Wisconsin Statutes Banking and Finance (Ch. 214 to 225) § 221.0702. Consolidation or merger of banks

(1) In general. Any 2 or more banks may, with the approval of the division, consolidate or merge into one bank under the charter of either existing bank. The consolidation or merger shall be done on such terms and conditions as may be lawfully agreed upon by a majority of the board of directors of each bank proposing to consolidate or merge and as may be ratified and confirmed by the affirmative vote of the shareholders of each of the banks. The affirmative vote of the shareholders must be by shareholders owning a majority of the outstanding capital stock entitled to vote of each bank, or any greater percentage specified in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws, and by at least a majority of any outstanding preferred stock entitled to vote of each bank, or any greater percentage specified in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws. The vote must be at a meeting called by the directors, after sending notice of the time, place and object of the meeting to each shareholder of record in accordance with s. 221.0103. The capital stock of the consolidated or merged bank may not be less than that required by the division. If the consolidation or merger is approved by the division, a shareholder of either of the banks who did not vote for the consolidation or merger shall be given notice of the approval by the bank in which the shareholder holds an interest.

(2) Assets and liabilities of the consolidating or merging bank. The bank or banks consolidating or merging with another bank under sub. (1) may not be required to go into liquidation but their assets and liabilities shall be reported by the bank with which they have consolidated or merged. The rights, franchises and interests of the banks so consolidated or merged in and the property, personal and mixed, and choses in action belonging to the banks, are transferred to and vested in the consolidated or merged bank without any deed or other transfer. The consolidated or merged bank holds all rights of property, franchises and interests in the same manner and to the same extent as was held by the bank or banks so consolidated or merged.

(3) Role of division. After consultation with the banking institutions review board, the division may make recommendations to any bank within this state as to the advisability of consolidation or merger with other banks and may make recommendations as to terms for consolidation or merger of banks in order to avoid a condition of oversupply of banks in any community or area of the state. The division may also, if requested so to do, act as mediator or arbitrator to fix any of the terms of any such consolidation or merger. The board of directors of any bank organized under the laws of this state may use a reasonable amount of the assets of the bank toward assisting in bringing about a consolidation or merger of banks or to aid in reorganization or in avoiding the closing of a bank, if the board considers it to be in the interests of safe banking and the maintenance of credit and banking facilities in the county in which the bank is located.

(4) Transfer of resources and liabilities. A bank, which is in good faith winding up its business, for the purpose of consolidating or merging with another bank, may transfer its resources and liabilities to the bank with which it is in process of consolidation or merger. A consolidation or merger may not be made without the consent of the division, and may not defeat or defraud any of the creditors in the collection of their debts against the banks.

(5) Application for consolidation or merger. The banks shall apply for approval of a consolidation or merger under sub. (1) on a form prescribed by the division. The application shall be accompanied by a fee determined by the division.