BILL REQ. #:  H-1310.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/15/11.   

     AN ACT Relating to prize-linked savings deposits; amending RCW 9.46.0356, 19.170.020, 30.22.040, 31.12.402, 30.08.140, and 32.08.140; adding a new section to chapter 30.22 RCW; creating a new section; and providing a contingent effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that consumer savings is essential, both for individuals seeking to obtain the American dream, and in order to rebuild a strong economy. The legislature further finds that for most of the last two decades, consumers have borrowed more than they have saved, with current United States savings rates under six percent. The legislature intends to encourage financial institutions to develop innovative products that create incentives to encourage consumer savings, particularly savings by low-income consumers.

Sec. 2   RCW 9.46.0356 and 2000 c 228 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The legislature authorizes:
     (a) A business to conduct a promotional contest of chance as defined in this section, in this state, or partially in this state, whereby the elements of prize and chance are present but in which the element of consideration is not present;
     (b) A financial institution, as defined in RCW 30.22.040, to conduct a promotional contest of chance under this section in which a drawing for a prize is held that includes only those persons who deposited funds in a savings account, certificate of deposit, or any other savings program of the financial institution as eligible prize recipients. No such contest may be conducted, either wholly or partially, by means of the internet.
     (2) Promotional contests of chance under this section are not gambling as defined in RCW 9.46.0237.
     (3) Promotional contests of chance shall be conducted as advertising and promotional undertakings solely for the purpose of advertising or promoting the services, goods, wares, and merchandise of a business.
     (4) No person eligible to receive a prize in a promotional contest of chance under subsection (1)(a) of this section may be required to:
     (a) Pay any consideration to the promoter or operator of the business in order to participate in the contest; or
     (b) Purchase any service, goods, wares, merchandise, or anything of value from the business, however, for other than contests entered through a direct mail solicitation, the promoter or sponsor may give additional entries or chances upon purchase of service, goods, wares, or merchandise if the promoter or sponsor provides an alternate method of entry requiring no consideration.
     (5) No person eligible to receive a prize in a promotional contest of chance under subsection (1)(b) of this section may be required to pay any consideration other than the deposit of funds, or purchase any service, goods, wares, merchandise, or anything of value from the financial institution.
     (6)(a) As used in this section, "consideration" means anything of pecuniary value required to be paid to the promoter or sponsor in order to participate in a promotional contest. Such things as visiting a business location, placing or answering a telephone call, completing an entry form or customer survey, or furnishing a stamped, self-addressed envelope do not constitute consideration.
     (b) Coupons or entry blanks obtained by purchase of a bona fide newspaper or magazine or in a program sold in conjunction with a regularly scheduled sporting event are not consideration.
     (((6))) (7) Unless authorized by the commission, equipment or devices made for use in a gambling activity are prohibited from use in a promotional contest.
     (((7))) (8) This section shall not be construed to permit noncompliance with chapter 19.170 RCW, promotional advertising of prizes, and chapter 19.86 RCW, unfair business practices.

Sec. 3   RCW 19.170.020 and 1991 c 227 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
     (1) "Person" means an individual, corporation, the state or its subdivisions or agencies, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, cooperative, or any other legal entity.
     (2) "Prize" means a gift, award, travel coupon or certificate, free item, or any other item offered in a promotion that is different and distinct from the goods, service, or property promoted by a sponsor. "Prize" does not include an item offered in a promotion where all of the following elements are present:
     (a) No element of chance is involved in obtaining the item offered in the promotion;
     (b) The recipient has the right to review the merchandise offered for sale without obligation for at least seven days, and has a right to obtain a full refund in thirty days for the return of undamaged merchandise;
     (c) The recipient may keep the item offered in the promotion without obligation; and
     (d) The recipient is not required to attend any sales presentation or spend any sum in order to receive the item offered in the promotion.
     (3) "Promoter" means a person conducting a promotion.
     (4) "Promotion" means an advertising program, sweepstakes, contest, direct giveaway, or solicitation directed to specific named individuals, that includes the award of or chance to be awarded a prize, but does not include a promotional contest of chance under RCW 9.46.0356(1)(b).
