Skip Header

Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation

Each depositor insured to at least $250,000 per insured bank



Home > Regulation & Examinations > Bank Examinations > FDIC Enforcement Decisions and Orders




FDIC Enforcement Decisions and Orders

ED&O Home | Search Form | ED&O Help


{{3-31-91 p.C-772}}

   [10,169] In the Matter of United Bank, Murray, Utah, Docket No. FDIC-90-233b (1-25-91).

   Bank to cease and desist from operating with inadequate management; operating with inadequate equity capital and reserves; operating with a large volume of poor quality loans; operating with an inadequate loan valuation reserve; following hazardous lending and lax collection practices; operating with inadequate routine and controls policies; operating in such manner as to produce low earnings; and operating in violation of state and federal laws.

   [.1] Management—Qualifications—Review
   [.2] Capital—Increase/Maintain—Methods
   [.3] Assets—Adversely Classified—Reduce/Eliminate
   [.4] Loans—Extensions of Credit—Existing Borrowers—Curtail
   [.5] Loan Policy—Revision—Minimum Requirements—Review
   [.6] Loan Loss Reserve—Maintain—Report
   [.7] Profit Plan—Written Plan—Minimum Requirements—Review
   [.8] Violations of Law—Eliminate/Correct
   [.9] Bank Operations—Internal Routine and Controls
   [.10] Reports of Condition and Income—Amend
   [.11] Dividends—Restricted
   [.12] Shareholders—Disclosure—Cease and Desist Order
   [.13] Compliance—Progress Reports—Frequency

In the Matter of

UNITED BANK
MURRAY, UTAH
(Insured State Nonmember Bank)
ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST

   The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") on December 17, 1990, issued to United Bank, Murray, Utah ("Bank"), a NOTICE OF CHARGES AND OF HEARING ("NOTICE"), pursuant to section 8(b) (1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act ("Act"), 12 U.S.C. § 1818 (b) (1). The NOTICE charges the Bank with having engaged in unsafe or unsound banking practices and violations of laws and/or regulations.
   The Bank and the FDIC thereafter executed a STIPULATION AND CONSENT TO THE ISSUANCE OF AN ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST ("CONSENT AGREEMENT"), dated January 25, 1991, whereby, solely for the purpose of this proceeding and without admitting or denying the allegations in the NOTICE, the Bank consented to the issuance of an ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST ("ORDER") by the FDIC.
   The FDIC considered the matter and determined that it had reason to believe that the Bank had engaged in unsafe or unsound banking practices and violations of laws and/ or regulations. The FDIC, therefore, accepted the CONSENT AGREEMENT and issued the following:

ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST

   IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Bank, and any institution-affiliated party as such term is defined in section 3(u) of the Act, 12 U.S.C. 1813(u), cease and desist from the following unsafe or unsound banking practices and violations:

       (a) operating with inadequate management;
       (b) operating with inadequate equity capital and reserves in relation to the volume and quality of assets held by the Bank;
       (c) operating with a large volume of poor quality loans;
       (d) operating with an inadequate loan valuation reserve;
       (e) following hazardous lending and lax collection practices;
       (f) operating with inadequate routine and controls policies;
       (g) operating in such a manner as to produce low earnings; and
       (h) operating in violation of section 7-3-20(i) of the Utah Code and Section 403(b) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
{{3-31-91 p.C-773}}
   IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Bank take affirmative action as follows:

   [.1] 1. The Bank shall have and retain qualified management.

       (a) Each member of management shall have qualifications and experience commensurate with his or her duties and responsibilities at the Bank. Management should include a chief executive officer with proven ability in managing a Bank of comparable size, and experience in upgrading a low quality loan portfolio, improving earnings, and other matters needing particular attention. Management should also include a senior lending officer with significant appropriate lending, collection, and loan supervision experience and experience upgrading a low quality loan portfolio. Each member of management shall be provided appropriate written authority from the Bank's board of directors to implement the provisions of this ORDER.
       (b) The qualifications of management shall be assessed on its ability to:
         (i) comply with the requirements of this ORDER;
         (ii) operate the Bank in a safe and sound manner;
         (iii) comply with applicable laws and regulations; and
         (iv) restore all aspects of the Bank to a safe and sound condition, including asset quality, capital adequacy, earnings, management effectiveness, and liquidity.
       (c) The Bank shall cause its articles of incorporation or bylaws or other governing corporate instrument to be amended to require that its Board of Directors include a minimum of two additional outside members.
       (d) During the life of this ORDER, the Bank shall notify the Regional Director of the FDIC's San Francisco Regional Office ("Regional Director") in writing when it proposes to add any individual to the Bank's board of directors or employ any individual as a senior executive officer. The notification must be received at least 30 days before such addition or employment is intended to become effective and should include a description of the background and experience of the individual or individuals to be added or employed.
       (e) The Bank may not add any individual to its board of directors or employ any individual as a senior executive officer if the Regional Director issues a notice of disapproval pursuant to section 32 of the Act, 12 U.S.C. § 1831i.

