(a) A savings bank may pay taxes, assessments, insurance premiums, and similar charges for the protection of the savings bank's interest in property that secures a real property loan of the savings bank.
(b) A payment under Subsection (a) is an advance, and the savings bank may:
(1) carry the payment on the savings bank's books as an asset of the savings bank for which the savings bank may charge interest; or
(2) add the payment to the unpaid balance of the loan to which it applies as of the first day of the month in which the payment is made.