Retention of records of financial institutions; microfilm

A. The commissioner may by regulation prescribe periods of time for the retention of records by any financial institution subject to his supervision. Records of any financial institution, including records of financial institutions not subject to the commissioner's supervision, that have been retained for the periods so prescribed may thereafter be destroyed, and no liability shall thereby arise against, or attach to, the financial institution destroying them. In any legal action in which any such records may be called in question or demanded of any financial institution or any officer, employee, or other agent thereof, a showing that the periods so prescribed have elapsed shall be a sufficient defense for the failure to produce them by reason of their destruction. B. Any records required to be retained pursuant to this Section or regulations promulgated hereunder may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, microcard, or miniature or microphotographic process, or by any mechanical or electronic recording or re-recording, electronic or optical imaging, chemical process, or other process or technique which accurately reproduces the original or forms or creates a durable medium for accurately reproducing the original record. C. Except as otherwise provided in R.S. 13:3733.1, each reproduction shall be treated for all purposes as if it were the original record, item, document, or instrument.