     (5) "Offer" means a written notice delivered by hand, mail, or other print medium offering goods, services, or property made as part of a promotion to a person based on a representation that the person has been awarded, or will be awarded, a prize.
     (6) "Sponsor" means a person on whose behalf a promotion is conducted to promote or advertise goods, services, or property of that person.
     (7) "Simulated check" means a document that is not currency or a check, draft, note, bond, or other negotiable instrument but has the visual characteristics thereof. "Simulated check" does not include a nonnegotiable check, draft, note, or other instrument that is used for soliciting orders for the purchase of checks, drafts, notes, bonds, or other instruments and that is clearly marked as a sample, specimen, or nonnegotiable.
     (8) "Continuing obligation check" means a document that is a check, draft, note, bond, or other negotiable instrument that, when cashed, deposited, or otherwise used, imposes on the payee an obligation to enter into a loan transaction. This definition does not include checks, drafts, or other negotiable instruments that are used by consumers to take advances on revolving loans, credit cards, or revolving credit accounts.
     (9) "Verifiable retail value" means:
     (a) A price at which a promoter or sponsor can demonstrate that a substantial number of prizes have been sold at retail in the local market by a person other than the promoter or sponsor; or
     (b) If the prize is not available for retail sale in the local market, the retail fair market value in the local market of an item substantially similar in each significant aspect, including size, grade, quality, quantity, ingredients, and utility; or
     (c) If the value of the prize cannot be established under (a) or (b) of this subsection, then the prize may be valued at no more than three times its cost to the promoter or sponsor.
     (10) "Financial institution" means any bank, trust company, savings bank, savings and loan association, credit union, industrial loan company, or consumer finance lender subject to regulation by an official agency of this state or the United States, and any subsidiary or affiliate thereof.

Sec. 4   RCW 30.22.040 and 1981 c 192 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     Unless the context of this chapter otherwise requires, the terms contained in this section have the meanings indicated.
     (1) "Account" means a contract of deposit between a depositor or depositors and a financial institution; the term includes a checking account, savings account, certificate of deposit, savings certificate, share account, savings bond, and other like arrangements.
     (2) "Actual knowledge" means written notice to a manager of a branch of a financial institution, or an officer of the financial institution in the course of his employment at the branch, pertaining to funds held on deposit in an account maintained by the branch received within a period of time which affords the financial institution a reasonable opportunity to act upon the knowledge.
     (3) "Individual" means a human being; "person" includes an individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, trust, or other entity recognized by law to have separate legal powers.
     (4) "Agent" means a person designated by a depositor or depositors in a contract of deposit or other document to have the authority to deposit and to make payments from an account in the name of the depositor or depositors.
     (5) "Agency account" means an account to which funds may be deposited and from which payments may be made by an agent designated by a depositor. In the event there is more than one depositor named on an account, each depositor may designate the same or a different agent for the purpose of depositing to or making payments of funds from a depositor's account.
     (6) "Single account" means an account in the name of one depositor only.
     (7) "Joint account without right of survivorship" means an account in the name of two or more depositors and which contains no provision that the funds of a deceased depositor become the property of the surviving depositor or depositors.
     (8) "Joint account with right of survivorship" means an account in the name of two or more depositors and which provides that the funds of a deceased depositor become the property of one or more of the surviving depositors.
     (9) "Trust and P.O.D. accounts" means accounts payable on request to a depositor during the depositor's lifetime, and upon the depositor's death to one or more designated beneficiaries, or which are payable to two or more depositors during their lifetimes, and upon the death of all depositors to one or more designated beneficiaries. The term "trust account" does not include deposits by trustees or other fiduciaries where the trust or fiduciary relationship is established other than by a contract of deposit with a financial institution.
     (10) "Trust or P.O.D. account beneficiary" means a person or persons, other than a codepositor, who has or have been designated by a depositor or depositors to receive the depositor's funds remaining in an account upon the death of a depositor or all depositors.
