ARTICLE 2. Petition for Certificate of Authority [5500. - 5506.]

Cal. Financial Code - FIN 2.

in effect

Cal. Financial Code - FIN § 5500. Section 5500.

Within 60 days after issuance of an organizing permit under Article 1 (commencing with Section 5400) any person may request authority to form a capital stock or mutual association by filing with the commissioner three copies of a petition for a certificate of authority and proposed articles of incorporation. The petition shall also be accompanied by three copies of proposed bylaws which shall make provisions for the following: (a) Annual and special meetings of members or stockholders, and notice of meetings. (b) Procedure for nomination of directors. (c) Meetings of board of directors. (d) Resignation and removal of directors. (e) Compensation of directors. (f) Officers. (g) Execution of instruments. (h) Evidence of savings accounts. (i) Corporate seal. (j) Fiscal year. (k) Amendments. ( l ) Disaster preparedness. (m) Other matters, if any. The petitioners shall submit with their petitions any applicable filing fee prescribed under Section 9001 and any statements, exhibits, maps, and other data that the commissioner may require by written instruction in a form which is sufficiently detailed and comprehensive to enable the commissioner to make a decision on the petition based on the criteria set out in Section 5502.

Cal. Financial Code - FIN § 5501. Section 5501.

Upon receipt of a petition for a certificate of authority, the commissioner shall give written notice to each association that a petition for the issuance of a certificate has been made. The notice shall state the name of the proposed association, where the petitioners propose to establish the home office of the association, and if the commissioner determines that a hearing is to be held on the petition, the time and place of the hearing. The hearing shall be held 10 or more days after the mailing of the notice but in no event later than 60 days after the mailing of the notice. Any interested person may appear at the hearing in person or by agent or attorney, and orally or in writing show cause upon any relevant ground why a certificate should not be issued.

Cal. Financial Code - FIN § 5501.5. Section 5501.5.

The articles of incorporation of each domestic association incorporated after January 1, 1984, shall include a statement that it is formed for each of the following purposes: (a) To engage primarily in the specific business of a savings association and any other lawful activities not prohibited to a savings association by applicable laws and regulations. (b) To encourage industry, frugality, home building, and the accumulation of savings. That statement shall add either “among its members” or “among its savings account holders” and may also add “and among others.” (c) For the loaning of the money accumulated, with the interest and earnings thereon. The statement shall add either “to its members” or “to its savings account holders” and the statement may also add “and to others.” (d) For the repayment subject to the provisions of this division and any act amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto of the savings and interest to each savings account holder whenever the savings account holder desires to withdraw the same, or when the association desires to repay the same. (e) In the case of a stock association, for the purpose of issuing capital stock and savings accounts. (f) In the case of a mutual association, for the purpose of accumulating capital by the issuance of savings accounts and to grant holders of savings accounts the right to be a member of the association with entitlement to one vote for each one hundred dollars ($100) of the withdrawal value of each savings account to be voted in person or by proxy to transact the business of the association. (g) For any and all purposes specified in the Savings Association Law with all the rights, powers, privileges and immunities as set forth in that law. The above provisions are in lieu of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 202 of the Corporations Code and may be supplemented or modified with such provisions as the commissioner may approve.

Cal. Financial Code - FIN § 5502. Section 5502.

The commissioner shall not approve any petition for certificate of authority unless it is found from the data furnished with the petition, the evidence adduced at the hearing, if one is held, and official records, that the prerequisites of this division have been complied with and that: (a) The character, responsibility, financial resources, and general fitness of the persons named in the petition warrant belief that the business of the proposed association will be honestly and efficiently conducted in accordance with the intent and purpose of this division and that the proposed association will have qualified full-time management. (b) There is a public need for the proposed association and the business plan, and the anticipated volume of business of the proposed association indicates a profitable operation.

Cal. Financial Code - FIN § 5503. Section 5503.

(a) The commissioner shall, within a reasonable time after the petition is filed, or within a reasonable time after the hearing, if one is held, either approve or deny the petition for a certificate of authority. (b) If approved, the commissioner shall issue a certificate of approval of the articles of incorporation of the association and shall issue a notice of conditional approval of the petition for a certificate of authority. Upon satisfaction of all of the conditions in the notice, the commissioner shall execute and issue to the association a certificate of authority. (c) If denied, upon written request of any petitioner, the commissioner shall provide the statutory reason for denial. Denial of the petition is a final decision and the petitioner shall not be entitled to any further administrative remedy. The petitioner shall discontinue the use of the reserved name and provide evidence to the commissioner that the Secretary of State has been notified to release the name reservation.

Cal. Financial Code - FIN § 5504. Section 5504.

Upon issuance of a certificate of approval of articles of incorporation to a proposed association, the commissioner shall attach the original signed copy of the certificate of approval to the original signed copy of the articles and deliver it to the proposed association for filing with the Secretary of State. Corporate existence shall begin on the date of filing of the articles with the Secretary of State. Prior to the date the commissioner issues the association a certificate of authority, the activities of the association shall be limited to completing its organization activities and the association shall not open its office for transacting business with the public.

Cal. Financial Code - FIN § 5505. Section 5505.

The articles of incorporation of a proposed association shall not be filed in the office of the Secretary of State unless a certificate of approval of the articles of incorporation issued by the commissioner is attached thereto.

Cal. Financial Code - FIN § 5506. Section 5506.

Within 30 days after the corporate existence of an association begins, the directors of the association shall hold an organization meeting and shall elect officers pursuant to the provisions of this division and the bylaws. At the organization meeting, the directors shall take any other action that is appropriate in connection with the organization of the association. The commissioner may extend by order the time within which the organization meeting shall be held.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026