12 U.S.C. § 21 — Formation of national banking associations; incorporators; articles of association

This section lets people form associations to carry on the business of banking under title 62 of the Revised Statutes. Any number of natural persons can form one, as long as there are at least five of them. They must enter into articles of association. These articles must generally describe the purpose the association is formed for. The articles can also include any other provisions the association wants to adopt to regulate its business and conduct its affairs, as long as those provisions are not inconsistent with the law. The people forming the association must sign these articles. A copy of the signed articles must then be forwarded to the Comptroller of the Currency, who files and preserves it in his office.