(a) The Commissioner may authorize any financial institution to convert itself into a savings bank in a manner consistent with the provisions of applicable law and regulations of the institution.
(b) Plan and Application. In order to obtain such authorization, the converting institution's board must approve and authorize the filing of a conversion plan and application. Upon approval of the conversion plan, the plan must be approved by a majority vote of the members or shareholders of the financial institution entitled to vote at any annual or special meeting called to consider such conversion, a resolution declaring that the savings bank will be so converted, which resolution, verified by affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary, must be filed with the Commissioner and mailed to the appropriate banking agency within 10 days after the date of its adoption. At the meeting to vote on a conversion to a savings bank, the members or stockholders must also vote on the directors of the savings bank. The proposed directors must execute an application for savings bank charter as provided by Finance Code Chapter 92, Subchapter B, and §75.121 of this title (relating to Savings Bank Charter).
(c) Review by Commissioner; Approval. The Commissioner, on receipt of the application and verified copy of the minutes, will conduct an examination of the financial institution seeking conversion. Following the examination, the Commissioner will approve the conversion without a hearing if the Commissioner determines that the converting financial institution is in sound condition and meets all standards, conditions, and requirements of Finance Code Chapter 92, Subchapter B, and §75.121 of this title.
(d) Denial; Request for Hearing. An applicant is entitled to a hearing under Chapter 2001 of the Texas Government Code if the Commissioner denies an application to convert and a written request for a hearing is delivered to the Commissioner within 10 days after the date of denial. A hearings officer designated by the Commissioner will hold the hearing. The Commissioner will render a decision within 30 days after the date the hearings officer issues his or her proposal for decision and the applicable time period for filing exceptions to the proposal for decision and replies to such exceptions has lapsed without the hearings officer amending the proposal for decision. Only then will the hearing be deemed to be completed for purposes of Finance Code §92.304.

Source Note: The provisions of this §75.144 adopted to be effective November 20, 2022, 47 TexReg 7535