32-3-206. Authorized activities of credit unions. Upon written application to the department of administration, a credit union may engage in any activity in which a credit union could engage if it were operating as a federal chartered credit union at the time the authority is granted. The activities include but are not limited to the power to do any act and to own, possess, and carry as assets property including stocks, bonds, or other debentures that, at the time the authority is granted, are authorized under federal laws and regulations for transactions by federal credit unions and are not subject to any restrictions contained elsewhere in Montana law. However, the department may not charter a credit union not having a common bond of membership as defined in 32-3-304. The department shall approve an activity if it finds that the activity fosters competitive equality between state and federal credit unions and prevents adverse effects on members of state-chartered credit unions. If the department disapproves an activity, the credit union must be given an opportunity for a hearing pursuant to Title 2, chapter 4, part 6, to determine whether a compelling reason exists for denying approval of the activity for which the credit union applied.