   [.2] 2. (a) Within 270 days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall have adjusted primary capital in such an amount as to equal or exceed ten (10.0) percent of the Bank's adjusted Part 325 total assets. Thereafter, during the life of this ORDER, the Bank shall maintain adjusted primary capital in such an amount as to equal or exceed ten (10.0) percent of the Bank's adjusted Part 325 total assets. Primary capital and Part 325 total assets utilized shall be calculated in accordance with prevailing instructions for the preparation of Reports of Condition. The computation of adjusted primary capital and the ratio of adjusted primary capital to adjusted Part 325 total assets shall be determined by using the procedures outlined in the "Analysis of Capital" schedule in the FDIC Report of Examination.
   (b) Any increase in primary capital necessary to meet the requirements of Paragraph 2 of this ORDER may be accomplished by the following
       (i) the sale of common stock; or
       (ii) the sale of perpetual preferred stock; or
       (iii) the direct contribution of cash by the board of directors, shareholders, and/ or parent holding company; or
       (iv) the collection of assets previously charged off; or
       (v) the reduction of the "Loss" assets specified in Paragraph 3 of this ORDER without loss or liability to the Bank; or
       (vi) any other means acceptable to the Regional Director; or
       (vii) any combination of the above means.
   (c) If all or part of the increase in primary capital required by Paragraph 2 of this ORDER is accomplished by the sale of new securities, the board of directors shall forthwith take all necessary steps to adopt and implement a plan for the sale of such additional securities, including the voting of any shares owned or proxies held or controlled by them in favor of the {{3-31-91 p.C-774}} plan. Should the implementation of the plan involve a public distribution of the Bank's securities (including a distribution limited only to the Bank's existing shareholders), the Bank shall prepare offering materials fully describing the securities being offered, including an accurate description of the financial condition of the Bank and the circumstances giving rise to the offering, and any other material disclosures necessary to comply with the Federal securities laws. Prior to the implementation of the plan and, in any event, not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the dissemination of such materials, the plan and any materials used in the sale of the securities shall be submitted to the FDIC, Registration and Disclosure Section, Washington, D.C. 20429, for review. Any changes requested to be made in the plan or materials by the FDIC shall be made prior to their dissemination. If the increase in primary capital is provided by the sale of preferred stock, then all terms and conditions of the issue, including but not limited to those terms and conditions relative to interest rate and convertibility factor, shall be presented to the Regional Director for prior approval.
   (d) In complying with the provisions of Paragraph 2 of this ORDER, the Bank shall provide to any subscriber and/or purchaser of the Bank's securities written notice of any planned or existing development or other changes which are materially different from the information reflected in any offering materials used in connection with the sale of Bank securities. The written notice required by this paragraph shall be furnished within ten (10) days from the date such material development or change was planned or occurred, whichever is earlier, and shall be furnished to every subscriber and/or purchaser of the Bank's securities who received or was tendered the information contained in the Bank's original offering materials.
   (e) For the purposes of this ORDER, the terms "primary capital" and "total assets" shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Part 325 of the FDIC Rules and Regulations, 12 C.F.R. § 325.2(h) and 325.2(k).

   [.3] 3. (a) Within 10 days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall eliminate from its books, by charge-off or collection, all assets classified "Loss" as of June 18, 1990, that have not been previously collected or charged off. Elimination of these assets through proceeds of other loans made by the Bank is not considered collection for the purpose of this paragraph.
   (b) Within 90 days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall have reduced the assets classified "Substandard" as of June 18, 1990 that have not previously been charged off to not more than $1,200,000.
   (c) Within 180 days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall have reduced the assets classified "Substandard" as of June 18, 1990 that have not previously been charged off to not more than $1,000,000.
   (d) Within 360 days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall have reduced the assets classified "Substandard" as of June 18, 1990 that have not previously been charged off to not more than $800,000.
   (e) The requirements of subparagraphs 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), and 3(d) of this ORDER are not to be construed as standards for future operations and, in addition to the foregoing, the Bank shall eventually reduce the total of all adversely classified assets. Reduction of these assets through proceeds of other loans made by the Bank is not considered collection for the purpose of this paragraph. As used in subparagraphs 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), and 3(e) the word "reduce" means:

       (i) to collect;
       (ii) to charge-off; or
       (iii) to sufficiently improve the quality of assets adversely classified to warrant removing any adverse classification, as determined by the FDIC.

