A. 1. When a deposit has been made in a bank or credit union in the name of a sole individual without designation of a payable-on-death beneficiary, upon the death of the sole owner of the account if the amount of the aggregate deposits held in single ownership accounts in the name of the deceased individual is Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) or less, the bank or credit union may, without a requirement that heirs open an additional account, transfer the funds to the known heirs of the deceased upon receipt of an affidavit sworn to by the known heirs of the deceased which establishes jurisdiction and relationship and states that the owner of the account left no will; provided, however, that no probate proceedings are pending. The affidavit shall be sworn to and signed by the known heirs of the deceased and the same shall swear that the facts set forth in the affidavit establishing jurisdiction, heirship and intestacy are true and correct. The affidavit may contain a clause indemnifying the bank from any damages related to the release of funds. In the event the account is subject to pending probate proceedings, the release of the deposits in the account shall be determined by the court.
2. Upon the death of an individual who is the sole renter of a safe deposit box in a bank or credit union, the bank or credit union may open the box in the presence of all known heirs and transfer or release the contents to such heirs upon receipt of an affidavit which establishes jurisdiction and relationship to the deceased and states that the renter of the safe deposit box left no will or that the contents of the safe deposit box are the only known assets of the deceased renter. The affidavit shall be sworn to and signed by the known heirs of the deceased and the same shall swear that the facts set forth in the affidavit establishing jurisdiction, heirship and intestacy or that the contents of the safe deposit box are the only asset of the deceased are true and correct. Every known heir shall either be present in person or by a duly authorized agent. If any known heir is unable to be physically present for the opening of the box and transfer of the contents, such heir may appoint an agent by executing authorization in writing in the following form: "I hereby authorize (name of person) to act as my agent at the opening and transfer of contents of safe deposit box (number or other identification) at (name of financial institution)." The authorization form shall be signed and dated by the heir and notarized. The bank or credit union may impose its standard fee for drilling the box if the heirs cannot provide the key for opening.
B. Receipt by the bank or credit union of the affidavit described in subsection A of this section shall be a valid and sufficient release and discharge to the bank or credit union for any transfer of deposits or contents made in good-faith reliance on the affidavit and shall serve to discharge the bank or credit union from liability as to any other party, including any heir, legatee, devisee, creditor or other person having rights or claims to funds or property of the decedent, and include a discharge of the bank or credit union from liability for any estate, inheritance or other taxes which may be due the state from the estate or as a result of the transfer.
C. Any person who knowingly submits and signs a false affidavit as provided in this section shall be fined not more than Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00) or imprisoned for not more than six (6) months, or both. Restitution of the amount fraudulently attained shall be made to the rightful beneficiary by the guilty person.
Added by Laws 1991, c. 128, § 9, emerg. eff. April 29, 1991. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 111, § 80, eff. July 1, 1997; Laws 2007, c. 80, § 5, eff. Jan. 1, 2008; Laws 2011, c. 109, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2011; Laws 2012, c. 291, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2012; Laws 2017, c. 73, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2017; Laws 2021, c. 316, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2021.
Structure Oklahoma Statutes
Title 6. Banks and Trust Companies
§6-201. Establishment - Officers and employees.
§6-201.1. Compensation of Commissioner.
§6-202. Board membership and meetings.
§6-204. Powers of Commissioner – Review of orders.
§6-205. Access of Commissioner and Board to records of Department.
§6-206. Power to subpoena witnesses - Declaratory order - Good faith as a defense.
§6-207. Judicial review of orders of the Board or Commissioner.
§6-208. Records of Department - Public inspection – Confidentiality – Electronic storage.
§6-208.1. Availability of personnel data – Confidentiality - Definitions.
§6-209. Bank and trust companies - Examinations and reports.
§6-210. Removal of officer, director or employee of bank or trust company by Commissioner.
§6-211.1. Revolving fund - Creation.
§6-212. Commissioner's annual report.
§6-213. Interests of department officers or employees in banks or trust companies.
§6-214. Bank and trust company records - Preservation - Reproduction.
§6-215. Limitation of liability.
§6-216. Standards in regulations, orders and rules.
§6-218. Transfer of stock or controlling interest - Notice to and approval by Commissioner.
§6-219. Changes in chief executive officer and directors.
§6-220. Impairment of capital - Assessments - Limitations.
§6-301. Certificate of authority.
§6-303.1. Capital structure - Preferred stock.
§6-304. Expenses of organization.
§6-306.1. Commissioner – Certificate of authority – Recommendation of action.
§6-306.2. Acceptance of application for filing - Notice.
§6-307.1. Objectives of Commissioner and Banking Board - Comments or objections.
§6-308. Hearing before Commissioner.
§6-310. Board hearing on application - Condition - Approval - Notice.
§6-311. Appeal of Board's decision.
§6-401. Organization of new bank or trust company.
§6-402. Powers of banks and trust companies.
§6-402.1. Chartering of banker's bank.
§6-403.1. Membership in Federal Reserve System.
§6-404. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Act - Acts permitted for compliance therewith.
§6-405.1. Authorized but unissued stock.
§6-405.2. Employee stock option and stock purchase plans.
