OCC Releases Guide Other Real Estate Owned
On September 13, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) released Bulletin OCC 2013-20, announcing it had issued the “Other Real Estate Owned” booklet of the Comptroller’s Handbook.
Description: Comptroller’s Handbook Revisions and Rescissions
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued today the “Other Real Estate Owned” booklet of the Comptroller’s Handbook. This updated booklet replaces a similarly titled booklet issued in March 1990 (and examination procedures issued in April 1998). The updated booklet also replaces section 251, “Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets,” issued in December 2010 as part of the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) Examination Handbook for the examination of federal savings associations.
The OCC’s “Other Real Estate Owned” booklet provides updated guidance to examiners and bankers on the acquisition, reporting, management, and disposition of OREO. Major revisions address interagency appraisal and evaluation guidance; managing and renting foreclosed residential properties; third-party service providers; borrower redemption periods after foreclosure; and the exchange of participation interests in OREO.
The booklet discusses similarities and differences in the statutes and regulations unique to national banks and federal savings associations (FSA). Although policies governing OREO for national banks and FSAs are similar in many respects, some differences remain and are addressed in the booklet. In addition, areas governed by policy but not statute or regulation have been made uniform for national banks and FSAs in this booklet. For example, whereas section 251 described OREO hold or sell considerations that an FSA should address, the updated booklet directs FSAs to the general statutory and regulatory standard for national banks for OREO disposition. In another example, FSAs had been expected to use property acquired for future expansion within three years of acquisition or transfer the property to OREO, whereas national banks are expected to use such property within five years; FSAs now are allowed the five-year time frame.
With the issuance of this booklet, the following documents are rescinded:
- TS Examination Handbook, section 251, “Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets” (December 2010)
- OCC Bulletin 2011-49, “Foreclosed Properties: Guidance on Potential Issues With Foreclosed Residential Properties” (December 14, 2011)
- OCC Bulletin 2011-10, “Other Real Estate Owned: Exchanging Other Real Estate Owned for Other Assets” (March 24, 2011)
For further information, contact Grant Wilson, Director for Commercial Credit Risk, Credit and Market Risk Division, at (202) 649-6432.
John C. Lyons Jr.
Senior Deputy Comptroller and Chief National Bank Examiner
Related Link:
To view the bulletin online, please click here.
About Safeguard
Safeguard Properties is the largest mortgage field services company in the U.S. Founded in 1990 by Robert Klein and based in Valley View, Ohio, the company inspects and maintains defaulted and foreclosed properties for mortgage servicers, lenders, and other financial institutions. Safeguard employs approximately 1,700 people, in addition to a network of thousands of contractors nationally. Website: www.safeguardproperties.com.
