 of this title, but every such investment shall be subject to prior approval of the banking board. (3) A state bank's investment in the stock of a safe deposit company is governed by section 11-105-501. (4) A state bank may purchase or sell without recourse any security, including corporate stock, upon the order of a customer and for such customer's account. (5) A state bank may, to the extent that banks subject to the laws of the federal government are permitted so to do and to the extent permitted by the rules of the banking board, purchase shares of stock in small business investment companies organized under Public Law No. 85-699, 85th Congress, known as the "Small Business Investment Act of 1958", and as amended, but in no event shall any state bank hold shares in small business investment companies in an amount aggregating more than three percent of the bank's capital and surplus. (6) No limitation or prohibition otherwise imposed by any provision of state law relating to banks shall prevent a state bank from investing not more than ten percent of the bank's capital as defined in the rules promulgated by the banking board in a bank service corporation as defined in 12 U.S.C. secs. 1861 to 1865, inclusive, and as amended, subject to the rights, powers, and limitations contained therein, and such investment by state banks is expressly authorized to the extent permitted by the rules of the banking board. investing not more than ten percent of the bank's capital as defined in the rules promulgated by the banking board in a bank service corporation as defined in 12 U.S.C. secs. 1861 to 1865, inclusive, and as amended, subject to the rights, powers, and limitations contained therein, and such investment by state banks is expressly authorized to the extent permitted by the rules of the banking board. (7) Notwithstanding any restrictions upon investments in obligations, powers, or activities contained in this code, a state bank may invest in any obligation, exercise such powers, and engage in such activities that such bank could legally acquire, exercise, and engage in were it operating as a national bank at the time such investment was made, such powers were exercised, or such activities were engaged in, to the extent permitted by the rules promulgated by the banking board. (8) A state bank may invest an amount not exceeding ten percent of its capital as defined in the rules promulgated by the banking board in the stock of any bank or bank holding company that provides services solely to depository institutions and their shareholders, directors, officers, and employees, wherein the ownership of stock of the bank or bank holding company, except for any stock required by law to be owned by directors of the bank or bank holding company, is restricted to banks or bank holding companies. The amount of stock owned by a state bank in any such bank or bank holding company shall not be in excess of five percent of the voting shares of such bank or bank holding company. (9) (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 11-105-102 (2), a state bank may directly engage in activities that are primarily investments in real estate or may acquire and hold the voting stock of one or more corporations the activities of which are primarily investments in real estate. Such activities may include subdividing and developing real property and building residential housing or commercial improvements on such property and may also include owning, renting, leasing, managing, operating for income, or selling such property. Investments in real estate subject to section 11-105-401 may, at the bank's option, be included in investments authorized in this subsection (9) and thereby be removed from the restrictions of section 11-105-401. Such property shall be entered on the books at not more than cost or fair market value, whichever is less, but without any charge off as required under section 11-105-401 (1)(d). The total of all investments made by a state bank pursuant to the authority of this subsection (9), including any loans and guarantees made by the bank on such property or made to or for the benefit of corporations the stock of which it holds pursuant to the authority of this subsection (9), shall not exceed ten percent of its total assets. The authority provided in this subsection (9) is in addition to investment in fixed assets of the bank pursuant to section 11-105-402. f this subsection (9), including any loans and guarantees made by the bank on such property or made to or for the benefit of corporations the stock of which it holds pursuant to the authority of this subsection (9), shall not exceed ten percent of its total assets. The authority provided in this subsection (9) is in addition to investment in fixed assets of the bank pursuant to section 11-105-402. (b) Upon finding that such restrictions are necessary according to the criteria set forth in section 11-102-105 and the policies set forth in section 11-101-102, the banking board may adopt rules that restrict the total investments of a state bank under this subsection (9) to a percentage less than ten percent of the bank's total assets. Nothing in this subsection (9) shall authorize a state bank to contravene a lawful order of the banking board or commissioner with respect to investments by the state bank in real estate or corporations engaging in real estate activities. A state bank that intends to initiate a program of investments under the authority of this subsection (9) shall give sixty days' advance notice to the division of such intent; except that such notice may be waived in the banking board's discretion where such notice is impracticable or unnecessary. The state bank shall also notify the division within ten days after the commencement of the investment program. If similar notices are required by the bank's federal supervisory agency, the same form of notice may be used for purposes of notice under this subsection (9). (10) A state bank may invest in the securities of, or other interests in, any open-end and closed-end management type investment company or investment trust registered under the federal "Investment Company Act of 1940", 15 U.S.C. sec. 80a-1 et seq., if the portfolio of such investment company or investment trust is limited to United States government obligations that are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government and to repurchase agreements fully collateralized by such obligations and if any such investment company or investment trust actually takes delivery of such collateral, either directly or through an authorized custodian.

