The department shall, within six months after the date on which it takes possession of any financial institution as receiver, determine whether or not to liquidate the business and property and distribute the assets of the financial institution. If it shall determine to liquidate, it shall forthwith file with the principal court a supplement to the certificate of possession, setting forth this determination. The department shall then proceed to liquidate the affairs of the financial institution with as much dispatch as shall appear to be expedient under the circumstances.