   [.4] 4. (a) Beginning with the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall not extend, directly or indirectly, any additional credit to, or for the benefit of, any borrower who has a loan or other extension of credit from the Bank that has been charged off or classified, in whole or in part, "Loss" and is uncollected. The requirements of this paragraph shall not prohibit the Bank from renewing (after collection in cash of interest due from the borrower) any credit already extended to any borrower.
   (b) Additionally, during the life of this {{3-31-91 p.C-775}} ORDER, the Bank shall not extend, directly or indirectly, any additional credit to, or for the benefit of, any borrower who has a loan or other extension of credit from the Bank that has been classified, in whole or part, "Substandard" and is uncollected.
   (c) Paragraph 4(b) shall not apply if the Bank's failure to extend further credit to a particular borrower would be detrimental to the best interests of the Bank. Prior to the extending of any additional credit pursuant to this paragraph, either in the form of a renewal, extension, or further advance of funds, such additional credit shall be approved by a majority of the board of directors, or a designated committee thereof, who shall certify, in writing:
       (i) why the failure of the Bank to extend such credit would be detrimental to the best interests of the Bank;
       (ii) that the Bank's position would be improved thereby; and
       (iii) how the Bank's position would be improved. The signed certification shall be made a part of the minutes of the board of directors or designated committee, and a copy of the signed certification shall be retained in the borrower's credit file.

   [.5] 5. (a) Within 60 days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall revise, adopt, and implement written lending and collection policies to provide effective guidance and control over the Bank's lending function, which policies shall include specific guidelines for placing loans on a non-accrual basis. In addition, the Bank shall obtain adequate and current documentation for all loans in the Bank's loan portfolio. Such policies and their implementation shall be in a form and manner acceptable to the Regional Director as determined at subsequent examinations and/or visitations.
   (b) The initial revisions to the Bank's loan policy and practices, required by this paragraph, at a minimum, shall include the following:
       (i) provisions, consistent with FDIC instructions for the preparation of Reports of Condition and Income, under which the accrual of interest income is discontinued and previously accrued interest is reversed on delinquent loans;
       (ii) provisions which prohibit the capitalization of interest or loan related expense unless the board of directors supports in writing and records in the minutes of the corresponding board of directors meeting why an exception thereto is in the best interests of the Bank;
       (iii) provisions which require complete loan documentation, realistic repayment terms and current credit information adequate to support the outstanding indebtedness of the borrower. Such documentation shall include current financial information, profit and loss statements or copies of tax returns and cash flow projections;
       (iv) provisions which incorporate limitations on the amount that can be loaned in relation to established collateral values;
       (v) provisions which specify the circumstances and conditions under which real estate appraisals must be conducted by an independent third party;
       (vi) provisions which establish standards for unsecured credit;
       (vii) provisions which establish officer lending limits;
       (viii) provisions that require extensions of credit to any of the Bank's executive officers, directors, or principal shareholders, or to any related interest of such persons, to be approved in advance by a majority of the entire board of directors in accordance with section 215.4(b) of Regulation O of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 12 C.F.R. § 215.4(b);
       (ix) provisions which prohibit the issuance of standby letters of credit unless the letters of credit are fully secured by readily marketable collateral and/or are supported by current and complete financial information;
       (x) provisions that directors first determine that the lending staff has the expertise necessary to properly supervise construction loans and that adequate procedures are in place to monitor any construction involved before funds are disbursed;
       (xi) provisions which prohibit concentrations of credit in excess of 25 percent of the Bank's total equity capital {{3-31-91 p.C-776}} and reserves to any borrower and that borrower's related interests;
       (xii) provisions which require the preparation of a loan "watch list" which shall include relevant information on all loans in excess of $20,000 which are classified "Substandard" as of June 18, 1990 or by the FDIC or the Department of Financial Institutions of Utah in subsequent Reports of Examination and all other loans in excess of $20,000 which warrant individual review and consideration by the board of directors as determined by the loan committee or active management. The loan "watch list" shall be presented to the board of directors for review at least monthly with such review noted in the minutes; and
       (xiii) the board of directors shall adopt procedures whereby officer compliance with the revised loans policy is monitored and responsibility for exceptions thereto assigned. The procedures adopted shall be reflected in minutes of a board of directors meeting at which all members are present and the vote of each is noted.

