Montana Code Annotated
Part 4. Operation and Regulation
32-1-492. Definitions -- reproduction of bank records -- admissibility in evidence -- cost recovery

32-1-492. Definitions -- reproduction of bank records -- admissibility in evidence -- cost recovery. (1) (a) For the purposes of this section, "bank records" includes any document, paper, letter, book, map, photograph, sound or video recording, magnetic tape, electronic-storage medium, or other information- recording medium used in a bank's normal course of business.
(b) (i) For the purposes of this section, "electronic storage" means the recording, storage, retention, maintenance, and reproduction of documents using microfilm, microfiche, data processing, computers, or other electronic process that correctly and legibly stores and reproduces documents.
(ii) A photographic, photostatic, miniature photographic copy, or reproduction of any kind, including electronic or computer-generated data that has been electronically stored and is capable of being converted into written form, must be considered an original record for all purposes and must be treated as an original record in all courts and administrative agencies for the purposes of admissibility in evidence.
(iii) A facsimile, exemplification, or certified copy of any reproduction referred to in subsection (1)(b)(ii) must, for all purposes, be considered a facsimile, exemplification, or certified copy of the original record.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (6), banks are authorized to make, at any time, photographic or photostatic copies or microfilm reproductions of any records or documents, including photographic enlargements and prints of microfilms, to be preserved, stored, used, and employed in carrying on business.
(3) In an action or proceeding in which bank records may be called in question or be demanded of a bank or any officer or employee of a bank, a showing that the records have been destroyed in the regular course of business is a sufficient excuse for the failure to produce the records.
(4) Upon the showing required in subsection (3), secondary evidence of the form, text, and contents of the original records, including photostatic, photographic, or microfilm reproductions, photographic enlargements, and prints of microfilm reproductions, when made in the regular course of business, is admissible in evidence in any court of competent jurisdiction or in any administrative proceeding.
(5) Any photostatic, photographic, or microfilm reproductions, including enlargements of the microfilm reproductions, made in the regular course of business of any original files, records, books, cards, tickets, deposit slips, or memoranda that were in existence on July 1, 1951, are admissible in evidence as proof of the form, text, and content of the originals that were destroyed in the regular course of business.
(6) A bank may, as a condition of providing bank records to a third party in response to a subpoena or to another legal procedure or request, charge and collect the actual costs incurred in locating, reproducing, and providing the bank records.
History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 77, L. 1951; R.C.M. 1947, 5-1051; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 237, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 85, Ch. 382, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 100, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 21, Ch. 163, L. 2005.

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