C.R.S. § 11-105-305 Acceptances - letters of credit

11-105-305. Acceptances - letters of credit. (1) A state bank may accept: (a) A draft that has not more than six months' sight to run, exclusive of days of grace, and is drawn to finance the purchase of goods with maturity in accordance with the original terms of purchase, or is secured by shipping documents transferring or securing title to goods, or by receipt of a licensed or bonded warehouse or elevator transferring or securing title to readily marketable staples; (b) A draft that has no more than three months' sight to run, exclusive of days of grace, and is drawn by a bank outside the continental limits of the United States for the purpose of furnishing dollar exchange for trade. (2) A state bank may issue letters of credit, but, unless the authority conferred to draw upon the bank or its correspondents is limited to such drafts as a bank is authorized by this section to accept, the amount of the credit outstanding at any one time shall be deemed to be a loan to the person for whose account the credit was issued.

C.R.S. § 11-105-401 Acquisition of property to satisfy indebtedness

11-105-401. Acquisition of property to satisfy indebtedness. (1) A state bank may take property of any kind to satisfy, in whole or in part, or to protect indebtedness previously created in good faith by it. Property acquired by a state bank to apply on an indebtedness to a state bank shall be held subject to the following limitations: (a) Stock shall be sold within six months or such additional period not exceeding eighteen months as the banking board may allow. (b) Real estate may be used in the banking business, subject to the conditions prescribed by this code for property purchased for such use, or may be rented. Real estate may be put in such condition as will reasonably facilitate its sale. Unless used in the banking business, it shall be sold within fifteen years or such longer period as the banking board may allow. (c) Other property, the acquisition of which is not otherwise authorized by this code, shall be sold within two years or such longer period as the banking board may allow. (d) The property shall be entered on the books at not more than cost or fair market value, whichever is less, except as otherwise provided by the banking board. Each bank maintaining property acquired to satisfy indebtedness will obtain an initial written appraisal and subsequent appraisals as to fair market value by a qualified independent appraiser or such other person as the banking board may approve. The subsequent appraisals shall be obtained pursuant to rules of the state banking board; except that, for purposes of this subsection (1)(d), an appraisal, as defined in section 12-10-602 (1), by an appraiser certified or licensed pursuant to section 12-10-611 shall not be required on properties initially valued pursuant to this subsection (1)(d) at a value consistent with federal requirements and established pursuant to rules of the state banking board. If the appraiser or other person approved by the banking board certifies in writing the appraiser's or other person's opinion that the fair market value has not declined, this opinion may be substituted for a subsequent appraisal.

C.R.S. § 11-105-402 Banking property - acquisition

11-105-402. Banking property - acquisition. (1) A state bank may invest in fixed assets of the bank or the stock or obligations of any corporation holding such fixed assets or may make loans to or upon the security of the stock of any such corporation, but the aggregate of all such investments and loans shall not exceed one hundred percent of the bank's capital, as provided in the rules promulgated by the banking board; except that the banking board may approve a larger investment upon application of the bank if the banking board deems the same prudent. As used in this subsection (1), "fixed assets" means real estate, leasehold improvements, fixtures, furniture, and equipment; "real estate" and "leasehold improvements" include land and buildings to be used in the transaction of the bank's business and any excess space that may be rented to others. (2) The rate of depreciation of property so acquired may be prescribed by the banking board.

C.R.S. § 11-105-403 Sale of assets

11-105-403. Sale of assets. A bank chartered in this or another state may sell any asset in the ordinary course of business or, with the approval of the banking board, in any other circumstance. The sale of all, or substantially all, of the assets of a bank or of a department thereof is governed by section 11-103-709.

C.R.S. § 11-105-404 Pledge of assets

11-105-404. Pledge of assets. (1) A state bank may pledge its assets to: (a) Enable it to act as agent for the sale of obligations of the United States; (b) Secure borrowed funds; (c) Secure deposits if: (I) The depositor is required to obtain such security by the laws of the United States, by the terms of any interstate compact, by the laws of any state, or by the order of a court of competent jurisdiction; or (II) The state bank secures the deposit with a letter of credit issued or confirmed by a federal home loan bank; or (d) Otherwise comply with the provisions of this code.

