Section 7-1-260. General corporate powers

   Subject to restrictions contained in this chapter or in its articles, a bank or trust company shall have the power:

   (1) To have perpetual duration unless a limited period of duration is stated in its articles. Each bank or trust company existing on April 1, 1975, shall have perpetual duration unless its articles are amended under this chapter to provide for a limited period of duration;

   (2) To sue and be sued, complain and defend in its corporate name;

   (3) To have a corporate seal, which may be altered at pleasure, and to use the same by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any manner reproduced;

   (4) To adopt, alter, and repeal bylaws pursuant to the procedures of Code Section 7-1-481 containing provisions for the regulation and management of affairs of the institution not inconsistent with law or its articles;

   (5) To elect or appoint and remove officers and agents of the institution and to define their duties and fix their compensation;

   (6) To make contracts;

   (7) To make, irrespective of corporate benefit, loans, investments, contributions, and donations for community development and the promotion of the public welfare or for other religious, charitable, scientific, educational, hospital, civic, or similar purposes and in time of war or other national emergency in aid of the national effort with respect thereto;

   (8) At the request or direction of the United States government or any public body thereof, to transact lawful business in time of war or national emergency in aid of the national effort in connection therewith;

   (9) To procure, for its benefit, insurance on the life of any of its directors, officers, or employees or any other person whose death might cause financial loss to the bank or trust company; or, pursuant to any contract lawfully obligating the bank or trust company as guarantor or surety, on the life of the principal obligor; and

   (10) To reimburse and indemnify litigation, liabilities, and expenses of directors, officers, and employees pursuant to agreements with them or otherwise and to purchase and maintain liability insurance for their benefit unless otherwise limited pursuant to this chapter.

Ga. L. 1898, p. 78, § 3; Civil Code 1910, § 2817; Ga. L. 1917, p. 56, § 1; Ga. L. 1919, p. 135, art. 17, § 1; Ga. L. 1920, p. 76, § 1; Code 1933, §§ 13-1801, 109-201; Code 1933, § 41A-1201, enacted by Ga. L. 1974, p. 705, § 1; Ga. L. 1989, p. 946, § 67; Ga. L. 1989, p. 1257, § 3; Ga. L. 1995, p. 673, § 11.