52 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 33

State, and any bank, savings institution or trust company,
hereafter created under this Act, may amend its charter,
articles of incorporation or association, in any manner not
inconsistent with the provisions of law, at any time, and in
the case of banking institutions having capital stock such
amendment shall be by a vote of its stockholders, represent-
ing two-thirds of the capital stock, such vote to be taken
at a meeting called for that purpose. Such amendment, cer-
tified by the president and cashier, or treasurer, shall be exe-
cuted, approved, filed and recorded as required for articles of
incorporation. Unless the required surplus will permit, no
increase of capital shall be valid until the amount thereof has
been subscribed and actually paid in. No reduction of capital
shall be made to a less amount than is required under the pro-
visions of this Act for capital, nor be valid nor warrant the
cancellation of stock certificates, or diminish the personal lia-
bility of stockholders, until such reduction has been approved
by the Bank Commissioner. Such approval must be based
upon a finding by him that the remaining assets of the bank
or trust company, after such proposed reduction of its capital
stock, will be entirely sufficient for the payment of the claims
of existing creditors. The provisions of this Section shall be
construed retrospectively as well as prospectively.

56. Every bank and trust company shall make to the Bank
Commissioner not less than five reports during each calendar
year, at such times as the said Bank Commissioner shall re-
quire the same, according to the forms which he shall prescribe
and furnish. Such forms shall conform as nearly as prac-
ticable to that required of National Banks, including the
schedules. Such reports shall be signed and verified by the
oath or affirmation of either the president, cashier or treasurer
of such bank or trust company before a Notary Public or
Justice of the Peace; if before a Justice of the Peace, then
such Justice shall be certified to by the Clerk of the Circuit
Court or of the Superior Court of Baltimore City, as the case
may be. Such report shall exhibit in detail and under proper
heads the resources and liabilities of the bank or trust company
at the close of the business of any past day by the Bank Com-
missioner specified, and shall be transmitted to said Bank Com-
missioner within ten days after the receipt of the request from
him. Such reports shall be published in a newspaper of the
city or village or county where such bank or trust company is
located, in such condensed form as may be prescribed by the
Bank Commissioner. Proof of said publication shall be fur-