     (11) "Depositor", when utilized in determining the rights of individuals to funds in an account, means an individual who owns the funds. When utilized in determining the rights of a financial institution to make or withhold payment, and/or to take any other action with regard to funds held under a contract of deposit, "depositor" means the individual or individuals who have the current right to payment of funds held under the contract of deposit without regard to the actual rights of ownership thereof by these individuals. A trust or P.O.D. account beneficiary becomes a depositor only when the account becomes payable to the beneficiary by reason of having survived the depositor or depositors named on the account, depending upon the provisions of the contract of deposit.
     (12) "Financial institution" means a bank, trust company, mutual savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union authorized to do business and accept deposits in this state under state or federal law.
     (13) "Depositor's funds" or "funds of a depositor" means the amount of all deposits belonging to or made for the benefit of a depositor, less all withdrawals of the funds by the depositor or by others for the depositor's benefit, plus the depositor's prorated share of any interest or dividends included in the current balance of the account and any proceeds of deposit life insurance added to the account by reason of the death of a depositor.
     (14) "Payment(s)" of sums on deposit includes withdrawal, payment by check or other directive of a depositor or his agent, any pledge of sums on deposit by a depositor or his agent, any set-off or reduction or other disposition of all or part of an account balance, and any payments to any person under RCW 30.22.120, 30.22.140, 30.22.150, 30.22.160, 30.22.170, 30.22.180, 30.22.190, 30.22.200, and 30.22.220.
     (15) "Proof of death" means a certified or authenticated copy of a death certificate, or photostatic copy thereof, purporting to be issued by an official or agency of the jurisdiction where the death purportedly occurred, or a certified or authenticated copy of a record or report of a governmental agency, domestic or foreign, that a person is dead. In either case, the proofs constitute prima facie proof of the fact, place, date, and time of death, and identity of the decedent and the status of the dates, circumstances, and places disclosed by the record or report.
     (16) "Request" means a request for withdrawal, or a check or order for payment, which complies with all conditions of the account, including special requirements concerning necessary signatures and regulations of the financial institution; but if the financial institution conditions withdrawal or payment on advance notice, for purposes of this chapter the request for withdrawal or payment is treated as immediately effective and a notice of intent to withdraw is treated as a request for withdrawal.
     (17) "Withdrawal" means payment to a person pursuant to check or other directive of a depositor.
     (18) "Director" means the director of the department of financial institutions or his or her designee.
     (19) "Promotional contest of chance" means a drawing for a prize that includes only those persons who deposited funds in a savings account, certificate of deposit, or any other savings program of the financial institution as eligible prize recipients.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   A new section is added to chapter 30.22 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) If approved by its board of directors, a financial institution may conduct a promotional contest of chance as permitted under RCW 9.46.0356(1)(b).
     (2) A financial institution must not conduct a savings promotional contest of chance, if, in the opinion of the director:
     (a) It is likely to or does adversely affect the financial institution's safety and soundness;
     (b) It is administered in an unsafe and unsound or imprudent manner, or in a manner that is likely to or does result in actual or potential reputational harm to the financial institution; or
     (c) It is likely to or has misled the financial institution's members, depositors, or the general public.
     (3) The director may examine the conduct of a promotional contest of chance pursuant to his or her supervisory and examination powers under:
     (a) Title 30 RCW, in regard to a bank;
     (b) Title 32 RCW, in regard to a mutual or stock savings bank; or
     (c) Chapter 31.12 RCW, in regard to a state credit union.
     (4) The director may exercise his or her full enforcement powers under the titles and chapter in subsection (3) of this section and may issue a cease and desist order for a violation of this section.
     (5) A financial institution must maintain records sufficient to facilitate an audit of a promotional contest of chance, and must provide those records to the director upon request.

