This section defines terms used in the chapter, including Alabama bank, bank, bank holding company, credit card, credit card account, credit card bank, domestic lender, foreign lender, and superintendent.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings prescribed by this section: (1) ALABAMA BANK. A bank which is organized under the laws of this state or of the United States and which has its principal place of business in this state. (2) BANK. Any “insured bank” as such term is defined in Section 3(h) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. §1813(h). (3) BANK HOLDING COMPANY. Any company which is a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, 12 U.S.C. §1841(a). (4) CREDIT CARD. Any type of arrangement or agreement pursuant to which any domestic lender or credit card bank, whether directly or indirectly through any domestic lender acting as its agent, gives a debtor the privilege of using a credit card or other credit confirmation, device or instrument of any type in transactions out of which debt arises: a. By the domestic lender or credit card bank honoring a draft or other order, whether written, verbal or electronic, for the payment of money and which is created, authorized, issued or accepted by the debtor; or b. By the domestic lender or credit card bank paying or agreeing to pay the debtor’s obligation. (5) CREDIT CARD ACCOUNT. An arrangement or agreement between a debtor and a domestic lender or credit card bank, whether directly or indirectly through any domestic lender acting as its agent, which provides for the creation of debt pursuant to a credit card and under which: a. The domestic lender or credit card bank may permit the debtor to create debt from time to time; b. The unpaid balance of principal of such debt and the finance and other charges and fees are debited to an account; c. A finance charge is computed or an interest rate imposed upon the outstanding balances of the debtor’s account from time to time; and d. The domestic lender or credit card bank renders bills or statements to the debtor at regular intervals, providing that the amount of credit extensions shown in such bills or statements is payable by and due from the debtor on a date specified in such bill or statement or, at the option of the debtor, but subject to the terms and conditions of the credit card account, may be paid by the debtor in installments. (6) CREDIT CARD BANK. Any Alabama bank which is organized hereunder and whose activities are limited to those permitted under this chapter. (7) DOMESTIC LENDER. Any Alabama bank, savings and loan association, savings bank or credit union organized or chartered under the laws of this state or the United States which has its principal place of business in this state and which (i) makes loans, and (ii) accepts deposits or share accounts which are insured by an agency of the United States and which are payable on demand or are subject to withdrawal by check or similar means of payment to third parties or others. (8) FOREIGN LENDER. Any bank other than an Alabama bank, or any savings and loan association, savings bank, or credit union organized or chartered under the laws of any state other than Alabama or of the United States which has its principal place of business outside this state, and which (i) makes loans, and (ii) accepts deposits or share accounts which are insured by an agency of the United States and which are payable on demand, or are subject to withdrawal by check or similar means of payment to third parties or others. (9) SUPERINTENDENT. The Superintendent of Banks of this state.