Tennessee Code Title 45. Banks and Financial Institutions § 45-2-1701

(a) It is unlawful for any person not so authorized to carry on a banking business under this chapter and chapter 1 of this title, falsely and with intent to defraud, to act as a bank, or to represent that the person is or is acting for a bank, or to use an artificial or corporate name that is the name of a bank. The right to receive money on deposit and the right to pay out money on checks are declared to be the exclusive privileges of the banking business.

(b) No trust company hereafter may be incorporated or be qualified to act as a fiduciary unless it is incorporated under this chapter and chapter 1 of this title, or the laws governing national banking associations. The foregoing, however, shall not be deemed to restrict the activity of a foreign bank or trust company acting as a trustee under § 35-50-107; nor shall it be deemed to restrict the fiduciary activity of any other class of regulated financial institutions that may now have, or hereafter acquire, fiduciary powers; provided, that nothing herein shall be construed to increase the powers of other classes of regulated financial institutions.

(c) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.