(a) Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in this section, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
  (1) Equipment includes all movable furniture, fixtures, and equipment of the credit union, its branch offices, and consolidated credit union service organizations, including automobiles and other vehicles, and any lien on the above.
  (2) Immediate family member--a spouse or other family member living in the same household.
  (3) Premises include the cost less accumulated depreciation, of land and buildings actually owned and occupied (or to be occupied) by the credit union, its branch offices, and consolidated credit union service organizations. This includes vaults, fixed machinery, parking facilities, and real estate acquired and intended, in good faith, for future expansion. It also includes capitalized leases, leasehold improvements, and remodeling costs to existing premises.
  (4) Senior Management Employee--the chief executive officer, any assistant chief executive officers (e.g. vice presidents and above) and the chief financial officer.
(b) Investment Limitations on Premises. Without the prior written consent of the Department, a credit union may not directly or indirectly invest an amount in excess of its net worth in premises.
(c) Restrictions on Ownership of Property. A credit union shall not acquire premises for the principal purpose of engaging in real estate rentals or speculation.
(d) Transactions with insiders. Without the prior approval of a disinterested majority of the board of directors recorded in the minutes or, if a disinterested majority cannot be obtained, the prior written approval of the commissioner, a credit union may not directly or indirectly:
  (1) sell or lease an asset of the credit union to a director, committee member, or senior management employee, or immediate family members of such individual; or
  (2) purchase or lease an asset in which a director, committee member, senior management employee, or immediate family members of such individual has an interest.
(e) Use requirement for premises. If real property or leasehold interest is acquired and intended, in good faith, for use in future expansion, the credit union must partially satisfy the "primarily for its own use in conducting business" requirement within five years after the credit union makes the investment.
(f) Consent to Exceed Limitation. Generally, a credit union need not obtain the Department's approval to invest in premises. However, prior approval is required if the total aggregate investment in premises will exceed the credit union's net worth. A credit union shall submit such statements and reports as the Department may require in support of the higher investment limit.
  (1) When analyzing an application for an additional investment in credit union premises, the Department will consider:
    (A) Consistency with safe and sound credit union practices;
    (B) The reasonableness of the amount of credit union premises and the annual expenditures required to carry them relative to the credit union's net worth and the nature and volume of operations; and
    (C) The effect of the investment on future earnings.
  (2) The Department will consider denying a request for an additional investment in credit union premises when:
    (A) The additional investment would have a material negative effect on the credit union's earnings, capital, or liquidity; or
    (B) The credit union has not demonstrated a reasonable need for the additional investment.
  (3) The Department may impose appropriate special conditions for an approval of an additional credit union premises investment, if it determines that they are necessary or appropriate to protect the safety and soundness of the credit union or to further other supervisory or policy considerations.

Source Note: The provisions of this §91.401 adopted to be effective March 14, 2004, 29 TexReg 2306; amended to be effective March 14, 2010, 35 TexReg 1978; amended to be effective March 16, 2014, 39 TexReg 1703; amended to be effective November 8, 2015, 40 TexReg 7662