§31A-8E-7. Powers; additional branches.

(a) An out-of-state state bank which establishes and maintains one or more branches in West Virginia under this article may conduct any activities at such branch or branches that are authorized under the laws of this state for West Virginia state banks.

(b) A West Virginia state bank may conduct any activity at a branch outside West Virginia that is expressly permissible for a bank chartered by the host state where the branch is located. Prior to commencing any such activity, the West Virginia state bank shall give the commissioner forty-five days advance notice of the intention to exercise any such powers which are not permitted to West Virginia state banks in their operations in this state under state law. This notice shall be made together with a filing providing a written summary with details of the proposed action or program, along with legal analysis for the authority to conduct the activities and how the exercise of the authority will not impair the safety and soundness of the bank and will be kept separate from its operations within West Virginia. Unless, within thirty days after receipt of the notice and filing, the commissioner objects or requests a hearing on the matter before the board, the exercise of the powers shall be deemed authorized. In the discretion of the commissioner or the board, authorization of such powers may be given in writing at any time.

(c) An out-of-state bank that has established or acquired a branch in West Virginia under this article may establish or acquire additional branches in West Virginia to the same extent that any West Virginia bank may establish or acquire a branch in West Virginia under applicable federal and state law. To the extent that an out-of-state bank has already established or acquired a branch in West Virginia and proposes to create additional branches by establishing another de novo branch, or by acquisition of another bank's branch in West Virginia, the provisions of this article govern the transaction.