C.R.S. § 11-105-405 Signature guaranty

11-105-405. Signature guaranty. (1) A bank may become guarantor of the genuineness of a signature. (2) A bank guaranteeing the signature of a person on any document warrants to any person relying on such guaranty only that: (a) The signature is that of a person signing; (b) The signer is the holder or the signer has purported authority to sign in the name of the holder; except that, if the holder purports to act as a fiduciary, as "fiduciary" is defined either in this code or in article 1 of title 15, or if the holder's name is signed by a person purporting to act on the holder's behalf as such a fiduciary, the bank warrants that the holder or person signing as fiduciary is in fact the fiduciary purported to be and warrants that the bank has no actual knowledge that the fiduciary is committing a breach of the fiduciary's obligation as the fiduciary in signing the document and that it has no knowledge of facts that its action in guaranteeing the signature amounts to bad faith; and (c) The signer has legal capacity to sign. (3) A bank may disclaim in its guaranty all or any part of the obligations set forth in paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of this section.

C.R.S. § 11-105-501 Safe deposit boxes - leasing and subsidiary company

11-105-501. Safe deposit boxes - leasing and subsidiary company. (1) Subject to such rules as the banking board may prescribe, a bank may maintain and lease safe deposit boxes and may accept property for safekeeping if, except in the case of night depositories, it issues a receipt therefor. (2) A bank may own stock in a safe deposit company located in the same community in which the bank is doing business, not exceeding in aggregate cost fifteen percent of its capital and surplus, but at least ninety percent of the stock in such safe deposit company in which such stock is so owned must be owned by banks or trust companies.

C.R.S. § 11-105-502 Access by fiduciaries

11-105-502. Access by fiduciaries. (1) Where a safe deposit box is made available by a lessor to one or more persons acting as fiduciaries, the lessor may, except as otherwise expressly provided in the lease or the writings pursuant to which such fiduciaries are acting, allow access thereto as follows: (a) By any one or more of the persons acting as executors or administrators; (b) By any one or more of the persons otherwise acting as fiduciaries, when authorized in writing, signed by all other persons so acting; (c) By any agent authorized in writing, signed by all of the persons acting as fiduciaries.

C.R.S. § 11-105-503 Lease to minor

11-105-503. Lease to minor. A lessor may lease a safe deposit box to, or accept property for safekeeping from, a minor and, in connection therewith, deal with such minor to the same effect as if dealing with a person of full legal capacity, unless and until the minor's guardian or conservator files with the lessor a certified copy of the order of a Colorado court having jurisdiction appointing such guardian or conservator and directs otherwise.

C.R.S. § 11-105-504 Death of lessee - procedure

11-105-504. Death of lessee - procedure. The provisions of section 15-10-111, C.R.S., shall apply on the death of a lessee of a safe deposit box as defined in section 11-101-401.

C.R.S. § 11-105-505 Adverse claims to safe deposit box

11-105-505. Adverse claims to safe deposit box. (1) An adverse claim to the contents of a safe deposit box is not sufficient reason to require the lessor to deny access to its lessee unless: (a) The lessor is directed to do so by a court order issued in an action in which the lessee is served with process and named as a party by a name that identifies the lessee with the name in which the safe deposit box is leased; or (b) The safe deposit box is leased, or the property is held, in the name of a lessee with the addition of words indicating that the contents, or property, are held in a fiduciary capacity for a named beneficiary or beneficiaries, and the adverse claim is supported by a sworn written statement of facts disclosing that it is made by, or on behalf of, such a beneficiary and that there is reason to know that the fiduciary may misappropriate the trust property. (2) A claim is also an adverse claim where one of several lessees claims, contrary to the terms of the lease, an exclusive right of access, or where one or more persons claim a right of access as agents or officers of a lessee to the exclusion of others as agents or officers, or where it is claimed that a lessee is the same person as one using another name. (3) The lessor of a safe deposit box shall not be deemed to be in possession or control of the contents thereof for the purposes of section 13-54.5-103, C.R.S., or any other statute or rule pertaining to writs of garnishment.

C.R.S. § 11-105-506 Annual fees

11-105-506. Annual fees. Every lessor, except a bank as defined in section 11-101-401 (5) or subsidiary thereof, shall pay annually to the division of banking such fees as are determined by the banking board to be sufficient to defray the cost to the state of regulating such lessor.

C.R.S. § 11-105-601 Legislative declaration

11-105-601. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds, determines, and declares that distinctions in function and services of various types of financial institutions have become so narrow that organizational and operational equality should be encouraged and facilitated in this state. It is the intent of the general assembly to enact legislation that will promote the safety and soundness of financial institutions for the benefit of the public, improve efficiency for the economic operation of those financial institutions, and ensure that the state of Colorado, by its appropriate action, will continue its control of those financial institutions within its jurisdiction. (2) Repealed.

