Missouri Code of State Regulations
Title 20 - DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INSURANCE
Division 1140 - Division of Finance
Chapter 2 - Banks and Trust Companies
Section 20 CSR 1140-2.110 - Management and Other Fees Paid by State-Chartered Banks

(1) Payments of bonuses, other than to fulltime salaried employees, management fees, consultant's fees and other fees which bear little or no relationship to the type, level, quality or value of services received, when paid to officers, directors, shareholders or their related interest are unsafe and unsound as they can result in dissipation of earnings and capital, have adverse effects on the financial interests of minority shareholders and, in some cases, may result in a finding by the Internal Revenue Service or preferential dividends with the bank being held liable for additional income taxes.

(2) The cash-flow requirements of the stock holder, whether to service the acquisition debt or otherwise, may not be considered in establishing management fees, consultant's fees or other fees. These cash-flows, instead, should be generated from outside sources or from a prudent dividend policy which must be consistent with the bank's need for an adequate capital structure.

(3) Management fees, consultant's fees and other fees paid by state-chartered banks must be based on and bear a direct relationship to the fair market value of the services received. The bank may purchase and pay for only the services that meet the legitimate needs of the bank. The provider must possess the necessary expertise to deliver the services. The provider may recover overhead costs to the extent that the costs represent a legitimate and integral part of the services provided.

(4) State-chartered banks which pay management and consultant fees to insiders or related interests will be required to maintain permanent records in sufficient detail to indicate to the directors and bank examiners the specific services which were performed and the basis upon which the costs were assessed. State bank examiners will review all these fees to identify instances where they are excessive. In those cases where the fees are not properly documented, where the amounts cannot be justified, or both, it will be the responsibility of the directors to obtain appropriate documentation or to seek reimbursement.

(5) Banks in chain banking organizations or owned by multibank holding companies frequently pay management fees, consulting fees or other fees to insiders and their interests on a pro rata basis. However, the pro rata method is not an appropriate method of allocation in all cases. To assist in allocating these fees, this rule includes a list of some of the more common types of services which may be rendered. Opposite each of these services is a classification indicating how the expense normally should be billed. These guidelines are not absolutes but deviations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis for compliance with the intention of this rule.