§ 53C-6-14.  Reproduction and retention of records; admissibility of copies in evidence; disposition of originals; record production generally.

(a) Any bank may cause any or all records kept by it to be recorded, copied, or reproduced by any photographic, reproduction, electronic, or digital process or method, or by any other records retention technology approved by rule or order of the Commissioner, of a kind that is capable of accurately converting the records into tangible form within a reasonable time. Each such converted tangible form of record also shall be deemed a record.

(b) Any tangible form of a record shall be deemed for all purposes to be an original record and shall be admissible in evidence in all courts and administrative agencies in this State, if otherwise admissible, and the bank may destroy or otherwise dispose of the original form of the record; provided, however, that a bank shall retain either the originals or convertible form of its records for such period as may be required by law or by rule or order of the Commissioner. Any bank may dispose of any original or convertible form of a record that has been retained for the period prescribed by law or by rule or order of the Commissioner for its class.

(c) Originals and converted tangible forms of records shall not be held inadmissible in any court action or proceeding on the grounds that they lack certification, identification, or authentication and shall be received as evidence if otherwise admissible in any court or quasi-judicial proceeding if they have been identified and authenticated by the live testimony of a competent witness or if the records are accompanied by a certificate substantially in the following form:

"CERTIFICATE REGARDING BANK RECORDS

1. The accompanying documents are true and correct copies of the records of [name of bank]. The records were made in the regular course of business of the bank at or near the time of the acts, events, or conditions they reflect.

2. The undersigned is authorized to execute this certificate.

3. This certificate is issued pursuant to G.S. 53C-6-14.

I certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of North Carolina, that the foregoing statements are true and correct.

Date: _____________________

Signature

Print or type name

Title

[Notarize as required by law for an affidavit]"

(d) This section supplements and does not supersede G.S. 8-45.1. (2012-56, s. 4.)