§6-407. Amendment - Trust powers.
§6-408. Amendment of existing articles of incorporation with certificate of incorporation.
§6-410. Capital debentures - Rediscounting notes to Federal Reserve.
§6-411. Pledge of assets - Banks.
§6-415. Drive-in or walk-up facilities.
§6-416. Bank service corporations.
§6-421. Military banking facilities.
§6-422. Consumer banking electronic facilities.
§6-425. Fiduciary relationships.
§6-426. Agency relationships between subsidiary banks.
§6-502. Bank holding companies.
§6-503. Trust companies - Branch offices.
§6-506. Out-of-state bank holding companies - Acquisitions.
§6-511. Industrial loan company - Industrial bank - Definition.
§6-601. Business days and hours.
§6-702. Liability of fiduciaries owning stock.
§6-703. Liability of preferred shareholders.
§6-705. Transfer of shares - Law governing.
§6-708. Common stock dividend on retirement of preferred stock.
§6-709. Rights of preferred shareholders - Dividends - Voting and conversion rights.
§6-711. Directors and officers - Banks and trust companies.
§6-711.1. Transferred employees - Purchase of former residence by bank.
§6-712. Liability of directors, officers, and other persons - Overdrafts.
§6-712.1. Indemnification for defending suits - Directors' personal liability eliminated or limited.
§6-713. Fidelity bonds and other insurance.
§6-714. Directors - Meetings and duties.
§6-715. Applicability of Oklahoma General Corporation Act.
§6-802. Limitations on maximum indebtedness to bank - Exceptions.
§6-806. Investments - Underwriting - Limitations.
§6-807. Sale and purchase of loans.
§6-808. Banks prohibited from making political contributions - Penalties.
§6-809. Prohibited acts - Penalties - Injunctions.
§6-902. Trustee deposit accounts.
§6-903.1. Deposit accounts for minors.
§6-905. Adverse claims to deposits - Restraining order or injunction - Indemnity bond.
§6-907. Husband and wife deposit for business purpose - Sole proprietorship account.
§6-908. Banks and credit unions authorized to offer savings promotion raffles.
§6-909. Powers of authorized signer.
§6-1001. Powers of trust companies.
§6-1001.1. Temporary borrowing powers of trust companies.
§6-1002. Restrictions on acting in certain fiduciary capacities - Reciprocity.
§6-1003. Advertising performance of legal services prohibited.
§6-1004. Deposits of securities with Commissioner.
§6-1007. Lien and claim upon bank failure.
§6-1008. Investments - Acceptance as securities by public officials of this state.
§6-1009. Official's oath or affidavit.
§6-1011. Loans of trust funds to officers and employees prohibited.
§6-1013. Disclosure of communications and writings prohibited - Exceptions.
§6-1014. Closing of trust unduly delayed.
§6-1015. Banks authorized to engage in trust business - Powers - Restrictions.
§6-1016. Service charges not part of interest on loans.
§6-1017. Voluntary relinquishment of trust powers.
§6-1018. Voluntary or involuntary liquidation or receivership.
§6-1019. Merger, consolidation and sale of assets.
§6-1020. Existing trust powers of religious, charitable, etc. corporations not denied.
§6-1021. Liquidation, dissolution and reorganization of trust companies.
§6-1023. Deposit of securities in clearing corporation or Federal Reserve Bank.
§6-1024. Acquisition of control of trust company - Notice - Approval - Review - Penalties.
§6-1101. Merger or conversion.
§6-1102. Approval of merger by directors and merger agreement.
§6-1105. Effective date of merger, filing of approved agreement, certificate of merger as evidence.
§6-1106. Continuation of corporate entity.
§6-1107. Conversion from state bank to national and of national to state bank, and trust powers.
§6-1108. Nonconforming assets of business.
§6-1109.1. Sale of assets other than in the ordinary course of business.
§6-1110. Book value of assets.
§6-1201. Voluntary liquidation and dissolution.
§6-1202. Involuntary liquidation by Commissioner - Reorganization.
§6-1204. Liquidation by Commissioner - Procedure.
§6-1205. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as liquidator.
§6-1207. Transfer or conveyance of title to mineral interests or leases.
§6-1301.1. Appointment of deputy.
§6-1301.2. Authorization for access to safe deposit box upon death of lessee.
§6-1302. Authority to lease safe deposit boxes.
§6-1303. Access by fiduciaries.
§6-1304. Effect of lessee's death or incompetence.
§6-1306. Lease to corporation, general or limited partnership, or limited liability company.
§6-1308. Search procedure on death - Removal of certain contents.
§6-1309. Adverse claims to contents of safe deposit box.
§6-1310. Lien of lessor, special remedies and proceedings for nonpayment of rent.
§6-1311. Limitation of liability - Requirements or policies.
§6-1312. Garnishment - Proceedings in aid of execution.
§6-1313. Estate taxes or rights of state or tax commission not affected.
§6-1403. Unlawful use of words "safe deposit".
§6-1405. Unlawful gratuity or compensation - Transactions of persons connected with bank.
§6-1406. Receipt of deposit after notification of insolvency.
§6-1407. Unlawful service as officer or director.
