(a) Upon the issuance of the certificate of amendment by the commissioner, the amendment becomes effective and the articles of incorporation are considered amended accordingly.
(b) An amendment does not affect an existing cause of action in favor of or against the corporation, or a pending suit to which the corporation is a party, or the existing rights of persons other than members. In the event the corporate name is changed by amendment, a suit brought by or against the corporation under its former name does not abate for that reason.