(a) The secretary of state shall approve the articles of merger if the secretary of state determines that:
(1) the articles of merger comply with applicable law; and
(2) all fees and franchise taxes due from each corporation have been paid.
(b) The commissioner shall approve the articles of merger if the commissioner determines that:
(1) the articles of merger comply with applicable law; and
(2) the merger is in the best interest of the association.
(c) On approval of the articles of merger, each approving officer shall:
(1) endorse on the original and copy of the articles of merger the word "filed" and the date of the approval;
(2) file the original articles of merger in the records of the officer's office; and
(3) issue and deliver to the association a certificate of merger with an attached copy of the articles of merger.