AR SB739

Amends Arkansas Code § 23-48-702(b) to allow Arkansas banks to establish full-service branches anywhere within the United States with supervisory banking authority approval, and permits out-of-state banks to establish full-service branches in Arkansas with approval from their bank supervisory agencies and a certificate of authority from the Arkansas Bank Commissioner

Repeals Arkansas Code § 23-48-901 (definitions related to interstate branches), § 23-48-904 (prohibition on de novo interstate branches), and § 23-48-906(c) (activities of out-of-state bank branches), thereby removing restrictions on interstate branching

Permits state banks that relocate their main office to continue using the former location as a full-service branch if use is uninterrupted, and allows banks resulting from merger transactions to establish additional branches where merger participant banks could have established branches

Allows federal or state savings banks and associations chartered before August 13, 2001, with multi-state branches to convert to state banks and retain their existing branches both in-state and out-of-state

Amends Arkansas Code § 23-48-1001(a) to require out-of-state banks desiring to operate branches in Arkansas to apply for a certificate of authority, whether entering through interstate merger or establishment of a full-service branch, and declares an emergency effective upon Governor approval