Subject to such regulations as may be prescribed by the director of the financial institutions division, state and national banks, trust companies, savings banks, building and loan associations and savings and loan associations whose principal offices are located in this state and lenders approved for loans by the National Housing Act are authorized:
A. to make such loans, secured by real property or leasehold, as the federal housing administrator insures or makes a commitment to insure, and to obtain such insurance; and to make such loans, secured by real property or leasehold, as the veterans administrator guarantees or makes a commitment to guarantee, and to obtain such guarantee, and to invest in loans eligible for purchase by the federal national mortgage association, the government national mortgage association or the federal home loan mortgage corporation, or from any financial institution from which it could be purchased by the federal home loan mortgage corporation; B. to make such loans and advances of credit, and purchases of obligations representing loans and advances of credit for the purpose of financing alterations, repairs and improvements upon real property, as the federal housing administrator insures or makes a commitment to insure, and to obtain such insurance, and to make such loans and advances of credit, and purchase of obligations representing loans and advances of credit for the purpose of financing alterations, repairs and improvements upon real property, as the veterans administrator guarantees or makes a commitment to guarantee, and to obtain such guarantee, and to invest in loans eligible for purchase by the federal national mortgage association, the government national mortgage association or the federal home loan mortgage corporation, or from any financial institution from which it could be purchased by the federal home [loan] mortgage corporation; and C. to invest their funds and the money in their custody or possession which is eligible for investment in mortgages insured and debentures issued by the federal housing administrator and in obligations of national mortgage associations, and in mortgages guaranteed by the veterans administrator. Laws 1935, ch. 5, § 1; 1937, ch. 34, § 1; 1941 Comp., § 50-1201; 1953 Comp., § 48-12-1; Laws 1975, ch. 337, § 1; 1977, ch. 245, § 27.