A. Board hearing. The Board shall consider all applications for authority to organize a state bank or trust company. If the Commissioner has granted an earlier hearing on the application, the Board shall review the transcript of the proceedings, if any, including the findings of fact and conclusions of law of the presiding officer. The Board may hear oral argument in support of and in opposition to the written objections, if any, and shall adopt, reject or remand the findings, conclusions and recommendation of the presiding officer. The Board shall adopt the presiding officer's findings, conclusions and recommendation unless it finds the presiding officer's findings, conclusions and recommendation are not supported by the record. Remand may be for the sole purpose of the presiding officer taking additional evidence from the participants. Any such remand shall specifically identify the scope and nature of additional evidence sought by the Board. Proceedings on remand shall be conducted within the time limits set by the Board in the manner as prescribed by the presiding officer. The Board may adopt, reject or modify any finding of fact not supported by the record. The Board may adopt or reject any conclusion of law. The Board may enter such additional findings of fact that it deems necessary or appropriate and which is supported by the record.
In the absence of a hearing granted before the Commissioner, the Board may adopt its own findings of fact and conclusions of law with respect to the approval or disapproval of the application. If the applicant or any interested party desires to obtain a transcript of the proceedings before the Board, such person shall notify the Commissioner in writing within ten (10) days of the Board's hearing and must arrange for a court reporter to be present at the hearing. All expenses of the reporter, including the furnishing of two copies of the transcript to the Commissioner, shall be borne by the person or persons arranging for the reporter. In the event the Board requests a reporter to be present, expenses shall be borne by the applicant.