(a) Except as otherwise provided in Subdivision (b) of this Section, an application for authority to establish a branch office shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed in Financial Code Section 501.(b) The fee requirement of Financial Code Section 501 does not apply to any of the following applications for authority to establish a branch office:(1) Application for authority to establish a branch office in a case where the applicant results from the conversion of a California national bank and proposes to establish such branch office at the location of an existing or approved but unopened branch office of such California national bank.(2) Application for authority to establish a branch office in a case where the applicant proposes to acquire another California bank, in whole or in part, by means of merger or purchase and to establish such branch office at the location of the head office or an existing or approved but unopened branch office of such other California bank.(3) Application for authority to establish a branch office in a case where the applicant proposes simultaneously to relocate its head office and to establish such branch office at the location of the old site of the head office.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 10, § 10.6703