32-1-452. Dividends, surplus, losses, and bad debts. (1) The directors of a bank may, at certain times and in the manner as its bylaws prescribe, declare and pay dividends to the stockholders of so much of the net undivided profits of the banks as may be appropriated for that purpose, but every bank shall, before declaring any dividend, carry at least 25% of its net earnings for the period covered by the dividend to its surplus, until the surplus is 50% of its paid-up capital stock. The whole or any part of the surplus may at any time be converted into paid-in capital, but the surplus must be restored as provided in this subsection until it amounts to 50% of the aggregate paid-up capital stock. A larger surplus may be created.
     (2) A dividend larger than the previous 2 years' net earnings may not be declared without giving notice to the division.
     (3) Losses sustained by a bank in excess of its undivided profits may be charged to and paid from the surplus, but the surplus must be restored in the manner provided in subsection (1) in the amount required by this chapter.

     History: En. Sec. 34, Ch. 89, L. 1927; re-en. Sec. 6014.38, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 5-513; amd. Sec. 31, Ch. 395, L. 1993.