Sec. 6   RCW 31.12.402 and 2001 c 83 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:
     A credit union may:
     (1) Issue shares to and receive deposits from its members in accordance with RCW 31.12.416;
     (2) Make loans to its members in accordance with RCW 31.12.426 and 31.12.428;
     (3) Pay dividends and interest to its members in accordance with RCW 31.12.418;
     (4) Impose reasonable charges for the services it provides to its members;
     (5) Impose financing charges and reasonable late charges in the event of default on loans, subject to applicable law, and recover reasonable costs and expenses, including, but not limited to, collection costs, and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred both before and after judgment, incurred in the collection of sums due, if provided for in the note or agreement signed by the borrower;
     (6) Acquire, lease, hold, assign, pledge, sell, or otherwise dispose of interests in personal property and in real property in accordance with RCW 31.12.438;
     (7) Deposit and invest funds in accordance with RCW 31.12.436;
     (8) Borrow money, up to a maximum of fifty percent of its total shares, deposits, and net worth;
     (9) Discount or sell any of its assets, or purchase any or all of the assets of another credit union, out-of-state credit union, or federal credit union. However, a credit union may not discount or sell all, or substantially all, of its assets without the approval of the director;
     (10) Accept deposits of deferred compensation of its members;
     (11) Act as fiscal agent for and receive payments on shares and deposits from the federal government or this state, and any agency or political subdivision thereof;
     (12) Engage in activities and programs as requested by the federal government, this state, and any agency or political subdivision thereof, when the activities or programs are not inconsistent with this chapter;
     (13) Hold membership in credit unions, out-of-state credit unions, or federal credit unions and in organizations controlled by or fostering the interests of credit unions, including, but not limited to, a central liquidity facility organized under state or federal law;
     (14) Pay additional dividends and interest to members, or an interest rate refund to borrowers;
     (15) Enter into lease agreements, lease contracts, and lease-purchase agreements with members;
     (16) Act as insurance agent or broker for the sale to members of:
     (a) Group life, accident, health, and credit life and disability insurance; and
     (b) Other insurance that other types of Washington state-chartered financial institutions are permitted to sell, on the same terms and conditions that these institutions are permitted to sell such insurance;
     (17) Impose a reasonable service charge for the administration and processing of accounts that remain dormant for a period of time specified by the credit union;
     (18) Establish and operate on-premises or off-premises electronic facilities;
     (19) Enter into formal or informal agreements with another credit union for the purpose of fostering the development of the other credit union;
     (20) Work with community leaders to develop and prioritize efforts to improve the areas where their members reside by making investments in the community through contributions to organizations that primarily serve either a charitable, social, welfare, or educational purpose, or are exempt from taxation pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code;
     (21) Limit the personal liability of its directors in accordance with provisions of its articles of incorporation that conform with RCW 23B.08.320;
     (22) Indemnify its directors, supervisory committee members, officers, employees, and others in accordance with provisions of its articles of incorporation or bylaws that conform with RCW 23B.08.500 through 23B.08.600;
     (23) Conduct a promotional contest of chance as authorized in RCW 9.46.0356(l)(b), as long as the conditions of RCW 9.46.0356(5) and section 5 of this act are complied with to the satisfaction of the director; and
     (((23))) (24) Exercise such incidental powers as are necessary or convenient to enable it to conduct the business of a credit union.

Sec. 7   RCW 30.08.140 and 1996 c 2 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     Upon the issuance of a certificate of authority to a bank, the persons named in the articles of incorporation and their successors shall thereupon become a corporation and shall have power:
     (1) To adopt and use a corporate seal.
     (2) To have perpetual succession.
     (3) To make contracts.
     (4) To sue and be sued, the same as a natural person.
     (5) To elect directors who, subject to the provisions of the corporation's bylaws, shall have power to appoint such officers as may be necessary or convenient, to define their powers and duties and to dismiss them at pleasure, and who shall also have general supervision and control of the affairs of such corporation.
     (6) To make and alter bylaws, not inconsistent with its articles of incorporation or with the laws of this state, for the administration and regulation of its affairs.
     (7) To invest and reinvest its funds in marketable obligations evidencing the indebtedness of any person, copartnership, association, or corporation in the form of bonds, notes, or debentures commonly known as investment securities except as may by regulation be limited by the director.
     (8) To discount and negotiate promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other evidences of debt, to receive deposits of money and commercial paper, to lend money secured or unsecured, to issue all forms of letters of credit, to buy and sell bullion, coins and bills of exchange.