§6-1409. Unlawful concealment of transactions.
§6-1410. Improper maintenance of accounts - False or deceptive entries and statements.
§6-1412. Embezzlement or misapplication of funds.
§6-1416. Prohibitions relating to control of banks - Remedies.
§6-1514. Information-sharing agreements - Records.
§6-1515. Rules - Interpretive statements and opinions.
§6-1600. International Bank Act - Short title.
§6-1602. Applicability of state banking laws.
§6-1603. Applicability of Oklahoma General Corporation Act.
§6-1604. Requirements for carrying on banking business.
§6-1605. Application for license - Approval or disapproval.
§6-1606. Licenses - Permissible activities.
§6-1607. International administrative offices.
§6-1608. Asset maintenance or capital equivalency.
§6-1609. Certification of capital accounts.
§6-1612. Conversion from a federal agency to a state chartered agency and the reverse.
§6-1614. Representative offices - Limitations - Licenses - Fees.
§6-1615. Rules - Exemption from economic impact statement requirements.
§6-1616. Foreign travel expenses.
§6-1621. Task Force for the Study of State Banking Services.
§6-1701. Short title - Intent.
§6-1705. Companies authorized to act as fiduciary.
§6-1706. Certain activities not requiring charter.
§6-1707. State trust institutions - Business locations.
§6-1708. Out-of-state trust institutions - Business locations.
§6-1709. Registration of name.
§6-1710. Authority to operate trust business.
§6-1713. Establishment of additional offices in this state.
§6-1714. Establishment of additional offices outside of this state.
§6-1715. Out-of-state trust institutions permitted to engage in trust business.
§6-1716. Establishment of new trust offices by out-of-state institutions permitted.
§6-1717. Acquisition of trust offices by out-of-state trust institutions permitted.
§6-1718. Notice of intent to establish or acquire trust office by out-of-state trust institution.
§6-1719. Approval of establishment or acquisition of office by out-of-state institution.
§6-1720. Establishment of additional offices by out-of-state institutions.
§6-1722. Establishment or acquisition of representative trust offices.
§6-1723. Examination of out-of-state trust institutions.
§6-1725. Notice of change of control, substantial transfer of trust assets or closure.
§6-1730. Short title - Purpose.
§6-1732. Designation of trust institution as fiduciary.
§6-1733. Written agreements or instruments - Designation of law governing.
§6-1734. Fiduciary investment standards - Designation of law governing.
§6-1735. Delegation of fiduciary functions.
§6-1736. Hiring and compensation of affiliates.
§6-1737. Compensation arrangements between clients and fiduciaries.
§6-1738. Disclosure of conflicts of interest.
§6-1739. Acquisition of state trust company or trust institution.
§6-1740. Application of act - Exemptions.
§6-1755. Conversion to public trust company.
§6-2001.1. Oklahoma State Credit Union Board - Creation.
§6-2001.3. Meetings of Board - Quorum.
§6-2001.4. Civil liability of State Credit Union Board members.
§6-2007. Membership - Central credit unions.
§6-2009. Fiscal year - Meetings - Voting.
§6-2010. Board of directors - Credit committee or credit manager - Supervisory committee - Officers.
§6-2012. Expulsions and withdrawals.
§6-2014. Shares and deposits in name of minors - Shares not subject to stock transfer tax.
§6-2015. Partial invalidity - Right of alteration, amendment or repeal.
§6-2017. Fiscal agency for state.
§6-2018. Voluntary dissolution.
§6-2020. Special Reserve for Dormant Accounts.
§6-2021. Conversion of credit unions.
§6-2022. Merger of credit unions.
§6-2023. Exercising power of federally chartered credit union - Exceptions.
§6-2024. Joint tenancy shares and deposits.
§6-2025. Share or deposit account payable on death – Application.
§6-2041. Power to make and purchase obligations representing insured loans and credit advances.
§6-2043. Inconsistent laws inapplicable to loans or investments authorized.
§6-2103. Licenses - Requirement - Exceptions - Penalty.
§6-2105. Application for license.
§6-2106. Investigation of applicants.
§6-2107. Annual license fees - Renewals - Display of license certificate - Exception.
§6-2108. Surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit.
§6-2109. Additional bond - Deposit of securities in lieu of bond.
§6-2112. Books, accounts and records - Current financial statements.
§6-2113. Examination of books and records - Audits.
§6-2114. Investigation upon noncompliance with act.
§6-2115. Conduct of business - Location - Agents - Conditions.
§6-2116. Revocation of license - Hearing - Grounds.
§6-2117. Power of subpoena - Designation of hearing officer.
§6-2120. Rules and regulations.
§6-2124. Acts required of licensees - Deadline - Exception.
§6-2203. Financial institutions prohibited from disclosing financial records unless.
§6-2204. Subpoena of financial records.
§6-2205. Disclosures or releases authorized.
§6-2206. Costs of assembling, reproducing or providing financial records.
§6-3001. Records - Electronic or microphotographic reproduction - Evidence.
§6-3002. Compliance review documents - Confidentiality - Discovery or admissibility.
§6-3003. Negotiation services - Interest income as valuable consideration.