2023 Tennessee Code › Title 45 - BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS (§§ 45-1-101 — 45-20-111) › Chapter 4 - CREDIT UNIONS (§§ 45-4-101 — 45-4-1904) › Part 2 - ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION (§§ 45-4-201 — 45-4-208) › Section 45-4-203 - Choice between credit committee or loan officers - Duties - Loans - Applications and security

(a)
The board of directors shall determine whether the credit union shall have a credit committee. If the board determines that the credit union shall not have a credit committee, the board of directors shall appoint one (1) or more loan officers, and the loan officer or officers shall approve or disapprove every loan or advance made by the corporation to members. If the board of directors determines that the credit union shall have a credit committee, the credit committee shall be appointed by the board of directors, report to the board of directors, serve under the terms and conditions determined by the board of directors and approve or disapprove every loan or advance made by the corporation to members, except as herein provided. The credit committee may appoint one (1) or more loan officers and delegate to the loan officer or officers the power to approve or disapprove loans. Each loan officer shall furnish to the credit committee, or, in the absence of the committee, to the board of directors, a record of each loan approved or not approved by the officer within thirty (30) days of the date of the filing of the application for the loan. No individual shall have authority to disburse funds of the credit union for any loan that has been approved by that person in capacity as a loan officer.
(b)
Every application for a loan shall be in writing, on a form prepared by the board of directors, and shall state the purpose for which the loan is desired and the security, if any, offered.
(c)
The board of directors shall establish the maximum limits for unsecured loans, subject, however, to the other provisions of this section. Endorsement of a note or assignment of shares in any credit union may be considered security in the meaning of this section. When a loan is considered by the credit committee, no loan shall be made unless it has received the unanimous approval of the members of the committee present when the loan was considered, which number shall constitute at least a majority of the committee. No loan shall be made to any member that causes the member to become indebted to the credit union in the aggregate, upon loans made to the member, in excess of ten percent (10%) of the credit union's assets, or three hundred dollars ($300), whichever is greater.
(d)
An applicant for a loan may appeal to:
(1)
The directors if the initial decision to disapprove the loan is made by the credit committee or by a loan officer in the absence of a credit committee; or
(2)
The credit committee if the initial decision to disapprove the loan is made by a loan officer.
Acts 1923, ch. 68, § 13; Shan. Supp., § 2198a20; Code 1932, § 3847; Acts 1947, ch. 125, § 1; C. Supp. 1950, § 3847; Acts 1957, ch. 69, § 1; 1959, ch. 199, § 1; 1963, ch. 30, § 4; 1967, ch. 227, § 4; 1970, ch. 409, § 1; 1979, ch. 86, § 4; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 45-1815; Acts 1981, ch. 53, §§ 1-3; 1985, ch. 17, § 3; 1989, ch. 223, § 7.