     (9) To take and receive as bailee for hire upon terms and conditions to be prescribed by the corporation, for safekeeping and storage, jewelry, plate, money, specie, bullion, stocks, bonds, mortgages, securities and valuable paper of any kind and other valuable personal property, and to rent vaults, safes, boxes and other receptacles for safekeeping and storage of personal property.
     (10) If the bank be located in a city of not more than five thousand inhabitants, to act as insurance agent. A bank exercising this power may continue to act as an insurance agent notwithstanding a change of the population of the city in which it is located.
     (11) To accept drafts or bills of exchange drawn upon it having not more than six months sight to run, which grow out of transactions involving the importation or exportation of goods; or which grow out of transactions involving the domestic shipment of goods, providing shipping documents conveying or securing title are attached at the time of acceptance; or which are secured at the time of acceptance by a warehouse receipt or other such document conveying or securing title to readily marketable staples. No bank shall accept, either in a foreign or a domestic transaction, for any one person, company, firm or corporation, to an amount equal at any one time in the aggregate to more than ten percent of its paid up and unimpaired capital stock and surplus unless the bank is secured by attached documents or by some other actual security growing out of the same transaction as the acceptance; and no bank shall accept such bills to an amount equal at any time in the aggregate to more than one-half of its paid up and unimpaired capital stock and surplus: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That the director, under such general regulations applicable to all banks irrespective of the amount of capital or surplus, as the director may prescribe may authorize any bank to accept such bills to an amount not exceeding at any time in the aggregate one hundred percent of its paid up and unimpaired capital stock and surplus: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That the aggregate of acceptances growing out of domestic transactions shall in no event exceed fifty percent of such capital stock and surplus.
     (12) To accept drafts or bills of exchange drawn upon it, having not more than three months sight to run, drawn under regulations to be prescribed by the director by banks or bankers in foreign countries or dependencies or insular possessions of the United States for the purpose of furnishing dollar exchange as required by the usages of trade in the respective countries, dependencies or insular possessions. Such drafts or bills may be acquired by banks in such amounts and subject to such regulations, restrictions and limitations as may be provided by the director: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That no bank shall accept such drafts or bills of exchange referred to in this subdivision for any one bank to an amount exceeding in the aggregate ten percent of the paid up and unimpaired capital and surplus of the accepting bank unless the draft or bill of exchange is accompanied by documents conveying or securing title or by some other adequate security, and that no such drafts or bills of exchange shall be accepted by any bank in an amount exceeding at any time the aggregate of one-half of its paid up and unimpaired capital and surplus: PROVIDED FURTHER, That compliance by any bank which is a member of the federal reserve system of the United States with the rules, regulations and limitations adopted by the federal reserve board thereof with respect to the acceptance of drafts or bills of exchange by members of such federal reserve system shall be a sufficient compliance with the requirements of this subdivision or paragraph relating to rules, regulations and limitations prescribed by the director.
     (13) To have and exercise all powers necessary or convenient to effect its purposes.
     (14) To serve as custodian of an individual retirement account and pension and profit sharing plans qualified under internal revenue code section 401(a), the assets of which are invested in deposits of the bank or trust company or are invested, pursuant to directions from the customer owning the account, in securities traded on a national securities market: PROVIDED, That the bank or trust company shall accept no investment responsibilities over the account unless it is granted trust powers by the director.
     (15) To be a limited partner in a limited partnership that engages in only such activities as are authorized for the bank.
     (16) To exercise any other power or authority permissible under applicable state or federal law conducted by out-of-state state banks with branches in Washington to the same extent if, in the opinion of the director, those powers and authorities affect the operations of banking in Washington or affect the delivery of financial services in Washington.
     (17) To conduct a promotional contest of chance as authorized in RCW 9.46.0356(l)(b), as long as the conditions of RCW 9.46.0356(5) and section 5 of this act are complied with to the satisfaction of the director.

Sec. 8   RCW 32.08.140 and 1999 c 14 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:
     Every mutual savings bank incorporated under this title shall have, subject to the restrictions and limitations contained in this title, the following powers:
     (1) To receive deposits of money, to invest the same in the property and securities prescribed in this title, to declare dividends in the manner prescribed in this title, and to exercise by its board of trustees or duly authorized officers or agents, subject to law, all such incidental powers as shall be necessary to carry on the business of a savings bank.