   [.6] 6. Within 30 days from the effective date of this ORDER, the board of directors shall review the adequacy of the reserve for loan losses and establish a comprehensive policy for determining the adequacy of the reserve for loan losses. For the purpose of this determination, the adequacy of the reserve shall be determined after the charge-off of all loans or other items classified "Loss." The policy shall provide for a review of the reserve at least once each calendar quarter. Said review should be completed at least ten (10) days prior to the end of each quarter, in order that the findings of the board of directors with respect to the loan loss reserve may be properly reported in the quarterly Reports of Condition and Income. The review should focus on the results of the Bank's internal loan review, loan loss experience, trends of delinquent and non-accrual loans, an estimate of potential loss exposure of significant credits, concentrations of credit, and present and prospective economic conditions. A deficiency in the reserve shall be remedied in the calendar quarter it is discovered, prior to submitting the Report of Condition, by a charge to current operating earnings. The minutes of the board of directors meeting at which such review is undertaken shall indicate the results of the review.

   [.7] 7. Within 60 days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall formulate and implement a written profit plan. This plan shall be forwarded to the Regional Director for review and comment and shall address, at a minimum, the following:

       (a) goals and strategies for improving and sustaining the earnings of the Bank, including:
         (i) an identification of the major areas in, and means by which, the board of directors will seek to improve the Bank's operating performance;
         (ii) realistic and comprehensive budgets;
         (iii) a budget review process to monitor the income and expenses of the Bank to compare actual figures with budgetary projections; and
         (iv) a description of the operating assumptions that form the basis for, and adequately support, major projected income and expense components.
       (b) coordination of the Bank's loan, investment, and operating policies, and budget and profit planning, with the funds management policy.

   [.8] 8. Within 360 days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall eliminate and/or correct all violations of law which are more fully set out on page 6-a of the Report of Examination of the Bank as of June 18, 1990. The requirements of Paragraph 8 of this Order may be accomplished if the Bank provides to the Regional Director a written opinion of the Utah Attorney General which states that no violation exists under Utah law and the written opinion is satisfactory to the Regional Director. In addition, the Bank shall take all necessary steps to ensure future compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

   [.9] 9. Within 60 days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall adopt and implement a policy for the operation of the Bank in such a manner as to provide adequate internal routine and control policies consistent with safe and sound banking practices. Such policy and its implementation shall be satisfactory to the Regional Director as determined at subsequent examinations and/or visitations.

   [.10] 10. Within 10 days after eliminating from its books any asset in compliance {{3-31-91 p.C-777}} with Paragraph 3 of this ORDER, the Bank shall file with the FDIC amended Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income which shall accurately reflect the financial condition of the Bank as of December 30, 1989, March 31, 1990, and June 30, 1990. Thereafter, during the life of this ORDER, the Bank shall file with the FDIC Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income which accurately reflect the financial condition of the Bank as of the end of the period for which the Reports are filed, including any adjustment in the Bank's books made necessary or appropriate as a consequence of any Department of Financial Institutions of Utah or FDIC examination of the Bank during that reporting period.

   [.11] 11. The Bank shall not pay cash dividends in any amount except as follows:

       (a) such declarations and payments are made in accordance with applicable State and Federal laws and regulations;
       (b) that after payment of such dividends, the ratio of adjusted primary capital to total assets of the Bank will be not less than ten (10.0) percent;
       (c) that such declaration and payment of dividends shall be approved in advance by the board of directors; and
       (d) that such declaration and payment of dividends shall be approved in advance, in writing, by the Regional Director, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

   [.12] 12. Following the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall send to its shareholders or otherwise furnish a description of this ORDER in conjunction with the Bank's next shareholder communication and also in conjunction with its notice or proxy statement preceding the Bank's next shareholder meeting. The description shall fully describe the ORDER in all material respects.

   [.13] 13. Within 30 days of the end of the first quarter following the effective date of this ORDER, and within thirty (30) days of the end of each quarter thereafter, the Bank shall furnish written progress reports to the Regional Director and the Commissioner of Financial Institutions of the State of Utah ("Commissioner") detailing the form and manner of any actions taken to secure compliance with this ORDER and the results thereof. Such reports shall include a copy of the Bank's Report of Condition and the Bank's Report of Income. Such reports may be discontinued when the corrections required by this ORDER have been accomplished and the Regional Director and the Commissioner have released the Bank in writing from making further reports.
   The provisions of this ORDER shall be binding upon the Bank, its directors, officers, employees, agents, successors, assigns, and other persons participating in the conduct of the affairs of the Bank.
   This ORDER shall become effective ten (10) days from the date of its issuance.
   The provisions of this ORDER shall remain effective and enforceable except to the extent that, and until such time as, any provisions of this ORDER shall have been modified, terminated, suspended, or set aside by the FDIC.
   Pursuant to delegated authority.
   Dated at San Francisco, California, this 25th Day of January, 1991.

ED&O Home | Search Form | ED&O Help

Last Updated 6/6/2003 legal@fdic.gov

Skip Footer back to content