Non-banks are generally forbidden to use bank-related words in names, signs, papers, or public representations; limited trust-related exceptions apply, and violations can be fined up to $1,000 per day.
§412. Unauthorized use of the word "bank" or similar words A. It shall be unlawful for any person other than a bank to: (1) Use the word "bank", "banker", "banking", "trust", "trustee", "trust company", or any other word of similar import as part of its name or title, except that a trust created and operated pursuant to the provisions of the Louisiana Trust Code as contained in R.S. 9:1721 et seq., and a real estate investment trust authorized under the provisions of R.S. 12:491 et seq., may use the word "trust" as part of its name or title, and a trust company created and operated pursuant to the Louisiana Trust Company Law as contained in R.S. 6:571 et seq. shall use only the words "trust", "trustee", or "trust company" as part of its name or title; (2) Make use of any office sign at the place where the business is transacted having thereon any words indicating that the place or office is that of a bank; (3) Make use of or circulate any written, printed, or partly written and partly printed paper heading thereon any words indicating that the business is that of a bank; or (4) Otherwise purport or represent to the public that that person is a bank or is engaged in the business of banking as a bank. B. Whoever violates this Section shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars a day for each day or part of a day during which the violation continues. C. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prevent the use of the words "bank", "banks", "banker", "bankers", "banking", or any similar word in a context clearly not purporting to refer to a general banking business. D. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prevent the use of the word "trust", "trustee", "trust company" or any word of similar import as part of a name or title in a context clearly not purporting to refer to engaging in a general trust, trustee, or trust company business. Acts 1984, No. 719, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1985; Acts 1986, No. 7, §1; Acts 1991, No. 200, §1; eff. July 2, 1991; Acts 2003, No. 573, §1, eff. June 27, 2003; Acts 2019, No. 190, §1, eff. June 11, 2019.