Section 16
SEC. 16. (a) In order to provide local mutual thrift institutions for the accumulation of savings and for the financing of homes, the Commission is authorized, under such rules and regulations as it may .prescribe, and in accordance with the provisions of existing laws, to encourage, aid or initiate the organization and incorporation of associations to be known as Building and Loan Associations, to provide for their examination, regulation, and operation when insured by the Commission, and to issue contracts of insurance for the accounts of such associations in accordance with the best practices of known mutual thrift and home financing institutions. (b) Such associations shall raise their capital only in the form of payments on such shares as are authorized in their charter or articles of incorporation. No deposit shall be accepted and no certificates of indebtedness shall be issued except for such borrowed money as may be authorized by regulations of the Commission. (c) Whenever insured by the Commission and where the loan is intended for housing development, such associations shall lend their funds only on the security of their shares, or on the security of first liens upon homes located within an area to be determined by the Commission: Provided, however, That no loan exceeding fifty thousand pesos shall be made on the security of first liens upon any one such property nor in any case an aggregate of ten per centum of the assets of such association on the security of such first liens on one property: And provided, further, That a portion of the assets of such associations may be invested in bonds and obligations issued or guaranteed by the Republic of the Philippines. (d) The Commission shall have full power to provide in the rules and regulations herein authorized for the reorganization, consolidation, merger, or liquidation of such associations in accordance with existing laws, including the power to appoint a conservator or a receiver to take charge of the affairs of any such association, and to require an equitable readjustment of the capital structure of the same; and to release any such association from such control and permit its further operation. (e) The Commission is authorized to subscribe for preferred shares in such associations which shall be preferred as to the assets of the association and which shall be entitled to a dividend, if earned, after payment of expenses and provision for reasonable reserves, to the same extent as other shareholders: Provided, however, That the subscription by the Commission to the shares of any one such association shall not exceed one hundred thousand pesos, and no such subscription shall be made unless in the judgment of the Commission the funds are necessary for the encouragement of reasonable local home financing in the community to be served. In case of the liquidation of any such association, the shares held by the Commission shall be retired on the same basis as payments are made to other shareholders in accordance with existing laws. (f) When insured by the Commission, such associations including their franchises, capital, reserves, surplus, and their loans, receipts, and incomes, shall be exempt from all taxation now or hereafter imposed by the Government.