C.R.S. § 11-105-602 Financial branches allowed - conversion of financial institutions to branches - acquisitions

11-105-602. Financial branches allowed - conversion of financial institutions to branches - acquisitions. (1) Any financial institution may convert any affiliate financial institution to a branch. (2) Any financial institution, no matter the location of its principal place of business, may acquire any other financial institution for conversion to a branch or branches in this or another state. (3) (a) Any bank, no matter the location of its principal place of business, upon thirty days' prior written notice to the banking board or the commissioner, may establish one or more de novo branches anywhere in this or another state. (b) Any bank or savings and loan association may, upon thirty days' written notice to the banking board or commissioner, be converted to a branch of any bank or savings and loan association. (b.5) (I) No financial institution may directly or indirectly establish or maintain or cause to be established or maintained its principal office, a loan production office, a deposit production office, an electronic communications device, or a branch in this state on or within one and one-half miles from premises or property owned, leased, or otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly, by an affiliate that engages in commercial activities. (II) Repealed. (c) The banking board and the financial services board shall adopt policies and procedures by rule no more restrictive than federal regulatory policies and procedures relative to notice of branches to be established under this subsection (3).

C.R.S. § 11-105-603 Financial institutions - common powers and limitations

11-105-603. Financial institutions - common powers and limitations. (1) Any acquisition of a branch from another financial institution is subject to the percentage limitation set forth in subsection (5) of this section. Such an acquisition by a financial institution is expressly authorized, and the location of such branch may be changed pursuant to law. (2) Nothing in this part 6 applies to a branch facility operating under an emergency grant pursuant to section 11-103-809; however, such a branch facility may continue to operate in perpetuity as a branch without being subject to any percentage limitation on branches set forth in this part 6. (3) Nothing in this part 6 or part 2 of article 104 of this title prevents the acquisition of any financial institution in this state by any other financial institution; however, any conversion of all or any part thereof to a branch must be in accordance with this part 6. (4) If any financial institution converts any affiliate financial institution to a branch pursuant to the provisions of this part 6, such financial institution at the time of such conversion or immediately thereafter shall meet the capital standards for banks in Colorado as required by the "Colorado Banking Code", by any rules of the banking board, or by the commissioner. (5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part 6, no financial institution that acquires any other financial institution on or after August 1, 1991, may convert the acquired financial institution to a branch or branches if such conversion or conversions will result in the acquiring financial institution controlling more than twenty-five percent of the aggregate of all deposits in all banks, savings and loan associations, federal savings banks, and other financial institutions located in Colorado that are federally insured. For the purpose of this subsection (5), deposits shall be determined based upon the public reports most recently filed with the appropriate federal regulatory agency.

C.R.S. § 11-105-604 Subsidiary depository institutions as agent

11-105-604. Subsidiary depository institutions as agent. (1) Any bank subsidiary of a bank holding company may receive deposits, renew time deposits, close loans, service loans, and receive payments on loans and other obligations as an agent for an affiliate financial institution, as such authority is set forth in section 101(d) of the federal "Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994". Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a bank acting as an agent in accordance with this subsection (1) for an affiliate financial institution shall not be considered to be a branch of the affiliate. (2) Any contract entered into pursuant to section 11-25-105 as it existed prior to July 1, 1995, shall remain valid and in effect according to the terms of the contract and any subsequent agreement of the contracting financial institutions.

C.R.S. § 11-105-605 Rule-making by banking board and financial services board

11-105-605. Rule-making by banking board and financial services board. (1) The banking board shall promulgate and adopt such rules as are necessary to accomplish the purposes of this part 6. (2) The financial services board shall promulgate and adopt such rules as are necessary to accomplish the purposes of this part 6. (3) The banking board and the financial services board shall coordinate their rule-making that implements the provisions of this part 6 so that the procedures and time periods are the same for each type of financial institution to give notice of a branch thereunder.

C.R.S. § 11-105-606 Notice of branch closing

11-105-606. Notice of branch closing. No later than ninety days prior to the proposed date of any branch closing, the "notice of branch closing" required to be filed with the appropriate federal regulatory agency shall be filed with the banking board or the financial services board. The notice of branch closing shall include a detailed statement of the reasons for the decision to close the branch and statistical or other information in support of such reasons.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-11.docxFetched: 10/6/2026

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