KRS 286.3-027: Prohibition against use of certain banking -related words and characters

or financial institution trademarks by unauthorized person -- Exceptions --

Enforcement and penalties.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a person doin g business in this

state shall not use the term "bank," "banker," "banking," "trust," or a similar term,

which may include without limitation a character, ideogram, phonogram, phrase, or

foreign language word, in its name, including any use of the name on stationery or

marketing material or in solicitations or advertising, in a manner that would imply

to the public that the person is engaged in the banking or trust business.

(2) A person may use a term prohibited by subsection (1) of this section if the per son is

authorized:

(a) Under its charter, or the laws of this state or the United States, to use the term

in its name; and

(b) By the laws of this state or the United States to conduct the activities in which

it is engaged in this state.

(3) (a) The commissioner shall levy a civil penalty against any person that violates

this section.

(b) The civil penalty shall be not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more

than five thousand dollars ($5,000) per violation, plus the state's costs and

expenses for the examination, investigation, and prosecution of the matter,

including reasonable attorney's fees and court costs.