     (2) To issue transferable certificates showing the amounts contributed by any incorporator or trustee to the guaranty fund of such bank, or for the purpose of paying its expenses. Every such certificate shall show that it does not constitute a liability of the savings bank, except as otherwise provided in this title.
     (3) To purchase, hold and convey real property as prescribed in RCW 32.20.280.
     (4) To pay depositors as hereinafter provided, and when requested, pay them by drafts upon deposits to the credit of the savings bank in any city in the United States, and to charge current rates of exchange for such drafts.
     (5) To borrow money in pursuance of a resolution adopted by a vote of a majority of its board of trustees duly entered upon its minutes whereon shall be recorded by ayes and noes the vote of each trustee, for the purpose of repaying depositors, and to pledge or hypothecate securities as collateral for loans so obtained. Immediate written notice shall be given to the director of all amounts so borrowed, and of all assets so pledged or hypothecated.
     (6) Subject to such regulations and restrictions as the director finds to be necessary and proper, to borrow money in pursuance of a resolution, policy, or other governing document adopted by its board of trustees, for purposes other than that of repaying depositors and to pledge or hypothecate its assets as collateral for any such loans, provided that no amount shall at any time be borrowed by a savings bank pursuant to this subsection (6), if such amount, together with the amount then remaining unpaid upon prior borrowings by such savings bank pursuant to this subsection (6), exceeds thirty percent of the assets of the savings bank.
     The sale of securities or loans by a bank subject to an agreement to repurchase the securities or loans shall not be considered a borrowing. Borrowings from federal, state, or municipal governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof shall not be subject to the limits of this subsection.
     (7) To collect or protest promissory notes or bills of exchange owned by such bank or held by it as collateral, and remit the proceeds of the collections by drafts upon deposits to the credit of the savings bank in any city in the United States, and to charge the usual rates or fees for such collection and remittance for such protest.
     (8) To sell gold or silver received in payment of interest or principal of obligations owned by the savings bank or from depositors in the ordinary course of business.
     (9) To act as insurance agent for the purpose of writing fire insurance on property in which the bank has an insurable interest, the property to be located in the city in which the bank is situated and in the immediate contiguous suburbs, notwithstanding anything in any other statute to the contrary.
     (10) To let vaults, safes, boxes or other receptacles for the safekeeping or storage of personal property, subject to laws and regulations applicable to, and with the powers possessed by, safe deposit companies.
     (11) To elect or appoint in such manner as it may determine all necessary or proper officers, agents, boards, and committees, to fix their compensation, subject to the provisions of this title, and to define their powers and duties, and to remove them at will.
     (12) To make and amend bylaws consistent with law for the management of its property and the conduct of its business.
     (13) To wind up and liquidate its business in accordance with this title.
     (14) To adopt and use a common seal and to alter the same at pleasure.
     (15) To exercise any other power or authority permissible under applicable state or federal law exercised by other savings banks or by savings and loan associations with branches in Washington to the same extent as those savings institutions if, in the opinion of the director, the exercise of these powers and authorities by the other savings institutions affects the operations of savings banks in Washington or affects the delivery of financial services in Washington.
     (16) To exercise the powers and authorities conferred by RCW 30.04.215.
     (17) To exercise the powers and authorities that may be carried on by a subsidiary of the mutual savings bank that has been determined to be a prudent investment pursuant to RCW 32.20.380.
     (18) To do all other acts authorized by this title.
     (19) To exercise the powers and authorities that may be exercised by an insured state bank in compliance with 12 U.S.C. Sec. 1831a.
     (20) To conduct a promotional contest of chance as authorized in RCW 9.46.0356(l)(b), as long as the conditions of RCW 9.46.0356(5) and section 5 of this act are complied with to the satisfaction of the director.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 9   Sections 7 and 8 of this act take effect when the director of the department of financial institutions finds that a federal regulatory agency has, through federal law, regulation, or official regulatory interpretation, interpreted federal law to permit banks operating under the authority of Title 30 or 32 RCW to conduct a promotional contest of chance as defined in RCW 30.22.040.